Talk:Marin (bicycles)
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[edit] Frame Material
While I don't want to get into an Al vs Steel argument, we would be better off with a separate page comparing fatigue life of MTB frames across all materials, instead of having articles like this containing little snippets for or against steel, Al, etc. I've had two steel frames fatigue on me; they only design and test steel MTB frames for a limited lifespan. SteveLoughran 22:07, 23 April 2007 (UTC)
Fair comment. Steel is potentially more durable than aluminium because it has a definable fatigue limit, and if stresses are kept below that limit it should not suffer fatigue failure, i.e. fatigue life is infinite. The same cannot be said for aluminium. In reality however, given the need to control weight and costs, and thereby push design stresses above the fatigue limit, I can well believe that steel MTB frames have a less than infinite fatigue life. Here is the opinion of of a professional frame builder who clearly has a preference for steel frames.
http://www.anvilbikes.com/?news_ID=9&catID=3 "To provide an acceptable long-term service life an aluminum frame has to be built stronger and stiffer than is really necessary and this is why you don't see long warranties on aluminum frames. If you look at the fine print on C's warranty it will say quite plainly that the warranty does not cover "fatigue" failures and fatigue is what an aluminum frame will normally die of. This makes a lifetime warranty of very little value if you’re thinking along the lines of, “what a great warranty, if my bike breaks in 5 years they’ll replace it!”
Before anyone accuses me a bashing aluminum, please understand that I work with aluminum more than any other material. It is the best, most cost effective material for many applications; I'm just not convinced that conventional bike frames are one of them. If you want a super lightweight frame and don't mind the short lifespan, then aluminum is the best choice. Now I'm sure that someone will want to offer some well-used 15-year old aluminum frame as proof of the materials longevity. I'll simply ask you to weigh it. Old aluminum frames are heavy and were built that way so lifetime warranties could be applied. Let me try this: Anybody have an unbroken sub 3-pound aluminum frame with significant mileage that is more than five years old?"
