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Materials for Frames
By the time the modern "safety" bicycle was developed in the late 1800s most frames were made with steel tubing instead of wood or cast iron. While the steel bicycles were quite strong they were also very heavy. It was not uncommon for a bicycle of that era to weigh in at over 80 pounds (36.28 kg.). |
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A classic "cruiser" safety bike built in 1957. The frame is made of steel and the bike weighs nearly 50 pounds (22.68 kg). |
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| Steel frames are still used today, but the tubing has thinner walls and weighs considerably less. Modern frame makers such as Paolo Salvagione use a variety of materials for highly specialised bikes. Paolo uses steel, aluminium, titanium, and even carbon-fibre. Which material he uses depends on the type of bike, the rider's preference, and the cost. We asked Paolo to tell us about the unique qualities of each material. |
