Titianium or carbon??

shedhead

Hi all,
I'm considering upgrading my current Ribble frame to either titanium or carbon & would be interested in opinions / advice please.

I do not race or do club runs but use my current steed for my summer commute as part of my training. Rides consist of anything between 10 - 30 miles each way which are ridden at a fair lick. My current frame is a Ribble Dedaccia alloy with carbon rear stays & full dura ace groupset & is really nice but i'm always tinkering & feel like a change. So that begs the eternal question, titanium or carbon??

I'm 6'2" & 90kgs, is this too heavy for carbon?

Any advice on specific frames & sizing experience of certain makes would be great too.

Thanks in advance :roll:

blorg

I have both carbon (racing) and titanium (touring) bikes. Very happy with both. One thing to bear in mind- I'd say you will be looking at spending a fair bit more if you are aiming to get something as light in titanium. A titanium frame for the same money as carbon is likely going to be heavier.

If I was looking at it as a money-no-object exercise I reckon I would go titanium, probably a Litespeed Archon. If I was money-constrained I would go for carbon (I have a Focus Cayo myself which I'm very happy with.)

90kg should not be a problem, there are significantly heavier people riding carbon bikes.

Size-wise, test ride if you can, alternatively look at the geometry charts and compare with your current bike (presuming that fits well.)

greg roche

We get asked this alot, being a company working with ti. So much so, in fact, that Iain, our designer has blogged an answer:

http://www.sundaybicycles.co.uk/ssblog.php

Go to the June entry 'Carbon vs. Ti' I think you'll find it even handed and helpful. In short, at 90 kilos you'll be fine either way.

Greg

shedhead

Thanks fellas, that's a great help

salsarider79

If you want a bike to last forever, go for Ti. Maybe look at steel too. Carbon frames have a limited life, and any damage can be very hard to spot. The Ti won't rust like steel, will be just as good as carbon, comfort wise, and any damage will be easy to spot.
Anyway, you have wheels, groupset, etc, so go for a Sunday frame and build it (I've sold some Sunday bikes....go for the monday or silk road. They are so beautiful.)

alan_sherman

many reasons to go for either material!

titanium will have greater resale when you want to change
carbon will probably be lighter / stiffer for the same money
titanium will take the knocks of commuting better than carbon (no paint or clear coat to scratch)
carbon bikes often look sexier!

basically look for fit and geometry then look for bikes that fulfil your criteria (e.g. as you commute do you want to take mudguards or rack?). Not that both materials can be built into bikes that are comfortable or harsh on the road. For example I just bought a Ti race bike that is stiffer than my old carbon bike, the trade off was a little extra weight and road vide transfer.