I currently have an aluminum frame Bianchi and am considering another bike. I'm 6'1" 200 lbs, so not a jockey and not a racer. I'm looking for a bike primarily for century rides and am considering either steel (colnago classic, fondriest) or titanium (airborne, entry litespeed) - not really interested in carbon fiber. I'm not sure I can tell the differnence in a 1-2 mile test ride. Assuming fit is fine, any opinions on material?

Steel-is-real! a well made steel frame will be a great, dependable ride that will outlive you. Much more economical too.

I vote for Ti. Yes, it costs more. But, it has a great ride and will last forever. Plus, it won't rust and it is light.

I just did my first century. I am so happy that I stretched the wallet a little for Ti.

Simple - get both. I "had" to have a full carbon and still wasn't satisfied. So I "had" to get a steelie.

It's great to have a choice depending on which way the wind is blowing.That is, until I "have" to have a Ti or aluminum....

55/Rad

I've said this often, and will continue to repeat it: A poorly trained monkey can keep a steel bike from rusting. Not an issue, unless you're less able than a poorly trained monkey.

I went from Alu to steel and love it. Ti was too expensive for what you got, and the weight penalty with steel is becoming less and less. Check out the Orbea Ultrafoco Carbon. I love mine.

Amen.

And as you said, the cost to weight savings ratio for Ti isn't that great.

The proof is not so much in the material used as much as it is the fit and feel of the bike to you. You need to ride everything you can lay your butt on. A crappy bike made of any material is just that, a crappy bike. I've got steel, Ti and carbon bikes and I like them all. Each is different is some way. I like to do primarily long-distance rides, usually centuries, and I spec my bikes accordingly, so they are all pretty similar in their fit and geometry. Some of the bikes that you have mentioned are more suited to short rides/racing. Primarily by virtue of geometry.

So I guess my short answer is; the material is not the key consideration. Fit, feel and geometry will be what's important.

if the difference is speding 1200 bucks on a great steel frame or the same price on an average titanium, you'd be insane to get the titanium. But, if you have the cash to get a good titanium frame, then I'd say 'go for it'.

The weight difference between steel and Ti is about .25 of a lb, rust is a non issue, and both will outlast any Aluminium or carbon bike out there.
What you get for your extra dollars buying Ti, is a slight decrease in weight, corrosion resistance, and a ride that is a little less springy or lively than steel.

Whether its worth the cost is a personal preference. One thing for sure though - ti still retains it's mystique, it's still a pain to machine, the raw tubes cost a packet, and it welds up like a dream ( assuming you follow the rules ).

thylacine writes:
[QUOTE]The weight difference between steel and Ti is about .25 of a lb

Sorry thylacine, the engineer in me asks - is a lb of steel .25 heavier than a lb of Ti? (GRIN)
I believe you mean weight density, if so I believe you are in error. Ti is about half as light.
Thus an equal volume of steel = twice as heavy as an equal volume of Ti, at least Archimedes would say so. And I bet he would have chosen a litespeed!

Good site to visit:
https://www.caree.org/bike101framematerials.htm

[QUOTE=Red Baron]thylacine writes:
An any case, Ti bike tubes are thicker than steel bike tubes to achieve the necessary strength. Ti bikes therefore usually weigh only slightly less than the equivalent steel bikes. Ti has it's own characteristics that make for a different ride than steel. A well made steel and a well made Ti bike will ride similarly with some differences. Some riders like the ride qualities of one over the other. Both (of the well-made bikes) will last much longer than an owner will most likely keep it. So it's really a personal value/judgment call as to which is better.

I currently own a CF road bike and a TI mtb. I love them both and found both to have similar characteristics (absorption and stiffness). I had a aluminum mtb and felt every pebble I rolled over. Years ago (almost 30) I had a steel Raleigh. Great bike, great ride, except in corners. Now granted steel has come a long way in 30 years but I just remember the flex in that frame, and the couple of crashes it caused, to make me shy away from steel.
The only two materials I would own a bike made from at this point are CF or TI

Nitanium Chromoly steel tubing.

Ti over steel any day for me.
btw, in a 3-up test of the Litespeed Firenze, Lemond and Airborne Zepplin from Cycle Sport the Firenze beat out the other two.

I like the Tuscany for a great 3.25 frame.

Ride both materials. Let your rump and hands decide. If one dosen't just scream out to to to buy it, then you haven't test ridden the right bike yet. When I test rode the right bike (for me), I knew it right away.

Davet writes:
[/QUOTE]An any case, Ti bike tubes are thicker than steel bike tubes to achieve the necessary strength. Ti bikes therefore usually weigh only slightly less than the equivalent steel bikes.

I admit its been a long time. But I thought tubes were made Bigger in Diameter(s) ONLY(Volume=2*pi*(Radiiutside-Radii:inside)squared x length).Thus a small increase in Diameter -both outer and inner dia. delta remaining constant- yields a big increase in strength, with a relatively low volume increase. This would be the better design.
If you meant THICKER meaning (outer Diameter minus Inner Diameter is larger) than I believe you are correct sir!(due to the squared part of the equation) But I did not think that is the case, or at least not an optimum design. BTW- that's why Alum tubes are even bigger in Circumference.
But- I could be wrong.

Eureka! Think I'll go take a bath ( sorry- a little archimedian joke)

Love my non-rusting steel bike but if i had the bucks,i'd get ti.

My suggestion would be to contact Carl Strong at www.strongframes.com. For your price range you could get a custom steel frame that will be made especially to provide you with the riding characteristics you want.
Plus, their headbadge is amazing
He can also do ti for a slightly higher price. Either way, just make sure you ride it.

Good luck in whatever decision you make.

Hard to test ride a custom is'nt it?

Provided, you can't test ride a custom, that is why Strong Frame has a 100% money back guaranty based on your satisfaction.

Good to see they finally began teaching physics and chemisty in Kentucky! Who woulda guessed!

Pity you didn't opt to take "Real World Humour for the Sciences 101" though.

Mwuhuhuhuhuha!

Here are two frames. Both are the same size, tubing selection is geared to make them both perform roughly the same. Oh look at that! The steel one is about a quarter of a pound heavier!

And no, Archemedes would not have chosen a Litespeed....but he probably would if he was a member of this BBS.

*Makes sheep sounds*

Afeter reading all of this I hope you are compleatly confused, I know I am!!

I have aluminium and Steel. I could never see spending the money for Ti and the full carbon Giant TCR1 I rode didn't impress me all that much.

In my humble opinion, "Steel is Real!!" it is like riding on a cloud and iff you are looking for long distance riding, I don't think you can beat it. Look for Reynolds 853 and you will have a Steel bike with much the same ride charictoristics of Ti (strength, weight etc.) AND the comfort (flex) of steel (at least according to one of the fram builders in my area and he should know since he works in both).

Then again if you are a "gram freak" you might want to consider Ti or full carbon to get the majical sub 16 lb. bike. But then you can ask yourself if the extra pound of weight saving was worth it! Just think of all the other bike stuff you could get with the $$$!!! My Buenos Aires weighs 20 lbs with everything on it (computer, HRM, bag [loaded with stuff including a rediculusly heavy Topeak Alian] and water bottle cages). It is Ultegra and rides like a dream!!

Just my humble opinion

I'd like to know which ti's are sub 16? You know they asked the pro's what they like to ride if given a chice and most said ti. They said it has the best of everything except low cost. It will start getting cheaper,look at the $1999 litespeed.

Pros don't pay for their bikes. They also have needs and requirements that 99% of us don't.

If you haven't been on a steel bike in 30 years, you don't have any idea what they're like today. Hell, they've come a long ways in the last 10 years. Your paranoia is completely unfounded.

I've never ridden Ti, but I'd love to...Anyhow, my ride is steel...I've rode aluminum and carbon fiber, and although they are lighter, I wouldn't trade by $400 ride for a $2000 ride (might sell it..but wouldn't trade it...then again, I could sell the CF/AL ride....???)

Anyhow, a good steel bike probably won't flex like that one fella said...I'm 220 and I can STOMP on mine and it just goes...

Around here, there are quite a few tar&gravel roads that I ride that my AL-ridin' buds won't...cause it vibrates their arms from their shoulders...I'm not saying it's plush, but it's not painful...and I get some new scenery...

If I had the dough, which would I choose?? the Ti...simply cause of the satisfaction of knowing you got something wicked...it's a little lighter, and most companies that put these things together are doing custom jobs...not just fitting you on what they got sittin' there...