When it comes to choosing a bike, other than determining your preferred bike model, or bike gears available, the other crucial thing or part of the bike you need to consider is the bike frame. This is because a bike’s frame is the significant component of the bike, followed by the wheels and then other fittings. The bicycles are designed in different sizes and structures to meet the user’s needs.
The types of bike frames include
- Diamond frame
This type of frame consists of four tubes, which are the head tube, seat tube down tube, and the upper tube.
- Recumbent
This type of bike moves the crank forward to the rider.
- Penny-farthing
These are the type of frames fitted with large front wheels and small back wheels.
- The Folding frames
These are the frames designed in a foldable manner for convenient storage and transportation.
- Monoque frames
These types of frames have a hollow kind of shell without internal structures.
- Girder
This type of frame has two tubes joined together to form a cross.
Whether you need to buy a bike for recreational activities or sports purposes, there are a few brands that you will find on the market.
The following are the available types of bikes:
This is one of the most flexible and durable bikes on the market. It is a bit pricier than some models because it is quite durable and reliable. You can ride a mountain bike on both smooth and rough surfaces because it has great stamina to navigate in different areas, including those with obstacles.
These are commonly recommended for sports activities because they are quite comfortable and convenient. They have relatively wider wheels and feature an upright design to ensure comfort to the rider.
- Road bikes
These are the perfect bikes for those who live in areas with smooth and great roads. The bike features thin wheels and drops handlebars. They feature great speed to allow the rider to make long rides within a short time.
- Beach cruiser
These are the types of bikes designed for short-distance rides and on flat surfaces. They are equipped with fewer speed intervals and thus may not work on hilly areas.
This category of bikes has been in existence for quite a long time. These bikes are designed with a large seat that resembles a chair and has a low seating design.
How to choose a bike frame?
The use
Do you need a bike for casual road rides or sports purposes? It is crucial to consider why you require the bike because use will determine the target. For example, road bikes are usually designed in an upright form to ensure comfort while the sports bikes feature arched frames that add stability when riding on uneven or hilly areas.
The materials
The material used in making bikes’ frames includes; aluminum, carbon fiber, steel, and titanium.
- Aluminum frames are relatively inexpensive and light in weight. The majority of these frames are recommended for road use and are highly preferred by experienced riders.
- The carbon fiber frames are quite sturdy, stiff, and a bit pricier than aluminum materials. The carbon fiber framed bikes are recommended for long rides and competition purposes. These frames have a high power of dampening vibration when riding in uneven surfaces.
- Steel frames are for those who prefer durability over comfort because these frames are quite heavy. The bikes are not ideal for racers or for those who need a bike for smooth movement on the roads.
- The titanium are the most expensive yet the best bike frames since they are quite durable, stable, and light in weight. These bikes are not standard in the market, considering it takes a long time to craft the frame, and their prices are too high. But, if you are looking for a bike that will last you for a lifetime then, this is the frame to look out for.
The size
The user mainly determines the size of the frame. If you are a short person, then you need a bike with a short frame and vice versa. The bike frames are curved in different sizes ranging from kids sizes to adults’ sizes. You can use the frame chart to choose the perfect sized frame to match with your height.
Female Vs. Male frames
This is a crucial factor to consider if you are a professional rider. The women’s bike frames feature a different design as opposed to men because the two genders have different body structures. Women have longer legs, which are propositional to their torsos, and in this case, their bikes have shorter tubes to ensure the handlebar is closer to the saddle to enable full leg extension.
Conclusion
A bike frame plays a significant role when buying a bike because it determines the use, durability, and reliability, as well. So, use the above buying guide to help you choose the right frame for your bike. This should go hand in hand with the type of bike you want based on the user. Also, if you need a bike that can accommodate other accessories like the electric bike kit, ensure the frame is strong enough to balance the equipped accessories.