The total cost of a mountain bike frame is equally proportionate to the material used, as well as the type of treatment that the material has received. right now, there are four versions of materials used for mountain bikes - high tensile steel, chromoly steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. Adding to the cost of the fame are other treatments for example oversized diameters, heat treating and butting.

High tensile steel: This is an immensely dependable alloy that's found in lower end mountain bikes. It has a high carbon composition which makes it much less stiff than chromoly steel, so because of that more materials are required to make it stiff enough for
bicycle frames, which will in turn make it that muchheavier.

Comparatively inexpensive to produce, you'll find this material in trail bikes, city bikes, and even entry level mountain bikes. There are some bikes that are equipped with a chromoly seat tube, while the rest of the bike is high tensile steel.

Chromoly steel: Short for steel alloy, chromoly is best explained by its important additives - chromium and molybdenum. This is definitelythe most refined framing material, giving over one hunderd years of reliable service.

Depending on the type of heat treating and butting, you can find this material in bikes as low as 400 dollars and all the way up to one and a half grand and beyond. The chromoly steel material provides exceedingly good sturdiness and a compliant ride characteristic.

Aluminum: For over the past 2 decades, aluminum has been refined in much the same manner as chromoly. There have been various alloys constructed, in addition to heat treatment, oversizing, and butting. In conjunction with dual suspension bikes, aluminum is the preferred material as it is the stiffest and most cost effective.

Aluminum is stiffer than chromoly, and as a result it will crack before chromoly. Of course, this depends on how you ride and how much abuse you give the bicycle. The advantages of aluminum is that the bike frame is considerably light weight and considerably stiff through oversizing or butting.

Titanium: Even thought it's somewhat exotic, the prices for this material have come down over the last number of years. Bicycle frames made of titanium remain expensive due to the fact that it takes longer to weld the tubes to the frame. Titanium is generally considered an alloy, typically mixed with small amounts of vanadium and aluminum to give it more suitable weldability and ride characteristics.

More compliant than chromoly, it offers greater fatigue and corrosion characteristics.
The material you decide on for your bicyle, all depends on where you ride and what type of style you use. Nearly all materials will last you for a long time, just make sure you take care of your bike and treat the frame with great respect.

The material you decide on for your bicyle, all depends on where you ride and what type of style you use. Nearly all materials will last you for a long time, just make sure you take care of your bike and treat the frame with great respect.