What are bikes made of and how does it affect your ride? Today on PureFix TV. The basic mechanics behind a bicycle haven't changed in 100 years, but new materials have made bikes lighter and faster. The first material we're going to look at is high-ten steel. High-ten steel stands for high-tensile steel. This is what many bikes are made from because it's strong and lasts forever and it's easy on your wallet. No frame material is more durable than steel. It could ding, scratch, dent, and even bend and you could still ride it. When well-made and cared for, steel will last a lifetime. Up next is Kromali steel, which is actually an alloy for you science nerds. Kromali is stronger and thinner than high-ten steel. So a Kromali bike frame will be lighter. There is a jump in price when using Kromali, but if shaving weight off your frame is the goal, then this is the way to go. If you're looking for a light bike that's super responsive, aluminum frames are some of the best. Aluminum is stiffer than a steel frame and it can help racers and sprinters when fractions of a second count. These speedy bikes are at home on the racetrack, but not the best choice if you're a commuter. Finally, we have carbon fiber. Carbon is the lightest of all the materials we talked about and also one of the strongest. It's made by layering thin sheets of carbon fiber into a mold. Sounds like science. But the big issue here, that's right, it's expensive. So if you're looking for an upgrade, we suggest starting with a carbon fork. This is the lighter than metal fork. It absorbs more vibrations and it is way more affordable than a full frame. So which material is right for you? Head over to our blog and check out the handy checklist we created that will help you choose the right material for your ride. Thanks for checking out another episode of PureFix TV. We want to hear from you, so if you have any questions, drop them in the comments below or hit us up on social media. Make sure to subscribe to our channel for more cycling videos and I'll see you guys next time.