Would you give up Carbon for Titainum?

[bikerHen]

I have a lovely 2007 Ruby Expert w/ultegra. Went to look at an older titanium Litespeed w/ultegra, with my husband this morning. It was too small for him. He said it was more my size so I hopped on to try. It's just a hair tall, I can straddle the top tube with just one finger width from touching, but it's more compact than the Ruby which I liked. Rode it out on a bumpy road. It was as nice or nicer than my Ruby. The Litespeed has a triple, which I want, the Ruby is a compact double.

So would you give up full carbon for titainum? The bike is selling for a good price and I would hope I could sell the Ruby for a little more and do some upgrading on the Litespeed. It's very ridable now, just needs some updating and maybe just a little pimping!

[kmehrzad]

I'd say why put yourself through the choosing process - buy the titanium and have both bikes. You'll always have an opportunity to ride them both in different conditions.

[indysteel]

Did you climb and descend on the Litespeed? I'd want to compare how both bikes handle. I wouldn't buy a new bike based on componentry, as you can always get change that out on your Ruby. Also not sure what you mean by the Litespeed being more "compact.". Do you mean that the top tube is more sloping? That the top tube length is shorter. Have you compared the geometries of both bikes? Any significant differences.

Ti and carbon are both great frame materials--if the bike fits and handles well.