Which frame / fork material?

[edubfromktown]

Curious what people SS on.

[Sheepo5669]

I use steel frames and carbon forks for my MTBs. But I really want a carbon frame for my race bike...

[longhaultrucker]

I clicked both steel/steel and steel/front squish-all depends on how my neck/back's doing that week

[Bike Whisperer]

Over the years I have owned steel, aluminum, and carbon hardtails...I always come back to steel. I don't care that it weighs more.

If I'm riding a rigid front, steel is my preferred choice as well.

[Lance Armstrong]

I ride a stock KHS solo one 29'er. Full aluminum, ridgid aluminum fork. I only changed the riser bars for skinny flat bars. I know that most people prefer wide bars for torquing but I like them skinny for tight sections.

[dubdryver]

Like Bike Whisperer, I have owned steel, aluminum, and carbon hardtails....but once I went to titanium, I will never go back. My subjective opinion is that titanium is superior to all other material options out there...It's expensive, but you only buy it once.

[driver bob]

I have owned steel, aluminum, and carbon hardtails....but once I went to titanium, I will never go back. My subjective opinion is that titanium is superior to all other material options out there...It's expensive, but you only buy it once.

Ditto. I still have a steel bike, and aluminum bike and a titanium bike. I had a carbon bike but didn't like the lack of feel I got back from it.

The Titanium bike just has *that* feel....

[bmschrad]

I like steel for easy rides but for racing I really like the Aluminum carbon fork combo. If I had more cash carbon\carbon would be my choice for sure.

[shenny88]

OP, good idea for a poll. I look forward to seeing if my estimates are accurate!

[Bike Whisperer]

Ditto. I still have a steel bike, and aluminum bike and a titanium bike. I had a carbon bike but didn't like the lack of feel I got back from it.

The Titanium bike just has *that* feel....

When I win the lottery...or my kids move out and get full ride college scholarships...then I'll have my Blacksheep Ti frame and fork

[BigwheelsRbest]

Great idea for a poll - curious how others see this.

Personally, I can't afford a Ti frame, so steel is the best of what remains, for comfort and fun.

I'd rather go full rigid, so no squish fork, as it's more fun when the bike is light up front. So bearing that in mind I prefer a carbon fork, with carbon bars (and stem - not sure if that makes much difference!) to absorb the trail chatter and give my poor old hands an easier time.

Result = a really fun, lovable bike

[Igoreha]

Steel frame and fork for all around bike for rough terrain, long rides.
Carbon/alu frame and carbon fork for XC racing.

[wyatt79m]

carbon frame and fork, so I guess I'm "different"?

[CB2]

I checked everything but Ti and summin different.
Currently I'm on Aluminum w/ Carbon rigid fork. I'd be on Aluminum w/ a suspension fork, but that only lasted 10 rides before needing a rebuild.

[edubfromktown]

Cool beans people; thanks for sharing. I've ridden everything but Ti frames and have some time in on all kinds of forks though not as much on a carbon fork (didn't dig it at all- too rough on the gnar for me). I've had bouts of chronic back pain for ~10 years (far fewer episodes since I've been MTB riding more) and find that on rough terrain, riding an FS bike leaves me feeling great afterward whereas riding a hard tail will result in some soreness for 2-3 days. Full rigid steel works well the only thing I didn't expect was jarring one of my wrists enough to cause PAIN while keeping hold of the handlebars bombing down a gnarly hill eheheheh.

Steel definitely has a different feel to it as compared to Aluminum but not enough for me throw away my '09 Turner Sultan or Fuji Tahoe SL geared bikes Both of these have taken a frame bash here and there with no ill effects.

I'm not a fan of carbon due to concerns about durability and little concern about weight weenieness given that the overall weight savings as a percentage of my 195 lb 6'2" body is negligible on an MTB build. I've ridden the Niner and a Chiner carbon. The Niner felt very rough, stiff and unforgiving, even with a couple of different big name suspension forks. The Chiner definitely was a smoother ride (with the same forks mounted on it).

Guess I'll have to give Ti a try at some point.

[serious]

For my SS race bike I have used:

1) Steel frame and fork
2) Steel frame and CF fork
3) Alu frame and CF fork
4) Ti frame and CF fork (current bike)

Loved them all actually.

[Climber999]

Steel is great, carbon has potential, but Ti has captured my heart. Once I owned to first, there was no way back. I sold everything else and now I own 3 Ti bikes.

[thorkild]

Have a carbon frame for racing. Sooo light and responsive. But, I'm getting a custom Ti for my ss trailbike. I'm hoping I like it as much as everyone else seems to love their Ti!

[BigwheelsRbest]

Anyone have a list of Ti SS 29er frames? (And forks?)

[Climber999]

Anyone have a list of Ti SS 29er frames? (And forks?)

If you take into account custom builders, then it's a long list. Off the shelf, the only US based vendor is Lynskey. BTW, Salsa, Kona, and a few more, use Lynskey as a subcontractor.

[Jag Brah]

Alu frame (26") + steel fork

The salsa cromoto fork absorbs minor bumps really well.

[eastspur]

Anyone have a list of Ti SS 29er frames? (And forks?)

Off the top of my head...

Lynskey (has built ss frames for Kona, Salsa, Voodoo, etc)
Blacksheep
Eriksen
Strong
Quiring
Indyfab
Titus
Dean
Seven
Kish
Moots
Willits
Steve Potts
Desalvo
Spot Brand

I'm sure that's not even half.

[Natedogz]

I clicked both steel/steel and steel/front squish...

Depends on my mood, but I prefer steel/steel more fun and lighter weight with a snappy feel. No money for titanium.

[longhaultrucker]

I don't always have the choie as ch I prefer,sometimes I have to go with how the spinal issues are feeling (even if that means off the bike a month )

[Bike Whisperer]

If you take into account custom builders, then it's a long list. Off the shelf, the only US based vendor is Lynskey. BTW, Salsa, Kona, and a few more, use Lynskey as a subcontractor.

Jones Ti Spaceframe and fork...one off the shelf size