Titanium vs. Steel

[dgjessee]

Just wanted to see what the consensus was around these two materials.  I've always understood titanium to be the material of choice if you can afford it.  I know you can't really weld it if it breaks in a 3rd world country, but the odds of titanium breaking (as long as the welds are good) is almost nill.  Of course steel can be welded and is a little softer on the body.  Sound off!

[donmeredith74]

It gets SO much more complicated. I'd put builder quality ahead of material, honestly. I am a smooth and light rider and I destroyed a ti frame in about 500 miles of XC riding (read: no jumps, no silliness, no abuse - yes, JRA). The frame was broke at the down tube and had a serious crack in the chainstay - seatstay junction. I'd take a good steel bike over that heap any day of the week. (I'd take a skateboard over it)

However, my Black Sheep was made by someone who knew what they were doing in Ti and its VERY compliant in the right places and rigid where it should be. The price is jaw dropping at first but if you know what kind of bike you can ride for the next 10 or more years its really a great value.

Do a little google-ing on the last SSWC in New Zealand. It was a short helicopter ride to the local high end aerospace shop to get a ti bike repaired. No worries, mate!

Make it simple you say? I'll throw in a vote for Ti but I don't think you can go wrong with a proper steel bikes either.

[fat bob]

+1 To Don's comments. I'll take a high quality well built steel bike over a cheap/poorly built Lynskey.... I mean Ti bike

Mine failed cs/bb junction.....

[donmeredith74]

Just confirming FatBob's comments... My broken Ti bike was also a Lynskey.

[Blues Frog]

This kind of puts the cabosh to my dream frame and fork.

[SlowDave]

On the other hand I have been riding my Ti Litespeed hardtail for about 11 years now without the slightest hint of a frame problem.

[fat bob]

@ SD... Lynskey had long sold Litespeed 11 years ago. If you're Litespeed was from the early to mid 90's the Lynskey family probably built it, and the quality back then was actually quite good. IMO there are much better Ti builders out there today, and no lack of great steel builders. The new Lynskey offerings are not to my taste, but work well for others.

[dgjessee]

Thanks for all the feedback.  I had no idea that Lynskey had been problematic for a good number of people.  Right now I'm loving my steel Marin Pine Mtn 29er, but I was looking at the Marin Team Ti 29er frame, which is made by Lynskey.

[donmeredith74]

DG, make sure you check out the MTBR forums on the topic and make up your own mind. One rule I learned is never buy from people that don't ride! Good luck & have fun!!!

[nick]

I have a TI 26er frame built by Carl Strong, that thing will outlast me for sure and I use it hard. I ride DH, XC, DJ and most of the time it lives on the North Shore trails, you name it I ride it with this bike. He's super cool to deal with and extremely knowledgeable. Even after many years of abuse he will still help you out if you have issues with your frame (for free!). Check him out http://www.strongframes.com/ the only down side for some may be the price but for what you get it's a bargain. My next bike (if I get converted to the 29er dark side) is going to be made by him again.