Bicycle Frame Key Terms

Learn about bike frames through these key terms

By Marjorie Gilbert

Bike frames are not all created equal, and the bike frame key terms can help you determine what the best one is for each application. For example, a road bike is not good for off-road, while a mountain bike is not well-suited for the track. One of the main things to consider with bike frames is the material from which they are made. Read below for more information.

Steel bike frames

Steel bike frames are perhaps the most common. As might be expected with steel, these bike frames are particularly strong. They're also easier to repair than bike frames made from composite materials. For this reason, steel bike frames are used for mountain, road, touring and off-road bikes.
Try: Rivendell Bicycle Works writes eloquently about steel bike frames, and why steel is such a versatile material for that purpose.

Chrome molybdenum or chromoly steel bike frames

This steel bike frame is different from the one above thanks to its weight. Chromoly steel is lighter, yet can last just as long and can endure as much. Chromoly steel bike frames are a newer edition to the bike frame family.
Try: Online Metals has a good description of chromoly steel.

Aluminum bike frames

Aluminum bike frames are light. The material itself is not as strong as steel, nor is it as long-lasting. It has a tendency to be stiff, and its strength can depend on the integrity of the design.
Try: Torelli discusses aluminum bike frames' strengths and weaknesses.

Titanium bike frames

Titanium bike frames are among the most expensive. These frames have steel's strength without the weight. This strength and lightness makes it popular for use as bike frames for mountain bikes as well as road bikes.
Try: Bike Cycling Reviews discusses the pros and cons of titanium bike frames.

Carbon fiber bike frames

Carbon fiber bike frames depend on the integrity of the design for their strength. Though light, carbon fiber bike frames also can be brittle. In order to combat this Achilles heel, designers of carbon fiber bike frames tend to over-build them to make them stronger.
Try: Harris Cyclery details the benefits and the features of carbon fiber bike frames.

Custom bike frames

Perhaps you are very tall or very short, or have difficulty finding a bike frame that works well for you. You may well be a good candidate for a custom bike frame. The benefit of a custom bike frame is also that you can choose to have your bike made from a certain material or a combination of materials. There is more than one custom bike frame company out there that would be willing to create a bike frame that's just right for you.
Try: Penguin Cycles not only makes custom bikes, but has one of the best explanations regarding why a custom bike frame is a good choice for some people.