Hi i am thinking of purchasing a titanium airbourne frame as i like the fact that they have a superb fatigue life etc, but what are the disadvantages of a titanium frame over a good quality aliminium frame? thanks for your help

Cheap Ti may not be stiff enough.

Airbornes get good marks, in general. Which Airborne were you looking at, Jb-g? They make a bunch.

Yes, stiffness is the challenge for Ti. On a stiffness-to-weight basis, believe both high-end Al and steel will beat it. Also, wouldn't assume that all Ti frames have a great fatigue life..they will fail too. Believe their life is very much dependent on the tubing and build quality, just like any other material.

Dan

the valkyrie caught my as it is under £600, still not too sure as there is always the choice of high end aluminium

Ti has a higher modulus of elasticity than Al.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents. I own a Litespeed Catalyst '98. And the ride and comfort is pure plush!! However, it's not as stiff like many others have said. This is comparing to aluminum or carbon.
So it depends on the kind of ride you're doing. Check out the 2004 Litespeed line up as they have made huge down tube. This may have help to stiffen up the frame.
But as far as durability and ride comfort, second to none!!

And steel is almost double that of Ti,so where does that take you?

Airbourne is a good value in Titanium.
There is also a regular contributor to the rec.bicyles.tech
Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.habcycles.com Home of the $695 ti frame
We own 4 different brands of Ti bicycles. None of them exhibit too much flex.
Get whatever fits you best.

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David Ornee, Western Springs, IL USA

I am currently shopping for a new bike and here is what I found:

The Ti frame that I rode (Litespeed) was marginally more comfortable that my Renolyds 531 steel frame. The Trek 5200 was giant leap upwards in both stiffness and comfort. I did not even try Al as it is known for transferring road shock. I plan to test ride a Calfee (locally made carbon frame) tomorrow.

By the way, the litespeed had LOTS of flex in the bottom bracket-even on flat ground when out of the saddle.

What Litespeed? The model matters.Thay are not all the same.

Although I sold fit to a friend who loves it, I had a Habby from 1996-2000. Good bike, great value, and Mark Hickey is one of the best guys in the bike business. I hope he is still the main man behind the Habaneros.

Where you choose the bike with the coolest paint job.

There are none except maybe price.

I currently have a Habanero road frame. For most of use, we'll never ride a bike enough to break a frame, so I think your choice will come down to what you want and like. I will end up going back to a Carrera steel frame because of everything I've ridden, that is the frame I liked the most.