Carbon Vs Aluminium Vs Titanium Vs Steel: Which Bike Frame Material Is Best?

[@gcn]

Which would you choose? Steel, Titanium, Aluminium, or Carbon? Let us know your preference, and why, in the comments below!

[@scottbert9556]

Em, I own all four. Is that wrong?

[@meaphotographica]

Ti, all day every day if your budget allows.

[@nickp9994]

I shave my legs because the pros do and I ride the type of bikes they ride

[@scottbert9556]

@@Kimberly_Sparkles Yay I'm not going to bicycle hell, where you get flat tires all the time for all eternity!

[@scottbert9556]

@@Kimberly_Sparkles I like to think of myself as the same teenaged idiot trapped inside an old body. Somehow that feels better.

[@jsmariani4180]

I had a Cr Moly framed bike which was hit by a car. the damage was significant although fixable. It needed a new grill, hood and bumper. the bike was fine.

[@Sionnach1601]

😂😂👍👍

[@CavenInToTheWorld]

Yeah i like the crmo more than my aluminum bike. My ass is smiling when i ride the crmo.

[@tengue17]

I have a steel road bike from the 70s, such an antique i can't even google the maker (eagle rider). It was 27" sized rim, but i Upgraded most parts with mid grade components and 700c wheel set. Except the front fork, cannot find a 1" carbon fork, so im using cheap steel fork for fixie bike, not even CrMo. Then a motorbike cut in the way, and my fork got bent. I just yank it back into place and go again. Not gonna happen with aluminum or carbon.

[@jpgr8937]

Hilarious 😂😂🤣

[@havitharry]

Class 😂😂🤣😂

[@christophedecavalla2941]

The bare titanium frame on my bike looks and rides as good today as it did when I bought it back in 1995. Wish I could say the same about me.

[@miniorek]

Mine aluminum frame from 1998 too.

[@Peakfreud]

Im more impressed you had a bike for 26yrs. In that amount of time I think I've 3 or 4 stolen I lost count.

[@rodrigolizarraga9324]

Which one would you recommend for a heavy mate?

[@user-nu5fx6en9h]

Same here but I use carbon frame been more than 30 years and still going great !

[@killdo6225]

@@rodrigolizarraga9324 if you are really heavy heavy mate then titanium, if you are some what heavy aluminium.

[@paceline]

Please give your camera people and editors a raise! Good show!

[@9DEZiGN]

AGREE! But you can name them as videographers or cinematographers instead. hahaha

[@paceline]

@@9DEZiGN You're right, lol

[@mplo23]

I also think they should get quieter scooters, like an electric scooter or something?

[@Lee_mar_rock]

Cash app them

[@baxteroh1822]

Indeed !!!! They make a good idea too !!

[@johndgt]

i had a titanium shovel in mid 90's, it was lightweight and firm and also wet soil didn't stick to the shovel blade during the garden work. :)

[@dubmob151]

I've got a titanium money clip, works well with its super light weight and springiness to enable clipping onto a range of bills from a huge wad down to the single bill that you're left with after spending it all on the Ti frame 😀

[@PRH123]

That is posh :) I have a pair of 50 year old titanium cross country ski poles that my wife's father gave me, light as a feather, but I can push all of my considerable girth on them and they don't complain

[@whitting54]

Still riding my titanium Ciocc Titan built in the 1990s. Love the smooth ride, light weight, and durability, plus the polished titanium frame looks gorgeous!

[@haider7866]

How often do you get it serviced for it to last this long?

[@RudiDwiHartanto]

Thiss feels a lot like Top Gear for Bikes. Excellent video! bunch of mates riding comparing bikes but in the end talking about different factors that can affect how you choose bike with a lot of considerations and perspective. Awesome GCN. Bring these kind of video back please.

[@pigupigu]

I used to binge top gear and have an automotive related business. Since I started cycling all ive been watching is GCN

[@pyhtiorides]

If it was Top Gear, way more than rocks would've been thrown at the bikes :D

[@aapddd]

I would love to see Jeremy Clarkson on a race bike...

[@davidthomas1424]

Great review and first class channel. 👍👍😎

[@simsimw]

Proper shite bottom gear

[@tommccafferty5591]

Finally an episode featuring Ribble bikes. An old English based company. I bought a Ribble Endurance SL R Disc for my 70th birthday in November 2019.

[@viperrtg8504]

got the cgr al last year. really happy with it.

[@eggiealfiansyah6308]

Happy birthday!! Happily ever for you.

[@tobene]

I wish I could buy one, sadly Brexit made them too expensive for Europeans

[@lexrox1]

You’re looking very well for 70 😁

[@tommccafferty5591]

Alexis, Thank you. That picture is approximately 54 years old now. My high school year book photo for my senior year, taken when I was 17. It’s been a rapidly increasing downhill slide since then. :-)

[@ericthier5952]

Forget hypotheticals; I already voted in real life when I bought the CGR 725, spec'd 105, and upgraded the wheels/tires etc to shave some weight. First new bike purchase in twenty years ('02 Cervelo Soloist); as I hit my mid-fifties I want some steely comfort and a bike with a wide range of abilities. Quick glance at my calendar shows no races coming up for the rest of my life, and I'm definitely old school enough to buy into the "steel is real" moniker. Love the GCN videos and awesome camera work in this one, BTW.

[@walcottav]

Just replaced my 40yr old steel bike (original owner) with another...steel all-rounder. Vintage bike geometry worked for a younger me and it found a new happy rider. Current self needed more comfort and found it, though surprised tbh that it was another steel machine. Completely different and thoroughly modern ride quality vs the vintage frame.. Upgraded tech is appreciated. Expect it to last as long as I need it to. It's delightful to ride.

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

They should use Reynolds 921, 931 or 953 instead. Safes on the paint job because those are stainless steel tubes sets.

[@douglaspate9314]

Totally awesome comment!

[@Adam-rm5cm]

The production quality, filming, editing, writing, and general work on this video are just incredible. What an amazing video I really enjoyed it.

[@rotaxtwin]

Was thinking the same, production is top notch!

[@countspokeula539]

"The principle different between them is..." The wheels and tires.

[@earthzero7]

What would have been best would have been to ride each bike with the exact same wheels and tires. For me this is an almost useless comparison because they were using different wheels setups. The titanium bike head much bigger tires than the others; although the saddle and seatpost, handlebars and stem do make a smaller bit of difference.

[@TheMarcopix]

@@earthzero7 Thinking the same. Spec 'em out with the same kit and then see.

[@chrisbowman2030]

I chose steel or Al. I had Ti (cracked weld) and carbon (delamination) failed in the past. Ride quality is, in my humble opinion, not in general the frame material, but the individual frame itself and its construction. So i stick to steel and Al and for the savings i get better components, spare wheels (which can be all the difference when it comes to ride quality), tuning parts and maybe a new bike more often then necessary.

[@Indusxstan]

Thank you. That really helped 😂

[@jamesmedina2062]

You are right. The probabilities are on your side.

[@garethbaus5471]

Aluminum is almost as difficult to reliably weld as titanium, although it is lighter and cheaper.

[@dennisdose5697]

Depends on who welds it. I have a 30 year old Lightspeed that is perfect. Titanium just doesn't corrode and is very tough.

[@Dmxravin]

Steels absorbs vibration very well as well.

[@jenmac287]

well done boys. Production value is like that of a big hollywood movie. Superstars.

[@tudidingsapparel7197]

Love the work of your cameraman. Such an astonishing video!

[@iagogonzalezalvarez]

I think these are the 5 guidelines to be comfortable on a bicycle. First: Correct size and geometry. Saddle size, handlebar size, stem size, comfortable grips. Two: Tire pressure, choosing a sweet spot between comfort and performance. Three: Frame material and build quality. Four: Some suspension system can be used. Fifth: Cycling clothing and accessories, gloves, footwear ... Riding on the same bike, simply varying the tire pressure, you can feel a bike very comfortable (minimum pressure) or very rough (maximum pressure).

[@jbjb3372]

I have 2 road bikes one with a carbon frame and a titanium frame. Both have Dura ace and high spec componentry. After riding both for a fairly long period of time I find myself always choosing the Titanium. It's super comfortable, I love the look of it, and it just feels Rock Solid.

[@davidmundow1074]

My 2013 Ridley Helium in carbon is more comfortable than my Kinesis GFTi but neither is a comfortable as the Raleigh Timet Titanium I used to own. Honesty when I switched back to it in the Spring after using a winter bike I'd spend the first few weeks checking for rear wheel punctures it absorbed road shock so well. It was only let down by the 1" headtube and forks.

[@klopcodez]

Depends on your weight titanium if your heavy

[@veganpotterthevegan]

I've had dozens of bikes(mostly carbon) and the bike I always rode the most was my ti Seven. But bikes have gotten so much better the last 3-5yrs. Put 200k miles on that bike but it's on lifetime trainer duty now. Ti hasn't really improved at all in the last 15yrs while carbon is still improving

[@robbchastain3036]

Instantly one of my all-time fave GCN vids. Thanks for finding that all four materials have lots to offer and I like that the presenters enjoyed each test model and appreciated the best attributes of each bike. And thanks, Ribble, for creating bicycles since 1897, beautiful and incredible.

[@seansurdovel2148]

I'm not sure steel got enough love in this video. I'm lucky enough to have steel, carbon, and aluminum bikes in my stable, and I can say without a doubt that if I had to choose and stick with one forever it'd be the chromo steel: comfort, versatility, strength, nimbleness, adaptability, and affordability all in one package. I know I'm being a horrible stereotype, but steel is due it's day. In fact, I'd love to see a steel showdown happen on GCN. Take a budget, a commercial, and a boutique steel bike out for an extended spin, compare notes, and show us how much range this material has. Maybe also have the boutique bike's fabricator make some mods to the budget frame. That'd be one hell of a video.

[@deevnn]

I'd like that review too...

[@francissembiring2006]

Me too

[@dw300]

Thirded

[@GabrieLight]

The industry want to kill the steel bikes, unfortunately.

[@jamesmedina2062]

@@GabrieLight The industry has thousands of people. Each factory has its material and bias.

[@kalenderquantentunnel9411]

Really like the conclusion to not blow out to much money on the frame above a certain level and rather get good components if this is an issue. Bling wheels would not be on top of my list, though, but in general that is a smart way to go. Regarding frame materials: Steel for longevity, aluminium for cost-effiency and rough riding-conditions. For me it is the ideal material for a gravel-bike as a commuter with part of the daily route not beeing tarmac. Carbon strictly for the road-bike, climbing the local hills on. Titanium to me is a beautiful material but there is not enough advantage in any field, if at all, to justify the cost. It is more something like riders jewelry.

[@Sionnach1601]

Sorry I have to laugh: you're inferring that steel shouldn't be the preferred choice for rough riding??!! 😊😁 You would choose Al over steel???

[@kalenderquantentunnel9411]

@@Sionnach1601 From my own anectodal experience In cannot draw any other conclusion. I managed to break two steel frames over the years: A Peugeot developed a dent in the top-tube just behind the steering tube that got bigger over time and on a Motobecane the seat-tubes simply ripped off at some point after a bunny-hop (I'm just 74 kg). With AL-frames I never had such a problem and they keep going through rough terrain without complaints.

[@bratSebastian]

@@kalenderquantentunnel9411 I've had 2 steel bikes in my life. First lasts for more than 20 yrs till today although eaten by a rust. Heavy as hell! The second was lighter and had some elements eaten through but was still fine until stolen. Now I have alluminium for 10 yrs and over 80k kms. Can't complain although sufferred a lot of pain because it's so rough. I'd love to get that Ribble's 725 although is the heaviest and quite expensive. Why is it so expensive? 🤧

[@tktspeed1433]

Titanium is the best for commuting if you've got the money, it is like steel except lighter and corrosion-proof like aluminium.

[@rayf1568]

The most sensible opinion here

[@charliemorrison8168]

I have always liked the oversized tubing of the aluminum bikes in the 80s. I had a Specialized Allez back then. It was cromoly-steel. It was very smooth and strong, but the Aluminum bikes were beautiful and the riders loved them. I am now buying my first aluminum bike from Giant. I haven't been able to ride for ten years and looking forward to flying down the road on my new aluminum bike.

[@tktspeed1433]

I love the thin tubes on steel bikes and just generally the tubes on titanium, aluminium bikes look a bit "fat" to me if you will.

[@jaymacpherson8167]

My 1990 Mt bike is carbon fiber hard tail…I love it. It has nicks and become one with some road tar. It was broadsided by a car running a red (w me on it) that threw it up the road about 40 meters. No structural problem other than a freewheel sprocket got bent a bit. Around 2012, my 2nd pair of front shocks wore out, and I found that contemporary front shocks are a little longer to accommodate disc brakes. That raised the headset about 15 mm. For the next few years I would hear a faint crackling sound when I loaded up the headset. No sign of cracks or spiderwebbing, and haven’t heard that sound for years. Love that frame!

[@Dooezzz]

23:53 Si: "Cyclocross!" Alex: "I'm gonna ride on the gravel" Ollie: "I can't clip in"

[@LoranBriggs]

I didn't hear Ollie the first watch. Thats gold.

[@reoencarcelado5904]

I thought "I can't clip in" was Matt-Stephens's line. .

[@jasonboring6429]

I have been riding a Merlin Titanium road bike since 1991 and love it to death! Without a shadow of a doubt the best bike I have ever ridden. Titanium for life! :-)

[@davidgoon2399]

No disc no worry?

[@michaelyingling8183]

I too have a Merlin Original Titanium that has over 200,000 miles logged on. Built it with Campy super record and have replaced every part at least once Except the C Record Delta Brake Set.

[@aussierules3436]

And they last for life 🤙🏼

[@jasonboring6429]

@@michaelyingling8183 Mine still has the original Shimano Dura-Ace 7400 (8-speed) groupset. The bottom bracket is a special design, which has special grease ports to allow injection of fresh grease. This does however mean I cannot change out the (square taper) crankset for anything else.

[@S44BBOI]

@@jasonboring6429 there was a 97' Tom Kellogg for sale locally for a good price but I cheaped out

[@mikegrok]

I am 6 foot 6. When I was in 10th grade, I finally found a cheap frame that fit me. Unfortunately it was steel and very rusty, In a few places it had rusted through, which made me fear for it's structural integrity. I got it sand blasted, and hot dipped galvanized, which added enough metal that I no longer feared for it' strength. I then had to get the headset, bottom bracket and seat post reamed, as the molten sink did not just fill the outside, but the inside as well. In fact I believe that the rear tubes were solid. The frame weighed 45 pounds without any other components. I thought this was great. I had a bike that fit me, and no one would want to steal it, because it was ugly and heavy (bikes 1-8 were stolen). My current bike has a 26 inch steel frame, with a large dent in the down tube where someone attempted to pry it loose from a bike rack with a crow bar, still works though.

[@oldbot64]

Who keeps stealing them? Do you live in a bad neighborhood or was it storm from a public area

[@jamesmedina2062]

you are lucky because the best prices can be had on tall bikes.

[@mikegrok]

@@jamesmedina2062 The company who made my (now slightly bent when someone attempted to defeat a kryptonite lock with a crowbar) frame is out of business. Do you know of any company who makes a 26 inch frame?

[@jamesmedina2062]

@@mikegrok How bent?? When you say 26 inch do you mean 66 cm road bike or so you mean 26 inch wheel mountain bike?

[@ChrisosIDK]

​@Doug Devine bhahahahahah so glad you got to feel that hurt. I got a brand new mountain bike for Christmas as a young teenage which got stolen from the school bike racks a month after I had gotten it. I was devistated.

[@YewtBoot]

I've done two long trips, several weeks each, on my Ti bike. I'm an older guy and the frame works perfectly to absorb vibrations of various road surfaces.

[@afrocentricalbion]

Aluminium is my choice, for budget reasons really. If money was no object, I'd love to try titanium. A great video as always. The only thing missing was the obvious omission of the Cervelo test team. 🙂

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Love my Seven and it has a good 200k miles on it. But I ordered a new Domane and the Seven will soon live on the trainer. Outside of impact resistance, that Domane is better than my Seven in every way and I'm spending less than half the amount on that bike over 15 years later.

[@jackroutledge352]

​@@veganpotterthevegan200k miles in 15 years?!!!! That's seriously impressive.

[@philmcaleer6289]

Ollie throwing rocks... that is an episode all on it’s own.

[@chrisprice5806]

i love picking on ollie and not caring about how he really is too. its great man

[@jasonjohnson9072]

Not sure Ollie could have actually thrown that rock. It looked a little heavy for his cyclist arms.

[@philmcaleer6289]

And that was my point.

[@andymitchell2146]

Hank immediately volunteers to have Ollie throw rocks at him.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

... its* own (it's = it is)

[@theycallmeoli]

the ribble Ti is probably my dream gravel bike, looks hella clean

[@mattsidebottom7603]

What language is this?

[@aussierules3436]

My Bingham is the most beautiful I have seen , the welding is something that has to be seen to appreciate.

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

@@mattsidebottom7603 Hella is a German company producing automotive lighting products.

[@brendanschiemer1276]

@@mattsidebottom7603 dialect variations are unstoppable. Best yet stand aside than try to stem the tide. 😆

[@gummybear41283]

riding on gravel is the dumbest thing I've ever heard of

[@anibaljesusdelgadillo2091]

Wow, this is like a GCN all-star show😎

[@gcn]

Yeah - and Ollie!

[@DrewKime]

@@tonysadler5290 Wonder what it would take to get Dan back in the saddle for a segment.

[@notpablo8369]

GCN presenter challenge😳😳😳😳

[@keithchristner4522]

This was a great video. Especially as a MTB'er looking for a gravel bike. So, on that note, I'd go Cro-Mo with alloy flat bars. I'd ride it in more rough stuff than on pavement, and the flex of a good set of alloy flat bars is fantastic at absorbing the trail vibrations that are generally too small to get absorbed by the squish.

[@RammYou2]

being in the aerospace industry my first choice was TI. this metal has almost the same coefficient of expansion as carbon fiber so it works well with bond jigs that build the wings etc. of course it tough as nails compared to steel or anything else.

[@kooooons]

It's also calming to know, that a titanium frame stays performant in sub-optimal weather like 600°C

[@funnyyellowdog8833]

@@kooooons Damn climate change

[@MarkAspen_]

I don't know why some specialists on youtube say carbon fiber can create complex shapes easier than metals. But other specialists on youtube say carbon fiber is very hard to work with and is very limited in the shapes it can create. I can see how CNC machining creates complex sculptures made of solid metal. I tend to side with the experts who claim carbon fiber can create very limited shapes, because of its anisotropic nature.

[@kooooons]

@@MarkAspen_ it's a matter of cost and perspective i'd say. Statements like those are never universal. You might be able to create very complex shapes with CNC milling, but with many shapes imagine how much waste that creates. And how long it takes for a single piece. And it's not always that easy to get a solid lump of material with consistent material properties in the entire volume which makes it expensive. Punching metal sheets into shapes for example is a lot easier and cheaper but has lots of other limitations - the sheet can tear if the mold gets too deep and you're not free to define the material thickness. Then there's carbon. Carbon sheets would be cut and then layered in a mold then hardened in the autoclave. It's a lot of designwork but once that's sorted out, they are faster and cheaper than milling but more sculptured than punching. It always depends on the part you're trying to produce.

[@MarkAspen_]

@@kooooons Undoubtedly i can create more complex parts with metal than with carbon. In the video they stated carbon offers more shapes than metal. 12:48 - do you agree with that? Do you agree with him saying that aerodynamic shapes can not be created with metal?

[@stevedog3934]

Hope Ribble don't whack up their prices because they are now on Global Cycling Network. Best value bikes on the market at the moment.

[@arthor675somthing]

I don't think they will for a while yet. As in the last half of last year they put up the prices of the endurance 725 and CGR 725 by £200 each.

[@hanneshertach8013]

Already happened... Used to be a good budget brand, but pricing has gone up significantly in the last few years, making it much less competitive.

[@quarkonium3795]

@@hanneshertach8013 But pretty much every other brand is raising their prices too so I think they’re still pretty competitive

[@matthewlewis2072]

@@hanneshertach8013 any worse than anyone else? Also, their old range up to about 2015 was open mould crap. Cheap and a bit naff.

[@krisjones74]

I hope they can continue to be successful and to sell exceptional and interesting bikes into the future.

[@TheEpieikeia]

Yet another riveting video, GCN! Thank you for providing us with unmatched insights into those competing yet comparable frame materials, especially the commonly underrated steel-which-is-real!!

[@mitchellpaull1205]

Thanks for the video. I just recently received my Ribble CGR bike. I live in Los Angeles so I never see this bike around. I went with Carbon Frame with the Ultegra spec. I also included the aero bars with all the cables hidden. This is a great look. I did not see any of the bikes you tested with that spec. Love the bike. What convinced me on Ribble was the ability to customize the spec (gearing, crank length, bar length, etc.)

[@bicyclist2]

What I've noticed is, that many people I've known over the years, after several decades of riding almost every day they all eventually turn to Titanium. It makes perfect sense to me. I ride an old 98' LOOK carbon bike. Its great but the paint is all scratched up and I like the feel of Ti. I had a friend who let me ride his Ti bike once. Thanks.

[@DilanR596]

Great show fellas. For me aluminium is my 2nd choice for price, workability and looks over steel and titanium. Carbon is my number 1 for looks, tuning and compliance as rail trails and fire roads are my favourite places to ride. Thanks CGN for all your very helpful knowledge, I'm MTB and have decided on a carbon gravel bike next. I feel the need for speed and another Giant : )

[@paulmills8119]

Great collaboration between Ribble & the GCN team. I brought my first bike in February which is the CGR AL and have been loving every minute cycling along roads, parks, canal towpaths in town and countryside. Seeing Si on it definitely makes me want to push myself harder, although after listening to Ollie I totally have carbon envy 😂.

[@OLLIEDOESVLOGS]

I love aluminum because it's far cheaper so it's wonderfully accessible for more riders, and in all honesty, if the bike get you out there and enjoying cycling then mission accomplished. Steel bikes do feel heavenly and I'm hoping to be able to afford a steel bike soon

[@Rover200Power]

It would be nice if there were more aluminium framesets available though.

[@OLLIEDOESVLOGS]

@@Rover200Power absolutely, there's very little models from brands put there that do and it's, as they say, the most commonly bought frame material. Not everyone has a few thousand to put into a bike, and aluminium, albeit much much heavier, do the job fantasticallg and I, for one, couldnt care less about weight, its the components for me, good quality, long lasting components are what matter

[@Rover200Power]

@@OLLIEDOESVLOGS I want an aero bike, but I'm certain I'd drop a carbon bike one day and wreck it. Trying to find an aero alloy frame is a challenge. I'm not bothered about a few hundred grammes in weight, I weigh 84kg so being a weight weenie is pointless.

[@kilianortmann9979]

@@Rover200Power I was in the same boat a few years back (minus the aero) and choose an alloy frame (CAAD12 disc). It was the only bike with race geometry and disc brakes that I could test drive and actually afford. Really happy with my choice, but I no longer think that aluminum frames are more robust than carbon. The tubes are so thin, that a crash that would crack a carbon frame, would also dent the aluminum leading to danger of buckling under the next impact.

[@Rover200Power]

@@kilianortmann9979 The new ones could well be to save weight. I'm still using a Giant SCR3 frame I bought in 2008 - despite many crashes and general wear and tear the tubes have no signs of cracks or dents. The frame and fork weighs a fraction under 2kg.

[@quijadriss7650]

12:45. So in the states, I am less used to the types of agriculture in the UK. In the background on the road I saw what I thought was a bear. It took more scrolling back than I'd like to admit to realize it was a sheep.

[@chris1275cc]

According to my satnav there are bears everywhere here in the UK. "Bear right at the crossroads", "Bear left at the junction". I keep looking but I've never bloody seen one.

[@sophiescyclingandwalkingch4294]

I’m from this area. Sheep farming proliferates. Could not see it clearly, but likely to be a Swaledale or Rough fell variety. If they escape shearing they become enormous. Srawney thin things once cut.

[@jamesfirth2392]

we marry bears

[@2.old4this]

I've watched this video 6 or more times now. It has been the best video in directing my decision as to what bike frame to buy. Only wish I could get Ribble here in the Emerald Isle without the Post-Brexit - Ireland humungous import costs! Bikes look awesome and their paint option is terrific.

[@blindpinballer6878]

I love steel frames. The Last time I tried an Aluminum frame bike it was back in the 80's and I hated how harsh it felt. Titanium and carbon fiber are neat but they are not really my thing. The first new bike I bought was in 1999 (a GT Saddleback). Even though the bike is made of Chrome Moly and heavy by today's standards I remember thinking damn this bike is light and compared to the steel frame garage sale bikes I had before it was light. Most people would be horrified if they saw the stuff we road on the trails in the 80's and early 90's. My wife just got a new Yuba Fastrack cargo bike and she really wants me to get a new bike. I find the lack of steel options available a little disheartening and I may end up settling for an aluminum frame. Then again maybe I will just throw some new parts at my old bike and continue enjoying it until I find a bike that really calls to me.

[@TheChuckiefat]

Steel sherpa gen 3 is the only answer, most playful bike ever. Steel is real.

[@snarp408]

I think bike geometry has changed just a tiny bit since the 80's. 😆 May want to try aluminum again

[@PRH123]

Aluminum has come a long way since then, and the now common mid range bike aluminum frame + carbon fork is pretty smooth I have 28c continental gp4k's on my Jake the Snake, and to me it feels like a Cadillac ride

[@allhailhastur1872]

I'd choose the titanium frame. I've always been partial to the raw metal look of a bike, having a raw aluminium one myself. Having the corrosion resistance of titanium would just be perfect.

[@silentdogfart4892]

I LOOOOVE my CAAD 8! Had it for 15 odd years and it's still my favourite. Tried a couple carbon frames and really wasn't impressed but I'm not an amateur racer. Probably average 80-100kms a week. It was the 1st real bike I bought and I wouldn't upgrade to another bike frame now. As long as the frame holds out I'll simply upgrade parts as I go. Better rims with a deeper dish as I was destroying spokes, better seat... The only real change I want to make is a Shimano Alfine internal if it'll fit

[@scotthamilton1054]

This has to be the best GCN vid to date. Great production value, writing, personality chemistry and info.

[@patrcktoole4052]

I have a ‘2000 Airborne Lucky Strike Ti. Built for XC racing, done short track, and endurance races (24hr) on. I put a bike trailer on it and used it to tow my daughter around on rides. It’s been to Moab & Gooseberry Mesa. I recently rebuilt to a 1x11 commuter, to ride to work. 20+ years and still going strong! I brought a TST Ti road bike back in 2005, and recently rebuilt it with 2x11 sram rival. It’s done centuries, and been my road trainer.

[@amsp79]

Had my custom titanium road+ frame built up recently and it rides like an absolute dream. Never going back to carbon.

[@scoobysid04]

Why? I’m just getting into road bikes here in FL. I used to BMX and MTB but never road. Thanks in advance

[@amsp79]

@@scoobysid04 Many reasons, the ride feel, durability, being able to make it truly custom without paying a fortune to name a few.

[@jumbosurf]

Absolutely love my Ribble Road Bike! Great brand & nice new showroom as well. 👍🏽

[@lbourgoin1]

Massive video! Amazing content and really shows strengths of bikes, totally free of any sales pitch or pressure. I've made my choices along the years, and definitely don't regret them, but this is an amazing video for the new rider out there, not knowing which material to go for!

[@glukes9]

Thanks for a great video. I have one of each type of material and I love them all for the different reasons that you mentioned, however my favourite is my Lynskey titanium that I have owned nearly for ever, upgraded that many times with wheels, bars, seat posts, saddles, chain sets, cassettes, tyres, etc. The Titanium bike is a bike you can have for life, the only one thing that I have stuck with are the rim brakes which I would choose over discs anyway. Steel may be real, but Titanium is realer.

[@Sionnach1601]

Boo! Steel is the BEST!! 😁😁👍👍

[@Sionnach1601]

Brilliant video. Brilliant brilliant presenters. Absolutely top class; and even as an Irishman, I must say that it is wonderful to see the real natives of the very language doing the presenting, and speaking English oh-so-well. Love the accents, love the diction, love the wit. Great to see. The honest beers at the end was great to see too. Keeping it real gents, well done.

[@kanesword9528]

I love your channel. I"m a runner by trade, but had an achilles issue pop up after getting back into Scuba. I had to switch to riding until my achilles is healed(almost ready) and purchased a Trek Verve 3 just for riding with a neighbor to the park or whatever, but it wasn't cutting it as a bike i could get workout in. I average 24 miles a week running and a 7 min mile, so I needed more. I just bought a Trek Domane Al5 and can't wait to get out on a real ride. I will still be a runner, but it's kind of growing on me. Anyway, you guys/gals have great content :) Michael.

[@EveryoneIsAgainstMe]

Can’t wait for my CGR Ti to arrive in August!

[@RibbleCyclesChannel]

Which spec did you go for on your Ti Peter? J @ Ribble

[@fadenseiden]

lovin' mine since 2018

[@EveryoneIsAgainstMe]

@@RibbleCyclesChannel the 105 Sport, I upgraded the seatpost and added a Brooks Cambium saddle. Can’t wait!

[@stevenjoyce421]

Never see Ti bikes on the road

[@shashanksaikumar]

Aluminum, coz that’s what I can afford right now. But would love to try a titanium bike someday.

[@RibbleCyclesChannel]

orange or blue? J @ Ribble

[@shashanksaikumar]

@@RibbleCyclesChannel 🧡

[@tobycolin6271]

If you ride quality steel there’s very little difference between titanium abd steel in fact steel is easier to work with so there are more hi quality steel bikes. It is easier to butt than titanium. The Young’s modulus and weight of titanium is not much different to steel.

[@shashanksaikumar]

@@tobycolin6271 Oh! I didn't know that. I've heard of titanium being used in the aerospace industry for it's lighter weight and stiffer properties compared to aluminium. But yeah, titanium is definitely a pain to work on. I guess I was drawn to the "cool" factor titanium 😅😅

[@tobycolin6271]

@@shashanksaikumar the reason it’s not used in the aircraft industry is because for the same span and thickness titanium is half the weight but it’s also half the stiffness. The Young’s modulus or strength to weight ratio is the same. Unfortunately you can’t make steel thin enough as it’s tear strength is compromised. But you can make a tube with the same weight and strength characteristic the steel one would be much smaller. Rene will explain it much better than I can www.renehersecycles.com/myth-2-titanium-is-lighter-than-steel/

[@ianfurqueron5850]

I've been fortunate to have owned a titanium Colnago for over 20 years now. A few years ago I bought a carbon gravel bike and while it does have some nice features, I still ride the Colnago most of the time.

[@Sionnach1601]

Same with me. Nearly always ride my Colnago steel over more expensive modern bikes. Just so much - easier!

[@3wheelie]

I still have my Miyata Valley Runner Carbon from 1995 in the garage, and it still looks brand new, no cracks in the frame, no rusty screws. It’s a keeper worth hold on to.

[@andywillis3723]

When i test road the Trek bikes, the carbon Checkpoint SL5 won the feel test on the local hills and roads. It just felt right and i love riding it everyday i can get out on it.

[@alexgraves6842]

Bikes aside, OMG!!! those sceneries are amazing. They bring joy to me as a viewer. As for the bike, I can only afford alumunium frame... for now.

[@simongee8928]

My choice for over fifty years has been good quality steel. My three bikes are all steel - Brompton M3, Dawes Super Galaxy and a Dawes Fox. Its also a very personal personal thing quite apart from the sales and techno hype.

[@edwardallan197]

I could never afford a great bike. I junked up an 86 Peugeot 501 steel frame & fork in a middle class hood. Spent a year building wheels, repairing bottom bracket bearings, adding a triple, aligning the "whole bike" for perfect tracking & left/right steering response. I love it, will never need another! Peeps try to buy it from under me all the time... no way.

[@simongee8928]

@@edwardallan197 My philosophy on bikes is simple. As long as the bike is mechanically sound and the owner is happy with it, matters not what it's age and appearance. Sorted - ! 😊

[@edwardallan197]

True, Simon. But as a mechanic, I regret that some cheap bikes are so poorly machined to such sloppy tolerances? They are hard to perfectly tune or keep there. So I am grateful for my P501. My work is not wasted now. Fix it right, & it stays fixed! Generally I agree with you on simplicity. I remember the early Teledyne Titaniums.....

[@yumyumhungry]

Neat that Ribble actually makes the same bike in all different materials.

[@alanswea]

It's a pity Ribble won't allow you to test each bike before making your choice. How can I choose which material is best for me without going on a test ride first?

[@mingology7767]

This is the best comparison I had seen! I own a Titanium frame bike and had all the top specs components; after watched this I will be getting a carbon grave bike and spec up every component in carbon.

[@Mottleydude1]

Well that was actually pretty good. Usually when you guys start talking science and technology my eyes roll. However you did draw the right conclusion. All 4 materials make great bikes. My choice of material a bike frame is made of has the following priorities, in no particular order, are; Cost Quality Performance Durability Customization If cost is a limiting factor buy aluminum. You’ll get the most bang for the buck. If quality, customization and durability are more important go with steel. If shaving seconds for PB’s or racing at a high level is your top priority then CF is the way to go and price be damned. Ti I don’t really consider as the newer stainless steel frames have pretty much mooted any advantage Ti had and HHS and AHSS are showing interesting potential to be game changer s in bike frame construction. Don’t get me wrong. You can make a great bike from Ti. I just don’t think it brings enough value in the criteria listed to justify the significant increase in cost over modern steel bikes. Keep in mind that for the most part your level of fitness and knowledge of human biology and technique are going to be more important in regards to performance outcomes than what material your frame is made of.

[@X2Broster]

Fantastic episode. I use aluminum on the road bike and carbon on the TT. But titanium looks good too!

[@jackwest2012]

It's 2:41 AM, I shouldn't be watching this. but GCN is just too good

[@GCNuser123]

thanks pal!

[@yooooodennis]

2:47 am here

[@urielm1052]

2.18 am mate

[@asdasd01]

Enough with theese stupid cheese comments

[@yooooodennis]

@@asdasd01 *cheeese*

[@Boopop1024]

I miss Forest of Bowland 😥 Looking forward to visiting again later this year.

[@Joab38]

Bombing downhill on my steel frame touring rig definitely feels more stable (and leaves me with more confidence) than doing so on my carbon fiber racing bike, which can feel twitchy and sometimes a bit sketch.

[@jackroutledge352]

That's probably more to do with geometry to than material to be fair.

[@tdshark]

Recently created a Dream Bike using a titanium frame and having an aluminium and a steel in the garage as well, the comment about loving how you feel when you pull yourself up onto the saddle and pedals is very accurate. I like the feel and glide and smoothness of my steel frame. But the ti makes me want to pedal more often, more quickly and is a vastly more enjoyable bike (also likely a probability as it was custom geometry). Still have carbon fever mind you...

[@Ax20414]

This is basically a Top Gear episode. Awesome stuff.

[@Nanstar0k]

No one crashed or rammed into someone else. They have goals to aspire too.

[@ISayBePositive]

That Ribble showroom is so beautiful ...Classy video once again !!

[@debs_wheels]

I’ve had a custom Ti bike for 21 years and will ride nothing else. My next one will be delivered in a few weeks and I can’t wait!

[@MichaelRedford]

What frame did you go with?

[@aussierules3436]

I own a Bingham and it’s hands down the best frame I’ve owned

[@mcfly8870]

So you have'nt tried any other materials in the last 21 years of development? Bikes have come quite a long way in that time, Including titanium!

[@WillPower46]

Thank you for your video. I placed my order for a Ribble Ti today after watching your video. Looks like a really interesting company. I wonder if we will ever see the really big brands like Trek and Giant go to the direct sales model too. Where I live all the bike shops are franchise type stores with little to no expertise so there is no point in paying the retail price when you can get better service and pricing direct from a company like Ribble or even Canyon.

[@KPG113]

"He was Lance Armstrong's teammate! Poor guy..." Minor Top Gear vibes with these segments, love it. I only own a hardtail I just got because I'm in Colorado and can't ignore the MTB trails around here, a broke student, and love the versatility that it brings, but channels like yours (including GMBN and Berm Peak) have helped me jump back into my childhood joy of biking/cycling. Thanks for that, I'm a healthier person for it.

[@kevin._.farren]

I'm not going to make fun of Ollie's hair, I'm not going to make fun of Ollie's hair.

[@yakoridesagain]

Were those hair combs? Why, Ollie, why? *falls to knees, sobbing*

[@matthewlewis2072]

I am. He looks like a shit 1990s footballer.

[@tumbox9204]

lol

[@wakeawaken430]

Why are you ghe????

[@raymonddelorney4603]

What on earth is going on with his Barnett?

[@BikeLife154]

Would love any one of those four bikes! Ribble are making some great looking bikes these days!

[@jester0card]

Environmental impact of the life cycle of each material? Thanks for bringing some Soul to this conversation, GCN! Beautiful vid!

[@marcc482]

Agreed... I have a Scott 29er aluminum (aluminium) hard tail (all decked out with choice pieces) ... it has been my very favorite bike in a long time... it just feels right (previous was a Specialized, before a Santa Cruz, before a Trek... and many more before LOL) ... Love your channel - greetings from Texas

[@ruthmulvenna6229]

I have owned a CGR SL for nearly 2 years. It’s actually a great endurance bike, very comfortable over longer distance, stable in the wet and forgiving over the broken up and potholed surfaces of British lanes and roads. The only complaint is the headset which gets loose very easily and constantly needs tightening up.

[@rogerringold616]

I'm not a cyclist. Headset?

[@chriswhatsoever2001]

14:33 si looks like a overstyled dragon fly with his enormous glasses.

[@seanlacson1310]

You know it's a good video if Si commentates at the start of it

[@CitizenKip]

This channel really is like Top Gear, for bicycles

[@neilaquino5294]

It is. :) they even tried to get James May in when he released a vid. on brake adjustment 😅😅

[@DaveMcKeownMusic]

My shed contains three road bikes, an aluminium Giant, a carbon Cervelo and I recently added a titanium Planet X Titus. After thousands of happy miles on the Giant the frame has developed significant flex. When I first got it I got back-ache for the first and last time in my life, fixed by adding a sprung seatpost adapted from a MTB. The Cervelo is a dream to ride, fits like a glove, comfortable, fast and responsive, though restricted to 25mm tyres I feel vulnerable in the winter. After a month on the Titus, I feel much safer on mucky roads and the titanium frame is soaking up the road buzz with a tangible zing. Rock solid off-road and I'm looking forward to loading it up for touring. I'd want to go up an Alp on the Cervelo, but go down the other side on the Titus.

[@gcn]

Sounds like a great garage!

[@gabrielsandoval4994]

My choice is Titanium. It will outlast me, looks beautiful, and feels like heaven. I’d like to point out how amazing the British countryside looks. You guys are lucky.

[@d2704nny]

I think the most important question here is: what material are the clippers that going to rescue Ollies haircut going to be?!

[@elijg6104]

Steel

[@smallhatshatethetruth7933]

Carbon-Ceramic

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

titanium.

[@bobtheshorkie1987]

Ribble bikes. The Lancashire outback. A match made in heaven.

[@axelfourez4277]

Steel is real! The CGR 725 is very confortable and you can definitely feel the "steel feeling" when riding it. It's not that strong when another rider hits you from the front at full speed tho... 😭

[@sheepledog4470]

Are there estimations for longevity of the various materials? For non competitive use, I would go for aluminium because it is good value; lighter than steel, cheaper than titanium and carbon. Savings could go on component upgrades for an all-weathers fast touring bike (which you rarely discuss), say for audaxing.

[@iwonanatalia5476]

24:10 opening a beer bottle with cleats was one of the highlights of this video. It wasn’t easy. Talking about frame materials I have a gravel bike with aluminium frame and Carbon fork, it’s my first bike, so i can’t really compare it to other bikes, but I think it’s really good bike & on the budget.

[@TheUnrevealer]

Carbon: we can make any shape you like, as long as it is not a perfectly round diameter hole. By Hambini :D

[@Ob1sdarkside]

Aged 5

[@recuperacion420]

Yeah but it's fragile and scrapes easy

[@helmiwijaya7]

all of those Ribble bikes are awesome, and the colors are amazing, makes me want to buy one!

[@sunilraghavan2585]

Second that - the bikes all looked amazing!

[@adamwillmot9362]

I have the CGR Ti and I wouldn’t swap it but if money was no object..... well one of each of course ! 😀

[@stvaldr]

When Trek was a newer bike company, I purchased a Trek 770 frame with Reynolds tubing, which was sold only as a frameset and came in fuchsia. I built the bike up with a Campagnolo crankset and gearing and used the Simplex friction shifter, which was a wonderful shifting system. I remember trying to set it up close to what Greg LeMond used during his Tour de France victory, this bike was my steed and when it came to weight and comfort, nothing came close. I was out of cycling for many, many years and recently built up a bike using the carbon frame of a Trek Boone that I purchased on eBay. This bike is set up with Shimano components, and made it into a gravel bike I loved both the older steel Trek and I also love the Carbon fiber, but if I would have to make a choice between the two, it would be the Reynolds, the carbon is great but is stiffer and I feel the bumps in the road more. After watching this video, I am considering the steel CGR as my next bike.

[@TomMarsteller]

I like steel overall. Weight is not my concern. Cost and durability take precedence. Thank you for the review. I appreciate your work.

[@Cyclingabout]

15:31 Is that a massive crack on the back of the ti bike's head-tube!? Otherwise, great frame material discussion here. I think I'd personally go an aluminium CGR, as the cost-to-performance proposition is just way too good. 🏆

[@velezzhou1323]

Ollie just revealed he’s PhD chemist when bringing up x ray crystallography of titanium structure👨🏼‍🎓

[@ronbell7920]

More of a materials engineer's concerns if you ask me. I know, you didn't ask me!

[@FBrodlie]

I love Si in a GCN episode. He’s always so poetic! 🥰

[@spencershaw4419]

I’ve owned my 2000 Bianchi Veloce, steel frame with Campy components for 22 years so I can’t compare. But it’s such a great bike - so durable. We got a tandem bike (aluminum) during Covid and it’s been super fun to ride with the family

[@kevinbuja4373]

On the Ti bike, is the bottom bracket 6Al 4Vanandium (6/4.5)? That’s what it used to be in the days when Ti, was the lightest material (pre-carbon)? I ask, because the rest of the frame is the same as it was 30 years ago.

[@colinmcdonald2499]

Awkward: 19:43: " Sorry Guys, I need to Jet, you are boring the piss out of me and I am still pissed about you bringing up Lance Armstrong."

[@DaveCM]

You got butt hurt over that mention of Lance Armstrong? Seriously?

[@colinmcdonald2499]

@@DaveCM me? You are not very bright.

[@viviankasparzolliker7476]

Steel. Price and you can weld it anywhere you go

[@royevans4581]

@@DaveCM Lance Armstrong, the guy they all blame for everything, the guy that nobody can match. 💪💪💪👍👍👍

[@justinseau]

That was awkward indeed. Not even sure what he contributed to the video besides his entrance hero shot 😂

[@danbuck9214]

I continue to be impressed by the production quality! Well done, GCN! That said, I would happily take any of those bikes, especially if I had closer access to good gravel riding.

[@faraazhamza6044]

One of the first I’ll take the carbon please

[@crusherbmx]

I've got an old Giant Cadex from the late 80's, it's as good as any of my steel bikes, but it does lack that "zing" as you called it, the springyness of a well designed steel frame is magic, but I still love that Giant.

[@dennisdose5697]

I have a first year Giant CFM-2 mountain frame, I think you are probably actually in the early 90's with your bike, 93 or 94 if my memory serves (I was selling Giant at the time and actually knew the guy that designed them). Cool old bike anyway 😎.