Bike frame: carbon vs titanium

I’m looking at new bikes, it’s been a while since I bought my old one and I’m looking at spending a fair (for me) amount of $. I see there’s carbon frames on the market, which are new since I bought my last bike. I was going to look at Titanium only, but now I’m looking at carbon.

My question - how will carbon differ from titanium? obviously the bike design, etc will matter a great deal, but I’m looking for pointers on what’s the difference, what to look for, anything else.

More info: I’m a fairly small (5ft 2in, 120lbs) woman. Thanks!

More places will do custom titanium.

There are also the hybrids of carbon/ti – Serotta Ottrott, Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel, Seven makes a couple.

Plus a bunch of Ti bikes with a carbon seatstay (I’d consider these a step below the carbon/ti hybrids which usually have two or more carbon tubes with titanium lugs).

Of carbon-only, I know Guru will do custom and so will Calfee.

Weight is pretty close. Carbon is a bit lighter, but in general it is hard to make a carbon bike a lot lighter, because the tubes would be too thin (which is what limits the frame weight on a lot of bikes – ti, steel, and aluminum). Certainly weight won’t be a deal breaker.

Neither one will rust. Carbon might be a tad more comfortable, as a composite will absorb more vibration. Titanium is also VERY good at dampening vibration, however.

The advantage of titanium is that it is “tougher” than carbon. By that, I mean in the strictest material sense. Titanium is a metal, and a very durable one. Carbon is immensely strong, but can also be quite fragile in certain aspects (like you can’t gouge your titanium frame nearly as easily as you can a carbon one. Metal is just plain tougher…)

I don’t think you can go wrong either way. Some people are totally sold on one over the other, but I think a good frame from a good builder will be your best choice, and don’t worry about the material.

My first real roadbike choice was between a Trek 5200 and a Litespeed Tuscany. Both great bikes. In the end, I chose the Litespeed because I just like metal. To this day, if I polish up that frame, it looks as good as new. I think it will always look sexier than a Trek. That’s just me, though…

I know a woman who is your size or slightly smaller and rides a custom Moots Ti roadie. She absolutely loves it and it fits like a glove.

As for me, I ride aluminum.

My wife, who is your height, fitted very nicely onto a 48cm Orbea Orca. Full carbon, lifetime warranty and very nice frame. I honestly think you wont go wrong with a good Ti or carbon either way.