Mountain bike frames tend to be made from either carbon, aluminium, steel or titanium. Some riders choose carbon bikes for their unbeatably lightweight and impressive strength. Other mountain bikers prefer titanium frames that offer an exceptionally smooth ride, making them great for covering long distances. Here’s a brief introduction to the good and bad of the most used bike frame materials:
Carbon
Carbon is famously lightweight, enabling manufacturers to craft sturdy mountain bikes and designs that are impossible to make with most other materials. And even though it weighs a little, carbon can withstand a lot. A top-spec frame can be stronger than aluminium or steel and carbon also doesn’t corrode or rust. However, all those benefits come at a price. Carbon frames can be among the most expensive bikes available, but many experienced riders deem the price tag a more than worthwhile investment.
Aluminium
Because it’s affordable compared to many other bike frame materials, aluminium is the most commonly used material for frame manufacturing. It’s not as light as carbon, but it beats steel in the weight category. And even though carbon is strong, aluminium is often better at withstanding impacts from sharp edges and rocks that can puncture carbon. Top-range aluminium dual suspension, downhill and hard-trail mountain bikes can be comfortable on most terrains, but you might feel the bumps on tough tracks.
Steel
Steel was once the most commonly used material to manufacture bike frames. And, even though many manufacturers have dropped it for aluminium, some small brands still create steel frames due to their riding quality, strength, minimal maintenance requirements and low cost. Steel can remain intact for a lifetime, and it’s one of the most straightforward materials to repair.
Titanium
Titanium is considered more boutique than steel and is largely admired due to its undeniably cool appearance. And, in addition to having good looks, titanium offers a smoother ride than carbon or steel in many cases, and it’s also much lighter than steel. Titanium frames can be expensive – it’s a difficult material to work with. If you’re a rider that wants to look the part when off-roading on a bike that’s comfortable and durable, a titanium frame mountain bike might be just what you need.