Originally Posted by
Sy Reene
To be fair perhaps, you're comparing your CF experience to a 25yr old Ti bike that (because that's how they were made then) can't take tires probably wider than 25mm, and has S&S couplers. It's maybe possible that the OP shopping for a new Ti bike today, could find options that are more rigid and/or comfortable. Weight.. could still be an issue, though the big boys seem to be making their CF offerings heavier every year.
Other than wider tire spacing (and fwiw, I run 25mm tires on the Merlin, and could likely squeeze in 28mm) I don’t think there’s any Ti bike built today that’s a dramatic improvement over the Merlin Extralight. The Extralight has oversized, shaped, tubes, a very well thought out geometry and built to a high level of craftsmanship. There’s a limit to what you can do with Ti, and I think the second generation Merlin Extralight got pretty close to that limit.
Admittedly, I haven’t ridden a recently built Ti bike. However, I would be shocked if any of them could approach the ride quality and handling of a high end modern CF bike.
As for the S&S couplers, I rode the bike for over 15 years before I retrofitted the couplers. The couplers add about a pound of weight, but make zero discernible ride or handling difference. The couplers do point out one advantage of Ti however, that it’s a great material for a packable travel bike.