is steel better for making bicycle frames.....how does it differ from the aluminum framed bikes?
Which is better? Neither, they are different though. Steel is a very good material for cost effective bicycles 1. If properly designed it can be made light 2. It usually has a forgiving ride. A steel bike will absorb some the shock from the road. Over a longer ride this is very nice indeed. This is what is meant by the phrase Steel is real!. 3. It is a very thoroughly understood material, so designs are very reliable 4. Unfortunately it is prone to rust. Keep the paint in good shape and if you have a nicer bike use JP Weigle Frame Saver on the inside of any tubes you can. Should do the trick. 5. Can be worked with easily available tools whereas aluminum requires some specialized and expensive tools. This is why many custom bikes are made from steel. Aluminum: 1. Light, stiff, efficient 2. Can be a harsh ride. 3. Good for entry level racers who can't afford Carbon Fiber (CF) 4. Cost effective 5. Very rust resistant It comes down to money and preference. I personally have voted steel a long time ago. I've ridden many aluminum bikes and don't like the ride. But that's me. Try them yourself and see which you like best. As far as longevity, that's more of a design issue than material.
Steel is better for road bikes and touring bikes, while aluminum is better for race bikes because its lighter. Steel will rust, so if you have a bike where it rains a lot or you ride in the winter, you need to apply a coat of Frame Saver every year to keep the inside of the frame rust-free.
Unless you are an all star pro, a steel bike will suit you fine. Thing is, the difference in weight is so small that unless you are racing people in multi-national competitions, it's just a lot of extra money you could put into buying a REALLY nice steel frame. Don't let ads fool you, steel are just as good as aluminum.
It depends on the type of riding you do. If you ride long distance you don't want aluminum, it is very stiff and will wear out your body with jolts from the road. Steel provides some degree of flex, which softens road jolts. You might want to go to a bike shop and hold a steel bike and alum bike so you can appreciate the difference in weight. Another thing about alum bikes is they do suffer from metal fatigue, so they will not last for 20 years like a steel bike (perhaps even much less depending on usage).
West It is all about the ride that both frames offer. Both frames are durable. There is a slight weight difference. But both are excellent frame materials. Steel is amore forgiving and strong material. It clearly provides the best overall ride characteristics. Aluminum is lighter, not quite as durable, but does not rust. It's ride is far harder than steel. To many it is far to harsh to ride distances on. I have owned multiple steel and aluminum frames. I liked them both... they never impacted me on distance rides. I loved the steel bikes ride. I like the look and stiffness of the aluminum frames. I would probably choose an aluminum frame over steel..... Soccerref
