| The year that the first bicycle was built was 1817. This | | | | work with and can be made into a variety of different |
| first bicycle was invented by German, Karl von Drais, | | | | sized bike frames, including different tube widths to |
| and was called the "swift walker." This name was | | | | help make the bike lighter or heavier, depending upon |
| given to this bicycle due to the fact that it did not have | | | | your preferences. |
| any pedals and people "walked" rather than rode on | | | | A lighter weight option would be aluminum. This |
| them. The first bicycles were constructed of a wood | | | | material is very light, but it also has a big deficit. Due to |
| bike frame that had two wheels to support this frame. | | | | the lightness of this material, it is also very easy to |
| The bike frame was covered by leather for comfort. | | | | bend and this can be very bad. The high yield strength |
| These first bike frames and the materials that they | | | | of aluminum is why a larger diameter tube is used to |
| were constructed of have undergone many changes | | | | help decrease the chance of the bike frame bending. |
| in the years since this first bicycle was invented. | | | | The most popular material for bike frames is titanium. |
| Tubular steel bike frames began to replace the | | | | Titanium has a natural shine and it will take you very |
| wooden frame during the latter part of the 1800s. | | | | little effort to keep it looking beautiful. It is on the high |
| These bicycles were very strong, but they were also | | | | end of the price range, though, and this is why it is not |
| very heavy, which made them difficult to control and | | | | readily available to everyone. The strength of titanium |
| ride. Steel is still a widely used material for bike frames, | | | | is amazing and it will keep its frame even after a |
| but there are other materials that are very popular as | | | | wreck. |
| well, including titanium, carbon fiber, and aluminum. | | | | Carbon fiber is one more material that is used for bike |
| These lighter materials are mainly used in | | | | frames. This material has been widely used to build |
| manufacturing the more expensive, high-end bike | | | | boats for a long time and it is a strong material that |
| frames. | | | | holds up well to weight. It is even more expensive than |
| Material properties are important to keep in mind when | | | | titanium, though, which means that it is only purchased |
| designing your bike. Each material has its own unique | | | | by the rich or a professional racer. |
| properties and knowing their elasticity, ultimate strength, | | | | Bike frames come in several different designs, but the |
| and yield strength is essential in create the perfect bike | | | | most popular design is the double triangle or diamond |
| for you. These properties need to be in the proper | | | | frame. Designers of bike frames have tweaked the |
| ratio for you to have a bike that will withstand the type | | | | design a little since the invention of the 1880s, especially |
| of riding that you do. | | | | with different materials. This has helped make the bike |
| Steel is the strongest material that you can get for | | | | lighter and more aerodynamic. Changes may have |
| bike frames. The strength of steel makes it safer in a | | | | been made to make it more comfortable, but for the |
| crash for a ride. It is also less expensive and easy to | | | | most part, it is the same design as the very first bike. |
| find, which is a benefit for many riders. Steel is easy to | | | | |