Originally Posted by
ruirui
OMG... if you guys are not Ti gurus.. I don't know of any others that is as informative as you all.
My buddy recently bought a Litespeed T1 frame, which is listed with 6/4. Not bad for $2K on a 2014 model from fleabay.
I on the other hand don't have that much and looking at the Motobecane Le Champion Ti w/ 3/2.5. I weigh about 148lbs and like to hard sprint on flats and occasional standing attack on climbs.
I use to have an aluminum frame and that flexed a lot, but it probably cuz it's a cheap frame. But would hate to have that flexy feel on the bb part when sprinting or out of saddle climb.
Your buddy's Litespeed is not entirely 6/4. It too is most likely half-n-half, if that
Originally Posted by Litespeed
The frame is made of a proprietary blend of 6/4 and 3/2.5 titanium and has innovative features that include PF30 bottom bracket and oversized head tube for more fork-tuning capabilities and precision handling.
[snip]
- Premium 6Al/4V radically shaped top tube shaped for maximum stiffness
http://www.litespeed.com/bike.asp?content=T1-2014
Now I am not personally familiar with this frameset...but given the very specific way the above marketing is phrased, it is very possible it is not even half-and-half 6/4 and 3/2.5. It reads in legalese like the top tube is 6/4 and everything else is 3/2.5. That being said it doesn't matter a whole lot aside from impressing people with marketing and trying to justify a higher price. Now older Litespeeds, as well as older Moots/Sevens/etc back half-a-dozen years or so were available in full 6/4
Buying a cheapo (relatively) online and sight unseen is a crapshoot, especially for someone concerned with sprinting/climbing stiffness. I certainly wouldn't do it. Better to spend the money on a ride I can test in person, than be out $3000 on a bike I couldn't try and is no better than what I have.