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...

[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!!!!
Sacrilege!!!

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

[indysteel]

GASP!!!!
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.

[TxDoc]

All of the above...

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.