I had a True Temper OX Platinum Explosif which was great until I won a Global Ti frame on this very website.
While the Explosif was high end steel, in comparison it still managed to feel quite dull and unresponsive, the Global has the zip of alu, the comfort of steel and the light weight of carbon.
Oh, and it looks beautiful......
aluminium will always corrode when mated with Ti
Really? Does this mean I shouldn't be using an Al seatpost in my Ti frame?
Dirt (i think) had a charge duster Ti and steel painted and built up identicaly, they then let a load of riders test them over a period of months, occasionaly telling them that they were the same, somethignes feeding a red herring (this one is slacker, lighter, smaller tubes etc) and reversing the same red herrings (so one person is told theirs is slacker, but so is the other one).Supprisingly enough, nealry everyone agreed that the the one they were told was different was in fact different. Don't think they proved it was any better though?
Surely the test to do would be not to tell them anything and ask them their opinions? However I'd have thought the tube diameters and weight would give it away.
Surely the test to do would be not to tell them anything and ask them their opinions? However I'd have thought the tube diameters and weight would give it away.
Didn't ST try this recently with a steel and Ti Charge Duster?
I thought Ti wasn't as light as alloy, or as strong as steel, but had a better strength to weight ratio than either of them.
[pedant]It's not ALLOY. You mean ALU(minium). The word ALLOY means a mix or blend of different metallic elements and all Ti/steel/aluminium frames are ALLOY. "Ti" for example usually refers to an alloy of 3% aluminium, 2.5% vanadium, 94.5% titanium (other variations like 6% Al, 4% V, 90% Ti also exist).[/pedant]
You weep like a baby when your baby breaks...
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My Lucky Strike passed away late last month - cracked top tube
Surely the test to do would be not to tell them anything and ask them their opinions? However I'd have thought the tube diameters and weight would give it away.
True, although based on their test you can at least say that the `placebo' effect is more important than what the bike is actually made of (in that case).
"Ti" for example usually refers to an alloy of 3% aluminium, 2.5% vanadium, 94.5% titanium (other variations like 6% Al, 4% V, 90% Ti also exist)
Mines both 
3-2.5 main tubes
6-4.5 or whatever for the bottom bracket and head tubes
I have no idea what it all means and what difference it makes other than its all great ;D
maybe it was ST
I think they put a QR seat collar on one and a bolt up on the other to make it obvious to the journo doing the article, I seem to remember more people commented on the QR bike being more gnar/'core/rad etc.
The appeal of Ti for me has always been the hard finish and resistance to corrosion. My steel commute bike is two years old and year-round use has seen the inside of the frame turn orange. Never ridden a Ti frame further than a quick spin round the bike shop car park, so can't comment on the riding characteristics or supposed feel, but the extra cost is hard to justify to myself.
Having said that, if my main bike was a hardtail, I'd certainly consider looking into Ti. As it is I'm a fan of full suspension so it's kind of irrelevant.
rootes1 - Member
coz it is spaceage / aerospace...even if it only used for hydraulic pipework...
You might want to research that a bit more...
My steel commute bike is two years old and year-round use has seen the inside of the frame turn orange
yes, but by steel commuter is probably 50 years old, the rust has yet to be anything worse than cosmetic.
Don't know whether this helps but I was recce'ing a route for a Forum Ride, around 53km with 800m ascent, nothing technical. Plenty of ups and downs on various surfaces.
Rode exactly the same route a week apart in the same dry conditions. Once on the Ti with 100mm forks. Once on the steel with 120mm fork. Wheels, tyres, pedals, brakes, chainset, saddle etc were identical. Weight difference of approx. 3lbs.
Felt less beat up on the Ti, no contest.
After 18 months I still love that bike. 
I've owned two ti frames and kept neither of them for more than six weeks. Out of the last twenty years of mountain bike riding, I've owned steel for maybe two years, the rest has all been on aluminium. I'm quite happy that it's the best frame material for me.
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