Road Bike Frames
The frame is the essence of a road bike and also its strongest point. If you are in the market for a new road bike than the road bike frame should be the part that gets most of your attention.
The factors to consider when buying a bike frame are the material its made from, the symmetry and sizes of the bike frame.
Early wood and steel road bike frames
While road bike frames designs have not changed much over the years, the same can not be said of the materials, and its the material of the bike frame that separates the big boys from the rest.
Wood and than steel were the first materials used in the manufacturing of road bike frames. You can still find bike frames made from steel, and you will notice how much heavier they are then current bikes.
Over the years bike frame designs have also evolved. Changes in road conditions and technology have lead to an evolution in road bike designs. When roads were rougher than they are today, bike frames designs had laid back angles and a longer wheel base.
The introduction of alloy tubes marked a turning point in the manufacture of bike frames. This made frames a lot lighter than the previous steel frames.
Bikes under $2000 are among the best selling. These bikes usually combine an alloy frame, a carbon fork, chain and seat. Bikes solf at this price point are usually a good value for the money.
Bike frames made from titanium
The next step up in bike frames is the titanium frame. Titanium bike frames are almost weightless and offer a great ride.
Titanium and carbon road bike frames are a much more expensive option.
These top of the line bikes mix a titanium frame with carbon seat and fork. This combination makes for maximum comfort and handling while preserving safety.
bike frame sizes
Once you settle on the material and manufacturer of your bike frame. The size of the frame is the next thing to consider in your buying decision. The right size will insure a comfortable and safe ride. When determining the right size bike frame there are a few thing to look at.
The size of the frame is the length of the seat tube. The number is usually presented in centimeters. A popular way to determine your bike frame size is to measure 0.65 of your inseam length. You can calculate your bike frame size by measuring your inseam, converting it to centimeters and multipling by 0.65. For your reference, one inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. With this method an inseam length of 34 would translates into a 56 bike frame size. If you are buying a mountain bikes you should get a frame size that is 10 to 12 centimeters smaller.
When an exact size is not possible this can be corrected by adjusting the seat height. Another distance to consider is that of the part of the frame that holds the pedals and cranks to the seat. This measurement should be about 0.88 of your inseam size.
A minor adjustment of the seat hight and the right bike frame size will result in the perfect fit.
After buying your bike go out and enjoy it!
