Frame materials, a pundit's approach
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Frame materials, a pundit's approach
Disclaimer: I've only ever ridden a low end aluminum race bike.
I like steel frames for long haul touring bikes as they can be repaired with more ewase than other materials. But I guess if a frame is that busted that it needs repairing, shouldn't the rider be concerned about the wheels too (or are they a lot easier to fix than a frame in a 3rd world country?).
I like titanium frames because of finish, it's beautiful to look at. My neighbour has a titanium bike, unpainted, gorgous looking frame. I never knew tubes of metal could look that nice. I'm a bike geek.
I like aluminum frames because it's light and cheap, both are things that I like. And for my low end bike, I can sit on the top tube and not worry about it cracking.
I like carbon frames because they're the lightest.
That is all.
One more thing, frame material plays a role in stiffness, ride quliaty, stuff like that. But I guess construction is where it's really at. And if you want a comfortable ride, changing from 23 to 25 mm tires would make more difference to ride quality than changing frame material.
Is that what all these frame material threads boil down to?
I like steel frames for long haul touring bikes as they can be repaired with more ewase than other materials. But I guess if a frame is that busted that it needs repairing, shouldn't the rider be concerned about the wheels too (or are they a lot easier to fix than a frame in a 3rd world country?).
I like titanium frames because of finish, it's beautiful to look at. My neighbour has a titanium bike, unpainted, gorgous looking frame. I never knew tubes of metal could look that nice. I'm a bike geek.
I like aluminum frames because it's light and cheap, both are things that I like. And for my low end bike, I can sit on the top tube and not worry about it cracking.
I like carbon frames because they're the lightest.
That is all.
One more thing, frame material plays a role in stiffness, ride quliaty, stuff like that. But I guess construction is where it's really at. And if you want a comfortable ride, changing from 23 to 25 mm tires would make more difference to ride quality than changing frame material.
Is that what all these frame material threads boil down to?
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