Things You'll Need:
- Bike Shorts
- Bike Frames
- Bike Helmets
- Bike Jerseys
- Bike Shoes
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Step 1
Decide how much you want to spend, what type of riding you plan to do, what kind of ride characteristics you want, what look you prefer and what kind of durability you expect.
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Step 2
Consider steel, the traditional material for bicycle frames. Many of the world's top frame-builders still use steel exclusively, and quite a few of today's best steel frames rival titanium for lightness of weight. Steel is easily repaired if it is damaged, and it is very durable. Steel frames today are generally TIG-welded, though some smaller builders make lugged or fillet brazed frames. The main disadvantage of steel frames is rust, though any steel frame that is properly cared for and treated will be quite resistant to corrosion. A good steel frame will offer a lively, compliant ride.
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Step 3
Consider aluminum, which gained great popularity in the 1980s and continues to be popular today. Aluminum is the favored material for full-suspension mountain bike frames. Most aluminum frames are welded and then heat-treated, though some road and cyclo-cross frames are bonded. In general, welded aluminum frames are very stiff and can have quite a harsh ride. They offer low weight, and the fat tubes have a look that many people find appealing. Aluminum has a much higher fatigue rate that steel and titanium, it is easily damaged in a crash, and it is difficult to repair.
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Step 4
Consider titanium. Titanium frames began to appear in the 1980s and became very popular in the upper price ranges during the 1990s. Titanium frames are generally TIG welded. Titanium offers a forgiving ride, coupled with low weight. It is also very durable and non-corrosive - as a result, most titanium frames aren't painted. Titanium is an expensive material and quite difficult to work with, thus you will pay quite a premium - a titanium frame will cost roughly twice that of a steel frame of the same build quality.
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Step 5
Consider carbon fiber. Carbon fiber offers some vibration dampening (though some people consider it to be "dead-feeling") and very low weight. Like aluminum, it is difficult to repair if damaged, and may be more vulnerable to being harmed in a crash. Lance Armstrong won the 1999 Tour De France on a carbon fiber frame.
