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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. 8)
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.