Road Bicycle Frames
A
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.
Sizing & Fit
Major Manufacturers
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Bianchi
*
Calfee Custom Frames
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Campagnolo
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Colnago
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De Rosa
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De Salvo
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Eddy Merckx
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Independent Fabrication Custom Frames
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Look
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Orbea
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Pegoretti
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Pinarello
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Scott
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Serotta Custom Frames
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Seven Cycles Custom Frames
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Shimano
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Trek
To see more custom bike frame manufacturers, please see
Bike Sutra.
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