I would agree that Dean would be a fine choice for a Ti frame. I have a Dean post and I overtightened a bolt, and they replaced it free, and cleaned up the post for free as well.

Contrary to the above, carbon frames can be repaired. Especially lugged carbon frames like Calfees. Cracks can be patched, and in case a tube can't be repaired, the lugs can be removed and the tube replaced. It is surprisingly affordable, though not dirt cheap, to have repairs done. See www.calfeedesign.com. Furthermore, the frames can be clearcoated "nude carbon" and the clearcoat finish is quite durable, resistant to chipping and scratching. Ti will scratch, though not easily, however you are certainly correct that where there is no paint, there is no paint to chip, and that is nice.

But Ti is multidirectional, and you end up with an overbuilt frame because you can't engineer the bike to resist the exact forces that are placed on it. But carbon frames can be built to resist the specific forces that are placed on it, and you end up with a lighter, more comfortable frame. Pros race carbon for the reasons you mentioned, but I think they do it mainly becuase carbon is lighter, faster, stronger, more comfortable and more versatile. They are in buisness to win races, because that is what gets exposure for their sponsor, so it is in their interest to race the fastest thing that they can get. My carbon frame is about 30 percent lighter (over 1 pound) than my Ti frame. And it is so much more responsive as well, there is just no comparison. The ti frame is for sale for that reason. Ti is just a very soft metal when it comes to strength/weight compared to carbon, not nearly as responsive. That said it has some useful applications, Calfees have Ti dropouts because Ti is tough to bend and break.