Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.JoelS
01-25-09, 05:09 PM
I'm sure this has been asked to death, yet I didn't find any satisfactory answers searching. Maybe I used the wrong terms, so if this has been covered, please point me to the right post. That said...
I'm in the very initial thoughts on a new bike. I'm planning to build one up, so right now I am looking at frame material options. I've spoken to a few builders and gotten very different answers. Here's the scoop.
I like climbing, even if I'm not very good at it yet. I love descending. I like some road feel and don't want a very damp frame, but would still like a reasonably stiff one, so there is a compromise there. My Colnago (MasterXLite) tends toward understeer on descents, and that makes me nervous about running off the road or into the oncoming traffic. I'm torn between CF and Ti. I already have a nice steel bike, but riding in the wet makes me nervous as to rust (I know I'm needlessly worrying). This will probably be the last bike I buy for the foreseeable future, so I want to get one with longevity.
Are there specific characteristics in either material that will make it the better choice? Or, is this strictly a matter for the frame builder and the right frame can be designed with either material? Please elaborate on why whichever material is better (in your view) so that this info can assist me in making a decision.
I know the wheelset will make a difference, as will the geometry. I'll take up those at a later date. To be honest, I need to figure out the right material first. And it may very well be that the material choice won't really matter much and that geometry and construction is more important.
Thanks in advance.
I'm in the very initial thoughts on a new bike. I'm planning to build one up, so right now I am looking at frame material options. I've spoken to a few builders and gotten very different answers. Here's the scoop.
I like climbing, even if I'm not very good at it yet. I love descending. I like some road feel and don't want a very damp frame, but would still like a reasonably stiff one, so there is a compromise there. My Colnago (MasterXLite) tends toward understeer on descents, and that makes me nervous about running off the road or into the oncoming traffic. I'm torn between CF and Ti. I already have a nice steel bike, but riding in the wet makes me nervous as to rust (I know I'm needlessly worrying). This will probably be the last bike I buy for the foreseeable future, so I want to get one with longevity.
Are there specific characteristics in either material that will make it the better choice? Or, is this strictly a matter for the frame builder and the right frame can be designed with either material? Please elaborate on why whichever material is better (in your view) so that this info can assist me in making a decision.
I know the wheelset will make a difference, as will the geometry. I'll take up those at a later date. To be honest, I need to figure out the right material first. And it may very well be that the material choice won't really matter much and that geometry and construction is more important.
Thanks in advance.