Frame material
Frame material
Your frame is the heart of your bike and often defines the nature of your ride.
Carbon fibre is now the material of the moment and the price of a carbon bike is now within the reach of most people. It’s important to note, however, that not all carbon fibre is the same, and as you pay more, the weight will drop significantly, with the lightest carbon fibre frames now in the region of 700-800g.
Entry-level carbon bikes will feature lower-level groupsets, heavier wheelsets and components that can add a significant weight gain to the frame. However, there’s no two ways about it; carbon fibre allows bike engineers to marry low weight, comfort and, often, aerodynamics like no other frame material, and it’s for good reason that it’s become the material of choice for many.
Aluminium, or alloy, simply refuses to go away, and rightly so, too. If you have less than £1,000 to spend then you’ll likely be looking at an aluminium frame, while it’s also still a popular frame material for the rough-and-tumble of crit racing.
A good alloy frame (and there’s no shortage of choice, with the Kinesis 4S and Aithein, Canyon Ultimate AL SLX, Cube Peloton and Specialized Allez all popular options) will come in at a weight to rival many entry- to mid-level carbon fibre frames (often around 1,100-1,200g), at a more affordable price, while offering a stiff ride quality. That often gives you a choice of better-specced bikes at much lower prices without much of a weight penalty.
Again, it’s a case of considering what you want and what you need – and your budget. Do you want a carbon machine like everyone else on the club run?
Given your budget, are you better off with a top alloy frame, or an entry-level carbon fibre chassis? Alloy frames also make excellent cyclo-cross bikes and a lightweight commuter option.
Steel was once the only choice for riders of any discipline but, after being shunted aside first by aluminium and then carbon fibre, in recent years steel has made a making a fighting comeback, especially in the custom frame department.
You will pay a dividend for a custom frame, but at least you get a made-to-measure frame, and you’re able to specify your own choice of components and groupset. The ride quality of a steel frame made from top materials such as Reynolds 853 is a moment to be savoured and will reduce many a purist to wistful thinking.
The latest development in steel tubing, which has seen the weight drop to competitive levels (if still some way off carbon fibre) has also seen it make a comeback in the pro peloton, with the Madison Genesis team using the Genesis Volare 953 for crit racing.
Titanium, like steel, still retains a strong, almost cult-like following. Light, strong and reassuringly expensive, titanium enjoys the ride qualities of steel, the weight saving attributes of alloy, and the expense of a top-flight carbon frame.
You can be rest assured that the best made titanium frames will last you to the grave; they will also look as good as the day you bought it if well looked after. Choice of frames across all bike disciplines are still catered for by titanium frame builders, but don’t expect to pay anything but top-dollar for the best frames.
Now it’s time to consider what size frame you need.