Bikes

[Dumpster Juice]

I am looking to purchase a new bike. I currently am riding an aluminum frame and was wondering which is better, a Ti or carbon frame? I would like some imput before pulling the trigger. I was looking at carbon, but now I am thinking Ti.

[mbeardsl]

I think you'll find fans of both and detractors of both as well with all sorts of claims (for instance I had a buddy break two Trek carbon FS frames at the bottom bracket/DT junction).

I am a fan of Ti for the comfort (rides smoother than steel in my expereince, esp with a Ti bar) and low maintenance/durability.  Carbon scares me but I'm 230lbs plus gear and not graceful.  It can feel "noodly" at first but I have found that I really enjoy the comfort that compiance provides and don't notice any loss of power.  Ti is more expensive I'd say as a blanket statement but worth it if you are fan of keeping bikes until they break.  I'd put my money on a well made Ti bike over a well made Carbon bike any day just due to the chance of something hapening that doesn't invlove regular riding activity, although to be fair my only Ti expereince is with two custom bikes (Black Sheep in CO and Kish in NC - I'd go back to Kish for every bike I'll ever own if I had unlimited funds).

I guess it would also depend on where you intend to ride.  If you will be in very sharp rocky areas I'd steer farther away from Carbon as it doesn't take much of a wreck to put a hole in a carbon tube but if you stick to the sandy southeast it may be more of an even decision.  Are you looking at specific brands/models?  Racing vs touring?

[Dumpster Juice]

I plan on riding in the southeast mostly...I was looking at Trek mostly because that is what the LBS sales here, but no longer. I am open minded at this point.

[mbeardsl]

Tons of options and I'm sure someone else will chime in.  I'd look at some of the Ti Salsas as they seem to be in tune with bikepacking needs and not extrememly expensive.  Not sure for carbon aside from the big boys (Trek, Specialized, Niner, etc).  I'd be careful of some Ti depending on who actually makes the frames.  Triton out of Russia I believe uses Chinese Ti which some say isn't the best but I haven't heard anything bad about their bikes and can go fully custom for the price of an off the shelf bike here.  Look on MTB for their thread.