Design

Which children's bikes are better with an aluminum or steel frame. Choosing a frame

When it comes time to buy a bicycle for a child, a parent faces a lot of questions. Which to choose? Convenient, maneuverable, not heavy, beautiful. In the bicycle section of the XXX online store, eyes run wide with variety - https://pro-bike.ru/product/velosipedy/stels/. One of the frequent questions of buyers: what kind of frame should a children's bike have, steel or aluminum.

Bicycles for children with a steel frame

Several decades ago there was no alternative. All bicycles had steel frames. This is a tested material, the mass of advantages (as well as disadvantages) of which has been proven by time. Today, in addition to traditional high-strength steels with the Hi-Ten marking, chromium-molybdenum steels with the Cro-Mo marking are also used. They are more durable, although expensive.

The advantages of a children's bicycle with a steel frame can be safely attributed:

flexibility, smoothly enters the turn;
cushioning: bumps from potholes and pebbles on the road are softened;
repairing a steel frame is not a problem;
affordable price.

The disadvantages traditionally include corrosion of steel. However, in the case of a children's bike, this is not so relevant. After all, children grow up, and an age-appropriate model will be needed faster than the first spots of rust appear. If you look at the offers of the XXX store, you can see that most of the children's models have a steel frame.

Aluminum frame: pros and cons

The first and foremost advantage that any salesman will name is that aluminum is much lighter than steel. When a bike needs to be lifted and carried a distance, weight matters. Well, every student knows that aluminum alloys are less afraid of corrosion than steel ones. It is easy to manage such a great one, he is obedient and dynamic.

For all its attractiveness, the child will feel the nuances of a bicycle with an aluminum frame on the first attempt to ride. The slightest roughness of the road is felt by the whole body, especially with a small weight of the baby. Some manufacturers supply the front fork with a shock absorber, which solves the vibration problem. Bad rolling is the second minus, relevant for children who have already mastered this transport well. Accelerating and driving for a long time due to inertia, without pedaling, is unlikely to succeed.

Aluminum alloys are strong, but tend to accumulate "fatigue". Well, if a breakdown happened to the frame, it is not so easy to fix it. Argon welding will have to be looked for, and it will cost a lot. Butting is used to increase reliability - a technology in which the tube has thickened walls in some places. Visually, the aluminum frame is always thicker.

In alloys, in addition to aluminum itself, there are zinc, silicon, cadmium, and copper. They are marked with four-digit numbers, in which the composition of the alloy is encrypted (for example, 7005 contains zinc). Advanced riders will recommend a titanium or carbon fiber frame, but children's models with such frames are not made.

So what to choose? There is no single answer. A list of your priorities and a small test drive will help you decide.

Aluminum frame bikes are among the most common on the market today. This is due to the lightness of the material, combined with low cost. If steel has a specific gravity of 7.8 grams per cubic centimeter, then aluminum has a specific gravity of about 2.7 grams. In terms of wall thickening, this material also outperforms iron, since the minimum parameter is 0.8 mm, while the product will weigh less than a 0.4 mm thick steel frame. Reliability is further enhanced by the absence of welded seams. In addition, they can be performed in various configurations. Consider their features, advantages and disadvantages.

Description

Aluminum-framed bikes are lighter in weight and gain speed faster and are easier to climb. For the same reason, the bike stops faster after the rider stops pedaling. Aluminum in its pure form is not used, this material means its alloy with zinc, manganese, nickel, copper or magnesium.

These bikes are more difficult to get into tight turns, because they are stiffer than their steel counterparts, they can not bend as well. Due to the rigidity of the frame, the energy from the efforts of the cyclist is transferred to the wheels with less loss. Such subtleties play a role for professionals, for amateurs this is not a critical indicator. A stiffer and less comfortable ride becomes noticeable. Bicycles with an aluminum frame practically do not dampen the vibrations transmitted to the saddle and handlebars on uneven surfaces and bumps. A bike like this requires a good suspension unit and a comfortable saddle. This will allow part of the blows to be leveled, which will favorably affect the movement.

pros

Let's start with the advantages of the product in question. These include:

Light weight for improved speed and acceleration.
Maximum resistance to corrosive processes.
High driving performance even when driving uphill.

Minuses

Bicycles with an aluminum frame have a number of disadvantages, namely:

High rigidity, which is especially felt on models without a suspension fork.
Rapid roll loss. Due to its light weight, the bike stops faster than its steel frame counterpart after the rider stops pedaling.
A small working resource during active operation. After a few years, cracks may appear. Manufacturers give a guarantee of 5 to 10 years, but after this period it is recommended to lubricate the part to check for possible deformations.
When dropped on an aluminum frame, there is a higher chance of dents.
Poor maintainability. It is very problematic to weld such a part, it is better to purchase a new one.
Pretty high price.

Folding bikes with aluminum frame

Below we list several popular brands of this type and name their brief characteristics:

The expensive city bike Strida SX has an original exterior. It folds down to the size of a compact cart that can be transported on its own. The steering wheel can also be transformed. The advantages of the bike include the fact that the cables and wires are hidden in the cavity of the frame, it is easy to assemble, there is a trunk, disc brakes. With good maneuverability, the device weighs only 11.6 kg. Among the minuses are a small carrying capacity, narrow wheels, poor depreciation.
Smart 20. Stylish city bike, considered one of the best in its price category. Can be used by women without any problems. Among the advantages are a solid frame, a convenient transformation mechanism, the presence of reflectors and other accessories. The disadvantages include the lack of a handbrake and the quality of centering of the wings.
Stealth bike. The aluminum frame of the Pilot-710 model does not interfere with the softness of the ride. The transport picks up speed well on coast, has a discreet design, fits into the luggage compartment of any car in the folded position, is equipped as standard with a luggage rack and chain protection. The disadvantages are the presence of a wide steering wheel and an uncomfortable fit for tall people. The intended purpose of the modification is city trips.

Children's bicycles with an aluminum frame

Below is a brief description of some children's and teenage models:

Mars. This one is for kids ages 3 and up. Comes with extra polyurethane wheels. The frame and fork are made of aluminum alloy, there is a handlebar height adjuster. Wheel diameter - 12 inches, model weight - 4.5 kg.
Forward Timba‏. One of the best for kids 6-9 years old. It has a beautiful design, affordable price, chain protection and removable safety wheels. The disadvantages include a decent weight (almost 14 kg), as well as the need to adjust some moving parts.
Shulz Max. These children's aluminum frame bikes are in the middle price range. The weight of the bike is 14.3 kg. It is aimed at adolescents 12-16 years old, has a load capacity of up to 110 kg. The advantages of the model are the ease of assembly / disassembly, a good set of speeds, equipment with 20-inch wheels and quality. Among the minuses are incorrect factory adjustment, brake pads of dubious quality.

Peculiarities

When choosing a bike, the question often arises of whether to choose an aluminum or steel bike frame. The final decision depends on the financial capabilities of the buyer, the purpose of the machine and the subjective requirements of the user. It should be noted that thick-walled pipes of large diameter are used in the manufacture of aluminum structures.

This is due to the fact that, according to the laws of physics, if the pipe size is doubled, its rigidity will increase by eight times, and if the wall thickness is doubled, the stiffness index increases by the same amount. Therefore, of the available options, increasing the diameter is preferable.

As a rule, the minimum wall thickness of a pipe on an aluminum frame is 0.8 mm. Often manufacturers make pipes by butting or using different sections, which also makes it possible to strengthen the product.

Used alloys

There are many aluminum alloys that are used to make bicycle frames. The most common are the brands 7005T6 and 6061T6. The T index indicates that the material has undergone heat treatment. For example, a 6061 alloy product is heated to 530 degrees Celsius, then actively cooled by a liquid. Further, for 8 hours, the material is artificially aged at a temperature of 180 degrees. The output is 6061-T6. Analog number 7007 is air-cooled, not water-cooled.

Below are the comparative characteristics of the materials before and after heat treatment (in parentheses):

Alloy 2014 (2014T6) - tensile strength is 27 (70) thousand PSL, yield strength - 14 (60), elongation percentage - 18 (13), Brinell hardness - 45 (135).
Similar indicators of material 6061 (6061T6) - 18 (45), 8 (40), 25 (17), 30 (95).

The first alloy uses 4.5% copper, 0.8% carbon and manganese, 0.5% magnesium. The second material includes 1% magnesium, 0.6% silicon, 0.3% copper, 0.2% chromium, about 0.7% iron.

Finally

The strongest bike is 16 ”, the aluminum frame of which is made of 70005 or 7005 alloy. Nevertheless, the 6061 analog is more technologically advanced, which makes it possible to make pipes with a complex section from it, and this increases the strength of the product. In addition, such aluminum lends itself better to welding. When choosing a frame, consider the financial possibilities and the intended use of the bike. With proper maintenance, a bike with a frame made of any material, including steel, aluminum or carbon, will last quite a long time.

The bicycle frame is designed to hold the handlebars in front of the owner and the wheels underneath. There are many shapes, metals, colors and frame designs. It is the frame that should be the first significant factor when choosing the whole bike, both when assembling it and when choosing a finished copy in the store. After all, the frame determines the purpose that the bike will perform, the rider's landing, the essence and severity of body kits and mounts. It also makes a big difference to the final weight of the bike. What difference does it make how much the bike weighs?

Aluminum Frame Bicycle

What difference does it make how much the bike weighs

There are three basic parameters that affect the weight of a bike - its stability on the road surface, handling during maneuvers and inertia. The last parameter takes into account not only the inertia itself, but also the energy that must be expended to compensate for it. No matter how strange it may sound, but when the weight of the bike drops, then all these indicators improve. The rule does not work here - the heavier, the more stable, since you often have to change the center of gravity, and inertia is more difficult to compensate.

So the weight of the entire bike is extremely important, and the frame carries most of the weight.

It can be a steel frame, aluminum or chrome-molybdenum. Sometimes there are titanium specimens. Weight depends not only on the frame, but also on all parts of the kit together, as well as on the purpose of the bike. Road versions usually weigh 8-9 kilograms, mountain ones vary - there are lightweight options with a weight of 9 kg, average adult devices weigh up to 11 kg, and downhill specimens can reach an average weight of 20 kg.

Individual sports bikes are expensive and weigh a strictly adjusted number of kg, but they vary too much depending on the manufacturer and purpose, so it makes no sense to indicate their average weight. The cheapest hodgepodge bikes from Auchan and other large hypermarkets cost little, but their equipment is usually heavy, unreliable and inharmonious. It will be inconvenient, hard to ride on this, and it will quickly become unusable, and, as a rule, they cannot be repaired.

steel frame

Both a steel frame and a frame made of various alloys with steel have approximately the same weight. In order for the frame to be as strong as possible, chromium or molybdenum is added to the alloy. This additive also allows you to make unusual frame designs - thinner in the middle and thicker towards the edges. This makes the frame lighter and more comfortable, and an interesting appearance attracts attention, especially in combination with the original color scheme. Compared to aluminum tubes for the frame, these are thinner and more elastic.

When using a steel frame, there is no need to install a carbon fork or frame on the bike. After all, the more flexible the frame is, the longer it will serve its owner. For a touring bike, this will be the best option, as they are inexpensive, but at the same time they lend themselves well to minor repairs. The problem with a steel bike is that it rusts easily and is heavier than an aluminum frame. The advantages of this frame made of such material include:

Excellent inertia - after the owner has stopped pedaling, the bike maintains excellent speed for a long time;
Soft steel frame - steel softens shock and vibration, combined with a carbon fork, makes cycling a pleasure;
Bend - often a steel frame bends at unusual angles, which helps a lot when cornering;
Durability and excellent material repair ability - every second welder can help.

But such a frame also has a small number of disadvantages, including increased weight - in the lightest versions, such a frame will weigh 1 - 1.5 kg more than other options.

Sharp acceleration on such a frame will also not work.

aluminum frame

Now most bikes are made with an aluminum frame. Such specimens are lighter, more responsive to road irregularities, inexpensive both to repair and to buy, and they are not subject to corrosion. The rigidity and weight of such a frame will be better than that of steel, but the metal itself will have a lower density. The aluminum frame is light and rigid, although the diameter itself is larger at the pipe. If compared with steel, then increasing the diameter of the pipes of such a frame will lead to a more rigid version, but at the same time it is an order of magnitude lighter.

There will be practically no change in stiffness, but if it is felt, then you can put carbon forks on the bike that will soften the road.

Broken aluminum frame

The advantages of an aluminum frame include:

The best possible ratio between weight and cost of the final result. The lowest-grade frame does not weigh more than 2 kg, and good quality - no more than 1.5 kg;
Sharp and good acceleration on any terrain;
Aluminum does not corrode metal;
It is the best option for heavier cyclists.

The disadvantages of this frame are in direct contrast to the advantages of a steel frame.

A frame made of such material not only accelerates quickly, but also quickly loses all its inertia.
It is rigid - aluminum cannot dampen vibrations when riding. In combination with a rigid fork, skating can turn into torment.
People with a small weight will have difficulty riding it.
Such a frame will not last more than 10 years, as it accumulates its fatigue and simply bursts at the most inopportune moment.
Not every breakdown of such a frame is also subject to repair.

When looking for a new road bike, you will be surprised by the variety of choices. There are many factors you should filter your selection by, from price and features, riding style to personal loyalty to a particular brand and even color.

Sometimes the choice of a bicycle is based on the choice of material from which the bicycle frame is made. Road bikes are made primarily from four materials - steel, aluminium, titanium and carbon fiber - and materials are known to affect ride quality and style, so it's a good idea to know the basics and the differences before you make your choice.

For some, the choice of material is as important as the list of equipment and price, because. different materials are designed for different types of riding. The frame is the heart of your new road bike, and it is where the bulk of the budget goes, and the material plays a big role here, so the choice must be carefully considered.

Below we will describe the main advantages of each material, which will help you make the right choice.

Aluminum

Aluminum is the most popular material used initially for road bikes at an affordable price. It is ideal for making bicycle frames as it gives it rigidity and lightness. For a long time, aluminum frames have been unfairly stigmatized as unsafe and uncomfortable to ride, but rigidity depends on the design - the latest aluminum frames demystify their unreliability and offer softer rides.

While aluminum on most big brands might be considered entry-level bikes only, there are plenty of top-notch options, so don't discount it just because it's used on entry-level road bikes. Just take a look at the super lightweight Kinesis Aethein (pictured below) or the new Specialized Allez for a look at the use of high-end aluminum.

To be honest, aluminum is now at the peak of its popularity. Some manufacturers are pushing it to get the lightest frames, and smart buyers are realizing that they get decent quality for the same money. An example is the iconic Cannondale CAAD12 (and the previous CAAD10) and many others. In terms of price and quality, it's hard to come up with a better option than aluminum.

Buy aluminum if you're on a budget and want a light, stiff racing frame or the best value for your money.

Steel

In years gone by, steel was the only material, so choosing a bike was relatively easy. These days, steel still has a place in the current generation, it is famous for its smooth ride, which is why cyclists still lean towards it, but the latest steel frames have revived interest in high-performance steel road bikes and even race bikes, as the Volare 953 proved. the Madison-Genesis team a couple of years ago. Today, steel is used by a small number of manufacturers, but in reality it is easy to work with, and steel has become the choice of the growing custom fabrication industry. If you want a frame for your measurements, steel is a good option.

The latest steel frames are much lighter and stiffer than before and are a worthy alternative to carbon and aluminium.

Buy steel if you want a custom frame or want to improve the quality of a smooth ride despite the extra weight.

Titanium

Titanium is a highly sought-after material due to its high strength and shock absorption. It is also lighter than steel, stronger than aluminum and has anti-corrosion properties, and the fact that the surface can be polished means that it is durable, offsetting the high cost with the properties of the material, although it is not as expensive as twenty years ago.

Titanium can be used in the very best speed bikes, as well as bikes designed to comfortably ride long distances with or without luggage, such as the Sabbath September (pictured).

Most titanium frames are made from 3AL-2.5V tubes (where the titanium is mixed with 3% aluminum and 2.5% vanadium), and the higher grade 6Al-4V titanium alloy can be seen on more expensive bikes.

Buy titanium if you want a bike that is durable, lightweight and has smooth rides.

carbon fiber

For many cyclists, there are no other options than carbon fiber. In the racing world, this is the predominantly used material, being the lightest and stiffest of the four frame materials, but it can also be the most expensive. Frame prices have dropped a lot in recent years and now you can get a carbon bike at an affordable price.

Carbon is the most flexible of materials, and the aerodynamics of road bikes make it possible to be versatile, like this Trek Madone.

However, carbon fiber frames are not made to any accepted standard. The big difference between cheap and expensive carbon fibers, down to the types of fibers used, how they are made, and other important influencing factors. Carbon fiber is easily used by designers to create frames with specific characteristics, be it light weight, comfort, stiffness.

Buy carbon if you want the lightest, stiffest road bike money can buy, or if you want to be as fast as the wind.

When choosing and buying a children's bike, parents of a child often ask several questions:

What frame to buy a bike? steel or aluminum
With or without speed?
How long will the child buy the current size of the bike?
Which bike is cheaper to buy - in a box, or already assembled in a store?

Let's take a look at the first question:

Which children's bike is better: on a steel or aluminum frame?

A children's bike on an aluminum frame, for example, on 18 inch wheels, is about 1.5 kilograms lighter than on a steel frame, for comparison (1-0 in favor of aluminum).

A steel children's bike costs an order of magnitude less than an aluminum one (1-1).

Aluminum frames, as a rule, have more regular geometries, are equipped with good bushings and tires. All of this together makes for a good ride. Children who have never even ridden, manage, almost on the first, maximum second day of getting to know the bike, ride on their own. On a steel frame bike, it takes an average of 5-7 days to learn and get used to (2-1 in favor of aluminum).

Aluminum bicycles do not rust, and their components are more reliable and of high quality, which allows them to keep their presentation for a long time and sell the bike with minimal financial losses after you no longer need it (3-1).

Aluminum-framed children's bikes are more modern in design and have better paintwork, making them brighter and more attractive (4-1).

On the physical development and coordination of the movement of children, bicycles on a steel and aluminum frame have the same effect, the main thing here is to choose the right size.

A point for each and in the end 5-2 in favor of a children's bike on an aluminum frame.

Let's summarize. A steel bike (for example, the Stealth Jet) loses to an aluminum one (for example, the Pilot 180) in all secondary characteristics: weight, components, durability and design. Wins only in cost. And from this we can conclude: if the budget allows you, then it’s better to buy an aluminum one, but if it doesn’t, don’t despair, the main task of a bicycle is the physical development and development of a child’s coordination of movement, and a steel bike copes with this no worse than aluminum.

Second frequently asked question.

From what age can a child use a bicycle with speeds?

It must be clearly understood that a bicycle with speeds is much faster than without them, and you will not be able to step (and even run) to control the child's ride. That is, your child should already have a lot of experience (more than 2 seasons) of riding a regular bike and he should understand where he is going and how he will maneuver or brake.

Leading cycling manufacturers recommend the use of high-speed bikes from the age of seven. In our practice, we can say that if a child rides from the age of three, then it is possible to use a high-speed bike if the child's height and weight are sufficient and from the age of 6.

Speed bikes are about 2 to 3 kilograms heavier than regular bikes. They cannot be equipped with conventional additional balancing wheels, so your child should be able to balance well on two wheels. And, of course, a high-speed bike is more than twice as expensive as a regular bike, as well as more technically complex. In other words, repairs and maintenance without experience and knowledge will be very painful and painful. The most popular models in this segment and.

The third question of interest to parents.

How long will my child buy a bike?

It is clear that we all want to save money, but there are certain groups of goods or expenses that are not worth saving on. A bicycle can and should be included in the group of health expenses. And they do not save on health, especially on the health of the child.

In order for your child to properly develop the muscles of the body and the vestibular apparatus, he constantly needs a bike of the right size. Therefore, as a rule, the purchased children's bike lasts one year, and the next spring a larger size is bought. For 3 years, a bicycle with 12 or 14 wheels is purchased, for 4-5 years 16 inches, for 6 years - 18 diameter, 7 years - 20 inches. Do not take a bicycle to a child for growth; this is fraught with the following serious problems:

Increased risk of injury.
Improper development of muscles and musculoskeletal system.
The child will not have fun, and simply will not ride the purchased bike, which may affect physical development.

Better than buying a bike for growth, follow the bike bought in size. Then you can sell it to Avito next year with a loss of no more than 30% of the cost. And for your child to get a new one, suitable in size. A new two-wheeled friend will evoke new positive emotions every year, the child will ride, which means he will develop.

The fourth popular question.

Which bike is cheaper to buy - in a box or already assembled in a store?

In the modern world, every person who buys a children's or adult bicycle transport faces one question. Is it cheaper to order a bicycle via the Internet in a box, or to buy an assembled one in a store, but more expensive? We advise you to think carefully before leaning in favor of any decision without thought.

So, in order to buy a bike in a box and then assemble it, at least you need to have the following:

Have some bike repair experience (at least as a child).
Necessary tools: a set of hexagons, open-end wrenches for 14 and 15, an adjustable wrench, various screwdrivers.
Free time from 2 hours to a couple of days (as it goes).

In principle, if you are going to buy a children's bike in a chain store, then you will not feel much difference between assembling it yourself and the hands of a chain store employee (not a professional craftsman). Here you can save money by ordering online, but if you have a specialized bike shop not far from home, then an experienced craftsman will assemble a bike for you much better and better than you. This will affect the comfort and durability in use. You can save on assembly from 400 to 2,000 rubles, depending on the cost of the bike and the complexity of the assembly. But then you lose the warranty from the store. If you come across some kind of defect that is revealed during the assembly process, then you will have to hand over the bike for examination to the manufacturer on your own in order to prove that the breakdown was not made during the assembly period or improper operation.

Read about how to choose the right frame and wheel size depending on the age and height of the child, as well as other tips on choosing a children's bike.