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Frame Materials for 'Cross

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Aluminum -- light, stiff, and relatively inexpensive:  aluminum is still the predominant material for 'cross.  You can get a superb aluminum frame 'cross bike for well under $3k, and you can get a very good entry-level aluminum 'cross bike for right around $1.5k

Aluminum's disadvantages:

Titanium -- unbeatable durability and longevity, light, and, when it's properly engineered, stiff -- and Lynskey 'cross frames are now disc-specific

Titanium's disadvantages:

Carbon -- stiffer and lighter:  It's tough to make a metal frame that matches carbon in both attributes at once:  metal has to be either stiff and heavier, or lighter and not as stiff.  With carbon you can have your cake and eat it too.

"Modulus" is the keyword when comparing carbon frames.  When applied to composite frames "modulus" = ability of a material (in this case, carbon filaments) to deform under load.  The more resistant to deformation (stiffer) a carbon filament is, the higher its modulus (msi = millions of pounds per square inch).  According to Easton, the four most commonly used moduli are: 

High and very high modulus are the preferred material for top notch road bikes, but 'cross frames take more punishment than road frames, and high and very high modulus, while very stiff and light, are also brittle.   So 'cross carbon frames most often use a blend of medium and standard modulus carbons -- similar to the carbons used by manufacturers for their top mountain bike racing frames. 

Carbon's disadvantages:

Steel -- svelte ride, durability, the classic look.

Steel is still a viable material for cyclocross competition.  The distances are short enough that the steel's weight penalty doesn't matter as much.  Steel is rugged, and when you take your steel 'cross bike out on the road, you can look forward to a smoo-o-o-ooth ride.  Steel's disadvantages: