Originally Posted by
gettingold
I agree with all of this. I currently have Ti, carbon and steel bikes and have enjoyed them all. However, I ride the Ti every day and even when I plan to ride the carbon, I end up bringing the Ti instead, even on hilly rides.
Same experience with me. I ride a Merlin (pre Litespeed) that I bought new in 2000. My Orbea Orca 2012 is a super bike and stiffer and lighter in weight but the ride quality of the Ti bike is, well, I know that the term superior is pretty strong but I have to say that the Ti bike floats over the harsh stuff. I ride a lot of steep hills here, many 12% to 15% and others more relaxed at 8% and when ever I grab the Merlin, I find that it just goes up those climbs very nicely.
Campagforlife is correct in identifying the damage from impacts that will make the CF a bit more vulnerable vs the Ti bike but again, you can't generalize all circumstances. I don't see myself replacing the Merlin any time soon. Or the Orca for that matter.