Among the most popular
bicycle frame materials as of 2013 is 4130 chrome-moly steel, but its dominance
in the marketplace has not stifled innovation in other alloys. Titanium, an
extremely dense and solid metal, is a step up from steel in terms of stiffness,
weight, damping and long-term durability in bike frame construction. A titanium
bike frame has exceptional rigidity, making your pedal stroke more efficient.
It's also more comfortable for long-distance rides than steel since the frame
absorbs more vibration. Steel and titanium bike frames have inherent advantages
and disadvantages that should be considered when buying a new bike.
Steel
Steel for bike frames is
primarily produced in two levels of quality. Lower-cost bikes are commonly made
from 1020 carbon steel since it's inexpensive to produce. It's not as strong
as other types of steel, so the tubing in the frame needs to be thicker and
much heavier. The most common material used in mid- to high-end steel frame
bikes is 4130 chrome-moly steel, as it provides exceptional strength,
weldability, and ductility. This type of steel is easy to repair in the event of
a crash since it can be re-welded or bent back into alignment by an expert.
Titanium
By the 1990s, titanium had
reached legendary status in cycling for its exceptionally low weight and
rigidity. Titanium rivals carbon fiber in weight but has far greater
durability. The ride quality of a titanium bike frame is exceptional since the
high-quality metal dampens vibration while remaining stiff and responsive. The
stiffness and strength of the metal allow titanium tubing to have thin walls,
which results in a high-quality bike frame that is much lighter than steel. The titanium also is highly resistant to corrosion. A titanium frame doesn't need
to be painted to resist the corrosion associated with riding in wet conditions;
most titanium frames come from the manufacturer as polished metal.
Cost of Titanium
Since titanium is less
widely available than steel, it is significantly more expensive. The cost of a
good titanium bike frame typically ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 as of 2013,
compared with the $300 to $500 range for high-quality chrome-moly steel.
However, many riders believe titanium is worth the premium price because of its
corrosion resistance and exceptional strength. A titanium bike frame can be
expected to last several decades with proper care.
Advantages and Disadvantages
For riders who are more
likely to damage their bike frame, such as mountain bikers, the relatively low
cost of a high-grade steel frame is a significant selling point. Replacing a
titanium frame is costly, although most road cyclists and casual riders should
rarely need to replace a good titanium frame. The titanium also features better
damping properties than steel, making it slightly more comfortable for longer
rides. Steel and titanium bike frame materials are repaired using the same
general techniques. Because of titanium's relative rarity in the bicycle
market, however, it's more difficult to find a welder who specializes in
titanium, which is exceptionally resilient and therefore harder to work with.
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