Thanks to flexible manufacturing opportunities available today, more people are breaking into the world of bicycle design. Fabricating frames in particular requires choosing the right material to start with. Steel may have once been the primary metal used for bike frames, but today aluminum is far more popular. There are a number of potential benefits to building a bike around an aluminum frame, regardless of the type of riding it will eventually be used for on a regular basis.

Lighter Overall Weight

Aluminum is far lighter than steel, resulting in a bike that is faster and easier for the rider to maneuver in tight conditions. It also makes the bike easier to carry around and store, especially when broken down to the frame alone. Most racing bikes rely on an aluminum frame if they're not made from carbon fiber, which is often less durable and more prone to damage from shocks than this metal. For the balance between a reduced weight and enough strength to handle mountain biking or gravel roads, aluminum is generally the best material for fabricating a bike frame.

Greater Strength

Aluminum can be stronger than steel or carbon fiber when certain alloys are used for fabrication. This requires advanced fabrication knowledge and the guidance of an expert team, but it's worth using for a bike design that stands out from the crowd. Carbon fiber is still more complicated than aluminum alloys to get right, so you can get the strength you need without years of design modifications by choosing the metal over the fiber-based material.

Reduced Risk of Rust

Steel is prone to rust, even when fully coated or painted if it's used in a humid environment. Riders that travel on wet roads, keep their bikes outdoors during rainstorms, and those in areas where roads are salted in the winter will prefer the corrosion resistance of aluminum. Aluminum bike frames often last longer in challenging environments, making them popular among bike riders in certain parts of the world. 

More Complex Designs

Complex bike frame designs are needed today to differentiate a new release from the rest of the market. Aluminum is adaptable enough to allow for hollow, perforated, and aerodynamic fabrication that results in a truly new type of bike. If you have ground-breaking ideas for a racing or downhill design that needs a material that can withstand challenging conditions, there is likely a specialty aluminum alloy that meets your needs.

Reach out to an aluminum fabrication company for more information.