Mountain bikes are an ever evolving species. Anything that stays static for too long tends to wither. The mountain biking community, and the mountain bikes they ride, are anything but static. The technological advances involve physics, and materials. Physics determines whether or not the material will stand up to the rigors of being part of a bike that is likely to take quite a bit of stress.
The materials debate will not fade, nor should it. The debate revolves around carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium, and steel, and combinations of them. Each material has it’s champions and detractors, although the detractors aren’t the kind who spend time completely dismissing whatever it is they don’t care for. It’s more a matter of technical disagreement about which is the absolute best for a bike.
Reality is that the absolute best material for a bike is relative to the type of bike it’s being used for. The reason most entry level bikes, especially the ones for younger children, are made of steel or aluminum, is cost and common sense. Children outgrow bikes before the bikes need repair. Only the oldest child gets a new bike. The younger brothers and sisters get the outgrown bikes.
Mountain bikes get more serious as the age and weight of the rider goes up. The price goes up because the materials used cost more. For instance, the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp has an alloy frame. It costs $2200 out of the box. At Walmart, the 26” Mongoose XR-75 Dual Suspension Men’s Bike, featuring an aluminum frame, runs $129. All aluminum is not created equal. A Trex Fuel EX 9 has what Trex calls an alpha red aluminum frame. This bike will set you back considerably more than $129. This version of an aluminum bike runs in the $3,360 range. There is a difference not only in the aluminum in the frame, but in the components that are used.
Carbon, aluminum, titanium, alloys. Each one is chosen for strength and the ability to absorb shocks. Mountain bikes need to be able to absorb shocks on a repeated basis. Even on the most tame roads and trails that this rider ventures out on, bumps are always present. In the woods, bumps are constant. The mountain bike must absorb all the stress on the trails and keep the rider safe. It has to still be a bike when the day is done. Failure in the frame is always catastrophic.
Consider all of the new technology, geometry, and materials when you head to your local bike shop to find a new mountain bike . The crew at the shop will want to know about how and where you ride. Look at several types of bikes: hard tails, front suspension, full suspension. If you are heading out on the single tracks, or anywhere out in the forest, remember that safety counts. You’ll pay for it, either because you bought an actual mountain bike, or because you didn’t. A good bargain is one thing. A cheap bike is quite another.