Fragment of a metal frame welded from two corners

Very often, during the construction of residential buildings, situations arise when you need to seal an opening in the wall of a building or use a metal frame for the opening. The frame, in turn, serves as the basis for attaching doors, hatches, louvres to it, filling various profiles such as round timber, square, or simply the opening is “sewn up” with solid sheet metal. One way or another, the metal frame for the opening plays an important role in the construction of buildings. Therefore, it makes sense to talk about it separately from the point of view of:

• Rolled metal for the frame.
• Frame details.
• How to weld a metal frame.

Rolled metal for the opening frame

Which profile to use to frame the opening with a frame depends on the size of the opening itself. If we have a small opening, for example, 500 x 500 mm into which a louvre grille will be inserted, a small door ∟ 45 x 45 x 5 or ∟ 50 x 50 x 5 will be enough. In the case of mounting a simple metal gate in the opening, the size of the corner can be will use 63 x 63 x6 or 70 x 70 x 7. In some cases, if these corners are not available, you can use channel No. 8 - 10.

Main parts of the metal frame

As noted above, frame parts include a metal corner or channel profile, which are prepared taking into account the width and length of the frame. Moreover, it is very important to prepare cutouts in one of the parts for joining with other parts. In the corners these can be 45º cutouts or special cutouts in a shelf of one of the sizes. In the channel, a flange is also cut off on one of the parts for connection with another part so that the connected unit looks like one whole. It should be noted that the steel for welding frames should be St 3 PS or St 3 SP, but not carbon steel.

You can learn about die cutting in corners by reading my previous article about. As for what the joining of the channels will look like, just look at the attached drawing.

Docking channels at 90 degrees

A key role is played by anchors, which are welded to the frame to fix it in the opening. If the opening is made of any type of brickwork, then round steel anchors are welded to the frame. Usually it is round steel Ǿ 10 - 16 A II - III. If the opening is wooden, self-tapping screws of the appropriate length are used, but for this purpose a hole of the required diameter is first drilled in the frame. The diameter of the metal anchors depends on the size of the frame. If the perimeter of the structure is small and it is welded from a small corner, it will be enough to make an anchor from wire rod Ǿ 5-6 mm.

How to weld a metal frame

First of all, you need to have a flat surface to assemble the frame. The ideal option in this case would be a steel sheet with a thickness of 10 - 12 mm. You need to have a steel square with you to control the right angles of the structure and a tape measure of at least 3 meters to measure the diagonals along the inner corners of the assembled frame.

Frame welding. You can see the joining corners with a notch on the right

If the channel is usually flat, then the corner often has a certain helical shape. This is especially true for small corners, so they need to be straightened before assembling the frame. And again, it will be more convenient to do this on a metal plate, where you can not only straighten, but also check the result on a flat surface of the plate. Everyone knows how to straighten, but the only thing I want to note is that if the shelf to be straightened lies on a slab, then blows with a hammer must be applied to the edge of the shelf, which is perpendicular to it.

To control right angles, as already noted, measure the length of the diagonals at the inner corners of the frame. It is quite clear that they should be equal. Electrodes for welding the frame should be taken of the ANO - 4 grade, and for welding anchors made of reinforced steel, DSK - 5 electrodes are used. The diameter of the electrodes depends on the thickness of the profile flanges. For a corner 50 x 5, 4 mm will be enough, and for welding channels – 5 mm. After welding, all welding seams, after removing scale, are cleaned with a cylindrical grinder.

Note

All welding work must be carried out only in a dry room and in dry welding gloves!

Perhaps the most dramatic upgrade to a bicycle is replacing the frame. It is the frame that determines the character of the bike and has the greatest influence on its driving performance, appearance and, as a result, the enjoyment of riding. On Internet forums, many copies have been broken about the choice of this or that frame material, and this topic can easily be classified as a holivar, but still I will allow myself to speculate and express my opinion.

Aluminum frames

For many years, aluminum frames have been very popular among cyclists around the world. Although the frames are called “aluminum”, they are not made from pure aluminum, but from an alloy, due to the fact that aluminum itself is quite soft. Thus, the alloy is approximately 95% aluminum, but also includes: magnesium, zinc, manganese, titanium, chromium, iron, etc. This results in such popular alloys as 7005 and 6061, most often used in the manufacture of bicycle frames. To increase strength, pipes of large diameter and thicker walls are used. Many aluminum frames, for the purpose of lightening, have the so-called. butting, which is a variable thickness of pipe walls in different places, depending on the load. As a result, the frame is quite light, rigid and durable.

The weight of a mid-level aluminum frame in size 19” is about 2-2.5 kg, which allows you to build a fairly light bike on a very modest budget. As for rigidity, this is both good and bad. For racing where jerking, dynamic riding while standing on the pedals and precise handling are important, stiffness will be a plus. But when it comes to long distance riding, riding on an aluminum frame can cause some discomfort in the lower back, back and arms, especially if you have any spinal problems. The reason for this is the rigidity mentioned above, as well as the properties of the material - low internal friction, as a result of which vibration from the wheels is very well transmitted to the cyclist through the frame.

One of the main disadvantages of aluminum frames is their tendency to accumulate fatigue and, as a result, unexpected breakdowns at the most inopportune moment. That is why you should be especially wary of used aluminum alloy frames that are more than 10 years old, have a decent mileage, or have been subjected to heavy loads (for example, in extreme disciplines). This is also true for rigid aluminum forks. Not only is riding on such a fork extremely uncomfortable, but it can also break suddenly.

One way or another, aluminum frames continue to be very popular and many serial bicycle models in the lower and middle price segments are assembled on their basis. Perhaps price is the main factor here. After all, you can purchase a fairly high-quality frame made of aluminum alloy even for 5,000-8,000 rubles.

In professional cycling, aluminum frames have not been used for a long time and they have been completely replaced by carbon, which due to its properties is much better suited for disciplines where time is measured by seconds and weights are measured by grams.

Carbon frames

In professional sports, carbon has a strong and permanent foothold; it is unlikely that anything will be able to displace it in the coming years. Technologies continue to be refined, new frame models are released that have greater rigidity, strength, better aerodynamics and lower weight. At the same time, carbon frames and components have ceased to be the exclusive privilege of professionals and are increasingly penetrating the ranks of amateur cyclists. At the same time, a lot of articles and topics appeared on forums with very mixed opinions about carbon frames. Articles where the author talks about how cool, reliable and durable carbon is, but then contradicts himself and says that it is still a little fragile can cause confusion. So, is it reliable or fragile? Let's figure it out.

In fact, this is so, carbon is both strong and fragile, no matter how strange it may sound. In tension, carbon is much stronger than aluminum alloy, but when it comes to breaking or strong pinpoint impacts, everything is not so good. You can subject a carbon frame to high loads when riding over rough terrain, jumping, even transporting heavy camping equipment on a hike and not worry that the carbon will not hold up and suddenly collapse. But sometimes it may happen that the bicycle accidentally falls on a sharp stone, a corner of a wall, or gets hit while being transported on a train, train or plane. There are quite a lot of such cases. What is the likelihood that this will happen specifically in your use case is another question. True, you shouldn’t think that carbon is really so fragile and can collapse from any small blow. In most cases, everything should be done with a surface chip of varnish, a layer of which also provides additional protection for the carbon. With normal use, a carbon frame can last a very long time, as carbon exhibits virtually no fatigue.

Recently, budget (relatively) Chinese carbon frames have become very popular. This is primarily due to the price - about 13,000-15,000 rubles, which is more than two times lower than the cost of models from well-known brands. Is it worth buying such a frame? If you really want to try carbon, but there is no way to buy a frame from a well-known manufacturer, then this is the only option. But you need to keep in mind that carbon is different from carbon. A budget carbon frame of unknown origin may not be as light and reliable, may not have well-thought-out geometry, and, in general, may be significantly inferior to branded models. But, one way or another, it will allow you to get an idea of ​​what a carbon frame is and how it behaves.

Do I need carbon?

To make it easier for you to decide, I suggest answering a number of questions for yourself:

• Are you ready to spend 30,000+ rubles on just one frame?
• Are you willing to spend about 60,000 more on the remaining components that will match the frame level?
• Will you participate in races and compete for prizes?
• Surely you won’t feel sorry for racing on a bike like this? 🙂
• You don't plan to go hiking and won't transport the bike on trains or trains side by side with other bicycles?
• Do you have another simpler bike for every day?
• Is the “wow” effect on others important to you?

If the answers to these questions are confidently positive, we can assume that yes, most likely you really need a bike with a carbon frame. If, first of all, reliability and durability are important to you, you are not going to win prizes at competitions, and your wallet does not stretch your pocket, then you should not chase trends. In this case, pay attention to more affordable and time-tested materials, such as steel.

Steel frames

Want to touch a real classic? Buy a quality steel frame. For many decades, most bicycles were assembled on steel frames, ranging from children's Schoolchildren to professional-level Colnagos. In the early 90s, in professional cycling, steel frames were very quickly replaced by aluminum and then carbon ones. As for more budget bikes, steel is still in use here, and in very different ways.

The simplest and most budget-friendly ones are frames made of low-carbon steel, while the slightly more expensive ones are made of alloy steel (high tensile, hiten steel). The former are used on the lowest price range of bikes and are sometimes called bed or water tube frames. Indeed, their characteristics can hardly be called outstanding, especially the first ones. Such frames are heavy (4-5 kg) and are quite susceptible to corrosion. Nevertheless, they are inexpensive, strong and repairable, and dampen vibrations well.

The best and most interesting steel frames are made from chrome molybdenum steel (CrMo). The once legendary HVZ, Colnago, Bianchi, Pinarello and many other well-known manufacturers of road and mountain frames had in their arsenal many models of chrome-molybdenum frames of various levels, from average amateur to top professional ones, on which they won victories many times at iconic world cycling races, such as : Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Paris-Roubaix and many others. Of course, today, in professional cycling, steel (even such high-quality steel) has not been used for many years, but many manufacturers continue to produce chrome-molybdenum frames, both road and mountain, which are very popular among classic connoisseurs and cyclists who value maximum performance. reliability, maintainability and comfort when traveling on roads with a variety of surfaces.

Chrome-molybdenum frames are very resistant to fatigue. Even if it happens that the chrome-molybdenum frame breaks, then, as a rule, this does not happen suddenly, but gradually. There were cases when a crack appeared in chrome-molybdenum frames during difficult hikes, but they held up, did not break, and allowed us to complete the route. Almost 10 years ago I came across a Jamis Exile XC chromoly frame. You can see photos of this bike on the pages of this site. So the frame came to me already badly beaten by life. It lay in an unheated garage for a long time, as a result of which it began to rust. I had to thoroughly clean the thread of the card assembly, treat it with a converter, and then spray the entire frame with Movil. In addition, there is a dent on the top tube of the frame, and there is also a slight bend in the rear stays, so the rear wheel is a little off to the side. However, this is my main bike for all occasions, which I have used all year round for 9 years.

The bicycle on a chrome-molybdenum frame is very comfortable. Thanks to the properties of the material - high internal friction and good ductility, a bike on a chromoly frame literally plays under the cyclist, which is very good when riding on small uneven surfaces, for example, a washboard or a rocky grader. Of course, in the case of using a bicycle for racing, softness can be considered a disadvantage rather than an advantage. But if your priority is comfort when traveling on different roads and in their complete absence, then the chromol is a very good option.

There is an opinion that steel frames are very heavy. But this does not apply at all to high-quality chrome-molybdenum frames. Unless, of course, you compare them with carbon. But it is quite possible to compare with aluminum ones and the advantage will not always be with the latter. Of course, lightweight chrome-molybdenum frames are quite expensive and can cost 20,000-30,000 rubles. and more. But there are cheaper options, and besides, in the case of chrome-molybdenum frames, you should not be too afraid of used ones, as with aluminum ones. I got my Jamis almost for free, you can say that I saved it :)

Titanium frames

So we got to my favorite titanium. It is a bicycle on a titanium frame that represents for me maximum versatility, reliability and is my choice. Let me remind you that I have owned a bicycle based on the Titerra Ti-M19 frame for more than 12 years; some time ago I wrote about it in an article and talked about it in a video.

Titanium frames offer the weight of the best aluminum frames, the strength and comfort of chrome-moly frames, but are virtually corrosion-resistant and have fantastic durability. I note that the point about durability is valid if all technologies were followed during manufacturing. Otherwise, the frame may quickly break and repairing it will not be so easy, since the requirements for titanium processing conditions are very high, which directly affects the maintainability of the product, especially in the absence of the necessary conditions. But if the technology has been followed, then the titanium frame will serve you for decades, and it will also be enough for grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In the manufacture of titanium frames, an alloy is used that contains other elements, not just titanium in its pure form. Such alloys are called Titanium alloys. For example, the most popular alloys used in the production of bicycle frames are 3AL-2.5V (3% Aluminum and 2.5% Vanadium) and 6AL-4V (6% Aluminum and 4% Vanadium). Often these alloys are combined and used in different parts of the same product. Other alloys are also used, for example, the well-known company Rapid uses aerospace alloy OT-4 and PT-7M in its frames.

As for the purpose of titanium frames, their range of application is very wide: year-round and daily use in the city, complex multi-day hikes, brevets, rides on any type of road, involving long walks, where you literally have to drag the bike on yourself. Except that I won’t include racing here, where high frame rigidity is important, allowing for maximum jerk and sharp control. Since titanium is soft, it has some losses when pedaling, especially when powered. Also, if a bicycle with a titanium frame is used by people weighing 100 kg or more, excessive softness may be noticeable, up to the feeling that the frame is simply dangling under you. Of course, this largely depends on the specific frame model.

Visually, a bicycle on a titanium frame looks completely discreet. Titanium is rarely painted, and if it is necessary to achieve a spectacular appearance, it is polished until it acquires a shine. Most frames are sold unpolished and for ordinary people they look like just gray pieces of iron. This can certainly be considered a plus. Despite their considerable cost, titanium bicycles attract much less attention than the decorated aluminum or fashionable carbon ones, which sometimes shout: “Hey, take me, I’m so cool!” I even know a case when, during a ride, a group stopped at a village store, leaned their bicycles and left. The titanium bicycle was the last one propped up. When people left the store, they found that the titanium (which was the very first) was lying to the side, but there was no trace of the new aluminum bike. Of course, you shouldn’t expect that this will always work and just leave your bike anywhere, but this is undoubtedly a plus.

The biggest disadvantage of titanium frames is their high price, which can be equivalent to or even higher than branded carbon products. So, for example, a used titanium frame, which is already 15 years old, can easily be sold for 20,000 rubles, but this cannot be said to be a very inflated price tag. Prices for new domestic titanium frames start from 45,000 rubles. Therefore, if you decide to assemble a bicycle on a titanium frame, then before that you need to weigh all the pros and cons and understand why all this is needed and whether the game is worth the candle. In many cases, a chrome-moly frame can be an excellent alternative to titanium for significantly less money.

When it comes to fashion and trends, titanium stands apart from frames made from other materials. In the circles of advanced cyclists it looks something like this: aluminum - mass-produced bicycles, unnoticeable and ordinary; carbon is for messengers and advanced cyclists; chrome-molybdenum - for connoisseurs of classics and old-school bicycles. The situation with titanium is special. Expressions like “classic” or “on trend” don’t work for him, he’s in a different parallel, out of time, and if you’ve achieved the zen of titanium bikes, you’re unlikely to be able to reconsider your views.

Conclusion

Of course, in addition to aluminum, carbon, steel and titanium, there are bicycle frames made from other, much more exotic alloys and materials, for example, magnesium or scandium frames. But today it is very difficult to find them on sale, even on order, and as far as I know, interest in them has already diminished greatly, compared to what it was 10-15 years ago.

When it comes to choosing a frame material for your bicycle, you need to think and decide exactly how it will be used. Each material is good in its own way, but also has its weaknesses. If we are talking about assembling a budget bike, then most likely the choice will be limited to aluminum and steel frames. If you are inclined towards sports and racing, at first you should race on aluminum, but as you grow noticeably, switch to carbon, which will allow you to improve your results. But don’t think that if you ride carbon, you’ll immediately finish in the top 5. Still, first of all, the cyclist rides, and the bicycle helps him with this. If you gravitate towards cycling tourism, love long trips on any roads (and maybe even without them), and at the same time have a desire to touch something eternal, reliable and have the opportunity to seriously spend money, then a bicycle with a titanium frame will suit you perfectly. You’re not ready to spend tens of thousands on one frame, but you want reliability and durability, but you don’t like the visual appeal of “blown” aluminum frames? In this case, pay attention to chrome-molybdenum models, which will undoubtedly be able to satisfy your needs and refined taste.

Undoubtedly, the choice of frame is a very important issue, because good equipment is a pleasure to ride. But I don’t advise you to indulge in cycling fetishism, chase after grams and waste your time arguing on cycling forums about what’s cooler, what works and what doesn’t. The main thing is that you like the bike, and that you have the desire, time and energy to ride more often, getting benefit and pleasure.

If you have something to add or want to ask a question about a particular frame, then you are welcome to comment.

Now in the construction industry, the trend for the construction of one-story industrial premises based on metal frames with variable cross-sections is gaining momentum. There is a minimum amount of materials per unit volume of the building, which makes this method very profitable for the construction of industrial facilities.

In its production, the MK Montecto company uses only modern and high-precision technological solutions for structural calculations, design and manufacture of welded metal frames. Indicate in the project that the structure will need to use overhead cranes or other lifting equipment, we will additionally develop all the necessary seats and other elements for them in accordance with GOST. Additionally, we produce metal frames for process plants and production equipment.

Our specialization is frames for buildings and load-bearing structures for the installation of industrial equipment (pumping units, generators, filtration systems, chemical treatment, etc.).

We work with the following types of frames:

1. Solid frames (used for frames of buildings with a flat or sloping roof).
2. Lattice through frames (used to construct the frame of a building with a flat or sloping roof).
3. Combined frames (application is similar to points 1 and 2).
4. Frames for machines, technological equipment, production and other installations.

Calculation of a welded metal frame

Calculation of steel frames is carried out using modern software using the finite element method; also, when calculating seismic effects, the linear-spectral method provided by ANSYS, Inc. software is used. MK Monteco specialists design frames for buildings with a free span, internal columns, single-pitched, with a flat roof and two or multi-pitched with a sloping roof.

The design is carried out taking into account the latest changes in the regulatory framework. In particular, in accordance with the new SP 14.13330.2014, calculations for the maximum design earthquake (RME) are performed in the time domain using instrumental or synthesized accelerograms. For critical structures, calculations are performed in two different calculation systems.

Manufacturing of metal frames

Nowadays, welded I-section frames are most actively used in construction; they additionally have the ability to change the thickness of the walls along the structure, the height and width of the shelves. At MK Monteco, the production of frames of this type is possible both according to the client’s design and on the basis of our own developments; they are most often used for the construction of light metal structures. The welded I-beam is made from rolled sheets; the element is cut on a plasma machine. Welding work is carried out using a semi-automatic method; we check each seam for compliance with GOST requirements.

Solid frames have a number of significant advantages: they do not require much time to produce 1 piece, they are highly manufacturable and low-labor process, and their production can be automated, which will significantly reduce the cost. But there are also cases when it is necessary to use only combined or lattice frames of standard series. At our production facility at MK Montecto, we produce high-quality frames for industrial buildings of all types, including frames for various lifting equipment and overhead cranes.

Steel frames for equipment

Metal frames for all kinds of equipment and technological installations do not belong to building metal structures and are manufactured in accordance with industry and national standards, organizational standards, as well as technical safety regulations. The Monteco company will manufacture frames according to the customer’s drawings, or according to its own calculations based on the data provided.

The company's technological capabilities allow it to produce frames for equipment from ordinary and stainless steels or rolled aluminum.

Some projects we have completed in this area

Prefabricated channel frame

A collapsible structure consisting of a base, traverse and cross members.

Submission date: November 23, 2018

More details

Bicycles with an aluminum frame 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 for aluminum this figure is about 2.7 grams. In terms of thicker walls, this material also outperforms iron, since the minimum parameter is 0.8 mm, and the product will weigh less than a steel frame with a thickness of 0.4 mm. Reliability is further enhanced by the absence of welded seams. In addition, they can be performed in various configurations. Let's consider their features, advantages and disadvantages.

Description

Due to their low weight, bicycles with an aluminum frame pick up speed faster and are easier to climb. This is also why the bike stops faster after the rider stops pedaling. Aluminum is not used in its pure form; this material means an alloy of it with zinc, manganese, nickel, copper or magnesium.

It is more difficult to take sharp turns on such bicycles, since they are stiffer than their steel counterparts and cannot bend as well. Due to the rigidity of the frame, the energy from the cyclist's efforts is transferred to the wheels with less loss. Such subtleties play a role for professionals; for amateurs this is not a critical indicator. A harsher and less comfortable ride becomes noticeable. Bicycles with an aluminum frame practically do not absorb vibrations transmitted to the saddle and handlebars on uneven surfaces and bumps. A bike like this requires good shock absorption and a comfortable saddle. This will allow some of the impacts to be leveled out, which will have a beneficial effect on movement.

pros

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

• Low weight, allowing for improved speed characteristics and acceleration.
• Maximum resistance to corrosive processes.
• High driving characteristics even when driving uphill.

Minuses

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

• High rigidity, which is especially noticeable on models without a suspension fork.
• Rapid loss of momentum. Due to its light weight, the bike stops faster than its steel-frame counterpart once the rider stops pedaling.
• Small working life during active use. After just a few years, cracks may appear. Manufacturers provide a warranty of 5 to 10 years, but after this period it is recommended to lubricate the part to check for possible deformations.
• If dropped, an aluminum frame is more likely to cause dents.
• Poor maintainability. It is very problematic to weld such a part; it is better to purchase a new one.
• Quite a high price.

Folding bicycles with aluminum frame

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

1. The expensive city bike Strida SX has an original exterior. It folds down to the size of a compact cart that can be transported under its own power. The steering wheel can also be transformed. The advantages of the bicycle 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, and disc brakes. With good maneuverability, the device weighs only 11.6 kg. Among the disadvantages are small carrying capacity, narrow wheels, poor shock absorption.
2. Smart 20. A stylish city bike, considered one of the best in its price category. Can be used by women without problems. Among the advantages are a durable frame, a convenient transformation mechanism, the presence of reflectors and other accessories. Disadvantages include the lack of a handbrake and the quality of the wing alignment.
3. Bicycle "Stealth". The aluminum frame of the Pilot-710 model does not interfere with the smooth ride. The vehicle picks up speed well when coasting, has a discreet design, when folded it fits into the luggage compartment of any car, and is equipped as standard with a luggage rack and chain protection. Disadvantages include a wide handlebar and an awkward seating position for tall people. The intended purpose of the modification is city travel.

Children's bicycles with aluminum frame

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

• Mars. This one is for children over 3 years old. The kit includes additional polyurethane wheels. The frame and fork are made of aluminum alloy, and there is a handlebar height adjuster. Wheel diameter is 12 inches, model weight is 4.5 kg.
• Forward Timba‏. One of the best for children 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 bicycles with an aluminum frame fall into the mid-price category. The bike weighs 14.3 kg. It is aimed at teenagers 12-16 years old and has a load capacity of up to 110 kg. The advantages of the model are ease of assembly/disassembly, good speed, equipped with 20-inch wheels and quality. Among the disadvantages are incorrect factory adjustments and brake pads of dubious quality.

Peculiarities

When choosing a bike, the question often arises of whether to choose an aluminum or steel bicycle 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 is worth noting that in the manufacture of aluminum structures, thick-walled pipes of large diameter are used.

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

Typically, the minimum pipe wall thickness on an aluminum frame is 0.8 mm. Manufacturers often make pipes by butting or using different sections, which also makes it possible to strengthen the product.

Alloys used

There are many aluminum alloys used to make bicycle frames. The most common brands are 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 liquid. Then, for 8 hours, the material is artificially aged at a temperature of 180 degrees. The output is 6061-T6. The analogue number 7007 is cooled by air, not water.

Below are comparative characteristics of 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 for material 6061 (6061T6) are 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 a 16” bike, the aluminum frame of which is made of alloy 70005 or 7005. However, the 6061 analogue is more technologically advanced, which makes it possible to make pipes with a complex cross-section from it, and this increases the strength of the product. In addition, such aluminum is better weldable. When choosing a frame, consider your financial capabilities and intended use of the bike. If used properly, a bike with a frame made of any material, including steel, aluminum or carbon, will last quite a long time.

A 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 available. It is the frame that should be the first significant factor when choosing the entire bicycle, both when assembling it and when choosing a finished copy in the store. After all, the frame determines the purpose that the bicycle will serve, the rider’s position, the essence and weight of body kits and fastenings. This also has a big impact on the final weight of the bike. What difference does it make what weight the bike is?

Bicycle with aluminum frame

Does it matter how much a bike weighs?

There are three basic parameters that affect the weight of a bicycle - its stability on the road surface, controllability during maneuvers and inertia. The last parameter takes into account not only the inertia itself, but also the energy that needs to be expended to compensate for it. As strange as it may sound, when the weight of the bike drops, all these indicators improve. The rule does not work here - the heavier, the more stable, since you have to often change the center of gravity, and it is more difficult to compensate for inertia.

So the weight of the entire bike is an extremely important parameter, and its frame bears most of the weight.

It can be a steel frame, aluminum or chrome-molybdenum. Sometimes titanium specimens are found. Weight depends not only on the frame, but also on all parts of the kit together, as well as on the purpose of the bicycle. 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 specimens for downhill can reach an average weight of 20 kg.

Individual sports bikes are expensive and weigh a strictly defined number of kg, but they vary too much depending on the manufacturer and purpose, so it is pointless to indicate their average weight. The cheapest solyanka bicycles from Auchan and other large hypermarkets cost little, but their equipment is usually heavy, unreliable and inharmonious. It will be inconvenient, difficult to ride, and it will quickly become unusable, and they, as a rule, cannot be repaired.

Steel frame

Both a steel frame and a frame made of various alloys containing steel have approximately the same weight. To make the frame as strong as possible, chromium or molybdenum is added to the alloy. This addition 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 its interesting appearance attracts attention, especially in combination with an original color scheme. Compared to aluminum frame tubes, these are thinner and more flexible.

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, since they are inexpensive, but at the same time they are excellent for minor repairs. The problem with a steel bike is that it can easily corrode and is heavier than an aluminum frame. The advantages of this frame made of this material include:

• Excellent inertia - after the owner stops pedaling, the bike maintains excellent speed for a long time;
• Soft steel frame - steel softens shock and vibration, in combination with a carbon fork, it turns cycling into pure pleasure;
• Bending - often a steel frame bends at unusual angles, which is great for cornering;
• Durability and excellent ability to repair the material - 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

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

There will be practically no change in stiffness, but if this is felt, then you can put carbon forks on the bike, which 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 weighs no more than 2 kg, and good quality - no more than 1.5 kg;
• Sharp and good acceleration on any terrain;
• Aluminum is not subject to metal corrosion;
• It is the best option for heavy cyclists.

The disadvantages of this frame are exactly the opposite of the advantages of a steel frame.

1. A frame made of such material not only accelerates quickly, but also quickly loses all its inertia.
2. It is rigid - aluminum cannot dampen vibrations when riding. In combination with a rigid fork, riding can turn into torture.
3. People with low weight will have difficulty riding it.
4. Such a frame will not last more than 10 years, as it accumulates its fatigue and will simply burst at the most inopportune moment.
5. Also, not every breakdown of such a frame can be repaired.