I posted this in the mtb forum, but thought you guys might be of help too.

This is what Iron Horse said about the 2006 Warrior Expert frame -"DOUBLE BUTTED ALLOY HARDTAIL FRAME". Am i correct in assuming that thats a chromoly frame? Or is that aluminium? I would have thought they would have specifically said aluminium if it was?

Whats your opinion of chromoly as opposed to 6061 aluminium by the way? I get the impression that its better despite the extra weight.

Thanks for any info you could give me.

Sounds like an aluminum frame to me; alloy generally means aluminum alloy.

And in regards to the qestion of steel v. aluminum, I like to point folks to Scot Nichol's treatise on frame materials: https://www2.sjsu.edu/orgs/asmtms/artcle/articl.htm

For those who don't know him, Scot founded Ibis Cycles and was (is?) its chief designer and builder. I say is because I've heard that he and Ibis are back. And if you don't know Ibis, get thee to Google.

Thanks for ther info

So its probably aluminium, but not 6061?

It's been a while since I looked at alu frame. But I think there's a good chance that it is 6061.

I believe that 6061 and 7005 are the two big alloys used in frame tubes.

Can anyone set me straight on that?

Chances are it's 7005 because it doesn't have to be precipitation heat treated on top of being artificially aged = cheaper and easier.