Steel frames have the benefit of being flexible, which means the frame will give a smooth ride as the lack of stiffness helps dampen road vibration. Steel is a tough, long-lasting material and, due to its strength, makes a good choice for heavier riders. In addition, certain levels of damage to a steel frame can be fixed by a welder. The downside of steel is that it can rust if the paint gets chipped, and the material is the heaviest frame material. Plain steel bikes tend to be the least expensive bikes, but most steel frames now are steel alloys such as chromoly. These steel alloy frames are priced similar to or slightly less than aluminum frames.