How long should a frame last?

road · 2014-07-20T19:34:04+01:00

Just read an interesting article in a bike mag about different materials, and apparently aluminium has a finite lifespan, they suggested it was about 8 years. So what do people think of this, should I be thinking of changing my frame or is it just scaremongering. I visually inspect the frame when I clean it but from what I understand when Alu and Carbon fiber break its instant fracture rather than slow crack progression as with steel or titanium.

This topic has 16 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 10 months ago by cat1commuter.

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July 20, 2014 at 7:34 pm #21948

road

Just read an interesting article in a bike mag about different materials, and apparently aluminium has a finite lifespan, they suggested it was about 8 years.

So what do people think of this, should I be thinking of changing my frame or is it just scaremongering.
I visually inspect the frame when I clean it but from what I understand when Alu and Carbon fiber break its instant fracture rather than slow crack progression as with steel or titanium.
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July 20, 2014 at 7:50 pm #804791
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giobox

I’m not sure what the
I’m not sure what the expected lifespan is, as I’ve never known a cyclist to keep the same bike as their primary ride for 8 years, as something newer and shinier inevitably comes along!

I have seen some aluminium frames come into my LBS from various manufacturers crack around the BB and the point where the seat stays meet the top tube/seatpost, I imagine these areas are probably some of the most highly stressed parts of the frame. Aluminium breaks are also rarely repairable unfortunately.
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