Originally Posted by
Ridefreemc
I've taken my inquiries about the "Ultimate Bike" a bit further, and thanks to ninevictor I have gotten in touch with a very responsive frame builder. I love the looks of the stainless steel frame and the idea that they would be very durable (as compared to a painted frame). After talking with the builder I probably won't consider SS for me though, mainly due to the statement that it is a stiffer material and probably not what I'm looking for in ride characteristics. Great for other purposes, but not for mine.
The suggestion was to go with Ti as it has the characteristics I'm interested in, along with the durability factor. I really like my CroMo Vaya and take great care of it so it is in perfect condition. However, I do fret about it a bit and would not like to get that first big scratch on it. In fact I don't ride it certain places that don't have safe places to sit it (because of the possibilty of it getting beat up against a metal sign for example). With the larger Schwalbe tires it does not fit into certain bike racks so I have to look for other options (until I get my kickstand!, but that's another thread unto itself
). It's not that I'd abuse a Ti frame, but I wouldn't worry about it quite as much.
One thing that it holding me back on going Ti (well, besides the cost) is my previous experience with a Litespeed Ti frame (road bike configuration). It was a beautiful bike, but it just didn't ride great in my opinion. This could have been due to the wheel selection or the tires or any combination of factors, but I attribute the ride to the Ti in my mind and therefore have some hesitation.
Can those of you that have Ti, or have ridden Ti chime in? Should I stick with an awesome build in steel? Maybe powder coat instead of paint?
I'm still looking at a IGH, belt drive, and discs though - love the looks and simplicity.
I've owned 5 ti bikes and currently own three...my two Litespeed built ti road frames were total dogs and very flexie (both sold). My Merlin is an absolute joy. The De Rosa Titanio is somehere in between. It's the builder, not the material.
Which era of Litespeed was this? Lynskey or post-Lynskey? People make too much out of materials - it's all about the builder matching a tool to your preferences. You can undoubtedly get a fine bicycle from steel or ti.
The advantages to ti are:
No paint chips - no worry about leaning it and parking it.
Slight weight savings - not significant to me.
Great as rain/winter bikes because they're totally immune to oxidation.
The disadvantages are:
Cost.
Harder to cold set (though some steels also can't be cold set).
I prefer the aesthetics of lugs.
Fewer builders working in it.
I think because ti is newer, and because it can be more difficult to work with (and less forgiving of errors) I'd be very limited with who I bought a ti frame from. I'd really stick to the big names - Moots, Firefly, IF, Seven, Spectrum...and that's about it. I know that I left one or two off.