what's a bike made of?

[KnottedYet]

From what I've gathered, these days "alloy" means aluminum alloy. (it used to generally mean steel alloy)

Unless it specifies chro-moly, platinum, or other steel alloy; your best bet may be to assume it's aluminum alloy.

I think I read that on the Harris website. Maybe it was on the Riv site.

[mimitabby]

al·loy Pronunciation (loi, -loi)
n.
1. A homogeneous mixture or solid solution of two or more metals, the atoms of one replacing or occupying interstitial positions between the atoms of the other: Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper.
2. A mixture; an amalgam: "Television news has . . . always been an alloy of journalism and show business" Bill Moyers.
3. The relative degree of mixture with a base metal; fineness.
4. Something added that lowers value or purity.
tr.v. (-loi, loi) al·loyed, al·loy·ing, al·loys
1. To combine (metals) to form an alloy.
2. To combine; mix: idealism that was alloyed with political skill.
3. To debase by the addition of an inferior element.

[fatbottomedgurl]

Steel is flexible for a smoother ride. Aluminum is lighter but a stiffer less forgiving ride. Carbon is light and forgiving. Steel usually will crack before it breaks. Aluminum and carbon can just snap in pieces so quality is paramount.

[Grog]

Isn't cro-moly steel?

[Bicyclette]

Grog -

From what I've read cro-moly is a steel alloy

[DebW]

If it's related to a frame, it's probably steel with some alloying metals.
If it's related to components, it's probably aluminum with some alloying metals.

Cro-moly is a steel used for frames. Forged alloy is aluminum. Not sure about some of the things you mentioned.

[mimitabby]

Steel is flexible for a smoother ride. Aluminum is lighter but a stiffer less forgiving ride. Carbon is light and forgiving. Steel usually will crack before it breaks. Aluminum and carbon can just snap in pieces so quality is paramount.

well, this brings me back to my question. Why can't the bike makers say "ALUMINUM ALLOY" or steel with high chromium?
and what are they mixing with Aluminum anyway?

they have to doll up the name... just say what it is! (so we don't have to feel like idiots because we dont' know what ZR 9000 is!

[DebW]

well, this brings me back to my question. Why can't the bike makers say "ALUMINUM ALLOY" or steel with high chromium?
and what are they mixing with Aluminum anyway?

they have to doll up the name... just say what it is! (so we don't have to feel like idiots because we dont' know what ZR 9000 is!

Using "alloy" for "aluminum" is stupid but they've been doing it for many many decades. They have to mix things with aluminum because the metal would be much too soft otherwise. Your chainrings might wear out in a week if they were pure aluminum. There are so many ways to alloy it that I guess the manufacturers want to brag on their way and give it a fancy name.

[SadieKate]

Steel is flexible for a smoother ride. Aluminum is lighter but a stiffer less forgiving ride. Carbon is light and forgiving.

BFG, all of this is not necessarily true. It depends on the tubing and the manipulation of it (diameter, wall thickness, butting, etc.), the geometry of the frame plus where each type of tube is used in the frame. There are carbon and steel bikes that will also beat the crap out of you because they are so unforgiving. Some of the newer aluminum tubing is getting good reviews. Plus, a rider's weight makes a huge difference in how each materials' ride characteristics are perceived. These days, such generic statements really don't apply.