New cheaper titanium processing method

[ceolwulf]

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/535386/new-titanium-making-process-could-result-in-lighter-aircraft/

Interesting. How much of the cost of a titanium frame is material?

I guess tube drawing would still be nearly as expensive - maybe a sintered tube could be made near final dimensions and then drawn to spec?

[old fat man]

unless it applies to producing seamless titanium tubes, this process is irrelevant to bikes.

but yes, the cost of materials is the biggest reason ti bikes are more expensive than steel and aluminum and many carbon bikes.

[SoCalSteve]

I also imagine that labor costs and small production runs play a huge part in pricing...it's not like Ti frames are being stamped out in the many thousands a day in the Far East.

I seriously don't mind the up charge to get something that I know was hand built here in the US in small numbers...

[soulspinner]

Isnt ti one the 3 or 4 most abundant metals? I thought it was the process of making tubes that was expensive...