Titanium - how long will it last

[gearmeister]

What is the life expectancy of a titanium frame... Any thoughts on what to look for in terms of wear signs or potential integrity issues?

[jblande]

obviously cannot be answered independent of certain conditions (who built it, how was it treated, etc).

but given that a qualified builder built it (there are a number), and you ride it as a bike is meant to be ridden, then the answer is: a titanium bike will in all likelihood last longer than you will ride it.

[firerescuefin]

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop.


So many variables here. You're not going to get the answer you're seeking. Its a great material...that in the hands of the right builder will give you tears and years of riding satisfaction.

[j_roe]

any good write ups on TI vs ALU vs Carbon??

[Louis]

Originally Posted by j_roe

any good write ups on TI vs ALU vs Carbon??

This is a joke right?

You left steel off the list - might as well throw that in there too.

[nbl78s]

I have a few Mountian bike Ti frames from the early 90's I still ride. In fact it's the only mtn bikes I ride and I ride them pretty hard... A couple years ago I found a crack in my 94 Dean top tube just behind the headtube. The Dean was my exclusive race bike in the 90's (expert class) and was used 3-4 times a week plus weekend racing year round, I used it for cyclocross every season as well. Point is, it took 16 years of hard abuse before it cracked! Everything fails eventually but I'd put my money on Ti for outlasting other materials.

As a side note, Dean stood by their lifetime warranty! I didn't have my receipt and they still fixed the frame, refinished it, restickered it and added a disc brake mount on it before they mailed it back to me! Those guys ROCK!

[TPetsch]

It will last long enough that you feel you got value for the money you spent on it.

[dave thompson]

Originally Posted by j_roe

any good write ups on TI vs ALU vs Carbon??

This has been discussed here and virtually everywhere across the globe. It mostly boils down to not one material vs another but how the bike is designed and constructed for its intended use. There is no one correct answer.

[Peter P.]

Originally Posted by j_roe

any good write ups on TI vs ALU vs Carbon??

How's this?

Yeah; there are too many variables to consider to predict the lifespan of a titanium frame. It has some qualities that make it more durable than steel (it's rustproof), carbon and aluminum (titanium has a higher elasticity) and in some respects it's problematic (it must be welded in an inert atmosphere (the are under welding is flooded with argon gas) and if the tubing is underbuilt for the riding stresses it sees, it could still fail.

I think you could argue that it is the "least delicate" material in that in daily use, it can take abrasion, impact, and sweat better than the other frame material choices.

[dekindy]

Could not any frame material be made strong enough and with proper care and maintenance last forever? Given the constraints of everyone wanting as light a frame as possible titanium would not be the cheapest, but would have the highest ratio of durability to $ spent.

[Chris]

Ugo Derosa commented in an interview in cycle-sport magazine that he thought ti was the best material of the main four in current use. He said that its only negative was the cost. I've had a Legend ti and two Moots among all the other bikes I've had. The Moots and my Speedvagen have been my favorite bikes. In terms of peace of mind though, ti wins out for me because I don't have to sweat the paint chips on a ti bike since it won't rust.

[Seramount]

our judges would have accepted 'FOREVER'...

thanks for playing.

[martl]

Originally Posted by j_roe

any good write ups on TI vs ALU vs Carbon??

I own a couple of steel frames which are going strong into their second century. My most used bike is an aluminium Principia which i bought in 1996 and which has seen around 100k km; my buddies Klein Quantum II from 1994 probably has twice as much on the meter. All of these are still going strong. My 1998 Moots looks like new apart from cracked decals and some cospetic spots where the cables rubbed it gently.

I have seen quite a few CFK frames that showed several signs of fatigue, though. Usually the glued-in or molded-in parts like the BB casing or the headtube steerer mounts become creaky or even loose.

So i'd say if it is a well engineered and well made metal frame, unlimited lifespan. Ti has the advantage of the "immune to anything" finish. CFK - not so sure.

[jr59]

Originally Posted by firerescuefin

that in the hands of the right builder will give you tears and years of riding satisfaction.

Tears and years ....This is a VERY good saying! And I also agree!

And I hate to agree with a Gator.

[guyintense]

[QUOTE=firerescuefin;1391158]How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop.


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