The local master fabricator Kish just built a ti cross bike for a friend and it is the ultimate. If your not familiar with Kish, he is the guy Litespeed goes to for help. His bikes are kleeeen! I own a Salsa Las Cruces though and it is an awsome bike as well. If I had enough money I would own a Kish and Salsa. Oh yeh, I couldn't help myself on bringing up old news. At one point I owned the Redline team scandium that I have for sale and a friend let me borrow his Litespeed Appalachian. Riding both I could tell how much smoother the titanium rides. As far as durability Merlin and Litespeed aren't the best quality, go with a custom Kish.