I agree there is no choice between Ti and steel except person preference...and I am not without that plenty of that. If I were OP, I wouldn't buy any new steel that wasn't stainless. I am just not industrious enough to care for my steel bike in a way to prevent corrosion long term.

But really the bottom line is that I am completely happy with my Ti frame. I own old steel and have a nostalgic attachment to it, but would never buy steel again. Moots and Seven may make fine frames, but the pricing is outrageous and assuming someone who asks which material to buy is after the crème-de-la-crème is a little silly. Right in the center of the Ti market is Lynskey, and no one does it better as far as actual product outcomes are concerned. Bling is a whole other story.

About your new bike lasting a lifetime: I sincerely trust your wife is smarter than that. I doubt she cares how long the bike lasts, but rather how long until you decide you want a new one again. Those are two very, very different things.

High end Ti or steel are both great! I have ridden a Merlin for 16 years and it is a great great frame. If money were not a big deal, Moots RSL, Lynskey Heliux, or Erickson.

Well, I have about a 1/2 dozen steel rides of various makes and then a new Lynskey bought specifically for comfort.

The Lynskey is comfortable for sure (R265 sportive model) but I have a couple of old italian steelies with a more compliant and comfortable front end. The rear on the Lynskey really soaks up the hits though, it's fairly light, climbs well, and descends well. A good overall bike and if you get it when they are running a sale it's a very, very good buy. I'd love to try this with a better fork and may ultimately try to sort that out one day. Even with wide wheels and GP 4000 S II 700 x 25c tires at only 80 psi the front is harsher than some of my other bikes.



http://www.pbase.com/jhuddle/image/162460303.jpg


All that said, this local find picked up for a couple of hundred is all steel, super comfy, great handling and makes me smile everytime I ride it. If I HAD TO (glad I don't, LOL!) pick between the two I'd choose this one everytime. It may not be the best at any one thing but overall it is the best and the one that really speaks to me when I ride it.

http://www.pbase.com/jhuddle/image/163026418.jpg

Like others have mentioned, if at all possible test ride the bikes to decide. The Giordana above is one of my heavier steel rides, made with "inferior" cromor steel and yet there's just something about it that is soooooooooooooo right! :thumb: You need to ride a bike to really know if it's right for you.

OP, this is blown WAY WAY out of proportion. The reality is that unless you frequently ride in heavy rain or you leave your bike outside in the rain (which only an idiot would do) there is virtually no chance of rust or corrosion occurring with steel for decades. IF then.

On the contrary. Many normal people can find everlasting contentment in just one bike for the rest of their lives. It's only the fanatical members of this forum who can't find satisfaction owning just one bike, but most of the members of this forum are extremists when it comes to cycling anyway. The number of moderate cyclists in the world outnumber us extremists probably 50-1.

You are right about both things. I didn't mean the steel would asplode from rust, but rather that little rusty nicks and scratches would aggravate me until I had the bike repainted. Just the way I am. My steel bikes get nicked, and I get them repainted about every ten years or so. As for the one bike for a lifetime thing, well you are correct, but consider that OP did post on the 41. So which data set do you think you should put him in?

There's no steel half as pretty as brushed titanium. My opinion, of course.

My opinion differs; I prefer polished lugged stainless steel. ;)

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...RS-22whmed.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...ps462b29d0.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...MG4501whsm.jpg http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...MG4499whsm.jpg

It seems like the price of the Lynskey TI frame is less expensive than a Moots. Whats the difference besides the price?

Well it's not a prison sentence. He doesn't have to soak in ALL the madness. I, for one, only own 3 bikes. It would only be two, but I can't bring myself around to get rid of my first-ever bike.

This story sounds awfully familiar. Oh yeah, me too.

Having ridden both, I would say go Ti. However, if price is a consideration, I think it is possible to get a nicer steel frame for the money than Ti, although Lynskey is really changing that industry dynamic. My garage has two Ti mtb's, a steel roadie, and a steel gravel bike. Only think I am missing is a Ti road disc bike (R240... want badly).

If I had the dough, it would be a moots I was after, for sure.

I would have said "Salsa Warbird Ti" but they seem to no longer make it.

I think its normal. Guys at the cigar lounge that might ride 2X a year lay down $15K for the best bike all the time so they can talk about it. Still less expensive than their cars or girlfriends. Not saying that is the OP profile, but I don't see the crème-de-la-crème going to the racers.

Actually, it's not about the materials, it's about the geometry and fit. OP - I'd be looking for the geometry that you want and then give some though to the material.

Exactly. Because it isn't about the material.

Yep.

If you are looking for a "forever" bike, and you know what you want explicitly and can describe it, then a custom frame is a great option. I had a custom stainless frame made for me (I have unique fit problems). Bike comes in at 16.3 lbs ready to ride. In that case, it's a *lot* easier to find a steel frame builder (and there are many that are excellent). Stainless has pretty much all the maintenance benefits of Ti but it is easier to build. If you already have a bike, then you can get the frame and just move the components.

J.

I wasn't saying that. I was suggesting that starting the conversation at the top of the market was a bit silly.

ever since i got the new Litespeed my other bike just stays in the garage.. and i really like that simple schwinn peloton. still getting the fit right on the new bike so that may have something to do with it.. trying to get a lower position, blah blah blah, but when the thing locks in its like really really fun... so for a fun bike that you dont have to worry with.. meaning i can clean my up in a matter of seconds with a plege furn polish.. there is the whole weird ride quality of ti.. i like a lot more then my alum bike.. infact i can pretty much say right now... i will never own another bike unless this frame fails... i have no interest in carbon.. or even another steel bike... i dont think i even want another ti bike.. that kinda contentment is rare.. in cycling ... so i would go Ti.. what ever brand or builder you choose... moots is great but if i had a choice on any thing.. i would go custom Ti.. from some bespoke builder.. that would be great fun to be in on the build process.. some little frame house that makes very very few a year..

If I was forced to choose one frame to ride for the rest of my life and would never be allowed to buy another I would choose titanium. I would probably try to find a mint Litespeed Ultimate.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...imateLS001.jpg

my quote was a response to a post about getting the fit, and all the options the OP wants.

A custom frame builder can give you what you want, just choose the material.

FTR, I work with a builder that uses CF, but he's also built prototypes using titanium, magnesium, steel, and bamboo.

I concur.

Thankfully I don't have to make that choice.

I don't disagree with the choice of Ti. I would stick with my Merlin Works CR however. It is superb.

You may like a steel touring bike, very affordable and rides...well around the world if you want to.

IMHO, it needs yellow bar tape and head set, but yes, I could get on board with that choice.

This is why I don't want a "forever" bike. They're so serious, purposeful and prudent looking. They make me think of lecturing greybeards and century-riding grandmas. I may be old enough for one, but I'm still too new. :)

I guess that's coming at it from a different angle, but I agree. The materials do not define the performance of the bike, it's the fit, geometry and design that do. Materials are way down the list. The way to go about the process is decide what you want the bike to do functionally and then let the builder design it.

J.

You might be interested in looking at 953 stainless. I've seen some absolutely beautiful lugged stainless bikes. Waterford is one possibility. IF is another.

Titanium is great too, but it scratches much more easily. It is softer than people think. If you look at the engineering tables, and compare titanium with 953, it's hard not to be very impressed by 953's numbers. Way harder and, as I recall, way tougher as well.

Someone on another thread has ridden a lugged 953 bike for the past six years is very happy with it, expects to have it for a long time to come, and said, "Reynolds hit a home run with 953."