Titanium Frame, Carbon Frame Or?

Jennifer wants to get her hands on a new top end road bike; she has been given some advice that she should buy a titanium frame with carbon forks and with other carbon parts as this will absorb road vibration. We agree that titanium is good for this, but we have our reservations.

Question:
I shattered my elbow last year. I am looking to upgrade to a high end bike, but need to get something that would smooth out the bumps in the road as well as vibrations. I am a recreational cyclist, 5 foot 3 inches and 120 pounds. My rides are usually between 35 and 55 miles and include hills. I have been told various things about materials, but someone told me that titanium frame would be better than carbon to smooth out the bumps in the road, and a carbon fork seatpost, stem and handlebars would dampen out vibrations. They recommended the Litespeed Archon. Do you have any thoughts on the best materials for someone in my situation? I am mainly looking for comfort in my ride since I don't race.

Hi Jennifer,

Your friend is correct about a titanium frame absorbing the bumps and carbon will take away the road vibration. We like titanium, as a well manufactured titanium frame will lasts for ever and looks good for a long time.

We have tested and reviewed quite a few titanium frames and we have found them too soft for a top class frame. Yes they do soak up bumps and bad roads, but we have found that a bike of this price and supposed quality that the performance is not great as they feel soft, which is great for comfort, but not so good for performance as it absorbs your efforts and can feel a bit flexible on bends and climbs, so titanium is not a favorite choice.

We would go for a carbon frame with more comfortable dimensions, with a laid back angle to the seat tube. Take a look at Trek, Look and Cervelo who all have more comfortable designs specifically for riders who value comfort over stiffness and are looking at riding longer distances in Sportif or touring events.

These frames are carbon and light and also have a built in stiffness in the correct directions so that no effort is lost. The angles and tube length are so designed to give you a comfortable position. If you want comfort and performance we would suggest you conceder comfortable Carbon.

Comments

go with carbon

hi Jennifer,i ride a trek modone 5.9 and my girlfrind rides a giant tcr carbon.im 5'7 about 153lbs and i can tell u this the modone is very comfy and rides great and smoth.my girlfrind loves her tcr she allso thinks its smoth and cumfy on long rides.but what ever bike u get make shure its right for u and have it fitted to u at a pro bike shop. i hope this help u out

#1 - TOM

I've got both

I'm nearly 57, 6 feet and 230 and ride 5000 to 8000 miles a year. Titanium and carbon both have their strengths and weaknesses. My Giant TCRc1 carbon is fast and a great climber. It is also stiff and transmits vibrations more than my Titanium LeMond. The LeMond may flex a bit, but not enough so I notice anything but that it's slightly slower with the same output. And, it is way smoother than the carbon. The Giant comes out for fast group rides. The Ti is my go-to bike when I'm just out to have fun and a good workout. They each have their place. I love them both.

Best advice, ride lots of bikes and choose the one YOU like best. Riding needs to be fun. We have to look forward to it. Loving our bikes makes that all better.

#2 - Scott Richardson

consider steel

I have similar goals in my riding and in 2000 bought the Hinault Wise with a classic lugged steel frame using Campy parts. It is not super high end in terms of cost or contemporary technology, clearly, but the frame angles and materials make the ride delightful and Hinault's attention to details makes it an elegant possession. I was just looking at the Masi Speciale CX thinking about your question. Here is the link.
http://www.masibikes.com/cycles/speciale_cx.php

#3 - Mike

Go Ti

Jennifer,

I disagree that carbon is preferable. I ride Ti regularly (Moots Compact) and have ridden many carbon bikes over the last several years. The fit is the most critical component, not the material. Ti, carbon, and steel can all be used, either alone or in combination, to achieve the result you are looking for. Although I'm admittedly biased, I'd opt for Ti. A side benefit is that it is virtually indestructible.

#4 - Scott

What about Serotta Fierte IT?

I am 6'4", 245lbs, 57 and ride club events and centuries. 40-65 miles three times each week. Currently on a Bianchi Vigorelli steel. Thinking about a Serotta Fierte IT Carbon/ti stock. Is this my best option rather than all carbon or all ti?

#5 - greg solis

I'd disagree

Carbon is cool, but Ti has a cool factor all its own. Older Ti frames flexed too much laterally soaking up a riders energy and not transferring it to the road. This appears to have been fixed in the new Litespeed Archon. I just bought one and it rides like a dream, sucking up the bumps but still laterally stiff. The Archon was voted the best bike at Eurobike ahead of the Madone. But you can't go wrong with a Madone either...

#6 - Paul

Another vote for Ti

I'm 6'2", 200lbs and I have a Ti "Seven Alaris SG". I love this bike! It is extremely comfortable and doesn't flex as described in the article...in fact it is the first bike that makes me want to go faster! It really responds to quick accelerations and climbs like a dream. It is designed for club riding 50-100 mile rides and is the most "affordable" frame in the Seven line up. It is also a custom built frame which covers the correct fit issue.

Good luck!
Tom

#7 - Tom

Mr.

Jennifer,

Carbon for comfort

I am a forties guy with riding over 30 years. I had worked at physical and chemical laboratories for many years.
Consider carbon fiber frame for comfort because the "ringing" vibration not only comes from the fork but also every parts of the bike, especially back metal frame (the front wheel acts like a pivot when riding). Even the ringing vibration amplitude is small sometimes but quite annonying to butts and back bone,it will transmit to your elbows at last.

The feeling of this ringing vibration likes touching of a tuning fork. This is my personal feeling of riding metal frame bike.

Frame materials and Comfort, see
http://www.ultracycling.com/equipment/frames.html

Have a look of vibration frequency sensitivity of different parts of human body for ref:
http://www.zainea.com/body.htm

#8 - ks lai

Ti or steel will porbably work bettter for your needs

Hi Jennifer:

You made one crucial statement in your request. "I am a recreational cyclist". If that is the case, I believe that you should consider Ti, because it will be more comfortable in long recreational rides. I would also take a look at some of the good quality steel frames. One of the posts above suggests that you should try out all of them. I agree and strongly recommend his suggestion. One thing I recommend is spend a little more on the frame, if you have to, because a good frame, specially steel, can last you a lifetime.

#9 - Mike Di Feo

Its Up To You!

Hai Jennifer,

I never ride titanium because i dont have any. Currently i ride Carbon Raleigh and Giant TCR2 alloy. I love them both. Try to ride as many as yau can and buy as many as you can afford. I will trying titanium some day and feel the diferrent. After that maybe i can give you some oppinion...

#10 - norseman

Steel is Real

I have ridden carbon, aluminum, ti, and steel. My most comfortable bike of all is a MotoBeCane all steel bike (with carbon fork and handle bar). I have sold my carbon and ti bikes and ride only steel. My steel MotoBeCane and steel/carbon Jamis Eclipse are most comfortable and both weigh less than 18 pounds. I can lead and pace riding steel with no problem.
It may be a litle heavier, but if you're not racing, it's no big deal. And steel is WAY cheaper than ti.
Good luck!

#11 - Kay

Steel is Real

I have ridden carbon, aluminum, ti, and steel. My most comfortable bike of all is a MotoBeCane all steel bike (with carbon fork and handle bar). I have sold my carbon and ti bikes and ride only steel. My steel MotoBeCane and steel/carbon Jamis Eclipse are most comfortable and both weigh less than 18 pounds. I can lead and pace, riding steel with no problem.
It may be a litle heavier, but if you're not racing, it's no big deal. And steel is WAY cheaper than ti.
Good luck!

#12 - Kay

Carbon for the money

Jennifer,

Titanium bikes are wonderful to ride, so beautiful to look at and incredibly durable but the cost is so high. I wound up getting a new Madone. Great components too. I shattered my wrist 3 years ago and the vibration is really negligible and not bothersome in the least.

#13 - Mike

NEED OPINIONS ON BIKE PURCHASE

Does anyone have an opinion on the Fezzari bike company in Denver? I was looking at their website and was attracted to the upright speedster 1 and speedster 2. Price 499.00 and 849.00 respectively. Being completely lacking of any knowledge about bikes.I am just starting to getting back into riding and my 200.00 mountain bike GT all terain in too slow and cumbersome. I like to ride for exercise and plan on longer pleasure rides. I am 61,175 lbs and in halfway decent shape.
Thanks for any insite.
Wayne Pata
Irondequoit, NY

#14 - Wayne Pata

Old School Litespeed

I ride a 14 year old 63cm Litespeed Classic with a Kestrel carbon fork. The frame was built back when the Lynskey family still owned the company. It's the perfect combination of stiffness and ride quality. For a 250 pound rider it just plain works.

For me, the wheels are a key to comfort and performance. I have been riding 36 spoke Ulegra hubs with older Mavic CXP30 rims. The combination is exceeding durable and strong, very stiff and somewhat heavy. They have held up for 10 years under my weight with only minor tuning-up.

Recently, I have been trying a set of Roval Pave SL cyclocross wheels and have noticed a marked improvement in ride quality and less fatigue from climbing.

I find it interesting that while these wheels don't seem to be all that much lighter than the Mavics, the weight is placed differently. The Mavics have lightweight hubs and heavy rims, the Rovals are the opposite. They have transformed the ride and handling, making the bike more comfy on longer rides and our less-than-perfect roads deep in the heart of Dixie.

I plan to get an accurate scale and compare just for fun.

#15 - MG

How to submit your Cycling Question?

Ask any question you may have about bike parts, accessories, clothing or training and let our team of experts help you.

Simply Click here to post your question, we will reply on the website shortly ..