I am planning to build a freeride/dirt jump hardtail in the near future (as soon as my DHi sells), but I'm not sure if I want an aluminum or steel frame. What are the pros and cons of each? I weigh about 165 lbs, and I'm not really hard on frames.
Steel or aluminum frame?
- Thread starter Tully
- Start date
Steel:
Pros: Stronger, cleaner looking b/c of less gusseting, will generally last longer under hard use due to material properties
Cons: Heavier
Aluminum:
Pros: Lighter
Cons: Only good for a limited time
I've heard that the softer ride quality generally associated with steel doesn't really apply to these kinds of HTs, as the material needed to make it strong enough cancels that out.
I'm sure others have better, more informed opinions.
I've never ridden a steel HT, riding a Planet X JFC (aluminum) right now, it's stiff as hell and depending on the situation, can be a good or bad thing. If you're light (relatively) and not hard on frames, you could probably get away with a 5lb AL frame as opposed to a 7-8lb steel frame.
Pros: Stronger, cleaner looking b/c of less gusseting, will generally last longer under hard use due to material properties
Cons: Heavier
Aluminum:
Pros: Lighter
Cons: Only good for a limited time
I've heard that the softer ride quality generally associated with steel doesn't really apply to these kinds of HTs, as the material needed to make it strong enough cancels that out.
I'm sure others have better, more informed opinions.
I've never ridden a steel HT, riding a Planet X JFC (aluminum) right now, it's stiff as hell and depending on the situation, can be a good or bad thing. If you're light (relatively) and not hard on frames, you could probably get away with a 5lb AL frame as opposed to a 7-8lb steel frame.
If the softer-ride factor doesn't apply to steel freeride hardtails, I guess I would choose aluminum because it's lighter, and it should still be strong enough for me. So to refine my question, for those of you who ride/have ridden steel frames, is the ride actually softer?
all other factors mentioned above aside; i have owned 3 hardtail frames. 2 aluminum and one steel, both the aluminum ones are busted (one with a sheered headtube) the steel one (a 243 
has shown no hint of weakness). For street and hard core fr a steel bike (like the 243 ) is perfect.
has shown no hint of weakness). For street and hard core fr a steel bike (like the 243 ) is perfect.
I used to have an oN-One Gimp, (cromoly), and it definitely rode soft. Flexed like a bitc.h in certain areas. Was a good ride though. I prefer aluminum 
Get a good frame. Material is only one element of an overall design. There are sh1tty steel frames and good AL frames, and vice versa, and everything in between. There are flexy AL frames and stiff steel ones, etc etc etc.
I'd imagine some great builders and designers have their preferences, like some painters do watercolor and others do oil.
MD
I'd imagine some great builders and designers have their preferences, like some painters do watercolor and others do oil.
MD
My vote is for steel but you can get away with either material.
i have owned both a steel and an alum. hardtail fr frame. the steel one was a surly instigator and the alum. one is a banshee morphine which i currently ride. all that i can say that the morphine i bet will never break(super beefy). the surly had a weird ride to it. you know how people said that steel ride better. well this is the only bike that i ever felt that on. i never felt that felling on anyother steel hardtail bike. but i love the banshee because it is ultra stiff and it lets you know that on a good why(perfect power transfer).
if i was to buy another fr hardtail it would most definitally be alum. but only a really beefy one.
that my take on it
dan
if i was to buy another fr hardtail it would most definitally be alum. but only a really beefy one.
that my take on it
dan