Frame material hierarchy

Yeah, as aforementioned in my first post, different steels and consequential designs for different uses. "steel" as a catch all answer is far to simplistic.

There's too little mass in a modern bike frame to make real savings with Al, so why compromise the hikes lifespan with a material that won't save much, of any, weight and which doesn't feel as nice to ride?
 
Agreed. Alu was done as a cost saving - it's fast to machine, doesn't wear tools and is easy enough to weld. But any frame is either over-stiff or short life.

The bike industry got round this by persuading journalists that stiff was what everyone wanted.
 
hamster your 100% right. And as for hydroformed alu......yes can help on a full susser to shape awkward areas into better areas for taking stresses and shock units, clearances, but on a cheap hard tail, it's mainly asthetics to make you think it's light and strong.

Cheap hydroformed alu sucks !
 
"Take a carbon frame, hit it with a rock. Now take a similarly dimensioned steel frame and do the same.

I normal riding it'll be fine, but because carbon can't be strong in all planes at once it is simply more vulnerable to impact damage than any metallic frame, simple fact of life." ----------- I guess I haven't hit any rocks big enough to damage my frame yet, although I have crashed at least a couple times a year in the 3 1/2 years riding it. Another interesting fact about carbon is the frame, if damaged, can be repaired seamlessly so it is as good as new-no heat treating required.
 
FMJ":2z1ck0xs said:
-------Here's one made by Calfee down in Santa Cruz-they also make carbon tandems and repair damaged frames.
 

Attachments

  • Bamboo Tandem.webp
    Bamboo Tandem.webp
    70.4 KB · Views: 297
That is a beauty. I too love bamboo as a plant and all the things you can do with it. I have watched a house being formed from start to finish with it over three days, everything from roofing to flooring and partitions. Truly amazing material.

I am also a reserved Carbon 'fan'. I use it but I am very cautious about it, especially forks, bars and seatposts.

I have used a Carbon stem, but would not be happy long term relying on one for the sake of a few grammes.

Just my suspicious nature.

I always advise against it when I am asked what frame material to go for, and people are generally happy when the Alu full susser they end up with is massively better specced yet only a fraction heavier. Most people who ask me are less knowledgeable, and I rightly assume they would not look after the bike well enough to make it worthwhile.

I think matters are somewhat different for someone like yourself Pat, as I am guessing your experience and awareness would come into play judging how much, over time, impacts and wear and tear might have effected your steed.

After all, some people will drive a car around with a cracked chassis without ever thinking about what damage might have been done hitting a speed bump at seventy. Those who know what effect that might have had would have it checked out.

Most 'Carbon' mountain bikes have other materials in areas that are difficult to lay up, and those are usually the most stressed areas like bottom brackets, etc.

My personal experience suggests a hybrid of materials, each applied to capitalise their strengths, makes a great bike.

So why not have it all?
 
A couple more of Calfee's bikes. A bamboo one speed road bike and a carbon tandem frame-They claim a fully built weight on the carbon tandem to be under 22 pounds.
 

Attachments

  • Carbon Tandem.webp
    Carbon Tandem.webp
    76.2 KB · Views: 283
  • Bamboo Road Bike.webp
    Bamboo Road Bike.webp
    54.7 KB · Views: 283
hamster":1xiar2v8 said:
Agreed. Alu was done as a cost saving - it's fast to machine, doesn't wear tools and is easy enough to weld. But any frame is either over-stiff or short life.

The bike industry got round this by persuading journalists that stiff was what everyone wanted.

Was it not also because at the time (20+years ago) aluminium bikes/frames were expensive and light and cheap bikes were heavy and made from steel. So aluminium was percieved as being better than steel by the general public. Now it's the same with carbon and aluminium, and cheaper carbon frames are starting to appear.
 
Back
Top