MAKING THE BEST POSSIBLE BIKE FRAME CHOICE
Overview
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It is shocking, but, pound for pound, a high-performance bicycle or bike frame costs more than even the most exotic sports car. On average, a complete high-end bicycle weighing less than 17 pounds will cost in the neighborhood of $4,000: that’s $235 per pound. A $200,000 sports car weighing 3,000 pounds has a per pound cost of $66. If a high-end bicycle were a high-end sports car, it would cost in excess of $700,000! There are some high-end bike frames which cost in excess of $5,000: these 2 pound frames would translate to an automobile costing in excess of seven million dollars! Obviously, the decision to invest in a high-end bicycle should not be taken lightly, and it’s a decision that demands a wealth of information.
For the consumer looking to buy a high-end bicycle or bike frame, the options and the marketing rhetoric can seem overwhelming if not downright intimidating. And, unlike buying a high-end sports or luxury car, purchasing a bike frame can prove immensely challenging. On the one hand, bike frames are products about which many know very little; on the other hand, unlike purveyors of luxury cars, retailers of bike frames are rarely expert resources on the products they sell. More often than not, bike dealers are cohorts with major brands and manufacturers, and it is their job to meet quotas and sell as many bikes as they can.
Starting with one simple truth, we can make the purchase of your next high-end bicycle much simpler. That truth is: not every bike is right for every rider. Forgetting for a moment about the size of the bike, the consumer needs to take an even deeper look at how the bike is manufactured to ensure that they are getting a product they can enjoy, that will maximize their efficiency and performance, and that they can safely handle. This is true whether you are an elite or professional cyclist, or someone who is simply passionate about the craftsmanship of fine bicycles and who enjoys weekend outings on the bike.
Down To Basics
First, when choosing a new bicycle or, more specifically, a new bike frame, there are four crucial qualities that the individual consumer needs to address:
1. Frame stiffness (vertical, lateral and torsional)
2. Durability
3. Rider Strengths & Objectives
4. Custom geometry options
The rest of this article series will address each of these qualities and how to assess them in detail.
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