Can anyone advise on the characteristics of various frame materials, for example:
What are the main characteristics of a titanium frame including rear triangle, what changes when you add carbon seat stays, chain stays and forks?
And similarly what would be the characteristics of a full aluminium frame and forks and what would change by adding carbon forks, chain stays and seat stays?
What are the main characteristics of the following frames; carbon, titanium and aluminium in terms of rigidity, stability and comfort, taking out of the equation frame angles.
Can anyone advise on the characteristics of various frame materials, for example:
What are the main characteristics of a titanium frame including rear triangle, what changes when you add carbon seat stays, chain stays and forks?
And similarly what would be the characteristics of a full aluminium frame and forks and what would change by adding carbon forks, chain stays and seat stays?
What are the main characteristics of the following frames; carbon, titanium and aluminium in terms of rigidity, stability and comfort, taking out of the equation frame angles.
Who's up for beating a dead horse?? My .03 worth: You don't ride material, you ride a frame.Cheap ones are often somewhat nasty. You might like a well made frame of any material....with or without CF stays. CF forks are pretty standard except on bottom of the barrel stuff.
A cheap carbon won't necessarily be nicer than a quality AL frame. Agreed with Brother Boudreaux, material alone doesn't determine the ride characteristic. Some people claim a carbon rear triangle is flexy. Some people like carbon seat stay but not chain stay. Are you 250 lb or 135 lb? Lots of variables to consider. You need to ride a bunch of frame and find which one feels the best
I'll put this question in the same categroy as "Tell me which saddle to buy".
Well not really. 1, you might want to start with a search on these forums, but watch out for lots of misleading opinion. 2, you might want to try some other websites like sheldon brown's (I just read an overview of different frame materials on www.rivendellbicycles.com, lot's of material favoring steel, guess what they build with?). 3, realize that any GOOD framebuilder can extract a lot of different properties (strong, light, forgiving, more/less harsh, springy, etc etc) from ANY material to a large extent. 4, know that wheels and tires can make as big of, or greater, percieved difference in strenght/weight/etc than frame.
The caveat about frame design/construction mattering more than material firmly in place, here's what is generally said about Ti, Al and C: C and Ti supposedly ride less harshly than Al. Al doesn't last as long as Ti if ridden hard. Ti and C are more corrosion-resistant than Al. C is supposed to smooth out road vibration more than Ti and Al. In terms of weight, there's little in it; extremely light frames can be made out of any of these materials.
Who's up for beating a dead horse?? My .03 worth: You don't ride material, you ride a frame.Cheap ones are often somewhat nasty. You might like a well made frame of any material....with or without CF stays. CF forks are pretty standard except on bottom of the barrel stuff.
Perhaps not "who's up for beating a dead horse" - but more like get off a 'high horse'. I understand you 'ride a frame' and mine is a custom made titanium frame with carbon forks -all of which I am pleased with. My interest was in what differs between materials.
Well not really. 1, you might want to start with a search on these forums, but watch out for lots of misleading opinion. 2, you might want to try some other websites like sheldon brown's (I just read an overview of different frame materials on www.rivendellbicycles.com, lot's of material favoring steel, guess what they build with?). 3, realize that any GOOD framebuilder can extract a lot of different properties (strong, light, forgiving, more/less harsh, springy, etc etc) from ANY material to a large extent. 4, know that wheels and tires can make as big of, or greater, percieved difference in strenght/weight/etc than frame.
Thanks for the reply - just checked out the website - very helpful
Can anyone advise on the characteristics of various frame materials, for example:
What are the main characteristics of a titanium frame including rear triangle, what changes when you add carbon seat stays, chain stays and forks?
And similarly what would be the characteristics of a full aluminium frame and forks and what would change by adding carbon forks, chain stays and seat stays?
What are the main characteristics of the following frames; carbon, titanium and aluminium in terms of rigidity, stability and comfort, taking out of the equation frame angles.
My favorite frame material is steel. It has a snappy feeling to it that you don't get with aluminum and it just soaks up the road for a nice comfy ride. I do have an alum bike as well for racing crits that is nice too, but the ride is different. Aluminum feels lighter and stiffer, but not quite as comfy and fairly lifeless. It really depends on what type of riding you like to do. I do feel that carbon stays and an all carbon fork are options worth considering, regardless of what you decide on. My .02. Good luck. 😎
My favorite frame material is steel. It has a snappy feeling to it that you don't get with aluminum and it just soaks up the road for a nice comfy ride. I do have an alum bike as well for racing crits that is nice too, but the ride is different. Aluminum feels lighter and stiffer, but not quite as comfy and fairly lifeless. It really depends on what type of riding you like to do. I do feel that carbon stays and an all carbon fork are options worth considering, regardless of what you decide on. My .02. Good luck. 😎
Always just a matter of time till the BS flows....LOL
Always just a matter of time till the BS flows....LOL
I have ridden 6,000+ miles on steel and 11,000 on aluminum. Admittingly, I have never ridden ti or carbonfiber, so I can't speak to those materials. I started on rode steel for few years then aluminum the last two and just purchased a new steel frame this past October because it's what I prefer. No B.S. just a matter of opinion.
I have ridden 6,000+ miles on steel and 11,000 on aluminum. Admittingly, I have never ridden ti or carbonfiber, so I can't speak to those materials. I started on rode steel for few years then aluminum the last two and just purchased a new steel frame this past October because it's what I prefer. No B.S. just a matter of opinion.
And I could name steel frames that would rattle your teeth ,and aluminum that is limper than overcooked pasta. So, at the end of the day when all the BS is flushed, it's how it's built, not the material.
And I could name steel frames that would rattle your teeth ,and aluminum that is limper than overcooked pasta. So, at the end of the day when all the BS is flushed, it's how it's built, not the material.
I do agree. My latest steel frame is a deda 16.5 and it lightyears away from my '91 lugged steel frame. Also my 2 year old 7000 series alum is "mushy" compared to my old Cannondale 3.0 frame. The build does matter the most. What do you prefer?
