Originally Posted by Patriot
Sorry boys, but as beautiful as Ti is, I really think carbon is the future of racing. The technology is still in its infancy, they are only now learning how to really utilize the characteristics of it. However, that in no way diminishes my desire to have a nice Ti bike sitting alongside my steel and carbon bikes in the future. I will admit, if you want a bike you can pass on to your grandchildren as a family heirloom, Ti will allow for that.
I agree. the way things are right now, they are making steels and other metal alloys stronger, becuase the weight of a material is governed pretty much by the atomic structure. Then, the metals are made thinner, becuase less is needed for the same strength. the result is that you end up with tubing walls that are .1mm thick, and impossible (not impossible, actually, just $$$$) to weld.
CF I think is still in its infancy, and before long, the teething problems and the fears will slowly melt away, just like when people switched from lugged to tig-welded construction for steel bikes. I also prediuct CF will be getting a lot cheaper. Its not the material thats expensive (carbon is pretty darn plentiful), its the process. processes can be automated and costs can be cut, an early example is the giant carbon bikes. pretty light, good bikes (from what I hear) and not all that expensive.
THat aside, I really want a litespeed tuscany. and when I have 4000 dollars socked away for a bike, its gonna a tuscany.