Carbon Fiber or Titanium?

[liner]

I am going to spend some major bucks and get myself a really good bike. I am undecided, am considering carbon or titanium. I would like to hear from anyone who has had experience with either. Also would like to hear from anyone who has purchased or ridden an Aegis or Airborne. Thanks!

Liner

[StormingColour]

What are you wanting, a road bike or mountain bike?

[roadie gal]

They have 2 completely different feels to them. Both are quality materials but you have to test ride them to see which you prefer. Last year I decided to go for a better bike and I wanted either carbon or ti, too. The carbon just didn't feel right so I ended up with ti, which I love. But definitely go test ride and see for yourself.

[liner]

I am looking for a road bike that will be comfortable on long rides.

Liner

[Vicki]

Hi Liner,

I have a Specialized with carbon forks. I really like it. It rides smooth and is comfortible on my long rides.

Roadie gal is right though, go test ride both kinds and decide which feels right for you.

Happy shopping. :cool:
Vicki

[DoubleLori]

If you want really long-term durability, titanium would be the way to go. Carbon fiber, after all, is just a high-tech fiberglass-type material, and like fiberglass, it can shatter, though modern frames don't do that too often. If you've watched bike races on TV, you've seen what disasters can happen to carbon-fiber wheels in a wreck. It's great for pros like Lance who can get new bikes or wheels whenever they need them. I'm just not sure I'd want to invest in it again long-term. My previous bike was carbon fiber and it is now a dinosaur because it was only 7-speed on the rear and can't be resized to 8-speed, 9-speed or 10-speed. I've gone back to steel, but if I had the $$ I would get titanium. If the industry decides to move to 11- or 12-speed (heaven forbid!) a titanium frame could be resized to acommodate the wider spacing.

[liner]

Thanks for your input, DoubleLori. The only reason I am considering titanium is because I found a company that sells them at very reasonable prices. (For titanium!) The company is Airborne and they sell over the internet. I have heard they are looked down upon somewhat because they are mostly an internet company. I have read a few good reviews of their bikes.
If anyone knows anything about Airborne, please let me know.

[Juliette]

My brother rides an Airborne road bike. Titanium with a carbon fiber fork. He says its one of the best bikes he's ridden. He was hesitant to buy at first, since it was less expensive than equivalent bikes from other companies, but he's been happy with it ever since.

[liner]

Thank you, Juliette. I have decided on titanium and I have been looking at Airborne, but I felt the same way your brother did. I am happy to hear he got one and loves it. It seems Airborne is looked down upon somewhat, the reviews I have read say they are great bikes and people who buy them seem to love them.
I think it mut be some kind of snob factor, they are titanium and are under 3 thousand bucks so we think they aren't any good.
Obviously they are.

Lynnette

[Trek420]

Hi Liner,

Steel is back! Steel is real. Steel never left. Steel bikes have unbelievable ride quality.

"But steel's so heavy", you say. Not in the hands of a great designer. My partners Mondonico Futura Legero is
lighter than her Cannondale, lighter than most bikes on the market, plenty of zip speed and pep and steels
true all day ride comfort.

http://www.torelli.com/mondonico/mndnico.html

"But it's so old fashioned. I want something high-tech" check out the steel frame/carbon stays
composite bikes. Way cool! See website above. 8-)

If I was buying another bike today (and I'm not so please don't tell my bike I even discussed this, she'll get
jealous) steel is what I would look for. But then I'm old and stoved up so I like the comfortable ride. 8-)

Happy shopping and test riding, I'm envious (don't tell my bikes that).

TREK420

[DoubleLori]

I have to agree that steel is a great material. My latest road bike is Reynolds 853 steel with a carbon fork. The bike weighs in at 1/2 pound less than my previous carbon fiber bike and it has the most comfortable ride of any bike I've ever ridden. I'm sure with titanium you could cut another pound or so off the weight but I can't see that that would matter unless you can challenge Jeannie Longo (she is really the Energizer Bunny, 44 years old and still beating the world).

[Trek420]

doublelori,

Steel, carbon, ti, all the 'iums have their fans. The fit is key, a $3000.00 frame that doesn't fit might as well be a Huffy. I read that the frame is only 13 % of bike weight, a light frame can end up heavy. Till I can't take 20% of the weight off ME I'm not so worried about grams off the frame, and I've got a ways to go 8-)

Hey, that'll be a nice reward for dropping a few pounds. Others buy clothes, cyclists get a new bike!

My partners Cannondale (bought used from my Aikido Sensei who bought it from Olympic cyclist Maureen Kayla) is feather light. It was never meant for touring, almost a track bike. We didn't know anything when we got it.

We added a triple, heavier tires, sturdier rims. We could have bought new for the price of upgrades. Our mechanic kept saying "keep the bike for the Cycleops, get steel. This bike will never be comfy" and we kept throwing money at it. Finaly made the jump.

She loooves her Mondonico. It's just as light, just as fast!

Me, I have my

TREK420

[roadie gal]

I think some of the problems that people have with Airborne is that they are made in China. Some folks object to buying things from China and others worry about service if there is a problem. I know one person who has an Airborne road bike. He has not had any problems with it.

I ride a titanium Sampson Silverton. Sampson is a small bike maker in Colorado. The bike with Campy Chorus 10, a carbon fork, and a number of other upgrades was about $2500 (US) last year. I love it. If you are interested, they have a web site: www.sampsonsports.com. And, no, I don't work for the company. I just like the bike.

[liner]

roadie gal,
I think your reply must be some kind of message that I should buy the Sampson. I have been looking at Sampson and have spoke with Eric Sampson on the phone. I have narrowed it down between 3 bikes and the Silverton is one of them. So, I am pleased to hear from someone who has a Silverton and loves it.
The other two are an Airborne and a 2003 Giant with aluminum frame, carbon fork and seat stays. I have very good friends who are Giant dealers and they can give me a great deal on the Giant.
I am afraid if I get the Giant, I will be sorry I didn't get the ti. I am sure the Giant is a great bike, but.... I am so confused!

Anyway, thanks for the info. I will let you know if I go for the Silverton.

liner

[liner]

roadie gal,

Did you get your Silverton painted?

Liner

[roadie gal]

Nope. I went with "plain ti". I did it sort of by default. I couldn't decide on a color, so I stayed with the plain.

[liner]

I finally made a decision and ordered the titanium, a Sampson Silverton. I rode both carbon and titanium and liked the ti better.
I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Silverton. Thanks for all your comments and suggestions.

I went with plain ti, too.

Liner

[liner]

To all who replied,

I got my new bike yesterday and it is awesome! It is a Sampson Silverton. Eric Sampson is a great person to deal with. I am very impressed with him and the bike. Rode it 20 miles last night and could not wipe the smile off my face! Will be riding it 70 miles tomorrow.

Liner