There are four main types of material that mountain bike frames obstructed from, aluminium, titanium, steel, and carbon fibre. I'm going to give a brief overview of each of these types of material.

Titanium - this material is lighter than steel, lasts longer than there were many, is resistant and as such is highly suitable for bicycles. One of the great benefits of titanium is its precision, and as it is resistant to corrosion does not need to be painted or anodised, so it can be safely left bare to the elements. It is however quite expensive. Having proved itself in the aerospace and marine industries, most major bike manufacturers now have at least one titanium model in their range.

Aluminium - the aluminium frames were very popular in the 1980s because it's light, has great shock absorption, and is quite resistant to corrosion. However it is not particularly resistant to fatigue. Raw aluminium is very weak and that must be mixed with other metals and then heat treated for strength. These elements can include copper, manganese, silicon, magnesium, and zinc.

Steel - this is the standard material for bicycle frames, and this could yield and tensile strength which provides rigidity and durable. In competition with the new materials, steel has not lost its reputation for performance, and are still the first choice for many races, who seek its familiar rigidity good handling and low weight. Steel however, is prone to rust, so bikes need to be kept well painted and dry.

Carbon fibre - versus the material of the future, a cheap raw material derived from crude oil. Carbon fibre frame is pass stiff, strong, and low weight. However its manufacture is labour intensive which means it may be a long time before these frames are mass produced. Carbon fibre can be produced in tubes or a single moulded shape giving greater variety to the overall bike frame.