Bikes are also great for the environment, just as electric bikes and e-scooters are promising alternatives to motor vehicles for short journeys, because they can reduce the footprint of transportation.

For instance, cargo bikes are becoming more popular for logistics specialists due to their brilliance in dealing with the difficulties of delivering goods to their destination. Last-mile deliveries are often the most costly and complicated part of the supply chain.

 

Aluminium on two wheels

Aluminium is strong, durable and light. Its density is one-third that of steel. It offers terrific performance with regard to corrosion – even in coastal saltwater environments – and the metal is 100% recyclable.

These properties make aluminium the favorite option for mountain bikers, touring cyclists, last-mile couriers, commuters or for anyone who just loves cycling.

Aluminium for a wide range of bicycle components
Hydro probably has what you need for your bicycle. We provide advanced aluminium alloys and precise extrusion technology for a range of components to the bike manufacturing industry. These components include:

 

• Cranks: Aluminium provides a good balance between strength and lightness, and for this application, bike manufacturers appreciate the metal’s workability and weldability.
• Forks: Aluminium is commonly used for its strength and for its ability to be shaped through processes like hydroforming.
• Frames: Aluminium provides the main structure of the bicycle with an excellent balance of strength, weight and resistance to corrosion. It is also well suited for welding and shaping into the complex geometries of modern bike frames.
• Handlebars: Aluminium is widely used due to its good workability and ability to withstand the stresses of riding. And it can be shaped easily into ergonomic designs.
• Rims: Aluminium allows for a wide range of profile designs that can easily be cut, bent and welded.

The best aluminium alloy for bikes and cargo bikes?

Aluminium alloy 6061 is widely used for bike components due to its material properties and fatigue resistance, especially for parts that are welded and subject to high forces and vibrations.

Today, alternative alloys used for bike rims and frames are 6005A and 6082, which have similar or even better properties than the 6061. These alloys are also used in cargo bikes, due to their good performance in structural components.

Technically speaking, the 6061 alloy, in the EN 755-2 standard and T6 state, can achieve tensile strength of >260 MPa and yield strength of >240 MPa.

Do you need more? Our Innovation & Technology engineers are already working with customers to develop tailored alloys that can reach tensile strength of 320 MPa. This means higher mechanical properties, less thickness in the tubes and lighter bikes.

Local production for more sustainable bikes

By using our aluminium for your bike, you get an environmentally friendly solution. You get certified low-carbon and recycled aluminium, which we developed in-house, to help reduce your carbon footprint.

Using recycled, low-carbon aluminium for a 3.5-kg bike frame would reduce the carbon footprint of the frame by as much as 500% compared to the average of primary aluminium produced in China.

We collect the scrap, then recycle it close to the source at one of our local recycling units, to offer you Hydro Low-Carbon Aluminium and Hydro Recycled Aluminium.

Further, by incorporating circular principles into your design, we can help you reduce resource use and achieve more cost-effective products. Our Hydro EcoDesign service will make sure you make the right choice.

Choosing Hydro means choosing responsible production. All our manufacturing sites in Europe have been certified against the ASI Performance Standard and ASI Chain of Custody. This ensures you have continuous transparency.