Why did Titanium not take off amongst Pros?
08-16-19, 08:47 AM
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Why did Titanium not take off amongst Pros?
this thought just popped into my head recently.
It seems like Titanium frames are the hot ticket these days. even riders who are mainly riding modern carbon bikes drool over titanium it seems. and they sell for a significant premium over similar quality steel frames.
so then why did titanium never (as far as I know) become popular among pro riders (during the pre-carbon years).?
was there ever a pro team riding titanium frames?
It seems like Titanium frames are the hot ticket these days. even riders who are mainly riding modern carbon bikes drool over titanium it seems. and they sell for a significant premium over similar quality steel frames.
so then why did titanium never (as far as I know) become popular among pro riders (during the pre-carbon years).?
was there ever a pro team riding titanium frames?
08-16-19, 08:54 AM
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Ti is not the hot ticket these days. Carbon fiber can be made stronger, lighter and cheaper. Although today's top of the line carbon frames are pricey, frames that match the weight of a Ti frame are now relatively cheap.
I've only owned one Ti frame, a Litespeed Ultimate with a bladed down tube. I thought the ride was too stiff. I didn't keep it long.
One other thing I noticed after coming back to cycling last year after an 8 year hiatus, is that what used to be the lightest frame from a big company like LOOK, was now the weight of a much cheaper frame, the 785 Huez. The pricey frame is quite a bit lighter - the 785 Huez RS.
I've only owned one Ti frame, a Litespeed Ultimate with a bladed down tube. I thought the ride was too stiff. I didn't keep it long.
One other thing I noticed after coming back to cycling last year after an 8 year hiatus, is that what used to be the lightest frame from a big company like LOOK, was now the weight of a much cheaper frame, the 785 Huez. The pricey frame is quite a bit lighter - the 785 Huez RS.
Last edited by DaveSSS; 08-16-19 at 09:37 AM.
08-16-19, 08:55 AM
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Many pros used Titanium in the 90s and early 00s. But it’s popularity was brief. The Carbon Fiber Wave took over.
08-16-19, 08:58 AM
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lol wut
08-16-19, 09:11 AM
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What, doctors and dentists aren't professionals?
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08-16-19, 11:58 AM
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Too expensive to build, not many manufacturers could afford to help sponsor a team, plus the team sponsors had to paint the frames from XX manufacturer to look like steel manufacturer YY. Then carbon took off.
08-16-19, 12:27 PM
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08-16-19, 12:28 PM
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Anyone want to see a rare photo of my ti bike? 
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08-16-19, 12:30 PM
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It did in the 90s, before carbon came in. The big killer was when titanium prices skyrocketed. That made it a no brainer for bike companies to go to carbon. A lot cheaper to manufacture.
Plus, it’s not a good business model to make bikes that “last forever”, as titanium seems to do.
Plus, it’s not a good business model to make bikes that “last forever”, as titanium seems to do.
Last edited by brianmcg123; 08-16-19 at 12:36 PM.
08-16-19, 12:31 PM
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08-16-19, 12:32 PM
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08-16-19, 12:34 PM
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08-16-19, 12:38 PM
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08-16-19, 12:38 PM
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08-16-19, 12:39 PM
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08-16-19, 12:39 PM
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None of them are Cervelos, however, so I think they're going to yank his license.
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08-16-19, 12:49 PM
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08-16-19, 01:14 PM
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Titanium is expensive and requires specialized skills to work with. Carbon fiber is a much cheaper, lighter, and more versatile material.
08-16-19, 01:16 PM
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Being a neurologist, I had to have a Cervélo, just for the name.
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08-16-19, 01:46 PM
#24
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Really? I kind of feel like Ti is pretty dead. Fewer offerings on the market, and not a lot of widespread “bike lust” for it.
I personally know more people with bike lust for a new steel roadie than for Ti.
I personally know more people with bike lust for a new steel roadie than for Ti.
08-16-19, 01:57 PM
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