First thoughts on Titanium
#26
Full Member
Thread Starter
it's inside my landlords garage. The property is gated but since I live in NYC I have it locked up to a post in the garage. I am aware the wire can be very easily cut with the proper tool but it would stop someone from walking in and running out with it. I should probably get a thick chain and wrap that around the post and use the u lock around the frame
Likes For ricnic:
#28
For The Fun of It
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,817
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2114 Post(s)
Liked 1,607 Times
in
807 Posts
There was a car analogy that I read somewhere that described the difference very well. Anyway, from my perspective owning both...the Ti (my Ti) has the ability to soak up road imperfections while still maintaining rigidity required to be super responsive. It is more comfortable than my carbon and is just as snappy.
I struggle to describe the ride. A steel bike might be like a Cadillac, a carbon bike may be like a 'Vette. This bike is like a BMW 7 series or maybe a Tesla. Not as sporty as the 'Vette and not as cushy as the Cadillac, but you feel the plush, hushed, sportiness. No creaks, squeaks and clicks. It soaks up road irregularities without making you feel disconnected from the road. A carbon race bike might be said to accelerate like a rocket. This one accelerates like a tuned diesel. Just strong steady spool up. You can't flick it about like a lightweight race bike, but it handles superbly.
#29
For The Fun of It
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,817
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2114 Post(s)
Liked 1,607 Times
in
807 Posts
Since buying my Lynskey Backroad, I have gone to an all titanium fleet. I'll leave the steel where it belongs in ships, the aluminum where it belongs in beer cans and the carbon where it belongs in my fishing rods. My heart goes out to all who have to suffer lesser frame materials.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,423
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1041 Post(s)
Liked 1,078 Times
in
553 Posts
Is this the one?
I struggle to describe the ride. A steel bike might be like a Cadillac, a carbon bike may be like a 'Vette. This bike is like a BMW 7 series or maybe a Tesla. Not as sporty as the 'Vette and not as cushy as the Cadillac, but you feel the plush, hushed, sportiness. No creaks, squeaks and clicks. It soaks up road irregularities without making you feel disconnected from the road. A carbon race bike might be said to accelerate like a rocket. This one accelerates like a tuned diesel. Just strong steady spool up. You can't flick it about like a lightweight race bike, but it handles superbly.
I struggle to describe the ride. A steel bike might be like a Cadillac, a carbon bike may be like a 'Vette. This bike is like a BMW 7 series or maybe a Tesla. Not as sporty as the 'Vette and not as cushy as the Cadillac, but you feel the plush, hushed, sportiness. No creaks, squeaks and clicks. It soaks up road irregularities without making you feel disconnected from the road. A carbon race bike might be said to accelerate like a rocket. This one accelerates like a tuned diesel. Just strong steady spool up. You can't flick it about like a lightweight race bike, but it handles superbly.
#31
In the wind
So, your way smooth ti bike need extra padded tape and saddle?
#32
Full Member
Thread Starter
need no, the stock Prologo saddle was actually really good but I have always ridden on Selle Italia C2 Gel saddles. The white tape was plenty cushy just I hated cleaning it and I didn't think it looked that great against a raw Ti frame. The "gel" part of the cork tape is kind of a joke since there really isn't much of it in there, however the cork tape is much softer.
Overall the tape was more cosmetic and the saddle was probably un needed but a I got the C2 new for $60 which is a steal
BTW this the same exact tape and saddle I had on my previous 3 carbon bikes
Overall the tape was more cosmetic and the saddle was probably un needed but a I got the C2 new for $60 which is a steal
BTW this the same exact tape and saddle I had on my previous 3 carbon bikes
Last edited by Jrasero; 10-08-19 at 02:40 PM.
#33
Full Member
Thread Starter
Is this the one?
I struggle to describe the ride. A steel bike might be like a Cadillac, a carbon bike may be like a 'Vette. This bike is like a BMW 7 series or maybe a Tesla. Not as sporty as the 'Vette and not as cushy as the Cadillac, but you feel the plush, hushed, sportiness. No creaks, squeaks and clicks. It soaks up road irregularities without making you feel disconnected from the road. A carbon race bike might be said to accelerate like a rocket. This one accelerates like a tuned diesel. Just strong steady spool up. You can't flick it about like a lightweight race bike, but it handles superbly.
I struggle to describe the ride. A steel bike might be like a Cadillac, a carbon bike may be like a 'Vette. This bike is like a BMW 7 series or maybe a Tesla. Not as sporty as the 'Vette and not as cushy as the Cadillac, but you feel the plush, hushed, sportiness. No creaks, squeaks and clicks. It soaks up road irregularities without making you feel disconnected from the road. A carbon race bike might be said to accelerate like a rocket. This one accelerates like a tuned diesel. Just strong steady spool up. You can't flick it about like a lightweight race bike, but it handles superbly.
#34
Full Member
Thread Starter
I feel the same way about my Rolex watch. Not the most accurate, not the most durable, not the lightest, doesn't have any features, needs to be worn regularly, requires full servicing every 10 years at the cost of a normal wristwatch, etc. But everyone agrees that Rolex watches are the best!
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Chapel Hill NC
Posts: 1,683
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 645 Post(s)
Liked 795 Times
in
445 Posts
lol maybe it's because I am a retail buyer but I totally disagree no offense. Watches in general until you get to Patek Philippe, but even then all high end watches loose tons of value, aren't that accurate, and cost of maintenance is way too expensive. Frankly when you say Rolex is "the best", they really are only really good at one thing, perception. He it's your money your choice but Ti bikes are the furthest thing from a Rolex or luxury watches since I guarantee you will loose less money selling a 3 year old Ti bike than a 3 year old Rolex. That isn't to say anyone should invest their money in Ti bikes.
#36
Full Member
Thread Starter
Depending on the model, of course, but Rolexes hold their value pretty well. What Rolex has done very well is promulgate the myth that they’re “the best”. They’re very good, certainly, but there are any number of good solid automatic watches as good - they just don’t have that Rolex cachet for which people are prepared to pay over the odds. Ti frames, on the other hand, depreciate steeply, just like any other bike part - case in point, I bought my Ti frameset (Litespeed Vortex) 3 years old but mint, for 1/3 of its new price
Also the whole folklore of automatics and Rolex's perpetual movement is highly overrated. Frankly as a millennial I'd rather by a new smart phone for the next 4 years, a new Titanium bike, and still have money left to buy a grey market Omega
#37
Senior Member
All purely mechanical watches (including Rolex) are functionally obsolete; A $10 Casio quartz watch is more accurate than most of them, and only requires a $2 battery replacement once a decade.
#38
Senior Member
In what way is titanium obsolete as a frame material?
Likes For General Geoff:
Likes For sumgy:
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 776
Bikes: Trek 970, Bianchi Volpe,Casati
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 350 Post(s)
Liked 118 Times
in
84 Posts
Confused
After reading all these comments I am more confused,. I have been thinking about trying a titanium bike, but want to know more if it is really a better ride than my Casati Ellisse road bike with EL OS tubing. I having the carbon Campy Centaur group on it and a Sella Anatomica saddle. I think I may change the saddle as you sit on the back rails even though the theory is it is like a suspension from the leather which you can tighten as it breaks in. Maybe a used titanium, what are you thoughts on used or brand?? , thanks..
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 38,093
Mentioned: 209 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17729 Post(s)
Liked 14,045 Times
in
6,672 Posts
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,192
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
Is this the one?
I struggle to describe the ride. A steel bike might be like a Cadillac, a carbon bike may be like a 'Vette. This bike is like a BMW 7 series or maybe a Tesla. Not as sporty as the 'Vette and not as cushy as the Cadillac, but you feel the plush, hushed, sportiness. No creaks, squeaks and clicks. It soaks up road irregularities without making you feel disconnected from the road. A carbon race bike might be said to accelerate like a rocket. This one accelerates like a tuned diesel. Just strong steady spool up. You can't flick it about like a lightweight race bike, but it handles superbly.
I struggle to describe the ride. A steel bike might be like a Cadillac, a carbon bike may be like a 'Vette. This bike is like a BMW 7 series or maybe a Tesla. Not as sporty as the 'Vette and not as cushy as the Cadillac, but you feel the plush, hushed, sportiness. No creaks, squeaks and clicks. It soaks up road irregularities without making you feel disconnected from the road. A carbon race bike might be said to accelerate like a rocket. This one accelerates like a tuned diesel. Just strong steady spool up. You can't flick it about like a lightweight race bike, but it handles superbly.
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,423
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1041 Post(s)
Liked 1,078 Times
in
553 Posts
My over the top comment was a poke at those that still assign these mythical qualities to Titanium as a frame material. For the record, I find some beautiful and most likely one day I will purchase one. Carbon, Steel and Aluminium all produce great framesets and can be tuned to deliver the type of ride one looks for. Typical dig at carbon is that it fails spontaneously and is not reliable however 90%+ of people who ride titanium use carbon forks and other critical components. If someone built a sub 750 gram titanium bike I am sure its reliability and rideability would encounter a problem as well. This ongoing justification for paying a premium for titanium because it's superior to all other materials is a bit much for me.
I own a Rolex and like the watch just because. I would like a Titanium bike for the same reason (plus they don't show scratches as readily).
I own a Rolex and like the watch just because. I would like a Titanium bike for the same reason (plus they don't show scratches as readily).
#44
Junior Member

I'd put titanium on par with a carbon fiber assuming they are both well made. But it's a little disingenuous for Ti bike manufacturers to say it's a lifetime purchase when sadly ti can crack just like anything else. Benefit of ti over other materials is really subjective. Depends on what you like & why.
That being said I LOVE my ti bike. I ride mtb's exclusively but my ti bike is unrivaled in terms of comfort. The s bend stays do an amazingly good job of absorbing chatter & bumps. Already had a crack repaired once, and I'll gladly have it repaired a 2nd time if that happens again.
BTW that Dean is awesome!
#45
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 32,297
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 323 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11416 Post(s)
Liked 5,879 Times
in
3,133 Posts
My over the top comment was a poke at those that still assign these mythical qualities to Titanium as a frame material. For the record, I find some beautiful and most likely one day I will purchase one. Carbon, Steel and Aluminium all produce great framesets and can be tuned to deliver the type of ride one looks for. Typical dig at carbon is that it fails spontaneously and is not reliable however 90%+ of people who ride titanium use carbon forks and other critical components. If someone built a sub 750 gram titanium bike I am sure its reliability and rideability would encounter a problem as well. This ongoing justification for paying a premium for titanium because it's superior to all other materials is a bit much for me.
I own a Rolex and like the watch just because. I would like a Titanium bike for the same reason (plus they don't show scratches as readily).
I own a Rolex and like the watch just because. I would like a Titanium bike for the same reason (plus they don't show scratches as readily).
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 740
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
58 Posts
Originally Posted by velopig;
This ongoing justification for paying a premium for titanium because it's superior to all other materials is a bit much for me.
Plenty of big brand CF frames in the same price range as boutique Ti.
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,423
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1041 Post(s)
Liked 1,078 Times
in
553 Posts
Not to defend the pricing of the manufacturers however to play devil's advocate.
Upfront costs for the big brand carbon guys are substantial with molding, carbon layup design and substantial quality control costs. Plus you have to account for massive marketing dollars, distribution channels and company overheads.
Titanium on the other hand costs are substantially lower in a limited production environment. Materials are relatively easy to source, tubes come pre-formed, plate for dropouts, etc. Equipment-wise a Milling machine, Lathe, TIG welder and some inert gas a few other hand tools and you are off to the races.
The big issue with titanium is it does not scale very well and your costs do not drop comparatively as production increases. Thus the titanium marketing machine creates additional drivers to incent purchase, (see DeBeers and Diamonds for a comparator).
On a one-off custom build scenario, Titanium would be the material of choice for me.
K
#48
Cycleway town
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 740
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
58 Posts
Not to defend the pricing of the manufacturers however to play devil's advocate.
Upfront costs for the big brand carbon guys are substantial with molding, carbon layup design and substantial quality control costs. Plus you have to account for massive marketing dollars, distribution channels and company overheads.
Titanium on the other hand costs are substantially lower in a limited production environment. Materials are relatively easy to source, tubes come pre-formed, plate for dropouts, etc. Equipment-wise a Milling machine, Lathe, TIG welder and some inert gas a few other hand tools and you are off to the races.
The big issue with titanium is it does not scale very well and your costs do not drop comparatively as production increases. Thus the titanium marketing machine creates additional drivers to incent purchase, (see DeBeers and Diamonds for a comparator).
On a one-off custom build scenario, Titanium would be the material of choice for me.
K
Upfront costs for the big brand carbon guys are substantial with molding, carbon layup design and substantial quality control costs. Plus you have to account for massive marketing dollars, distribution channels and company overheads.
Titanium on the other hand costs are substantially lower in a limited production environment. Materials are relatively easy to source, tubes come pre-formed, plate for dropouts, etc. Equipment-wise a Milling machine, Lathe, TIG welder and some inert gas a few other hand tools and you are off to the races.
The big issue with titanium is it does not scale very well and your costs do not drop comparatively as production increases. Thus the titanium marketing machine creates additional drivers to incent purchase, (see DeBeers and Diamonds for a comparator).
On a one-off custom build scenario, Titanium would be the material of choice for me.
K
But there is no way you can say that a mass built Venge is better value than say a hand built Moots.
And in 30 years I know which will still be drooled over.
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,423
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1041 Post(s)
Liked 1,078 Times
in
553 Posts
Regarding the drool factor like diamonds and Rolex’s I concur.