OK, I'll take your word for that. But I think we are in some danger of comparing apples and oranges. If you opt for 853 or 953 you're pretty much putting yourself at the premium end of the market, I don't think it unreasonable to compare those bikes with premium Ti marques.

I quite like paint, though of course you are quite right, it chips. And I could easily be persuaded to go 953 stainless. I'm having real trouble justifying to myself yet another bike, that's all.