Originally Posted by
old's'cool
It is true, using the current technical definition of quality, for mass produced products; production volumes and level of quality, in terms of not shipping product that does not meet design specification, tend to go hand in hand.
Compared with high volume, automated manufacturing; lower volume, manual processes are more prone to variation, and more costly on a unit basis; to inspect or otherwise take measures to prevent defects from escaping. NASA is a good example of low volume, yet high quality (yes, I know, they have escapes too); but look at the cost!
Yeah, so I'll concede that, as a percentage, there are probably more below-spec titanium frames shipped than, for comparison, truly mass produced steel frames. Given the finesse required for hand fabrication, compared to steel, it's also probable that hand-built Ti frames have more quality issues than hand-built steel frames; assuming the same skill level. So this is an excellent reason to only buy a titanium frame from a specialist with good credentials.
i was going to ask what would be good Ti frame builders where, but I think Aaron answere it in the next post. Thanks!
Originally Posted by
KonAaron Snake
Concur...I would only want ti from Moots, Seven, Spectrum, Serotta, Erikson, Independent Fabrications...the big guns.
And to all, I promise I'll ride the Ti bike, enough to offset any global warming or cooling cause by the manufacturing of Ti tubes! Double O