In response to yet another frame materials question, I thought it might be useful to start with a more answerable question. One answer per material please, with an example of a bicycle frame using that material.
Please use the format I've used in my answer(s) to make it easy to compare materials.
I see no harm in having all 400+ steel alloys listed if someone wants to do that, but "steel" must specifically be low-grade mild steel rather than a specific alloy. Likewise for aluminium, titanium, magnesium and other metals. For composites, including metal composites, I would again prefer specific examples with details (there's a big difference between steel reinforced concrete and kevlar/polyester composites). I would also love to see weird and wonderful bikes included.
Materials (ie index to answers. Please update links as you add an answer):
- Aluminium (not written yet)
- Bamboo (not written yet)
- Bones
- Cables aka Tensegrity or Tensional Integrity
- Carbon Fibre (not written yet)
- Cardboard (not yet written)
- Gold (pure) (theoretical)
- Magnesium (not written yet)
- Scandium
- Steel
- ChromeMoly Steel (not written yet)
- Gaspipe Steel (not written yet)
- Ishtawa Steel (not written yet)
- Mild Steel
- Reynolds Steel (not written yet)
- Titanium
- Wood
- Carved Wood
- Plywood (composite)
- Wood (complete frame and bicycle)
- 3D Printed (not yet written)
