Steel vs Ti vs Carbon

[MtnBikerChk]

Everyone's got their opinions - I want to hear yours and why.

GO.....

edited to add: for road!

[Pedal Wench]

All of the above...:D

[Biciclista]

I need fenders. I couldnt' find anything in Carbon that was made for fenders, so i went with steel.
Even though the major airplane manufacturer that i work with is making airplanes out of carbon fiber, i still feel more comfortable with steel. It's heavier, but it's a great ride.
Titanium, i hear, rides like Aluminum, but is lighter. it's also more expensive.
Aluminum makes some nice bikes too.

[7rider]

Titanium, i hear, rides like Aluminum, but is lighter.

GASP!!!! :eek:
Sacrilege!!!

Ti rides likes silk. Smoooooth as buttah. Like the best steel on steroids.

[TxDoc]

All of the above...:D

Yep, I have to say I agree. I like Ti and steel, and I am fairly happy with carbon as well. I guess it depends on what you look for, what kind of riding/racing you plan, and what makes you feel more comfortable while riding.

[indysteel]

GASP!!!! :eek:
Sacrilege!!!

Ti rides likes silk. Smoooooth as buttah. Like the best steel on steroids.

Exactly. Unless your ti bike has an uber-stiff fork like mine, then not so much. :(

Actually, I think both steel and ti can ride like buttah or a bit more harshly. Frame geometry, along with the fork, can make a difference.

[Cataboo]

I'd say anything but aluminum... Have one of each, my surly rides like a tank, so I'm not sure I have a real feel for what steel feels like. My carbon bike's great, though I prefer my titanium litespeed lately.... It definitely doesn't ride like aluminum. I think it possibly depends on whether you have 6/4 titanium or 3/2 - the former is probably stiff enough that it could be pretty unforgiving.

The ti just feels "livelier" which is a nice change from the carbon feel... Although, sometimes heading down a hill on a chip seal road, I think that I could just repeatedly ride down those hills if I wanted a vibrator.

[Pedal Wench]

Seriously, all of the above, and anything except aluminum. I started there, and had problems with the harshness and vibrations hurting my hands, so went to carbon. Thought that was the best until I tried Ti. Have a ti/carbon mix and a full Ti, and love them both for long distance. Love the carbon for a faster/lighter climbing bike. Have two Italian steel frames waiting for me to build up. (Found one collecting dust in the back corner of a bike shop last week. What a find!)

[roadie gal]

Carbon for the crappy roads around here.

Ti for long distances on smooth roads.

And like the rest have said, anything but aluminum.

[MtnBikerChk]

I need to throw my leg over all three but I'm seeing that the majority here favor Ti! When I read about comparisons between all three and pros and cons (from "objective" sources) I came to the same conclusion. Of course subjective opinions are the ones that count!

Thanks :) Got my eye on a sexy Seven or Serotta Ti!