Aluminum: wear out?
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Aluminum: wear out?
A bike salesperson told me that aluminum frames eventually wear out, or become dead. Does this happen and what does it mean?
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Originally Posted by hardpatz
A bike salesperson told me that aluminum frames eventually wear out, or become dead. Does this happen and what does it mean?
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What do you mean less responsive and dead
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Originally Posted by hardpatz
A bike salesperson told me that aluminum frames eventually wear out, or become dead. Does this happen and what does it mean?
Incidentally, that comment about aluminum frames losing their "feel" in some period of time - I can remember when exactly the same comment used to be made about steel frames. Back in those days people also said they didn't like aluminum frames because they weren't stiff like a good steel frame. If you live long enough some of these old bikers tales are going to change. Then you get to laugh at the guys who keep repeating them.
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It means he'll make more money if you buy the bike that doesn't have the Aluminum frame.
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Originally Posted by Raiyn
Yes it does. An AL frame can and will eventually feel less responsive or "dead" usually this happens after several years of riding. A general rule of thumb is five years though there will soon be plenty of people here to dispute this.
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Originally Posted by hardpatz
A bike salesperson told me that aluminum frames eventually wear out, or become dead. Does this happen and what does it mean?
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One of the big complaints about aluminum is it's too stiff. "Responsive" and "lively" are terms you hear when people are talking about high-end steel or TI frames.
I dragged an ancient Raleigh "technium" alu frame out of the trash and built a retro-rocket to ride while my new bike was in the lay-a-way. Thing must have been 20 years old; worked fine.
I dragged an ancient Raleigh "technium" alu frame out of the trash and built a retro-rocket to ride while my new bike was in the lay-a-way. Thing must have been 20 years old; worked fine.
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I have a 12-14 year old Giant Farrago with Al frame (I'm guessing the age, it has an early 90s date stamp on the stem) and a new Giant Sedone with Al frame. Besides the different size issues, these feel the same to me.
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Originally Posted by hardpatz
A bike salesperson told me that aluminum frames eventually wear out, or become dead. Does this happen and what does it mean?
My aluminum bike is 19 years old and has >50,000 miles on it. It is not less responsive or "dead".
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when I got my al GT track bike 6 yrs ago many people told me it was going to break soon. Since then i put 35,000 miles on it on nyc streets. still fine after couple falls.
Yes they want you to buy more expensive frame. Carbon sucks
Yes they want you to buy more expensive frame. Carbon sucks
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Originally Posted by Gonzo Bob
It means he wants you to spend more and buy carbon fiber or titanium.
My aluminum bike is 19 years old and has >50,000 miles on it. It is not less responsive or "dead".
My aluminum bike is 19 years old and has >50,000 miles on it. It is not less responsive or "dead".
Cool !! What kind of bike is it?
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Aluminum, steel, titanium, carbon fiber: all have finite lives. Given reasonable care, all will outlast you. (And I don't even know how old you are.)
Doc
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I don't know if this is still the case today, but about 10-12 years ago, it was the 'common wisdom' that aluminum frames were not meant for extended use, but rather to be raced a season or two and then retired, because the metal would fatigue and the frame would not be safe.
This might have simply been a bit of retro-grouch lore, or perhaps back then aluminum frame technology was less refined and frames _were_ weaker.
Looking at the godzilla tubing and giant gussets on Al frames today, i doubt this is still the case, unless you are jumping off small buildings on a daily basis.
This might have simply been a bit of retro-grouch lore, or perhaps back then aluminum frame technology was less refined and frames _were_ weaker.
Looking at the godzilla tubing and giant gussets on Al frames today, i doubt this is still the case, unless you are jumping off small buildings on a daily basis.
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Many of the aluminum frames of yesteryear were glued together as skilled welders were in short supply. These had a short life, in general.
Doc
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The only reason someone would care about a frame "going dead" is if they want to up sell you on a CF or Ti frame..
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Originally Posted by DocF
Many of the aluminum frames of yesteryear were glued together as skilled welders were in short supply. These had a short life, in general.
Doc
Doc
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Originally Posted by 2manybikes
Cool !! What kind of bike is it?
Here is the frameset at Nashbar!
https://www.nashbar.com/profile_morei...u=13102&brand=
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Originally Posted by Gonzo Bob
Vitus 979 Duralinox - not welded but "glued and screwed" so it must be one of those "short life" frames
Here is the frameset at Nashbar!
https://www.nashbar.com/profile_morei...u=13102&brand=
Here is the frameset at Nashbar!
https://www.nashbar.com/profile_morei...u=13102&brand=
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Metal bicycle frames do not go dead. This is an old wives tale. What can happen with aluminum frames, as well as those made from other materials is a fatigue failure. Essentially, after many low amplitude stress cycles, the frame can crack under a fairly light loads. I have broken many frames this way (no aluminum ones yet though!)
Most aluminum frames are quite well designed, and will last more than long enough under normal conditions. I have an old cannondale that I have not been able to break yet, but I am trying. I wouldn't worry too much about it. There are good frames made from aluminum, just as there are good frames made of carbon, steel and ti. The design and manufacturing of the frame is more important than the material used.
Most aluminum frames are quite well designed, and will last more than long enough under normal conditions. I have an old cannondale that I have not been able to break yet, but I am trying. I wouldn't worry too much about it. There are good frames made from aluminum, just as there are good frames made of carbon, steel and ti. The design and manufacturing of the frame is more important than the material used.
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Originally Posted by Raiyn
Yes it does. An AL frame can and will eventually feel less responsive or "dead" usually this happens after several years of riding. A general rule of thumb is five years though there will soon be plenty of people here to dispute this.
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Originally Posted by Phantoj
I like my aluminum frame better since it has gone dead and isn't so darned harsh.
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Here's a picture of my De Rosa. PROOF that aluminum wears out. Those tubes used to be straight. 3 years of hard riding later......well, you can see for yourselves what happened.