Bicycling

Last edited Sun Jun 29, 2014, 10:08 PM - Edit history (2)

Titanium is, given same Mass AND Volume, stronger then Steel or Aluminum. Aluminum is stronger then Steel given the same MASS, but weaker if using the same Volume. Thus Aluminum frame bikes have to have thicker tubes then a Steel Bike, but Titanium can use tubes the same size as Steel and still be stronger.

Titanium dropped in price in the 1990s, I remember just the frame being offered for about $900 (made in China Frames). You could get an Cannondale Aluminum frame for less then $200 at that time (Cannondale had a program in the 1990s, if you traded in an old frame, they let you have a new Cannondale frame).

Trek went into Carbon-Fiber right after 2000. Carbon-Fiber offered the stiffness of Titanium at a reduced price, through higher priced then Aluminum.

Stiffer frame, easier pedaling. Given that pedaling is the main restriction on most biking, it is the biggest restriction and anything that reduced pedaling is good. Thus you will NOT hear me talk bad about his bike.

On the other hand, it is a bike designed NOT to go on paved roads. That is the only comment you will here from me AND given its gearing (the front gears was roughly the same as the small gear on a regular three speed front gears) you are NOT talking of very fast speeds. Thus my comment that it may have been almost as fast to walk, except for going downhill. On flats, the bike probably would beat out someone running, but going up any grade, you may be better off walking the bike, it might be faster.

My comment is on the type of bike and its limitations, it will go good over soft terrain, unpacked snow, mud, sand etc. But it would be slower then most other tires and bikes on other terrain do to its much wider tires given more roll resistance. The old fashion 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inch, or if you are metric 35-65mm, tires are much better all around tires, can be used on paved roads (through inferior to 1 to 1 1/2 inch tires or metric sizes 25 to 35 mm, for road racing use).