1. (Least Expensive) Steel Chromoly------>Aluminum-------->Titanium--------->Carbon(Most Expensive)
Generally speaking, is the above categorization of pricings accurate for consumer grade quality frames?

2. I've read from at least 4 years ago that Steel Chromoly has experimentally been made lighter than Titanium. Have such products seen notable uses by regular consumers yet?

3. Would a simple tarp help prevent rust for Chromoly bicycles that would be parked outside?

1) From the standpoint of material costs I think you are correct, but there is a large price variation within each category so there can be some swapping of positions based on specifics. Also, labor cost can vary greatly depending on what type of frame and how intricately it's assembled. Typically carbon frames are most expensive followed by Ti. A nice steel frame would typically follow next, followed by aluminum. Steel frames vary the most in their range; from super high end to relatively utilitarian. Aluminum frames don't typically hit the high end anymore but there are exceptions.

2) As above, generalizations cloud this question. A light steel frame can be constructed, as can a heavy Ti frame. The devil's in the details.

3) A tarp would help reduce rust and corrosion on any bike, not just steel, but it's not going to prevent it. Actual climatic conditions vary from place to place and personally, I wouldn't relay on a tarp to protect any bike long term.

I don't know how many custom aluminum framebuilders are out there, but the prices that I know of are on par with steel. There is a wide variation in pricing, it's really difficult to make generalizations.

The thing with aluminum is all the frames are TIG welded, which is relatively low cost compared to some other assembly methods. With steel there are simple TIG frames and crazy elaborate lugged builds, and everything in between.

Thanks, guys.