When it comes to choosing a road bike frame many people would consider the price when, in fact, there are other more important things to look for. We are going to tackle them in this article.
Purpose – What is your purpose for using the bike? Is it for sports or for leisure? There is a difference between a bike frame for sports and that of leisure. The bike frame for sports is more expensive and intricate as it performs a more complex function.
Materials – A road bike frame can be made from different materials such as aluminum, steel, titanium, and carbon fiber. Each comes with pros and cons. To narrow down your choice, here is a breakdown of different materials:
Aluminum road bike frame – It is one of the commonly used materials for bike frame because of its affordable price and reasonable performance.
Carbon road bike frame – This is the preferred material of professional bikers as it is sturdy, lightweight, and stiff. It is chosen by many because of its vibration-damping properties making it the best material of choice for long-distance biking.
Steel – This material is ideal for bikers who prefer comfort over lightweight and stiffness.
Titanium – It is the less popular choice because of its expensive price, but comes with many benefits. Titanium is known for its durability, suppleness, and lightweight. It does not corrode or lose the ride characteristic even for a long period of time.
Frame geometry – There are two options: traditional and compact. The traditional bike frame is characterized by a horizontal top tube while the compact frame geometry has a sloping top tube. The former is preferred by many because it is stable and comfortable. On the other hand, compact frame geometry is quicker and more responsive.
