Buying a mountain bike needs precautions and considerations. It should meet the needs and the purposes of your biking, and of course the budget. If you want to ride off road or in the mountain trails, you need to consider a steel hardtail mountain bike.
- Part 1: Beginning: Introduction to The Framework
- Part 2: Precautions for Frame Selection
- Part 3: Price Selection Considerations
- Part 4: Frequently Asked Questions
- Part 5: Summary
Part 1: Beginning: Introduction to The Framework
The primary component of a bicycle is the frame, which is where the wheels and other components. It is the most crucial component of a bicycle. It serves as the foundation for any bike that is constructed. Based on the safety bicycle, the modern and most popular upright bicycle frame design consists of two triangles: a main triangle and a pair of rear triangles. The top tube, down tube, seat tube, and head tube are the four major components of a bicycle.
So, essentially, a bike frame is a collection of metal tubes that have been welded together to form a cohesive body. To build bicycle frames, there are different materials, such as aluminum, steel, carbon fiber or titanium. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Basically, this is what the frame of a bicycle looks like, including the frame of MTBs.
MTB frames are intended for off-road riding on rough terrain. Mountain bikes typically have a lightweight frame, front or full suspension, large bumpy tires, enduring wheels, forceful brakes, and lower gear ratios for ascending hilly trails. Mountain trails, singletrack, and a variety of other non asphalt roads are common places for these bikes to be ridden. Mountain bikes are designed to withstand the rigors of riding through rough, uneven terrain.
These bicycles have wide, flat handlebars for better control, and at least two-inch tires with knobby tires for better grip. MTB frames have two types: hardtail and full-suspension. A hardtail MTB only has one suspension at the front while a full-suspension or double suspension bike has suspensions both at the front and at rear. In this article we will discuss hardtail bikes, specifically steel hardtail mountain bikes.
Part 2: Precautions for Frame Selection
Selecting a bike’s frame is quite a daunting task. This means that you need to be careful in choosing the right one for you. As has been noted before, the needs and purposes of your biking determine which bike you should purchase. Choosing the kind of bike means you choose the bike’s frame suitable for you. When you are planning to ride on mountain terrain, an MTB bike is the right option. The suspension on a mountain bike affects the bike’s control, traction, and comfort, as well as how much fun it is to ride.
Suspension dampens the roughness of the terrain, making the ride smoother and more controlled for the rider. But then, you come to the next question: “Should I buy a hardtail or a full suspension bike?” Actually, both are great choices for mountain biking, but there are things that need to be considered.
A hardtail mountain bike is an adaptable and all-terrain bike with either rigid forks or front suspension and no rear shock. On the other hand, a full-suspension mountain bike with two suspensions both at the front and at rear. A hardtail is lighter and less expensive than a full-suspension bike, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced riders.
A hardtail can be used on a variety of terrains, depending on the level of specification you choose.They are also much easier to care for than a full-suspension MTB, requiring far less maintenance. Not only choosing the right frame, you need to consider the material of the frame, too. The frames of hardtail MTB bikes usually come from steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, or titanium.
2.a. Steel
Steel was used to make all bikes in the past because it was durable, strong, and comfortable to ride. Due to its relative weight and stiffness to weight ratio, it is becoming less popular these days. Especially when compared to aluminum and carbon fiber. Steel hardtail MTB can be an option when you want to have a mountain bike. Since it is much more durable and stronger than aluminum, steel making it an excellent choice for mountain bikes.
The material of the frame has a noticeable impact on ride quality. When compared to other materials like aluminum and carbon fiber, most riders agree that steel hardtails offer a more accepting ride feel. Steel hardtail bikes can withstand more impacts without breaking. It will bend first which is possible to be fixed easily.
2.b. Aluminum
In the modern era, aluminum is the most commonly used to build the frames of bicycles. It is because aluminum frames are lighter, more durable, and provide far better power transfer and stiffness-to-weight ratios than steel frames. The disadvantage of aluminum is that it has a tendency to produce a harsh ride since aluminum frames are more rigid than steel frames. Aluminum is a material that can last a lifetime, but it is susceptible to fatigue and corrosion. Aluminum, unlike steel, does not bend before it breaks. When put under too much strain, it will snap and become completely useless. It’s also fairly inexpensive, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious riders and racers.
2.c. Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber is the lightest and most durable material for bicycle frames. We consider dampening and torsional stiffness to be two major advantages of a carbon frame over an aluminum frame. Due to the material’s vibration dampening properties, carbon frames have unrivaled stiffness-to-weight ratios and excellent rider comfort. That is why most professional riders choose this kind of frame.
The strong materials used to construct carbon fiber bikes ensure that they will not break easily. Due to the torsional rigidity and lighter weight of a carbon bike, acceleration feels much faster. Carbon bike frames, unless damaged or poorly constructed, can last indefinitely. When there is a crack on the frame, you can still fix it. But, you cannot do it by yourself, so you should ask for help from the professional.
2.d. Titanium
Because of the thin-walled, high-strength tubing, titanium mountain bikes have a well-deserved reputation for ride quality. Titanium MTB frames are not only more resistant to the effects of hard riding, but they also absorb the shocks. Titanium has excellent damping properties, similar to a steel frame. Titanium frames are corrosion resistant. It does not oxidize like steel bikes do which make them rusty.
The extreme stiffness of the titanium frame improves power transfer and pedaling efficiency. Titanium is commonly resistant to shock, fatigue, and rust, allowing it to last more than 20 years, even up to 40 years. Although titanium mountain bike frames are more expensive than carbon mountain bike frames, they are ideal for trail riding rather than road riding.
Part 3: Price Selection Considerations
Price is the next importan thing . Sorting through all of the options to a few models that will work best for you can be difficult. The cost of the best steel hardtail mountain bike differs depending on the type and the color. Some steel hardtail bikes can cost from $1,500-$2,100. For example, Nukeproof Scout which costs $1,650. Besides 27.5” wheels for Scout 275, there is also Scout 290 with 29er wheels that can fit 2.5” tires.
The race and sport versions costs $1,099 and $850. Another example is Orange Crush that costs $2,100. It comes with 27.5” wheels and the 65 degree with 150mm fork. There are hardtail bikes with the price less than £1000 or about $1,313.22, such as Calibre Line 29 (£905/$1,189.12), Carrera Fury (£600/$788.37).
There are also more expensive steel hardtail MTBs. For example, Guerilla Gravity Pedal Head that costs $1,195 only the frame. For the complete bike it costs from $2,195 to $3,995. It has clearance for either 27.5+ or 29er wheels with 65.5 degree head tube angle with 140mm fork. Trillion Prime is a steel hardtail bike that costs $1,300 only for the frame.
It has a 65 degree head tube angle with a 160mm fork. Nimble 9 comes with a variety of models that cost from $3,599.99 to $4,089.00 for complete bikes. Nimble 9 – Frost costs $3,599.99 with 29” wheels and 150mm fork. Nimble 9 – Static costs $3,599.99 with 29” wheels and 150mm fork. The most expensive of this model is Nimble 9 – Chrome that costs $4,089.99. It comes with 29” wheels and 150mm fork.
Part 4: Frequently Asked Questions
- Are steel mountain bike frames a good choice?
Because steel is significantly stronger and more durable than aluminum, it is an excellent choice for mountain bikes.
- Is it more comfortable to ride a steel bike?
Today’s steel frames in high-quality tubes that are both strong and light. As a result, steel bikes are extremely durable and comfortable.
- Is steel prone to rusting?
Steel will rust because of the iron and carbon.
- What is the lifespan of a steel frame?
With proper maintenance, steel bike frames can easily last 6-10 years.
- How can I prevent rust on the inside frame of my steel bike?
It is better to use a rust inhibitor on the inside of your frame at least once in one season.
- Are hardtails capable of jumping?
Because of the lack of a rear suspension, a hardtail mountain bike is easier to jump on than a full-suspension mountain bike.
- Is it possible to ride a hardtail downhill?
Yes, many riders will ride a downhill hardtail bike to force themselves to learn how to choose a better path.
- Is it possible to go trail riding on a hardtail?
Despite the fact that hardtails are a little rougher, they are great for fooling around, hitting jumps, riding some street trials, or simply enjoying the same trails as before.
- Is climbing easier on a hardtail or a full suspension bike?
A full suspension bike will climb better in any type of technical terrain if the suspension is properly tuned and the geometry is similar.
- Is it possible to mountain bike on a steel hardtail?
Steel hardtail MTBs are a type of mountain bike that suit to ride in a variety of terrains and environments, and they’ll perform admirably in most situations.
Part 5: Summary
For many people, riding a bike is a popular pastime. Not only for beginners but also professionals. Whether you ride it on the city streets, in the mountain roads, or even in more extreme terrain. Wherever you decide to ride the bike, the type of bike is important. When you want to have a more challenging biking activity you might want to try mountain biking. For biking in the mountains, you need to have a mountain bike. Hardtail or full-suspension can be the frame options for you to choose. If you want to have a bike which makes you able to ride on almost every terrain, then a hardtail bike is the choice. The material of the frame also plays an important role in choosing the bike. The materials used are steel, aluminum, carbon, or titanium. Steel hardtail bikes can be the best option because of some reasons.
The first reason why a steel MTB is a good choice is because steel is stronger and more reliable than aluminum. This kind of bike is able to absorb more shocks with little damage. The second is that steel hardtail bikes will bend first before breaking, and it can be easily fixed when there is damage. The next, steel hardtail mountain bike can be customized to fit the rider perfectly. Last but not least is the cost. Hardtail bike is less expensive and lighter than a full-suspension bike since there is only one suspension in the front. It is also cheaper than other hardtails made of carbon or titanium. Even so, getting the best steel hardtail can be tricky. You need to spend some time in order to be able to get the best bike that meets your needs and purposes of biking.
