Titanium's dirty little secret
Back in 1999, titanium's heyday, Trek rebadged a Litespeed Blade-4 for Lance to ride during time trials at the Tour. Well, everyone knows Trek never made a titanium bike, so the howls and jeers that came from the streets of the massive crowds watching him that day was mistook by Lance as applauds, and propelled him on to victory. When told the noise was mockery, the shame put upon Lance and the titanium bike industry was irrevocable.