View Poll Results: Frame Material Preference
Carbon Fiber
40
31.25%
Aluminum
10
7.81%
Steel
61
47.66%
Titanium
17
13.28%
Voters: 128. You may not vote on this poll
Frame Material Preference Poll
#176
Full Member
There is the possiblity of a new frame material coming onto the market, hopefully sooner rather than later, but it's called simply super magnesium, which is made better than magnesium that use to be used in a few custom frames. https://insights.globalspec.com/arti...or-bike-frames
https://www.handbuiltbicyclenews.com...next-big-thing
There is also a new higher strength aluminum allow that could also break into the market.
How will this Super Mag, and higher strength AL compare with other frame materials we already have remains to be seen.
https://www.handbuiltbicyclenews.com...next-big-thing
There is also a new higher strength aluminum allow that could also break into the market.
How will this Super Mag, and higher strength AL compare with other frame materials we already have remains to be seen.
#177
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There is only one real frame material. The others are beer cans, fishing poles and pig iron.
#178
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Ah, yes, the semi-mythical stories about people getting local welders in Timbuktu to repair their steel-framed touring bikes as they heroically pedal around the world. Right. Tell you what: you go get a quote on having a top tube replaced (so, old tube removed, new tube welded or brazed in, including the cost of the tube itself), and don't forget the new paint job. I'll bet it comes to more than the cost of my friend's cf top tube repair, which was under $300.
In an emergency, one could likely get a steel bike welded. It would depend on where it is, and whether it is welded with MIG, TIG, or Stick. It might get a person back on the road, but would functionally destroy the bike for long term use.
I think it is correct. This is the reason that people who tour on bicycle chose steel because it's the only material that even a person with a simple welder can repair, be it anywhere in the world, you won't see that happening with any other frame material, especially CF or TI. Even in the US you still have to send the CF somewhere for the repair, whereas a local person could fix a steel bike.
As far as a broken carbon fiber bike. I'd probably find the nearest auto shop and buy a roll of fiberglass and some epoxy. It might not look pretty, but depending on what broke, it could probably get the bike back on the road.
If one can't find fiberglass and epoxy, then one likely isn't finding someone that can TIG weld or is very good with brazing.
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#179
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Let's also remember that many bike frames come with long (sometimes lifetime) warranties. I can't think of a better way to ruin your warranty claim than by having a third party take a welding torch to your frame.
#180
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But if you're in the middle of the Amazon jungle, perhaps vampire bats are a greater concern than warranty coverage. And one may not choose to haul a broken frame that can't be ridden out of the jungle.
But, if the bike is ridden around home, then by all means, contact the manufacturer before going all MacGyver on it.
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#181
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#184
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Here's an idea... https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca938aiL..._web_copy_link
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#185
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I can tell just by looking at that bike, and I'm assuming you're referring to the top center of the post, that the gearing will be much too low. Also, the handlebars are all wrong. It needs drop bars and brifters with at least a sub-compact gearing. Other than that, I like the color..
If you're buying a "final" bike for yourself, no one else's opinion matters (not that it matters on any other bike). If you dig CF, get CF. If you prefer steel, aluminum, ti, bamboo, or shaved soap, get that. Make sure it has room for the kind of tires you want to run, is geared the way that suits your needs, and is kitted out with all of the best parts that fit within your budget. Build the bike that excites you every time you see it, and makes you want to jump on and ride every chance you get. It seems like you know what you want. Just go do it.
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"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#186
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#187
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#188
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#189
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#190
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Their stuff is proof positive that ti can be the shiznit:
No. 22 Bicycle Company | Handmade Titanium Bikes (22bicycles.com)
No. 22 Bicycle Company | Handmade Titanium Bikes (22bicycles.com)
#191
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You don't need the most expensive TI bike to get the exact same TI ride, or durability you can get for the lowest price one that Lynskey or Litespeed offers.
I even have titanium rods and screws in my back, no stainless or cromoly steel screws and rods, no aluminum screws and rods, no carbon fiber screws and rods, no magnesium screws and rods, titanium all the way, the stuff made me about a 1/4 of inch taller too.
I even have titanium rods and screws in my back, no stainless or cromoly steel screws and rods, no aluminum screws and rods, no carbon fiber screws and rods, no magnesium screws and rods, titanium all the way, the stuff made me about a 1/4 of inch taller too.
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#192
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Their stuff is proof positive that ti can be the shiznit:
No. 22 Bicycle Company | Handmade Titanium Bikes (22bicycles.com)
No. 22 Bicycle Company | Handmade Titanium Bikes (22bicycles.com)
#194
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Did you know that:
- Aluminum frames have a harsh ride?
- Titanium frames are soft and whippy?
- Steel frames go soft with age, but they have a nicer ride quality?
- England's
Queen ElizabethKing Charles IIIQueen Victoria was a kingpin of the international drug trade?
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#196
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I like the Cerakote option. There is a forum member who has a custom ti frame with Cerakote.
#197
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Marketing blurb:-
"A top priority when developing the Aurora was to balance high stiffness and crisp handling with all-day comfort levels that only titanium can deliver. Despite an overall stiffness level approaching our race-specific Reactor model, the Aurora is the smoothest riding frame we offer. A combination of carefully shaped and butted tubing, svelte seat stays and the one-piece carbon seat mast result in a frame that smooths vibration like nothing else on the road."
It's hardly surprising that an artisan company with a long history of titanium fabrication would take this path, but even they have realised that you need carbon to achieve the best result. I would put good money on it that this bike is objectively slower, heavier and no more comfortable than a full carbon alternative. Obviously that would be missing the whole point of a bike like this (art decor piece for the discerning gentleman), but in the cold light of performance this bike is not going to compete against top tier carbon equivalents in any objective way. The use of titanium here is entirely down to aesthetics, nostalgia and of course their company skill set. Let's not pretend that anyone would actually race this in preference to a pro-level carbon frameset.
#198
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Their range topping Aurora frame has a complete carbon seat mast/downtube. So clearly they couldn't make that work quite as well using a titanium tube.
Marketing blurb:-
"A top priority when developing the Aurora was to balance high stiffness and crisp handling with all-day comfort levels that only titanium can deliver. Despite an overall stiffness level approaching our race-specific Reactor model, the Aurora is the smoothest riding frame we offer. A combination of carefully shaped and butted tubing, svelte seat stays and the one-piece carbon seat mast result in a frame that smooths vibration like nothing else on the road."
It's hardly surprising that an artisan company with a long history of titanium fabrication would take this path, but even they have realised that you need carbon to achieve the best result. I would put good money on it that this bike is objectively slower, heavier and no more comfortable than a full carbon alternative. Obviously that would be missing the whole point of a bike like this (art decor piece for the discerning gentleman), but in the cold light of performance this bike is not going to compete against top tier carbon equivalents in any objective way. The use of titanium here is entirely down to aesthetics, nostalgia and of course their company skill set. Let's not pretend that anyone would actually race this in preference to a pro-level carbon frameset.
Marketing blurb:-
"A top priority when developing the Aurora was to balance high stiffness and crisp handling with all-day comfort levels that only titanium can deliver. Despite an overall stiffness level approaching our race-specific Reactor model, the Aurora is the smoothest riding frame we offer. A combination of carefully shaped and butted tubing, svelte seat stays and the one-piece carbon seat mast result in a frame that smooths vibration like nothing else on the road."
It's hardly surprising that an artisan company with a long history of titanium fabrication would take this path, but even they have realised that you need carbon to achieve the best result. I would put good money on it that this bike is objectively slower, heavier and no more comfortable than a full carbon alternative. Obviously that would be missing the whole point of a bike like this (art decor piece for the discerning gentleman), but in the cold light of performance this bike is not going to compete against top tier carbon equivalents in any objective way. The use of titanium here is entirely down to aesthetics, nostalgia and of course their company skill set. Let's not pretend that anyone would actually race this in preference to a pro-level carbon frameset.
#199
Junior Member
You must be young. If I'm still riding in 10yrs it will be a miracle. So whatever I buy is more than likely going to be my forever bike haha. This is why I need to make sure I get it right and have resorted to the poll and other rider's opinions. I'm covering all bases and hoping to get it right the first time (last time) Smokey
#200
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It is amusing observing traditional titanium frame manufacturers contort themselves attempting to remain relevant as composite technologies have passed them by. The latest Moots CRD, for example, mentions ride quality however, with carbon wheels, seat post, stem, handlebars, and even seat rails, how much influence does the frame material have in that case? Cant market tradition anymore since the CRD is a disc brake, electronic shifting-only bike. Weight is not even listed, and we know why because it is probably double the weight of a mass-produced S Works Aethos.
I've only ever ridden 3 TI bikes in my 40 plus years of riding a bike, one of those belonged to a friend of mine, a low price Motobecane he got from Bikes Direct, so I rode it a bunch of times to figure if TI was a worthwhile investment; the other I rode once was a Serotta, can't recall the model, but in the meantime I was test riding a lot of CF bikes.
I had a scandium bike but hated the harsh ride, coming off of steel bikes it was more than noticable the ride was harsh then any of my steel bikes.
When I first rode the TI, yes it/they had a CF fork of course, but the ride quality was indeed better than my steel bikes, by a little but noticeable, but very noticeable over a CF bike. The odd thing about the CF bikes I test rode was that over smooth roads they did ride very smoothly, more so than any bike I have ever been on except for the TI bikes, then they were about the same. But where I live we get a freeze and thaw cycle that tears up roads, and on harsh roads the TI bikes were more comfortable than the CF, the CF would bang across rough roads, the TI bikes did not transmit the banging near as much as the CF. I tried to buy the Motobecane due to the price but they were out of stock over a year and half, in the meantime Lynskey had a closeout sale on the Peloton model so I bought it without ever test riding it, and love the ride on my first ride with it; the Peloton is not a racing geometry bike, closer to the old school sport geometry, so that also makes it comfortable, the Motobecane was more of a racing geometry.
TI bikes with 25c tires ride a lot like steel touring bikes that I had/have with 32 or 38c tires that are loaded, in terms of comfort riding on the road. But I find the TI bike very responsive, not quite as much as a CF bike, more like a steel bike, but you give up a tad of responsiveness to gain a tad more comfort. Of course my comparisons are limited, I haven't rode a bunch of different TI bikes so I can't say if a Moots or whatever brand is better or worse.
Here are my thoughts, if you're going to be racing then buy either an aluminum racing bike if your on a tight budget, or a CF bike if money is no object; but if you're not racing and you want more comfort instead than I say TI or steel bikes, but if weight is a concern then the TI bike weighs about as much as CF and lightweight aluminum bikes weigh, if you want both comfort and lightweightness.
I'm not going to respond to what I've said because some people get pretty intense over this sort of stuff, why I don't know, so to keep any bad vibes from happening I will bow out of all conversations over this stuff, take it or leave it. I will answer questions, but I will not respond to negative comments bashing anything that I said, it's all just my opinion based on my personal experiences and nothing more.
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