is there a cultural thing with titanium bikes?
04-30-10, 02:19 PM
#1
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is there a cultural thing with titanium bikes?
i don't mean to make inappropriate generalizations.
but
of all the bikes i see in NYC, the vast majority of Ti bike owners are older guys, often with gray beards. is there like, an AARP discount? or maybe you actually have to be a wizard to buy a Merlin?
seriously though, why is the proportion of older guys on Ti so high?
but
of all the bikes i see in NYC, the vast majority of Ti bike owners are older guys, often with gray beards. is there like, an AARP discount? or maybe you actually have to be a wizard to buy a Merlin?
seriously though, why is the proportion of older guys on Ti so high?
04-30-10, 02:23 PM
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With age comes wisdom.
And you can get *great* deals on them since the kids are all flocking to the disposable plastic bikes.
And you can get *great* deals on them since the kids are all flocking to the disposable plastic bikes.
04-30-10, 02:23 PM
#3
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I don't know why, but your observation seems to be correct.
My hair and my bike are both grey (although I am "only" 45).
Actually I would have considered at carbon fiber bike, but I need custom geometry and a custom CF frame is prohibitively expensive.
My hair and my bike are both grey (although I am "only" 45).
Actually I would have considered at carbon fiber bike, but I need custom geometry and a custom CF frame is prohibitively expensive.
04-30-10, 02:24 PM
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It's because those Ti bikes were the hi-end in-thing years ago before carbon fiber started becoming the main pro racing frame material. Those Ti frames are very expensive, and work great even after years of use. Hard to justify buying a new CF bike when you've got a $$$$ Ti frame already.
New young guys tend to go carbon, likely because of its popularity in general amongst racers as well as marketing.
New young guys tend to go carbon, likely because of its popularity in general amongst racers as well as marketing.
04-30-10, 02:27 PM
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like i said, not making generalizations.
maybe some dudes want to have their ONE-BIKE forever. for me, i'd rather try lots of bikes over my lifetime. a big part of the bike thing for me is new tech, even if titanium is forever.
It's because those Ti bikes were the hi-end in-thing years ago before carbon fiber started becoming the main pro racing frame material. Those Ti frames are very expensive, and work great even after years of use. Hard to justify buying a new CF bike when you've got a $$$$ Ti frame already.
New young guys tend to go carbon, likely because of its popularity in general amongst racers as well as marketing.
New young guys tend to go carbon, likely because of its popularity in general amongst racers as well as marketing.
04-30-10, 02:30 PM
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i don't mean to make inappropriate generalizations.
but
of all the bikes i see in NYC, the vast majority of Ti bike owners are older guys, often with gray beards. is there like, an AARP discount? or maybe you actually have to be a wizard to buy a Merlin?
seriously though, why is the proportion of older guys on Ti so high?
but
of all the bikes i see in NYC, the vast majority of Ti bike owners are older guys, often with gray beards. is there like, an AARP discount? or maybe you actually have to be a wizard to buy a Merlin?
seriously though, why is the proportion of older guys on Ti so high?
04-30-10, 02:34 PM
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Well, as a old fart Merlin rider, I like the low maintenance - smooth ride combination. Hard to justify another bike when the one I have is great.
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04-30-10, 02:50 PM
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But money is the limiting factor. A Ti bike, which usually comes with hi-end components, costs $4500+, you'd better have one fat wallet if you want a Ti bike, a $5k carbon fiber bike, and any other bikes on top of that.
Most folks earning typical money can only afford ONE $5k bike, if even that. Hence the older guys riding Ti bikes that were bought in the 90s before carbon fiber became the predominant material marketed and used in hi-end road bikes.
04-30-10, 02:56 PM
#10
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I am 38, but I do have a few gray hair. And I love my Merlin Extralight.
04-30-10, 03:00 PM
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well, since you started with generalizations, i'll add one:
GENERALLY, titanium rides much smoother and less harshly than cf or al.
old dudes love steel too, they mostly ride nice too.
anyway, i love my Merlin!
GENERALLY, titanium rides much smoother and less harshly than cf or al.
old dudes love steel too, they mostly ride nice too.
anyway, i love my Merlin!
04-30-10, 03:00 PM
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It's because those Ti bikes were the hi-end in-thing years ago before carbon fiber started becoming the main pro racing frame material. Those Ti frames are very expensive, and work great even after years of use. Hard to justify buying a new CF bike when you've got a $$$$ Ti frame already.
New young guys tend to go carbon, likely because of its popularity in general amongst racers as well as marketing.
New young guys tend to go carbon, likely because of its popularity in general amongst racers as well as marketing.
04-30-10, 03:02 PM
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04-30-10, 03:12 PM
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04-30-10, 03:13 PM
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I'm almost 50 and have some grey hair. I bought my bike in the 90's, a custom Vail Cycle Works Ti frame. I'm contemplating upgrading to a 10-speed groupo from my Dura-Ace 7700 series 9-speed groupo. What I'm not considering is replacing the frame. At least for me I plan to work through at least two groupos before frames improve enough to warrant a frame upgrade.
04-30-10, 03:17 PM
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I'm almost 50 and have some grey hair. I bought my bike in the 90's, a custom Vail Cycle Works Ti frame. I'm contemplating upgrading to a 10-speed groupo from my Dura-Ace 7700 series 9-speed groupo. What I'm not considering is replacing the frame. At least for me I plan to work through at least two groupos before frames improve enough to warrant a frame upgrade.
04-30-10, 03:34 PM
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04-30-10, 04:57 PM
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I think you all are all full of ****. I have a cheap, stiff, "harsh", alu bike and a plush "endurance" CF roubaix. If I put my good wheels on the ALU, I can't tell a difference. If I put the ****ty wheels on the ALU or the CF, the bike feels terrible. Wheels/tires make SO much more of a difference than frame, IMO.
04-30-10, 05:09 PM
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I am 23 and ride a Ti bike but I agree that I always see older people riding 7 or merlin. Never thought about it until now.
04-30-10, 05:12 PM
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I think you all are all full of ****. I have a cheap, stiff, "harsh", alu bike and a plush "endurance" CF roubaix. If I put my good wheels on the ALU, I can't tell a difference. If I put the ****ty wheels on the ALU or the CF, the bike feels terrible. Wheels/tires make SO much more of a difference than frame, IMO.