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titanium frames
Last Post 09/13/2013 08:50 AM by Le Professeur. 25 Replies.
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thinline
Posts:323
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| 09/05/2013 08:13 AM |
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| My take on CF is like Ben's, it doesn't wear out due to mileage, but is more susceptible to breakage at the hands of us mere mortals. One friend's rear derailleur snapped loose, flew up and smacked the seat stay and sheared it in two. Another had his on a trainer for the winter and his foot hit his bottle cage. The bottle cage popped off with the mounting screws taking a good chunk of the seat tube along with it. No warranty joy in either case because they were both operator error. Bothg nice bikes as well, high end Trek and Orbea. Makes me nervous. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 09/05/2013 09:28 AM |
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| This makes sense, with mountain bikes being an even riskier use of carbon fiber for recreational use. Maybe depends on where you ride, but frames get dinged. |
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Big DanT
Posts:19
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| 09/05/2013 10:32 AM |
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My Strong is Ti, it is a pleasure to ride efficient yet comfortable. It was built with some massive diameter tubes to make it ride the away it does for a rider my size.
I have it built with Di2 and R45/Hed Belgium wheelset
Mine is painted. I was riding it and someone told me it was sin to paint Ti. I replied, not if you want a red one.
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THE SKINNY
Posts:506
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| 09/05/2013 10:55 AM |
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| i've seen several stainless steel frames. how does it compare to ti as far as ride quality goes? |
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| How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 09/05/2013 11:23 AM |
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Big Dan, my first ti bike is red. Same reason. I always wanted a red bike.
Ben |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 09/05/2013 11:30 AM |
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Stainless steel is no different from other steels in the one category that matters for ride quality, the modulus of elasticity. Two frames, one SS and the other steel with tubes of the same diameter and wall thickness will be identical riding except: the steel frame will be a few ounces of paint heavier, the steel frame can rust and the properties go downhill accordingly and the owner of the SS will benefit from an inflated ego which has been known to knock minutes of hill climbs.
Ben |
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Oldfart
Posts:511
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| 09/05/2013 12:31 PM |
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I had a titanium Kona Hei Hei hardtail a long time ago. Pretty basic straight guage that was poorly design but nicely constructed. The rear brake posts were too high which required filing the slot in the canti brakes plus buying rims with a negative rim taper(?) to counter that and even then new brake pads needed to be used a bit before the pad was flat against the rim. But the ride quality was very very nice. Now I think carbon has an even better ride quality though. It is not the right material for full suspension bikes except maybe soft tails. You want a stiff material for that. The Moots full suspension bike always seems to get interesting reviews. Beautifully constructed but the reviewers seem to be trying to find a nice way to say that the ride quality is awful.
I would get another titanium hardtail in a minute though. |
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thinline
Posts:323
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| 09/06/2013 08:15 AM |
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| Thanks for the insights, folks. I am leaning towards taking the plunge as I have enjoyed the ride more each time I have been out. Did a couple lunch rides this week, one hour pedal mashers, and it was very responsive, comfy letting it roll on the one longer downhill on the lunch routes. No squirm at high speed at all. Plus, it seemed to track better when I would get hit suddenly with crosswinds. Just easier to correct back into line in that sudden wind shift than my current ride. I get one more longer ride tomorrow before returning it to the shop when the brain-picking session begins. If I get answers I like from someone who is a well-respected and trusted shop owner (little hole in the wall place, no real inventory to speak of, a shop all about doing builds and repairs) I will likely kick the process into gear. Which means I will have a brand new bike only after outdoor riding in Vermont loses its sanity for the season. That first ride in the spring sure would be nice! I'll keep folks posted if I go for it.
Many thanks. |
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vtguy
Posts:298
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| 09/06/2013 04:40 PM |
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| If you decide to pull the trigger, be sure to post pics of the new ride. |
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laurentja
Posts:122
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| 09/07/2013 10:17 AM |
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I owned loads of bikes over the years when I had money. Ti bikes included a Merckx Ax (Litespeed), Litespeed, Colnago BiTitan, Bianchi-labeled (Litespeed), Colnago CT1, and Lynskey (a model that preceded the current R230). I've also owned a lot of steel, a bunch of Al/carbon, and a half dozen carbon bikes. I can barely keep a roof over my head now but got a bug to get Ti for early-season/rain, so bought a Motobecane frameset ($995 on ebay) last fall. It is a bit of a noodle, but perhaps the lightest Ti bike I've had and very comfortable over chipseal. The Lynskey was supposed to be an amazing bike, and it was very well made, but for some reason I never bonded with it..it's ride felt kind of dead for a Ti bike, The Bianchi I put TONS of miles on; it may have been the most awesome ride I ever owned. The CT1 was too stiff, it was made for pro riders with more power than I have; I would never get 6/4 Ti again.
If heading out for hammerfest group rides I am going to be on carbon. If going on a 100 mi solo ride with lots of climbs I will be on carbon. If doing a 60+ mi ride with friends who are not as strong as me, I will be on Ti.
I sometimes think that sometime in the next 10 years if/when I start earning a decent paycheck again I will buy my "last bike"...for the last miles in this lifetime. It would be Ti, probably a Moots or Seven. Basically when I am slow, why not stop the madness, stop buying bikes, get a frame that will last 15+ years, no problem. |
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professeur
Posts:12
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| 09/13/2013 08:50 AM |
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I have two bikes: a 1999 Serotta Classique Titanium with over 100,000 miles on it, and a 2008 Cervelo P3C time trial bike.
One for comfort, one for speed. |
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