Frame Material- 853, 953, Titanium or Carbon?

shaw8670
shaw8670 Posts: 264
edited January 2008 in Workshop
I have always had sttel frames, but am looking for something new. Would ti replicate the ride, but be lighter and more corrosion resistant? If so this sounds too good to be true.

Carbon frames seem to be light and have the reptation of being stiff, but I hear you shoud really use a torque wrench to tighten up seatposts and band on front mechs. Does this not mean they are really a bit delicate?

Any thoughts?
Greetings from the wet and windy North west

Comments

  • cyclingfury
    cyclingfury Posts: 676
    You'll get lots of different answers to this one! My winter bike is steel and my best bike is titanium. The ti is a lovely plush ride, looks great and is very robust. So it suits my needs perfectly (I'm not a racer but do enjoy sportives). Hopefully it will last me for many years to come. If I was in your position I'd buy titanium.
    I'll now make way for more technical contributions!
    ___________________________________________
    Titanium Bertoletti
  • munnser
    munnser Posts: 64
    got to agree with cycling fury. i have just got myself a new titanium bike by sunday bicycles. what a great bike!! first time i have bought ti.
    its all about the bike!!
  • feel
    feel Posts: 800
    My vote would be for a high quality custom steel.
    We are born with the dead:
    See, they return, and bring us with them.
  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    The frame design and the wheels and contact points seem to make more difference to the feel than the material, I reckon. I wouldn't go back to steel because it rusts and titanium just seems so expensive (haven't ridden it though to be honest), so carbon or ali made to fit you and what you want to achieve.
    http://picasaweb.google.com/thefirstsimbil/Bikes
  • MrT
    MrT Posts: 260
    Ti fan too...not racing but sportives and longer rides. Being tall and a few more pounds than i should be i found alu very whippy at the back.
  • gundersen
    gundersen Posts: 586
    The last 3 frames I have bought are steel

    I have a litespeed ti under the bed that I couldn't be bothered using as the steel frames are better

    1 of the steel frames weighs the same as the litespeed frame


    Another thing about ti is that when you get bored with them then they are hard to sell.
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    MrT wrote:
    Ti fan too...not racing but sportives and longer rides. Being tall and a few more pounds than i should be i found alu very whippy at the back.
    :lol::lol::lol:
    I thought alu frames were supposed to be stiff and harsh, and ti flexy and comfy?
  • feel
    feel Posts: 800
    aracer wrote:
    MrT wrote:
    Ti fan too...not racing but sportives and longer rides. Being tall and a few more pounds than i should be i found alu very whippy at the back.
    :lol::lol::lol:
    I thought alu frames were supposed to be stiff and harsh, and ti flexy and comfy?
    As simbil 1 says above it's the design/geometry of the frame that has the biggest influence on the ride rather than the material. It's only if the frames are all exactly the same design that the material's properties start to be the major influence.
    We are born with the dead:
    See, they return, and bring us with them.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    ti for me

    carbon performs well but can you love a plastic bike?

    ally's ride isn't as good

    steel is nice but heavy and rusts

    all simplifications, but there you go.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer

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