Originally Posted by
WinterCommuter
Other materials (titanium, aluminum, and carbon fiber) became more popular. Why? Good question.
Cost and weight.
Once TIG replaced brazing as the primary construction method for bike frames, it didn’t take much for aluminum to supplant CrMo in the mid-range, and eventually most of the bike market. Mid-grade aluminum frames could be made for the same cost as mid-grade steel, but at a lighter weight. Most of the time, most bike buyers would pick a lighter bike, at the same price point.
That’s why, until you hit a certain price point; call it ‘Enthusiast’ as opposed to ‘Consumer’ the vast majority of mass produced bikes will be aluminum.