|   Dampening properties of Titanium vs Aluminum | Gorbachev
Mar 27, 2003 5:47 PM | | I hear that titanium dampens vibrations better than aluminum, and is about the same as steel, but lighter. If this is true, does that mean that having titanium handlebars and seatpost will be optimal, since having it as a frame material could cause flex for heavier riders? Would there be a noticeable difference in the hands/butt area? |
| Damping... | Birdman
Mar 28, 2003 5:28 AM | | I've had a titanium seatpost, as well as various aluminum ones. I've tried carbon fiber handlebars and aluminum ones, but never a titanium bar.
I think the damping effect of a resilient material is minimal on the suspended end of a bicycle. If you have a suspension fork, you will get minimal improvement from a ti or carbon fiber bar.
If you're riding an aluminum hardtail, you might notice some improvement from a ti seatpost. If you've got a steel or ti frame, go with a ti seatpost only if you've got the money to burn.
JMJ |
| Neither absorb water very well ... but Ti dampings better | Tahoe Gator
Mar 28, 2003 7:45 AM | | You mean "damping"
Ti does provide better damping. Might have more benefit on a road bike given lack of suspension. Ti, or even more so, Carbon, provide better high-speed damping than Al, e.g., ability to absorb the energy of oscillation. However, don't expect either to make your ride more plush, just perhaps a little less fatigue in your arms after such things as high speed descents with tight stutter bumps. I would suggest that, for mountain bike with suspension, weight savings are where the value is, not damping. |
| suspension post and fatter tires do more for dampening | h4j
Mar 29, 2003 4:30 PM | | If one is trying to dampen the roughness of riding a hardtail, a nice susp seatpost and fatter tires will do more good, an in some cases is even cheaper, than investing in a Ti or steel hardtail.
True steel does have a more forgiving ride, but it's not magical and won't feel plush one bit. Same for Ti.
A quality nice seat post like Tamer's Tricky Dick coil sprung model is a the best solution for taking out the sting of a a hardtail.
Some hardtails like he SC Chameleon can fit quit a fat tire in the rear, 2.3-ish. A fat tire also helps by adding a bit of cush and suspension to the hardtail |
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