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Article #231: Bike Frames Explained

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Bike frames have not changed very much ride. It is also less expensive and easy
since their invention. By learning about to find, which is a benefit for many
the different materials available, you riders. Steel is easy to work with and
will be able to find the right bike can be made into a variety of different
frames for you and your riding style. sized bike frames, including different
The year that the first bicycle was built tube widths to help make the bike lighter
was 1817. This first bicycle was or heavier, depending upon your
invented by German, Karl von Drais, and preferences.
was called the “swift A lighter weight option would be
walker.” This name was given to aluminum. This material is very light,
this bicycle due to the fact that it did but it also has a big deficit. Due to
not have any pedals and people the lightness of this material, it is
“walked” rather than rode on also very easy to bend and this can be
them. The first bicycles were very bad. The high yield strength of
constructed of a wood bike frame that had aluminum is why a larger diameter tube is
two wheels to support this frame. The used to help decrease the chance of the
bike frame was covered by leather for bike frame bending.
comfort. These first bike frames and the The most popular material for bike frames
materials that they were constructed of is titanium. Titanium has a natural
have undergone many changes in the years shine and it will take you very little
since this first bicycle was invented. effort to keep it looking beautiful. It
Tubular steel bike frames began to is on the high end of the price range,
replace the wooden frame during the though, and this is why it is not readily
latter part of the 1800s. These bicycles available to everyone. The strength of
were very strong, but they were also very titanium is amazing and it will keep its
heavy, which made them difficult to frame even after a wreck.
control and ride. Steel is still a Carbon fiber is one more material that is
widely used material for bike frames, but used for bike frames. This material has
there are other materials that are very been widely used to build boats for a
popular as well, including titanium, long time and it is a strong material
carbon fiber, and aluminum. These that holds up well to weight. It is even
lighter materials are mainly used in more expensive than titanium, though,
manufacturing the more expensive, which means that it is only purchased by
high-end bike frames. the rich or a professional racer.
Material properties are important to keep Bike frames come in several different
in mind when designing your bike. Each designs, but the most popular design is
material has its own unique properties the double triangle or diamond frame.
and knowing their elasticity, ultimate Designers of bike frames have tweaked the
strength, and yield strength is essential design a little since the invention of
in create the perfect bike for you. the 1880s, especially with different
These properties need to be in the proper materials. This has helped make the bike
ratio for you to have a bike that will lighter and more aerodynamic. Changes
withstand the type of riding that you do. may have been made to make it more
Steel is the strongest material that you comfortable, but for the most part, it is
can get for bike frames. The strength of the same design as the very first bike.
steel makes it safer in a crash for a






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