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What kind of frame do I have?

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Old 06-26-11, 09:42 AM
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What kind of frame do I have?

I have a mid 90's Raliegh USA M-50 mountain bike. I bought for $350 back then and it is a pretty good sturdy bike. I'm trying to find out what my frame is made of. Would it be steel,chrome-moly,or aluminum?
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Old 06-26-11, 10:06 AM
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There should be a sticker somewhere on the frame to indicate that. I had a 1999 M50 which was a mix of chromoly and hi-tensile steel. Bikepedia is very helpful for these things: https://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...=M50&Type=bike

You can do a Google search for any bike (made after ~1991) like this. I typed in "1999 Raleigh M50 bikepedia"
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Old 06-26-11, 10:21 AM
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Mixed steel types, typically use the higher strength, chromoly for the main tubes,

So as to be able to thin the tube wall, and maintain strength,
The Hi Ten for the chain and seat -stay tubes..

Frame weight is a bit less, that way..

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Old 06-26-11, 10:34 AM
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Well we know it isn't carbon (not at that price). A magnet will tell you if it's steel (which I suspect it is) or aluminum.

Chrome-moly is a type of steel, so is what they often call Hi-tensile, or Hi-ten and other trademarks. There are a number of steel alloys where metals like chrome, molybdenum and nickle (3 most commonly used) are added to improve the strength and other properties. The only way to have any idea which type of steel your frame is made of is to read the specs, or send off a small piece for chemical analysis (cost about $500.00).
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Old 06-26-11, 02:28 PM
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My son's M-30 from the late 90's was advertised as having a cromo "main tube" with the rest hi-ten. "Main tube" was probably the down tube.
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Old 06-26-11, 07:58 PM
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I Googled it and found that it was part chrome moly/part steel. A good sturdy frame,which is what I need.
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