Originally Posted by robow

Titanium frame characteristics vary greatly just as aluminum or steel frames can vary greatly depending on how they were designed. You can make it stiff or supple depending on the desired use. I've been touring on a ti frame for about 3 or 4 years now. Actually the frame was originally designed for cyclocross but I built it up with light touring in mind. Though that was my original intent, I have found that I use it for all of my touring including my full on unsupported touring. The photo below shows my typical load of 23 lbs. which includes the rear panniers and their content, along with my bagged tent bound to the rear rack. The rear triangle and bottom bracket were built stiff enough for me to use it in this manner and I really enjoy touring with this bike, but I have ridden other ti bikes that were not up to this task. I also have a steel fork with brake and front rack already attached and can interchange it within just a few minutes if I want to carry front panniers as well, though generally I don't find them necessary for 7-10 day tours that are more typical for me. Again, ti has its advantages and disadvantages, and so there is not yet a perfect material when it comes to building bicycle frames.