Pros and Cons of steel e-bike frames
Pros.
* Easiest to maintain and easy to handle
* Natural shock absorption
* Durable and more cost effective
* Corrosion resistant
Cons.
* Not readily available in the market, requires customisation
* heaviest e-bike frame ever made
Aluminium e-bike frames
Aluminium frames are the most popular e-bike frame material, with approximately 75-85% of mainstream e-bikes using aluminium frames according to surveys. This is due to the material's affordability, light weight, ease of handling and simplicity. The use of aluminium e-bike frames is also easy to install and robust, and these frame materials provide e-bike performance that is good enough for the average or casual e-bike rider.
There are two types of aluminium available on the market today, 6601 and 7005 aluminium alloy. 6601 is the most common material used for e-bike frame construction and is more cost effective and easier to work with than other aluminium materials. 7005, on the other hand, is not as common, but it is stronger and more resistant to corrosion than 6601.
Pros and Cons of aluminium e-bike frames
Pros.
* Reasonably priced and cost effective
* Lightweight and well balanced
* Common material and readily available
Cons.
* Rapid corrosion, corrodes in 3-5 years
* No natural shock absorption
* Not suitable for rugged mountain riding
Titanium e-bike frames
Titanium is not very popular in the formal e-bike frame manufacturing industry, but you can expect titanium to perform with a higher level of corrosion resistance. Plus, you'll find repairs are more straightforward than with carbon fibre and aluminium. Titanium is long lasting and some manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty, which is testament to its durability and efficiency, so choosing titanium is better for those looking to customise their e-bike.
However the fact that the titanium material is not easily available has led to it being more expensive. For this reason, titanium e-bike frames work best for premium mountain bikes or cargo bikes.
Pros and Cons of titanium e-bike frames
Pros.
* Long life and easy to maintain
* Best corrosion resistance
* Provides the best weight support for a smooth ride
Cons.
* Less popular in the industry
* Most expensive
* Difficult to integrate wires
Carbon fibre e-bike frame
This is the ultimate and most innovative frame material currently in existence in the frame manufacturing industry. It is stronger than aluminium, as durable as titanium and steel and a much lighter material. The carbon fibre is bonded together by moulded resin, which means that there is no metal involved in these types of e-bike frames and it is almost as long lasting as steel and titanium.
This e-bike frame material is more commonly found for those who need a lighter weight for racing, long distance touring or mountain biking.