I don't think it's material so much as the engineering/design that goes into the product. Even poorly designed unobtanium would make for a bad frame.
Originally Posted by RiPHRaPH
i think what Trogon is saying above is true given a nicely paved surface. If your riding brings you on roads that are less than perfect then Ti beats Al in every single ride category (feel, comfort, life, power transfer) >> although high end Eddy Merkxx Al feels close to Lightspeed Ti.
The strength of good Ti frames lies in its welds and right amount of flex.
**weak: Ti has the 'soul' you are looking for. people love their Ti & CF & steel bikes. I've yet to find the unique love affair with Al that the owners of other materials boast about.
People buy on Emotion, not because something is better. I find this be very true in the cycling world where Brand labels and graphics matter as much as anything else.
I don't see anything magical about titanium. I've ridden a Litespeed solano, what's the big deal about? My opinion these days is that Titanium's appeal is not based on it's ultility, but rather it's exotic status.