Hi,
Newbie here. Getting my bike real bike and need help selecting one. This bike will be casual/exercise use and I have narrowed down to a cyclocross. The ones that I am trying to decide between are

Motobecane fantom cross comp Ti
Save Up to 60% Off Titanium Cyclocross Bicycles | Road Bikes - Motobecane Fantom Cross Team Titanium | Cross Bikes

Motobecane cross team
Save Up to 60% Off Cyclocross Bicycles | Road Bikes - Motobecane Fantom Cross Team Aluminum | Cross Bikes

The major differences between the two are:
One has a titanium frame and shimano 105
The other has aluminum frame and shimano ultegra and is about a $100 more.

So I need help deciding if I should go with the Ti frame or go for the Ultegra setup. Any other suggestions are also welcome.

Thanks

How thin can you slice the baloney?

Shimano has 5 groups of road components. They all do the same thing and they're all functional. As you move up the food chain the components get a little bit lighter in weight, a little bit smoother operating, and a little bit more nicely finished. The price, on the other hand, goes up exponentially. My rule of thumb has long been that I can sense a difference if I move up or down 2 group sets but not if I move up or down only one group.

That's a long way around saying that, if it was my bike, I'd go for the titanium frame.

It really jusyt comes down to personal preference. 6 of one...half a dozen of the other. 105 and Ultegra are bioth nice and work great. Both frames will do the exact same things..... Just pick which one you like best- In the real world, you won't notice any real difference between 'em. The titanium frame may be more durable in the long-term.

One thing that might sway me towards the aluminum bike: It has a much better crankset (Shimano 6800) than the titanium bike. I've heard bad things about the FSA Gossamer cranks on the ti. -and I'm not prejudiced against FSA, as I have 2 FSA cranksets, myself...but not Gossamers.....

Thank you for the replies. I was leaning towards the Ti bike myself but was not sure about the durability of it. Reason I say that is because all I have seen people buy are either aluminum or carbon fiber. Also I have read that the welds on a Ti frame can be a hit or miss and result in catastrophic failures. So I figured I'll check in here before I place the order.

Thanks

Titanium is usually the most durable frame material you can get. I'm not familiar personally with the Motobecane titaniums- but I know, when it comes to their road ti. bikes, all I've ever seen are glowing positive reviews- and at least a few people on this very forum own a Moto ti. road bike- so if their cross bikes are anything like their road bikes, I'd imagine the welds would not be an issue.

Start another thread with "Motobecane Cross Bike" in the title, and I'll bet you'll get some responses from some members here who own one.

My first road bike was a very cheap Moto, and I was very happy with the quality of it for the price. Only thing i would be leery of on that ti. is the crankset- but if you ride hard, and it were to become a problem, you could always change it- for a little more than the difference in price between the two bikes.

Just an observation, these bikes look pretty specialized for a bike whose use will be "casual/exercise". Titanium bikes typically appeal to buyers that are interested in extreme long-term durability and long-distance comfort. Neither of which is in your post. You could get 95% of what either of these bikes offer in a $1,000 Motobecane Fantom Cross Outlaw Save Up to 60% Off Motobecane Cyclocross Bikes - Fantom Cross Outlaw

Cale
Yes I did look at that bike but it looks like the shimano on that bike are below the 105 level and/or outdated. So figured might as well at least try to get newer 105s since I am already spending quite a bit.

Yeah but now you're buying into the Shimano, or other BS, line that suggests only certain components are allowed for certain riders. You're not shaping a " .... try to get newer" strategy, you're eagerly wading in to the tune of another $400 - $500. What part of the Cross Outlaw don't you like? Now put a bit of your "savings" towards that; a new saddle, some sweet handlebar tape, or a new helmet.

Thanks Cale,
You have me seriously considering the Outlaw now. The only reason I skipped over this bike earlier, like I mentioned earlier, are the Tiagra components and I was told that Shimano 105 and above is where the quality is.

There is quality throughout their line. I like the Tiagra 10-speed stuff and chose it over the 105 in a recent build. The "savings" went to the handlebars, stem, HRM, Strava Subscription, etc. I love the way Tiagra works.

Looks good and looks like I am going with the Outlaw now. Thanks for your help.

Tiagra, 105, Ultegra... they are all great group sets. You won't have a problem with any of them. I love the feel of titanium or even regular steel over aluminum.