Titanium

In the world of bike frames titanium must be at the top of most peoples want list, but the big problem is the price. There are not that many titanium frame manufacturers in the world and most of them are in America.

Lightspeed, Airborne and Merlin being probably the most famous frame builders in titanium. The titanium tubes themselves are expensive, but it’s the manufacturing processes of the bicycle frames that make them so pricey, the tubes, as all frames, need to be joined together, this can be none either by welding the joints together with the use of lugs, or by just joining the tubes one to the other with a smooth welding process, all this has to be done in an enclosed environment by a trained specialist.

After your frame has been built it is usually polished to leave that natural titanium finish and then lacquered for extra shine, this is not to protect the frame, as titanium is very hard and very difficult to scratch.

The hardness also makes for two problems, the first is that it can make quite a harsh, bumpy ride without much give, the stiffness is what you want to transfer your efforts in the back wheel and not into a floppy frame, but can be uncomfortable.

The best solution is to have a titanium frame with carbon forks and rear end; this gives you the best of both worlds. The other problem is that a well-built titanium frame will last you for life, which is great if you don’t get bored of the titanium finish and fancy a blue or red frame colour.