Road Bicycle Frames

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A bicycle frame  is the core element of a bike that supports, not only the rider, but every other part of the bike. It should be strong, durable and lightweight, but in the right combination to suit your riding style, current ability and future goals. Choosing the right material plays a large part in getting the best balance of these qualities. It's also important that the frame be the right size and have the best dimensions for your body shape. Finally, remember that mountain bike frames  will be designed differently than road bike frames. Here we focus primarily on road bike frames.

Important Qualities

To find the ideal bike frame you need to get something with the proper balance of stiffness, strength, weight and durability.

  • Stiffness is the elasticity of a metal; how much it will bend before it rebounds. Getting the right stiffness depends on two things: the weight and aggressiveness of the rider.
    • The heavier the rider, the stiffer the frame he or she will need to support the body's weight.
    • It might also make sense that a very aggressive rider who takes to the back roads, steep mountain trails or other rough conditions (such as extreme weather) will want a stiffer frame that can handle repetitive abuse.
    • That said, you might assume that the stiffer the bike, the better. This is not always the case. You must take into account that the bike must still have some flex to it. The reason for this is that when a rider pushes into the bike, particularly when pedaling standing, he or she is expending energy into it. If the bike is too stiff, it will absorb that energy without rebounding any. Likewise, when a bike is too flexible, it can also sap a rider's energy. Both extremes can cause the rider to tire prematurely.
  • Strength refers to how strong the metal is; how well it holds up if the bike were to crash and become permanently deformed.
    • Different metals have different strengths, but not all offer the same amount of stiffness.
    • The alloying of the tubing will play a part in frame strength.
  • Weight will affect how much the bike drags; how much effort it will take the cyclist to power the bike.
    • Material will play a large part in the frame's weight as well as the size of the tubing.
    • Choosing something relatively lightweight is important for racers and riders who enjoy climbing.
    • The recreational cyclist or enthusiast should not worry about finding the lightest bike possible. The fit and overall feel should be a much higher priority.
  • Durability is dependent on the type of material that the frame is made of, the craftsmanship, and the way the bike holds up to the rider.
    • The durability of a bike will have a direct impact on its lifespan. A longer life, means you can clock more miles.
    • For competitive cyclists, a frame's longevity is of key importance, whereas for the average recreational rider, the durability will not be as big an issue.

Materials

Frames are often composed of only one material type. However, custom frames can be built to specification to use more than one material type for different parts of the frame. For example, if you wanted a more comfortable ride, but one that was still quite stiff on the rest of the frame, you might want a carbon fiber seat tube with a titanium top tube.

Steel 

  • The original metal used for bike frame construction and it's one of the stiffest and strongest metal types.
  • The heaviest material, which is why it is often combined with other alloys to lighten the load.
  • Inexpensive and a great choice for the cyclist on a budget, but the best frames (and possibly more expensive ones) will use a low alloy steel, such as Niobium, to make thin, lightweight tubing.
  • Very durable, but is susceptible to corrosion, a very poor trait for coastal cycling.
  • Excellent material choice for most bikes and it offers a great ride.

Aluminum Alloy 

  • Very lightweight (the third the weight of steel), so the tubing must be very thick and large to compensate for the lack of strength and stiffness.
  • Still extremely lightweight and are excellent for competitive cyclists.
  • Do keep in mind that the strength and stiffness of aluminum frames will be determined by the type of alloy used.
  • Inexpensive alloys are not as durable.
  • Has a very short lifespan, is subject to corrosion and doesn't offer the most comfortable ride.

Titanium 

  • It is half the weight and stiffness of steel, but just as strong.
  • In order to create a stiffer frame, the tubes are made larger to compensate for the over-elasticity of the metal, which reduces the frame's "whip" or lateral torsion.
  • It's resistant to corrosion and has great flex.
  • Overall, it offers a comfortable ride, but it is not cheap.
  • If the bike needs repairs at any point, it is not easily done and often needs to be sent to the manufacturer.

Carbon Fiber 

  • This is the newest material used for bike frames and it is a composite non-metal, making it resistant to corrosion and superior at vibration dampening.
  • Very lightweight and extremely versatile.
  • Because of its flexibility, it can be molded to suit your riding style and it can easily be strengthened according to where the frame needs more resistance.
  • It is not easily repaired and the structural integrity can be severely impaired with the slightest damage.
  • Quite expensive.

Scandium 

  • This relatively new type of metal composite that is related to aluminium.
  • It has the lightweight properties of aluminum but is slightly denser, making it better for absorbing vibration.
  • More durable and a bit stiffer, giving it a ride that is comparable to a steel frame.

Sizing & Fit

It is very important to get the right size bike frame because it is what will both enhance your performance and make the ride more comfortable. Keep in mind, though, recreational cyclists will be looking for different things than a competitive cyclist; namely comfort. If you are riding short distances or racing for speed, comfort is the last thing to be worried about. However, for touring or taking long trips, an uncomfortable bike will be unbearable.

So how do you ensure that you'll get a great bike fit? You need the proper length seat tube, top tube, and the right frame geometry to set you up with a comfortable reach and posture. Most bike shops will help you find the right size frame and even help you make adjustments so that you get the right fit. If you are custom ordering a frame, it can be made to fit your body perfectly. Note that it is always harder for women to get a proper fit than men. Bikes are usually made for men and not all manufacturers take the proportions of a woman's body into account. Women who are serious cyclists may want to look into custom frames. To learn more about how to get the proper fit, please see the following Web sites that offer great explanations for fitting a bike.

Innovation Worthy of a Mention

Orbea Orca Carbon Fiber Frame  

Orbea has decided to remodel the popular Orca frame. This version weighs less than 800 grams and has the unique Orbea styling. As expected of Orbea, the ride should be superb. However, what really makes this particular series stand out is that for the first time, consumers will have the choice of buying a frame in one of five different sizes. Nothing new, you say? Well, what about if each size was remodeled for perfectly proportionate stiffness, geometry and dimensions to suit your stature? That's right. Now you can get the right size and the right ride without having to sacrifice one or the other.

Sizes range from 48 to 60 and frames will start at $2,500.

Major Manufacturers

To see more custom bike frame manufacturers, please see Bike Sutra.

Quick Picks

Ibis Silk Carbon Road Bike Frame 

Related Buying Guides

Derailleurs

Bike Pedals

Bike Tires

Road Bikes

Bike Shoes

External Links

  • Wikipedia.org: An article about bike frames that focuses on the parts and materials.
  • BikeForest.com: Design your own bike online with this CAD program.
  • HenryJames.com: What's hype and what's the truth behind the myths about materials? Read this guide to find out.