Dream Bike: Carbon or Titanium?

[flafonta]

What is your Dream Bike frame made of?

I am dreaming about my next bike, and I am debating between a Titanium or a super light Carbon setup.

Of course 29er (and SS).

Titanium build would be focused on durability (including finish): Titanium Frame, Bars, Seat Post, Arch or Flow wheels

Carbon build would be focused on ligthweight: Carbon frame, Carbon most everything, Stans Race wheels or 355s, Light tires, 17.X lbs target.

Anyway, if you were to build a dream bike, would that be Titanium or Carbon?

[gjenkins@]

Theoretically Ti, but judging by many of the Ti owners, the dream bike eventually ceases to be a dream and they move on. Now, they may move on to a a newer Ti bike ... but still.

[amblake50]

I just made this decision and am waiting for my 29er ss eriksen. for endurance and xc usage/durability,comfort/ride quality I decided ti was better for me... also custom geometry i think is essential for it to quality as a "dream" bike. carbon was available to me at the same value.

[richwolf]

I just went Ti. I don't care if carbon is lighter, stiffer, stronger etc. I have wanted Ti forever and carbon just doesn't scratch that itch.

[scuver]

Titanium!

[mtnbiker72]

Why do you have Steel and Cromoly?...That's like putting 3/2.5 Ti and 6/4 Ti

I vote True Temper OX Platinum which is CroMoVan Steel

[flafonta]

Why do you have Steel and Cromoly?...That's like putting 3/2.5 Ti and 6/4 Ti

I did not think (and I don't know much). I thought Cromoly was the low grade steel used in Walmart style bikes.

[Schmucker]

I'd say Ti but I'll be going with Scandium/Carbon (Selma) for the better price.

[PaintPeelinPbody]

carbon, because it has come a long way since it's early days.

Cannondale, Niner, maybe a new On-One...something along those lines.

[88 rex]

I tend to think of "dream bikes" as bikes I will have for the rest of my life. For that reason, titanium would be my choice. Carbon doesn't have that longevity and steel isn't as light. Although steel would be a good choice. Aluminum is good too, but there is nothing "cool" about aluminum. You have to be able to brag about your dream bike, right?? Nobody cares about aluminum. My soda can is aluminum.

BUT I would paint some of it because I think plain old titanium is boring. I like a little color to break up the titanium.

[Tinier]

I've finally had my first ti bike (On One 29er) after more than 15years of riding mountainbikes. I must say the wait has been really worth it.

[Ridin'Dirty]

Ti would be for my dream bike but steel is what I will probably buy when I go with a custom build.

Carbon does not do it for me on a mtn bike. I know it is durable but a "dream bike " would be something I would like to keep for years and years. Carbon has less of a shelf life than Ti.

[TR]

I have Ti coming and am looking at a CF bike too for next years race season.
Absolute no compromise dream bike would have to be a Blacksheep Eon with Faith fork, Moots stem and seatpost and Jones H-bar like this one that belongs to my friend Shannon.

IMO this is one of the most beautiful bikes I have seen.

[~martini~]

Ti for sure. Carbon just doesn't do it for me. There may be others out there like me, and as get further on through the years I may get rarer, but I've never ridden carbon, and honestly don't have an urge to. No real reason I guess. Just not a priority.

[Zion Rasta]

Scandium

[Sunburst576]

Damn..gotta luv the bike porn. That bike is SCHWEEEET.

[canyonrat]

Hmm...I like Aluminum. It's stiff, it's light, it's metal. Perfect.

[Entrenador]

Why not bamboo? Light, strong, resilient and organic!

Calfee Design out of La Selva, CA, ftr.

[PAmtbiker]

Damn... that blacksheep is amazing. Just amazing...

[1-bar]

Titanium!


I've been riding this Ti frame for the past few months since my Jet9 has been recalled. I ride this and my friends superfly back to back. They both have their positives and negatives, but the Ti is by far smoother while the Superfly is stiffer. This Ti bike is 22.33lbs as it sits and my friends superfly is 23.3 which is all stock execpt for a wheelset swap for 355s/kings. If superfly had the same build as the Ti frame it would be about .5lbs lighter. My friend on the Superfly loves to swap as he prefers the handling of the Ti frame especially while climbing steep sections.

[mtnbiker72]

I did not think (and I don't know much). I thought Cromoly was the low grade steel used in Walmart style bikes.

Actually, Walmart bikes are usually Aluminum but if they are steel, they are Hi Tensile (usually 1020) which is LOWER grade than CroMoly steel.

High end steel uses many different alloying metals such as Chromium, Molybdenum, Nickel, and Vanadium to name a few.

[collideous]

I've owned a bunch of Ti bikes over the years. I love Ti for the looks and its longevity, but realized that my carbon road bike rides a whole lot better than my Ti road bike. Despite curved seat stays the Ti frame beats me up and has not nearly the bottom bracket stiffness the carbon frame has. My next MTB frame will be carbon.

[OldHouseMan]

Ti would be my dream bike, steel or aluminum is realistic and what I have.

I will most likely never own a carbon bike.

[Wish I Were Riding]

Ti would be my dream bike, steel or aluminum is realistic and what I have.

I will most likely never own a carbon bike.

Ditto, although I may someday own Ti.

[chumbox]

My head says Ti, my wallet says steel.