You know when you want something. Like me at the moment. A new bike and you read up on things just to make sure. Then you read about something and doubts cross your mind.Well i have just read that Aluminium frames could have a life of only 5 years. Due to fatigue.Anyone out there put my mind at rest.?
Too much info
- Thread starter postman
- Start date
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Steve Austin
The Marmalade Kid
- Location
- Mlehworld
its a load of old cobblers. An ally roadbike will last fine
Twenty Inch
Guru
- Location
- Behind a desk
I don't agree.
My mate Tim's alloy frame came apart on the right-side chain stay drop-out insert. Just sort of snapped. Luckily he felt it and was able to stop before he came off. I saw this, by the way, it's not hearsay.
In fairness I should say that he's a 4000 mile per year commuter, but still...
My mate Tim's alloy frame came apart on the right-side chain stay drop-out insert. Just sort of snapped. Luckily he felt it and was able to stop before he came off. I saw this, by the way, it's not hearsay.
In fairness I should say that he's a 4000 mile per year commuter, but still...
Smokin Joe
Squire
- Location
- Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
You'd have to be unlucky to have a modern aluminium frame break on you. Any material can fail if it hasn't welded properly or the material has a flaw in it, but I would expect to get at least 20 years out of any frame in normal use.
Dave5N
Über Member
- Location
- Outside The Little Nibble
As Joe says, it can happen, irrespective of the material the frame's made of.
I have seen a top-name 531 frame fail at the BB on the second outing.
I have seen a top-name 531 frame fail at the BB on the second outing.
The frame breakages scaremongery came about when Carbon tube / Alloy lugged frames started cracking at the bond.
In those days, carbon fibre was in its early years and the laminating process was not perfect. The outer layers of fibre matting would come adrift due to the torsional loads at the bonding where they fitted inside the alloy lugs.
No such problems on a frame of one material.
Some alum' alloys do 'work harden' but the heat treatment process of today's alloys alleviates this.
The alloy grade your bike is constructed from is the same as is used on the Euro Advanced Fighter Aircraft and many other military aircraft.
Don't worry about it falling apart.
In those days, carbon fibre was in its early years and the laminating process was not perfect. The outer layers of fibre matting would come adrift due to the torsional loads at the bonding where they fitted inside the alloy lugs.
No such problems on a frame of one material.
Some alum' alloys do 'work harden' but the heat treatment process of today's alloys alleviates this.
The alloy grade your bike is constructed from is the same as is used on the Euro Advanced Fighter Aircraft and many other military aircraft.
Don't worry about it falling apart.
Chrisz
Über Member
- Location
- Sittingbourne
As previously mentioned - don't worry about it. I have two ally frames, one's over15 years old and still going strong (the fork steerer went after about 7 years).
Paul_Smith SRCC
www.plsmith.co.uk
- Location
- Surrey UK
postman said:
This is a topic that has been mentioned before, I have duplicated my response here which may be of some interest, they are my opinions based on over 30 years as a club cyclist and over 20 years as a specialist cycle retailer, as such I must add these are my personal opinions; I fully respect that others may have some different opinions to mine.
Aluminium Alloy supposedly has the most performance drop off with age, which in fairness only really effects a racing cyclist where a few percent reduction in performance can make the difference (especially in their heads) of winning or coming second, in reality that applies more to the older lighter frames when Pro’ riders used extremely light versions (now most pro teams use Carbon), the modern budget frames use a heavier, more robust alloy and are of course aimed at a different style of riding. They are now the most common option in the mid range and upwards frame sets, fairly robust, as they will normally dent as apposed to crack. Normally the price dictates a purchase of a frame built in alloy, that does not mean that you will not be satisfied, you will see quite a few older frames still being ridden by club cyclists who find them perfectly adequate, plus many don’t have any complaints re’ comfort or performance drop off
Opinion is often very divided when it comes to frame materials and if it effects how the bike rides or not. Many will state that they can tell a huge difference and by the same token many will state that the frame material makes no difference at all. I would say I fall somewhere between both, I have ridden a huge variety over the years, when riding bikes similar in set up in nearly every respect apart from the frame material I would say that I can't tell a huge difference, but I can feel more than none that's for sure.
Although Aluminium Alloy may have different vulnerabilities to fatigue a quality designer and manufacturer will be sensitive to the material they have used, so I would expect the bike to perform how it is supposed to and give you good long service, regardless of what it is made of. So although the frame material is indeed a consideration I believe that many are far more concerned about what they should or shouldn't use than perhaps they need be.
Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk
Twenty Inch
Guru
- Location
- Behind a desk
Twenty Inch said:
Mind you, he had that frame for 7 years - 25,000 miles, give or take. So probably didn't owe him anything.
Paul_Smith SRCC
www.plsmith.co.uk
- Location
- Surrey UK
Some of the well known manufacturers often offer a life time guarantee to the original owner; even though it is seven years old it may be worth making an enquiry, normally the owner will need proof of purchase.Twenty Inch said:
Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk
PpPete
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chandler's Ford
jimboalee said:
Jim
Did you mean the Eurofighter (aka Typhoon) aircraft now entering RAF service?
All the tube in there that I know of is Titanium, not aluminium...and I still worry about that falling apart - as I helped put some of the prototypes together!
but many other aircraft do use the same 6061 and 7075 alloys that are used in bike frames.
