Need your help with Titanium v. Aluminum and other metals. Is a Ti frame more likely to last forever?

Hum... Wish I could break frames every few years. As far as my wife is concerned, I'd better love a bike forever once I buy it. If I could break frames at will, I could get a new ride more often.

Anyhow, Titanium is a strong metal. In fact, it is nearly as strong as steel but somewhat less than 2/3 the weight. Titanium is also highly resistant to corrosion. Titanium is also more flexible than steel. Thus, lots of folks like to use Titanium for bicycles because you get a light, strong frame with a highly compliant ride that won't ever rust away.

Keep in mind, though, some people feel Titanium frames are too flexible. Being a big fellow, this may well be an issue for you. I'd recommend riding some Titanium bikes to be sure you really like the feel before committing the cash.

Also, cracked frames are rarely a function of the strength of the frame material. Cracking is much more often a function of the strength of the welded joints. I am guessing your bikes failed at the weld joints. You didn't actually crack a tube did you? What you really need to investigate is the quality of the manufacturing process and be sure you are buying a bike that is strong enough for yourself.

By all means, I'd recommend investigating a Titanium frame. As well, though, you need to investigate the bike builder to be sure they are making a bike capable of handling your strength and size. If you go with Titanium, I'd be sure the builder makes lots of Titanium frames every year. It is a tricky material to weld and you don't want someone learning as they build your very expensive frame.

Hope you love your new bike and I hope this helps.

What MR said.

You aren't like an ox or anything.....a good frame will hold you just fine for a long time....slightly less if you're doing jumps or really rough stuff.

What kind of riding do you do? What sorts of frames have broken on you? Might be able to steer you better with that information.

As far as titanium goes, yeah, it breaks too. Not nearly as often, but as MR said, frames are a function of their design, not just the materials. The only time I'd consider shelling out for a ti frame would be on a sleek road racing or touring bike and I'd consider carbon before ti.

EDIT: I'd totally agree with the recommendation for Surly frames, if you're looking for a mtb frame. They're doing good things with steel. Many, many other frames, materials, and companies out there that should suit you, though.

All frame materials mentioned are very good. The design and quality of the manufacturing process is suspect if you broke 2 frames. You are not overly heavy, so while your weight may have contributed to the failure, it shouldn't have. I know many guys your weight riding very light MTB and road bikes without problems for many years.

A well made frame in Ti, Alum or steel will last longer than you want it to. If you hear enough about frame materials you will run across many people that claim one or the other is far superior for what ever reason. All have strong points and may be better for certain applications to some degree but it's really your preference. Good frame builders use the strong points of each material in the design. They all work.

How are you cracking frames like that? Is it from hard riding or collisions? If it's just from hard riding, I would suggest you either go with the Ti frame or even look into a different steel or aluminum frame. Still, if you have the money to spend, Ti is your best bet but make sure you get the strongest frame possible. Ti frames can fail even if it's a rare occurance.

I think you might be thinking a little skewed.

Generally (with the exception of aluminum), frames break at the welds. This has less to do with the material and more to do with the level of workmanship. If your steel frame broke at or near a weld you can probably blame it on a lousy job.

Any premium metal frame (again, except aluminum/scandium/a4/cermet) should last you practically forever. Aluminum and it bretheren will always fail eventually. Insofar that most Ti frames are made by conscientious buildrers, they will last as long as any other except steel... which will outlast virtually any other material.

There are a number of variables, but all things being equal for a typical bike frame tube material, Titanium will have a higher toughness (area under the tensile test curve) and fatigue resistance (number of cycles to failure at a given load level) than Aluminum.

I am 6"2"

i ride chromoly frames

and have never broken 1

what ar you doing wrong?

are you MTBing?

street riding on a street bike over pave ( cobblestones )?

i have 2 bikes

1 59cm Merckx 2002 Super Corsa

and a 60 cm1980 Palo Alto ( Columbus SL tubing )

both Campi super record equipped

titanium is super strong. you could try other chromolly bikes though, they're normally really good. i got a surly lht and it is indestuctible, double butted steel. it rocks.

check this guy's site, it's the ramblings of a mad man, but he knows his stuff

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-materials.html