The Truth About Titanium Bikes

[@grantritchie]

Great discussion in the comments on this one, really enjoying reading about everyone's experiences!!

[@michaeldesrosier1068]

To be honest, i dont notice ride quality differences between frame materials at all. Tires and seatpost seem to be the only things that matter.

[@rayF4rio]

Yup. As soon as tires migrated up to 28 and 30mm with wider internal width rims, bike frame material became immaterial.

[@francescosaturnino113]

Pssst, you're too honest!

[@sylvainbernaers]

yep

[@titaniumismagical8643]

My Litespeed titanium rides nice and smooth, but my Cannondale CAAD10 aluminum rides smooth too.

[@nickbaumcycling]

Seatpost? Hm, I never really considered seatpost all too much

[@andrehendrik]

Re cost: yes Ti frames can be costly (Moots; Baum etc) but one can find good deals from Litespeed and Lynskey, both are reputable Ti brands that do in-house welding and have a genuine sense of heritage and craftsmanship.

[@jamessher6956]

Just bought the Lynskey Live Wire Mtn bike frame for $1,450 on current sale price. It’s almost identical geo as my Cotic Solaris.

[@GREATVOVA]

@@jamessher6956 I guess you might find whole carbon MTB bicycle for that price. Not from chinese brand.

[@danieladuakwa2986]

The fact that you can just rub off those little marks is a game changer!

[@BoogieBrew]

3 ti steeds in my stable and they're completely bullet-proof. All over 20 yrs old and crafted by one trustworthy welder ("Vail Cycle Works"). The skinny-tubed road frame has over 100k miles and is sublimely smooth. The somewhat stouter-tubed MTB and Cross soft tail frames also have tens of thousands of hours on them and thanks to their pivotless micro suspension, possess incredible damping qualities on trails. Only original parts are some nicely-faded Chris King headsets. Ti forever!

[@Raytrac3d]

Mind sharing actual tube dimensions on that road frame?

[@letmein218]

Any chance you'd get a 4th with disc brake?? I assume since it's 20+ years old, it doesn't have disc brakes...

[@BoogieBrew]

@@Raytrac3d Top Tube is 1 1/8", Seat & Down Tubes are 1 1/4". Seat Stays are slender bladed shape, Chain Stays round but somewhat ovalized. 58cm frame with compact geo / aggressively sloped, etc...yields a LONG 27.2 seatpost, (adding to the comfort factor). Plenty of riders might find the results too "soft" but while there is certainly some initial flex when stomping full power, it tends to stiffen up under increased load. I grew up riding Reynolds 531 frames, (Bob Jacksons, etc), in the UK, and the ride qualities are very similar. For a lean lanky rider, skinny Ti is sublimely smooth!

[@BoogieBrew]

​@@letmein218I'm so emotionally attached to it, a diisc version is unattainable as the builder (Jack Rossman) is no longer in biz, (incredible frames but never much discovered and he ended up making a better living as city of Vail water works engineer). I'm too scared to pay even a guru like Steve Potts to weld disc tabs on, as the risk of heat-stress is simply too high. Luckily I'm in NorCal, 90+% of my road rides are dry.... latest gen shimano calipers with Kool Stop red pads (paired with machined aluminum rims) work beautifully for all our gnarly roads. Cross and MTB bikes do enjoy hydro front discs with XTR V brakes on tbe back (great combo for my needs).

[@christerlundgren3805]

All diffrent material has pros and minus. The frame is only one part. Put a 3 kg wheelset on a superduperlight carbon frame its no fun to ride. Its the combination of all that makes a bike in harmony. Stiff, snappy or smooth. When the smile is there whilst Riding, happy days!

[@Carmai7]

That’s a grate bake! Probably the best bake you can buy. Titanium bakes are beautiful!

[@grantritchie]

😅

[@fuzzi1002]

You pass on a titanium frame to the next generation, a carbon frame gets micro-cracks and is then hazardous waste ...

[@thepro08]

yes nothing takes me out od the idea brands push carbon to the masses and the frames will crack and make them more profit... its not economical for main stream brands to use titanium that will last for life....

[@GREATVOVA]

Maybe if it was used for some pro racing. During regular usage, according to the carbon repair specialist, carbon frame can serve you lifetime. Not sure if anyone want to ride the same bicycle for 40 years but carbon can indeed survive it.

[@nickbaumcycling]

The timeless aspect of the frame is true, but, as years go on, mounting and brackets change. You can't really take a titanium frame from the 90s and fit it with disk brakes. I mean you can somehow I'm sure, but no ones going to be doing that. Also, and this goes for your watch too, people like buying stuff. Part of the enjoyment of owning bikes is getting new bikes. I have owned and sold many bikes in my life, and I continue to do so because I enjoy it.

[@grantritchie]

Yea some good points here!

[@lomicwind]

You expressed my concern much better than I did, and I have much less experience.

[@fuzzi1002]

If you want to do a restomod (on a 90's bike), I see your argument. But if you don't have a problem with caliper brakes, then you'll get all the spare parts you need, even today. All the classic standards were valid for decades before things took a turn in a direction that became confusing.

[@GREATVOVA]

New Bike Day is no joke 😄👍

[@stuartdryer1352]

I'd love to try one some day. Only way to know for sure. I agree they look nice. No way I would get one painted. I'm happy with my carbon bikes, though. My favorite road bike (Yoeleo R12) has tires that measure 30 mm on my wheels, and it is gloriously comfortable. So much of comfort comes down to fit, geometry and tires.

[@treimar]

I have an anodized alu frame. It's anodized all the way through. I wish that was more popular because I think it's great. No oxidation happening, looks good and wears more nicely than paint.

[@davidpalk5010]

What brand? Only very cheap or very expensive frames are anodised. This is because production faults can't be hidden. On the cheap ones the faults showing don't matter. On an expensive one the production methods have to be perfect.

[@treimar]

@@davidpalk5010 It's a Stevens P1.18. They have very basic colors and are just media blasted before anodizing. Not the fancy high gloss anodizing you see on components.

[@sandywatson1082]

I have the same titanium bike for 14 Years Not a overly expensive, I have used hope Headset just cleaned and greased it over the years its close to 50000 miles on it over the years, 4 sets off wheels and 2 group sets, i run 25mm tyres and even at over 60 there is no need for fatter tyres its smooth and look forward to ridding it latter on this year.

[@Boingyuk]

I couldn’t stretch the budget to a Reilly, but have just ordered a Ribble CGR Ti. It may not have the same kudos but it looks beautiful and can’t wait for my first titanium framed bike 👍

[@Cotictimmy]

I still ride a 2011 Salsa El Mariachi Ti 29er mountain bike. I don’t ride chunky technical trails, so I it still works for me after 11 years owning it, but it’s now hard to get new 29er forks for the old head tube diameter.

[@lomicwind]

I appreciate the longevity aspect of titanium, but my fear is that I will want another bike long before the titanium frame is not good enough to be used (if it can happen). Sure I will be able to sell the titanium bike and its longevity will be an advantage to sell it, but I hope that other than the fact that the frame is titanium, all the other aspects of the bike won't be so out of date/fashion that I won't be able to sell it. At the moment I am content with my cheap aluminium bike and I intake experience and kilometers. Maybe one day I'll hop on a titanium bike.

[@Forshledian]

A material property that I think was overlooked here that adds to the longevity of titanium bikes is it fatigue limits. Materials like carbon and aluminum wear out over time with cyclical loads (pedaling) where titanium is better here. The life expectancy of an aluminum or carbon frame is only expected to be 5-10 years on average where titanium frames, as mentioned, can last a lifetime. I think carbons weight and rigidity makes is a higher performance material when it comes to racing, but if racing is not the goal, and you want to purchase 1 bike for your whole life, titanium is likely worth the investment.

[@jduarte1506]

I like this bike, it looks beautiful, good video, I like titanium bikes more and more. I'm between a titanium gravel bike or the Canyon Grizl CF SLX 8 Di2, but I think a titanium bike would be a better option.

[@valiantabello]

Love your enthusiasm for the bike. It is beautiful, hope you get your own soon enough

[@ZenEndurance]

I have a Vaast MAGNESIUM frame and it’s incredible. 3 years of hard use and no corrosion and cheap material. Rides like a dream. And it have a Titanium bike I never ride anymore because it won’t fit wider than 25 mm tires. So I say don’t buy a “forever bike” no matter what the material, because it’ll be out of date compared to newer bike advancements in a soon as 10 years.

[@thedronescene7474]

Hi sir. What size and weight is the bike behind you?

[@thecampingastronomer8554]

I am contemplating rebuilding my aluminium winter bike around a titanium frame. What I am struggling with is the concept of putting a low end Shimano groupset (Claris), which is very well suited to the very wet and flooded roads around me in winter, onto a lovely titanium frame. Do you have any thoughts on this ?

[@grantritchie]

The fact that you’re already struggling with the idea tells me it bothers you. Yes, functionally speaking, the Claris groupset will be absolutely fine and more than adequate for what you need. But for me, and it sounds like for you too, I want to look at a bike and feel excited to ride it. Sometimes that means having a spec that feels good to you. If all your other bikes have high-end groupsets and this one doesn’t, maybe you won’t want to ride it as much. So, it really comes down to personal preference and what’s important to you. Beyond performance and functionality, you want something that makes you want to get out and ride your bike and only you can say what that means for you.

[@christopherdouglas-i4u]

From my experience tire size , air pressure used , have a bigger influence to ride experience than frame material . Having said that if money is no object than buy a ti bike for it's cosmetic appearance and longevity !!

[@jeremynorth]

I've a bike with Ti main tubes and it is wonderful. One thing you didn't mention is that Ti is very difficult to weld hence it is more expensive to work with than both steel and aluminium.

[@jaycahow4667]

You must use Argon gas to flood the welding process as any oxygen present ruins the weld. I am not sure is is more difficult with the proper equipment and training but it is different and probably more expensive. Depending on the Titanium alloy used to build the frame it can drive the frame price way up. The higher end alloys are much harder to machine which wears out the shaping cutters at a much faster rate. They then have to be replaced quite often which gets expensive. You might get a couple dozen frames shaped on the lower end alloys from one set of cutters while only a single frame on a high end alloy frame. I own five Titanium frame bikes and have been riding them for 30 years............

[@abuharunabb6915]

How you find Colnago ovaltitan ( titanium 1998 bike ) ,realy fragile or not ??…did you hear about that ??…

[@grottybt5006]

Expensive bikes defeat the object of cycling imo. Feels better rescuing and fixing an old steel frame up that cost a mere few pieces of brass

[@the_minimalistic_adventure]

Damn, they sent you a bike to a channel with only 5k subscribers? Not hating. Just seems like something that would happen to a WAY larger channel that would get more views.

[@grantritchie]

Views aren’t everything

[@TexasNightRider]

Ride A Custom Built Lynskey Pro GR With Ultegra Di2. Has A Better Ride Than My Surly Disc Trucker With Mechanical Shimano Ultegra Road Components That Has A Very Comfortable Ride.

[@austienbryandemesa5841]

i think many people ride Ti because they're durable against crashes, abrasions, corrosion, and rust, also they're just bling, not necessarily for performance.

[@bikeman123]

Ti certainly isn't durable against crashes.

[@charlesmansplaining]

@@bikeman123 Yes it is. I got hit by a car and my Merlin RSR got tossed up the road about 30 yards. The rear chainstay got bent just enough the wheel bound up so I couldn't ride it home. Afterwards in the garage I use a rubber mallet and vise and worked it back into shape with some careful blows. Used a green scour pad to revive the finish and you couldn't tell it was ever hit. A carbon frame would have been landfill. Titanium is the smartest material ever used for a bike frame.

[@jaycahow4667]

@@bikeman123 It is in the sense the frame tubes can be replaced/rewelded or straightened.

[@GREATVOVA]

My opinion is that titanium bikes hype is just pure marketing. Why would one choose unrepairable titanium bike over cheaper and repairable carbon bike? Why all "bloggers" in all those titanium bikes advertisements think that their children will share the passion of cycling? Why do they think that ti-bike is an investment? Newest titanium frame will become obsolete in 5 years. After another 5 years owner might not be able to change some weared parts. Does any 10 years old frame cost even the same money as it cost on the release date?

[@HairyStuntWaffle]

As someone with a Ti bike I can honestly say I don't need this kind of negativity in my life. Having a Ti bike is 100% of my personality.

[@sempi8159]

Love the honesty!

[@grantritchie]

How was I negative? 😅

[@stuartdryer1352]

That's it? Nothing else?

[@tariqkamil7853]

@@grantritchiewas thinking the same.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

It put 200k miles on my Ti bike before I threw it on lifetime trainer duty. I decided to keep the boredom inside. It's 2024 and titanium has little benefit beyond people needing custom geometry and wanting somewhat low weight

[@Big_Island_Boi]

Meh. I've owned between 400 and 500 road bikes over the years (I flip high end bikes) and I've ridden a lot of them... sometimes just for a ride or two... sometimes for weeks... sometimes for months... sometimes for years. And I'll take a carbon bike over a titanium one just about any day--especially a modern carbon bike--a modern AERO carbon bike. My Fuji Transonic for example is one of the most comfortable and aero bikes I've ever ridden. I love it. There's nothing it doesn't do well. And it will last as long or longer than a Ti bike will. (I've known several people who have had their Ti frames crack on them... sometimes on the weld (which is usually fixable though rarely pretty)--and sometimes in the tubing itself... which is generally NOT fixable--unless you don't mind riding around on a Frankenbike. Don't over-think it. Buy a bike, ride it, if it's not doing it for you--or gets stolen or crashed--buy another bike and try that one. But if your bike, generally is functioning as it should... just be happy with it--whatever material it is made of--and go ride.

[@purconn]

I've had lots of bike in my 51 years but I never changed bikes because I wore it out, I changed it because it was old fashioned or outdated. Saying a titanium bike is going to last forever and is an investment is purely marketing. I've seen steal go, headsets and stems change downtube shifters change to electronic gears not to mention how disk brakes rendered every bike I have obsolete pretty much overnight. People who ride classic bikes do so once a year at a specialist event but have modern bikes for every other day. So you will ride titanium bike until it is obsolete or embarrassingly outdated and you will sell it for a fraction of it's original price to purchase whatever bike the industry and your clubmates tells you to.

[@PInk77W1]

I have 6 Ti bikes and no cars

[@grantritchie]

😂

[@PInk77W1]

@@grantritchie Fact. As u were typing and posting that I was on eBay searching “titanium bikes”

[@dcartier1692]

What a relief - I only have 4.

[@sosihuihui]

titanium is not corroding. yeah. don't listen to him. ti is corroding, but differentely, it makes oxide film on it's surface and then stops corroding.

[@kinghadu9611]

All Titanium bike frames are a mixture of Titanium and other alloy like Aluminum, they are NOT pure Titanium It's a big scam, Carbon is a far better material and it's also a lot lighter

[@dustinschulz5707]

It’s not a scam, because it is pretty clear for almost everyone. Pure titanium is to flexible. Carbon an titanium both has both their advantages and disadvantages. Carbon is a bit lighter (it’s not that much for a person who is not willing to compete in serious races), can have aero shapes and is a bit more comfortable. Therefore titanium is a bit more resistant, can be recycled and could be repaired.

[@kinghadu9611]

@@dustinschulz5707Vast majority of "Titanium" bike frames are trash, they are weaker than Aluminum and will crack at the welds, the titanium this guy talks about which will "last longer than Carbon" are the frames which cost $5000 USD

[@dustinschulz5707]

@@kinghadu9611 Maybe the us market differs from the European in this case. For a high quality frame from Asia you would have to pay about 2300€ (including a carbon fork) and for 3000 to 4000€ you get high quality made in Europe frames, with a lifetime warranty. Of course you could spend more, but you don’t have to. I mean this is still more expensive than a good carbon frame, but therefore you get the advantages mentioned before.

[@zypang1447]

Except your electronic groupset and hydraulic brakes aren't timeless.

[@grantritchie]

It’s true, but we can’t predict what’s going to happen there

[@jacklauren9359]

Are we looking 10-15 years? If it is then thats good enough right?

[@Massproduce201]

Felt like glorified aluminum in my experience looks nice though

[@kevindean9613]

I wish most titanium bike makers didn't supply carbon forks ,It's the first thing I changed on mine .

[@timurpapba520]

Indient vare about the comfort Or other claims Or whatever, i just like the looks of titanium bikes

[@thedronescene7474]

Had an S3 and S5 Cervelo and I was happy. I then purchased a Vamoots CRD and I do not see myself going back to Carbon anytime soon.

[@LukeRichardson1981]

Bought a custom titanium frame from Waltly last year and have already ridden it well over 5000km. Absolutely love it, and don't regret for a moment getting it over a similarly priced carbon bike. Nothing beats the look of a raw titanium bike to me, and it's comfortable to ride and still nice and speedy despite being a bit heavier than a carbon bike would be. I should also note that while Waltly does full custom titanium frames, they do so at a price that is very close to accessible (my frame, including carbon fork and titanium seatpost and stem, was a total of US$1250).

[@kinghadu9611]

It's NOT raw Titanium, all Titanium bike frames are a mixture of Titanium and other alloy like Aluminum. It's a big scam, Carbon is a far better material and it's also a lot lighter

[@kinghadu9611]

@@robbiddlecombe8392Titanium is inferior to Carbon Fiber in every metric. You have to be really stupid to buy into the lies about Titanium, you are better off with a cheap Aluminum bike if you really want metal

[@AutiSam1974]

​@@kinghadu9611 alloying of metals is a scam now? 😂

[@AutiSam1974]

​@@kinghadu9611 Raw means unpainted

[@thepro08]

titanium is used by nasa... carbon is a complete joke for mtb or dh, people are stupid and love to ride status, carbon is the worse material every produced by man to use in mtb.

[@rfons07]

I agree that titanium alloy is best material for bicycle frames. If the tubing wall thickness is not too thin and properly welded the frames should last many lifetimes of use. There is a reason why Moots titanium frames are warrantied for the lifetime of the original purchaser.

[@jaycahow4667]

I had a Litespeed Vortex with the same type lifetime warranty and when it cracked after ten years and over 40k miles they said it was worn out from use and would not repair or replace it for free. Hopefully Moots does better but I would nor trust an older frame to be warrantied............

[@darrenlawlor8957]

​@@jaycahow4667Litespeed are renowned for backing out of their warranties unfortunately. Lynskey honour their warranties - no questions, as long as you're the original owner. I've never known anyone to break a Moots. Van Nicholas seem to honour their warranties too.

[@jazzcatjohn]

I have a beautiful Ti road bike built in 2012 by Jim Kish (Kish Fabrication.) It's a work of art and I love riding it, but unfortunately, it's already a relic of the past as high end, mechanical rim brake groupset parts are already getting hard to find. Not being able to make upgrades is a real problem.

[@hill160881]

Wheeltop eds makes an electronic groupset for $550 for rim brake bikes.

[@jazzcatjohn]

@@hill160881 Interesting. I'll check it out. Thanks!

[@kevinmcbride6961]

In 2017 or 2018 Planet X partnered with master framebuilder Mark Reilly of Reilly cycle works in Brighton (where your bike comes from). Mark (who sadly passed away in 2021 at age 53) designed three different frames, their road frame (Spitfire) their endurance frame (Hurricane) and their Gravel frame (Tempest). The frames themselves were created by the Walty factory in China. Planet X only appear to still make the Tempest but I suspect that their current road offering in titanium will still be heavily based on the Hurricane frame as the Spitfire design didn't have disc brakes. Ribble also source titanium frames from Walty. They aren't cheap but I wouldn't put them at the expensive bracket either. I wouldn't hesitate to reccomend these frames to anyone thinking of trying titanium. I've had a spitfire since 2018 and the only thing that holds it back is me :)

[@laneromel5667]

For 60 years I rode steel bikes, I switched to custom Ti bikes a couple of years ago, For me Ti is a whole new level of stiff. I love the precision of the handling of my Ti bikes.

[@erikthys3911]

I have a carbon and a Ti: I'm a happy man😜 Didn't get the argument of corrosion though. Are alu and carbon corrosive? Ti, for me, stands for Timeless

[@rfons07]

I have a Salsa Colossal Titanium road bike with 28mm tires and it is a comfortable riding bike on the road. However, on rougher roads my much cheaper ($420 in 2004) titanium Royce Union mountain bike with 26' x 2" Schwalbe Marathon tires rides much smoother. I also have a 2018 Motobecane hardtail mountain bike with 27.5 x 2.8" tires (with inner tubes). When these tires are inflated to 40 Psi the ride is somewhat harsh on gravel roads and when inflated to 30 Psi the ride is so much smoother on gravel. My experience is that higher volume tires affect ride comfort on road bikes more than the frame material and seat posts. I will never sell my titanium bikes because they look beautiful and because of their corrosion resistance.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

How is it "hype" when Titanium has been used and admired as a bike frame material longer than carbon?

[@simonekarlborkar2760]

Ti looks stunning. I ride a Carbon gravel bike and I do love it. Ti was just outta my range. If I put my eco warrior helmet on, Carbon is not recycled and won’t last a lifetime, so I guess there will be millions of frames going into landfill..

[@GREATVOVA]

Carbon can last a lifetime if you won't crash it. Also carbon has the best repairability amoung all bicycle frame materials.

[@youbikewithatube]

I have a Ti Fly Team 29er from Motobecane that I bought over 15 years ago and is still so awesome to swing a leg over and just enjoy the ride. I’ve had multiple carbon mtbs and road bikes and have also sold a few of them too. But I just can’t give up the Ti Motobecane, I love it!

[@davidkendall4588]

Just bought the new Le Champion TI Disc Team. I'm coming off an aluminum road bike and gravel bike, and so far I have to say I'm impressed. The ride is smooth on 28s even with an aluminum seat post. The bike is awesome though...no proprietary parts and set up to take 40s in the front and 50s in the back making it easy to turn into a gravel adventure rig. The only downside is the weight, which is pretty comparable to an aluminum road bike. That said, I'm willing to eat the extra weight if it means the bike will last and look good for ages.

[@robinwade2547]

Having 2 Ti bikes the first one over 27 years old you never go back, yes it's all about the ride on rough roads it's great. Save your money and every 10 years upgrade your components

[@1960sdg]

I did that. Here’s my ‘07 Serotta custom Legend Ti; recently upgraded with DA 10 speed, Enve fork. New Hed wheels coming this summer.

[@jacklauren9359]

Would you recommend titanium like Lynsey over parley, canyon or specialised for long term investment?

[@litespud]

Ti is great and long lasting - the problem with this longevity is that it gets left behind by tech advances. For example, I’ve had the same Litespeed for 21 years. I love it, but I’m limited to 25mm tires, and no disc brakes or semi wireless Di2

[@GREATVOVA]

Have you tried to install newest groupset, say Ultegra Di2, on your older titanium bicycle?

[@charlesmansplaining]

In my 40+ years of owning lots of different bikes I'll focus in on road only. I've owned carbon and aluminum, and now I am on the third titanium bike I've owned. What makes all these road bikes ride different from one another is the weight. The lighter the bike is the worse it handles. They all ride like bicycles, and no one can tell me they can feel the difference if given several top end bikes to test. The best riding bikes I have ridden are bikes that weigh in the 8 to 9 kilo range. They are just more predictable and the weight helps smooth the ride. I had a 6.8 kilo carbon bike and I hated it especially the more time I spent in the saddle. This custom made titanium frame I ride now is 8.2 kilo and was designed to be a crit bike. It steers and is stiff like a crit bike and I believe is a bit more harsh than some other titanium bikes because of the tubes used and the geometry. But yeah, rides like a bicycle and I'm not going to make any claims to it being the best. The main reason I bought a titanium frame is because I tired of the carbon failures I've experienced and since I was paying over $10,000 for a bike I wanted it be something that would last so I wouldn't have to buy another bike.

[@fennec13]

I have had about 3 years and over 8,000 miles on my Titanium gravel bike: a WHY cycles R+. its been bomb proof; taking up to 700c x 47mm or 650b x 2.1" With two wheelsets I can go out on road trips (endurance) or hit the gravel. I gre up with aluminum and steel bikes; you can have your light, stiff carbon fiber bike, I'll keep my lovely velvety (Ti) ride.e

[@FlourescentPotato]

I was pleasantly surprised to see you hit the nail on the head, that there's nothing magically comfy about titanium, it's bike design that has the biggest impact. Titanium is actually almost identical to Alu in characteristics but titanium is more expensive and cool so it gets better press

[@BoogieBrew]

That's true: Slender duralunimiun Vitus bikes from the 80's were some of the comfiest and most supple frames ever built (vs all the harsh-riding, oversized alloy models). Same with titanium; skinnier tube profiles yield an ultra plush ride whereas stiffer oversized ti frames aren't nearly as smooth. Not enough attention is paid to such obvious differences in design. Material is only a small part of the equation - tubing diameters play a much bigger role.

[@ianforber]

I’ve never had nor would want a carbon frame so I can’t compare. I do have a Moots Vamoots titanium bike and I like it. It’s not as comfortable as my steel bike and I have no doubt that both will outlast me. Steel isn’t fragile!

[@lenkomsa1399]

Great video. I’ve owned a Lynskey R300 gravel bike for a few years now and agree with everything you have said about titanium. Its a total pleasure to ride and maintain.

[@randallcrenshaw3871]

I’ve been riding steel and now aluminum all my life. I’m getting older. I’m thinking about either doing carbon or titanium. Does anybody really need a bike to last 100 years within the next 510 years bikes are probably gonna have Your boxes instead of derailers thoughts

[@DennisNowland]

I love my titanium bike that I have had for over 12 years purchased from a cycle shop in Harrogate

[@stibra101]

For casual rides steel is my favorite, for climbing and fast rides titanium or carbon, for very long rides titanium or steel.

[@grantritchie]

On board with this

[@christopherharmon9336]

Great video! If you look at the Ti bike as a long-term investment, is it really expensive? I don't race. I still ride my 1998 Gary Fisher, made from 4130 chrome-moly steel. I use it as an occasional commuter, and for short rides when I only have an hour or so. I upgraded the fork years ago. Combining the fork with 2" or 50mm slicks, the bike makes my local multi-use path feel like freshly paved asphalt. There is something to be said about a bike which will last 20+ years! I'm seriously considering purchasing a Ti gravel bike as possibly the last gravel/road bike I will purchase.

[@grantritchie]

👏🏻

[@jaycahow4667]

Although bikes may last decades the real issue is that the technology each bike uses becomes obsolete over time and makes finding parts or spares hard over time. I have many nice older bikes that work just fine but I do not ride them much as if the got damaged or needed new parts they are a pain to find.... If you do a lot of riding then I would look at investing in a new bike periodically to keep abreast of current technology.

[@christopherharmon9336]

@@jaycahow4667 Great reply! I have a 2011 road bike-and to your point, quick-release wheels and rim brake choices are disappearing. I recently bought a new aluminum gravel bike with the modern 142/100 mm through-axles, disc brakes, and tapered head tube. Like it or not, the standards have changed.

[@stefanwagener]

Longevity, yes, but it reminds me that over the last decades it was never the frame (steel, aluminum) that was the reason to dispose a (commuting) bike at a recycling facility. It always were all the other components that wear down heavily after several winters. Not only would the replacement of all those components be more expensive than a new bike, a big problem is that after 10 or 20 years it becomes more and more difficult to get those old components as they were replaced by newer generations. And then another reason to switch to a new bike or frame over time time is technological progress. E.g. for my commuting bike the invention of dynamo hubs and hydraulic brakes were a welcomed safety improvement like 30 years ago. For the road bike industry the understanding that wider tires are better and disc brakes more safe requires new frames as well. And in the next 10 or 20 years there will be other inventions that will make a lot of people ditching their current bike or frame (doesn't matter if carbon, titanium, alu, ...) for something newer. And by the way, carbon frames don't age either, they might be more fragile at some point, but typically they are much stronger and can't be easily deformed like metals can. Without crashing, carbon frames should last forever as well. You mentioned the directional strength of carbon as a disadvantage. Actually it can be used as an advantage as well: compliance in one direction, stiffness in the other direction.

[@stevenr5149]

Clickers remorse. A better title would be, "my personal opinion on titanium frames".

[@Sills71]

You are 100% correct that design (geometry) plays a large role in the ride and handling of the bike, I would say as much as material. It has been a FACT for decades that ti bikes are the best, tougher than carbon (ti takes knocks that would kill a carbon frame), rides as good as steel (some say better), lighter than steel and no rust. If you shop around you can find a CUSTOM ti frame a price that is what you would pay for a made in China carbon frame. BUT don't buy cheap ti, it won't be worth it. Used ti bikes are often a great deal.

[@sshko101]

There are some promising technological discoveries from one ukrainian titanium manufacturer. Well, Ukraine is one of the major titanium manufacturers, but I remember watching couple of years ago a bunch of interviews of the founder of "Velta" company who claimed that they have developed 10 times cheaper method of making metallic titanium. I even found their promotional video in english, there's the moment where their founder claims that they are going to make cheap titanium a reality: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naHOp6qBhr6hqdU I don't really know the exact state of their technological breakthrough, but that guy seemed like someone actually into technological breakthrough rather than just into grabbing certain economic sector. The thing is that right now most of our titanium manufacturing is in the hand of some very shady oligarch, who is hiding in Austria from american prosecution. This young company, on the other hand, had some issue with their quarry with the farming company who owned the land, but now we have fixed that problem with "amber law" (it was written as if it was for amber, but it's actually not).

[@banjo7127]

That’s a beautiful machine, as mentioned raw titanium is hard to beat, perhaps only an intricate carbon lay can come close. However you did not really address the biggest factor that essentially invalidates titanium bikes - steel. It has comparable ride qualities (and depending on who you ask, superior) and a much lower cost. The weight penalty is largely irrelevant unless you’re a professional rider (in which case carbon is your only option) and the reality regarding corrosion resistance only applies if you were to use either material as a winter hack. Realistically your nice steel/titanium bike would be saved for better seasons.

[@dan2304]

The standard of titanium is critical. 4:2.5 Ti with butted tubing provides the best ride. 6:4 Ti is stronger but not as flexible so harsher ride. The strength to weight ration of Ti is very similar to top end steel bike frames. But because of the difficulty of working Ti some 4 times the expense.

[@endtimeslips4660]

Ti bike best for flat. for climb i feel it not as fast like Carbon bike. this is what i feel, i compare long term use 2 material. my conclusion Ti not as agile as carbon for climbing ride. but for longevity i no doubt this Ti will still remain even after i died.

[@davidross8233]

I rode aluminum bikes for years. I own one titanium bike and a handful of steel bikes. For me, the only advantage of titanium would be for a rider who wants to save a little weight and who rides on salted roads. Steel feels just as good and it can be repaired by almost any frame builder relatively cheaply.

[@EvendimataE]

im an reular biker and do not know much about bike...the only thing i like about the titanium is its beautiful...i also like stainless....polished aluminim is also beautiful but they have a clear coating that deteriorates

[@yorkshiremike5083]

I've owned a Litespeed titanium Tuscany from new in 2007 and have no intention of replacing it. It's all the bike I'll ever need.

[@RobinCapper]

I don't yet own a titanium bike but love the classic look it enables without compromising functionality. I'm glad you made a big deal of it. My ideal 'anything bike' is a titanium frame gearbox belt drive drop bar gravel bike.

[@erichouck9487]

I am lucky enough to own two Titanium SEROTTA's and LOVE them and will never get rid of them

[@OGboxing...]

lol no one mentioning the cost.

[@astroid99]

I have an unexplainable obsession with titanium that will influence big purchases for many years to come

[@ariffau]

I love this content! ❤ thank you for taking time to make this

[@themetatron0000]

When it comes down to road frames Titanium is the material of choice for the winter road bike.

[@RenghisKhan]

Looks good, lasts long and is easy to recycle. Nothing wrong with titanium.

[@justinfo-jepy355]

If you have a Ti bike with a carbon fork, you have a 70% Ti bike.

[@jasong546]

Hydrogen embrittlement

[@pauldaye8335]

cost.....

[@drewwilkins9963]

schlll

[@MarkSheldon-c8s]

I have owned a Reilly Gradient gravel bike for nearly four years and well over 7,000 miles now. It's been used as a commuter, a winter bike, wet road rides, I've done gravel sportives on it. It's still my favourite bike and if I could only keep one, it'd be the Reilly.

[@grantritchie]

Big statement! Amazing to hear your experience. What is it that makes the Reilly your favourite?

[@MarkSheldon-c8s]

@@grantritchie It feels special every time I ride it. I've pretty much thrown every kind of weather condition and surface at it, and it's just soaked them all up. It's fast enough that I can keep up with all but the fastest riders in my club, yet it'll happily venture off road onto some pretty gnarly tracks. In my hypothetical scenario, I'd have a set of road wheels and a set of gravel wheels and just swap them out as required. Also, I just love the way it looks!

[@holgaholic]

what saddle is that

[@racittaj]

The truth is that they are slow lol

[@grantritchie]

I’ve set a bunch of pb’s on this bike 😉

[@Miles_on_bikes]

Nice video Grant! You're a natural to camera

[@grantritchie]

🫡

[@IvanMalechko]

What accent is it?

[@grantritchie]

lol

[@dickieblench5001]

Trainspotting

[@bikeman123]

Never had a problem with corrosion on my alu or carbon bikes. My alu mountain bike is 40 years old. Have several friends who found their titanium bikes didnt last a lifetime. Cracked ti frames are not rare. Having cracked a carbon frame my prefence is now alu. I'm not paying carbon money for alu weight. Agree what you say about frame design which if why I think the cheqper end ti bikes just dont cut it, sorry planet X.

[@BoogieBrew]

Cracked titanium frames are almost always due to their weld quality, (or lack of). Many of the legacy ti builders ended up becoming popular to the point where they hired less-than-best / inexperienced welders. Small batch individual builders maintained far higher weld quality due to the time and care taken by true artisans who are attentive to their craft.

[@julianmartin8356]

My titanium frame cracked at the underside of both chainstays just behind the bottom bracket. I now ride a 725 steel frame.

[@sempi8159]

Great video dont fall for the marketing hype

[@grantritchie]

Thanks 👌🏻

[@davehoover8853]

Don’t send the bike back! Find a way to buy it and pass it down with your watch. You will get years of enjoyment and time does slip by if you wait.

[@rogersliu1200]

Funny, I build a custom-made steel bike with oversize tubing. I found it stiff it was just stiff, as if not even stiffer than my carbon bike. Ti bike is easier to maintain as you do not need to baby it from rusting. in terms of comfort, an entry-level carbon bike is much more compliant.

[@jmins-o4docsocal]

The day I dont care about weight and speed, I may consider titanium.

[@carlosflanders518]

There's a difference between strength and stiffness. Very different things. The review is a waste of time. Most of what you have stated is simply wrong.

[@daniritchie9779]

Love my Ti steed 😎