06 Sep 11 Titanium VS Steel

The main strengths of titanium are its tensile strength to relative weight ratio.  Titanium is a harder metal than steel therefore the tubes can be made lighter and stronger. Titanium has another unique property know as “self healing”. When titanium is scratched, the scratched area oxidizes and turns back to the original titanium color. Over time the oxidation gives titanium that dark metallic color.

There are many different grades of stainless steel. Stainless steel greatest strength its it durability and relative price as compared to titanium. Stainless steel is a malleable metal. It can be bent into shape and provide a spring like sensation that absorbs road bumps.  Reynolds 853 and 953 (the hardest and lightest of the stainless steel tubes) is compatible to titanium in relative weight and strength.