|   Used bike - steel vs ti | DSR
Jun 17, 2002 6:54 AM | | I'm looking to pick up a second mtn bike since my FS bike tends to need alot of TLC time in the shop. (Latest is the Marzo which had to be returned, fortunately under warranty.) Definitely looking used to save some $. I want something that's in good shape and can last a long time without any worries - at least on the frame. As a result, I'm focused on either steel or ti since both are more durable than alum (and certainly carbon I assume). Question though - is ti generally considered stronger than a quality steel frame? I'm comparing quality ti to quality steel. I know it's significantly lighter, but I'm not concerned enough about weight to pay up the extra $ for that. Thanks. S |
| IMO, Steel. Ti $$$$ | bungyfish
Jun 17, 2002 7:21 AM | | Steel, better bang for the buck if you don't care about weight, alot more of them used around as well. Good Luck. |
| I concur with bungy....... | namaSSte
Jun 17, 2002 8:37 AM | | go steel. even if money wasn't the object I still might consider it. Steel feels really great, plain and simple. I can't imagine you'd be bummed if you made that choice. |
| Weight difference is not significant | Rev Bubba
Jun 17, 2002 9:44 AM | | I have a custom steel frame that weights in at 4.1 lbs (17", longer top tube, sterling silver head badge, disc brake bosses). What do you consider significant? .25 lbs? If you take off the extras from my frame and go apples to apples, that's about it. Sure, some designs may weight less but it is a design difference, not a material difference. Even a top of the line aluminum frame is going to come in around 3 lbs so the overall difference on a fully built up bike will be about a pound. That is just not that much if you aren't a pro racer.
Ride quality is something else. I love my 853 steel and going to Ti was not worth an extra $1200 for me but my Ti experience was not with a custom bike so I'm not qualified to address ride quality. There are certainly enough people here who feel Ti is worth the extra money and I'm not about to dispute them.
All I can say is that steel is very satisfactory for me. |
| re: Used bike - steel vs ti | Jrm
Jun 17, 2002 11:35 AM | | Some small builders make 4130 & 631 tubed frames that are a bargain @ less then $400. |
| Just to be different... | radair
Jun 17, 2002 6:21 PM | | ..I'll say go with Ti. Most of the responses above refer to new prices - you specifically asked about used. Ti is definitely more of a durable material - better fatigue resistance, no rusting potential. Ride quality - I'm not going there, it's just too subjective.
You can find decent deals on used ti frames, if you're willing to be patient and look regularly. I just picked up a used Litespeed frame with ti bars and ti seatpost for $500. I've seen a number of deals on Hei Hei frames for under $700. Compared to $1200 and up at mail order prices, these seem reasonable to me. |
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