Originally Posted by
Drew Eckhardt
In 1997 I had my choice of titanium (Litespeed), carbon fiber (Look), or steel (various) for about the same price.
I opted for titanium with no paint to chip. My titanium frame still looks better after 22 years than my last steel frame did 8.
I got mine about 9 years ago, I must have been 27. My wife has a carbon bike from the same timeframe... they look very different. My Lynskey still looks new... the paint on hers... not so much.
Ti can be a good value, especially considering the durability. Was looking at gravel bikes last winter. $3300 for a handmade USA Ti bike with 105 hydraulics... or a chinese slave labor Salsas Warbird with paint that will scratch and chip for $3400 from LBS. It's kind of a no brainer.