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6061 vs 7005

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MonkeyTrail

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
i have notice some bikes are 6061 or 7005 which is better?
what is the diference?
iwhat is the a price difference?
which is more durable?

* i think it is 7005 cant remember? but i know it is in the 7's
 
#2 ·
#3 ·
I'm not sure if you mean 7005 or 7075 vs. 6061, but my understanding of it, (generally speaking), is that 6061 is more durable in a fatigue sense, and that 7075 is actually stronger than 6061, but is somewhat more likely to fail years down the road when fatigue becomes more severe. It's all sort of relative though according to riding style, abuse ,etc. I don't see how there could really be a weight difference with equal amounts of material for each, but if my understanding is correct, then probably 7000 series aluminums would be a bit stiffer than 6000 series.
Something interesting about all aluminum is that it is one metal that will fatigue very gradually over time even if it is never actually used for anything.
 
#4 ·
MonkeyTrail said:
i have notice some bikes are 6061 or 7005 which is better?
what is the diference?
iwhat is the a price difference?
which is more durable?

* i think it is 7005 cant remember? but i know it is in the 7's
Click to expand...
Both are good materials for building bikes and both can be found in all price ranges (low to high). The design of the frame is the most important element, not whether its 6061 or 7005.
 
#5 ·
Agreed....

I've had bikes built of both and my butt can't tell the difference. The most important part is how the tubing is manipulated and how well the construction is executed. Both materails make good frames, so it's not really an issue when cosidering a frame. It's simply a difference in the alloy. How stiff or supple a frame is has way more to do with the quality of the frame constructio and what the builder/designer wanted to accomplish.

Good Dirt
 
#7 ·
The main difference is 6061 is easier to hydroform, 7075 is stiffer.
So if gives the designers different options,

basically worry not about it, its a concern for the manufacturer
 
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#8 ·
So, this is something I've been wondering for a while. I have a 2003 KHS XC904r, a superlight XC bike: http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2003&Brand=KHS&Model=XC904R&Type=bike

and the frame is AL 7005, but I always thought it was 6061.

I was always under the impression that 6061 was for the weight weenies, and 7005 was for the downhillers.

So does that mean I can dole out more abuse to my frame that I previously thought? I've always taken it easy on the trails and avoided drops of all kinds for fear of weakening the frame.
 
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#9 ·
Well...

quietcornerrider said:
So, this is something I've been wondering for a while. I have a 2003 KHS XC904r, a superlight XC bike: http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2003&Brand=KHS&Model=XC904R&Type=bike

and the frame is AL 7005, but I always thought it was 6061.

I was always under the impression that 6061 was for the weight weenies, and 7005 was for the downhillers.

So does that mean I can dole out more abuse to my frame that I previously thought? I've always taken it easy on the trails and avoided drops of all kinds for fear of weakening the frame.
Click to expand...
I'd worry more about the fork failing than I would the frame.

It depends on what you consider "drops". It also matters what style of rider you are. If you're smooth and can hit a 5' drop to flat on a rigid bike, you'll be able to hit bigger drops with lighter bikes than someone who chunks drops and lands with all their weight on their cranks.
 
#10 ·
Well, I'm a very aggressive XC rider, with the occasional drop of a boulder. At most a 3 ft drop, and I'm been avoiding these for fear of a weakened frame. Finding alternate routes can be a pain sometimes, so being able to ride these would be nice (and, dare I say, FUN?) I guess I'll just ride it until the frame breaks.
 
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#11 ·
As I mentioned...

quietcornerrider said:
Well, I'm a very aggressive XC rider, with the occasional drop of a boulder. At most a 3 ft drop, and I'm been avoiding these for fear of a weakened frame. Finding alternate routes can be a pain sometimes, so being able to ride these would be nice (and, dare I say, FUN?) I guess I'll just ride it until the frame breaks.
Click to expand...
I'd worry more about the 80mm Sid than the AL frame.
 
#12 ·
quietcornerrider said:
and the frame is AL 7005, but I always thought it was 6061.

I was always under the impression that 6061 was for the weight weenies, and 7005 was for the downhillers.

So does that mean I can dole out more abuse to my frame that I previously thought? I've always taken it easy on the trails and avoided drops of all kinds for fear of weakening the frame.
Click to expand...
Not based on the aluminum alloy alone...more about how it was designed and constructed than what it was constructed of. Like Ken, I'd worry more about that noodle of a fork...:D
 
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