Ti or aluminium (GT or Kona)

[T'boo Ted]

i'd pick ti over alum any/every day if all else equal and you have the extra $$$. also from what i know, you need more alum material to match the same strength of titanium, hence the more "burly" drop-outs on the alum GT vs ti Kona. just my 2cents/pence.

Drop your tires 3 PSI and that is most of the difference between Aluminum and Ti. In comfort. Aluminum doesn't flex like Titanium and accelerates better, it feels better in hard turns because it doesn't flex. Zaskars are better sprinters than Xizangs. Not as comfortable sure. I'm not on a couch, this is a sport.

The Zaskar has more "burly" dropouts because it is a more Burly Bike than the other two. They are built like 1990 Mercedes Benz sedans. Solid. Who would win in a 3-way street fight between the three? My money is on the Zaskar.

So much ridicule on Aluminum frames, alot of it connected with (cough) bike-snobbery (cough) and such. Aluminum can make excellent frames. And most of the bike industry agreed. Hence, the mass popularity and production. Schwinn Homegrown, Yeti Arc, Specialized Stumpjumper, GT Zaskar, to name a few..

Personally they are different beasts. For longer, 3+ hour rides, the Hei Hei would be a better choice than the Zaskar. However, for shorter, more intense rides the Zaskar would be better. Furthermore if one is older in years and/or with recurring injuries in the neck/back, that would be another influence in frame decision.

I don't think peopel are ridiculing aluminium, just that they would prefer ti, given the chance.
But it is easier to ding an aluminium frame than ti, those big fat, thin wall tubes are just begging to take a wack. Doesn't mean it will happen, just things that "may" not trouble a steel or ti frame will ding an aluminium downtube.

As to taking 3psi out of your tyres, not really that simple, may as well snip a few spokes out of your wheels. I don't really want to run any less pressure. But really I'm happy to ride anything, I just like Ti, it tickles my fancy.

 

[Muddy paw]

It's like a precious metal is Ti and that's the main reason most people want it and the fact that most people have Aluminium makes having Ti so much more appealing and so much so that i even have Ti framed glasses ..

 

[Tommylurve]

Re:

I've got a Ti watch (saves weight)

 

[Muddy paw]

Re:

The less weight the better ..

 

[Smithjss70]

Re: Re:

I've got a Ti watch (saves weight)

But, but...is it stronger than my stainless steel submariner.

 

[T'boo Ted]

Re:

Mine is... So are my ti glasses

 

[WD Pro]

Ti weight saving is great

It's lightened my bank balance quite well

WD

 

[nbl78s]

Never ridden a Kona but I've had a bunch of GTs and nothing rides as good as the Xizang. The Zaskar was just too harsh for me, the steel avalanche's were great but not quite as forgiving as the Ti... Someday I hope to add a psyclone to the stable and see how it rides. My only beef with the GT frames is they didn't make a 17 inch the 16 is just a little short and the 18 is to big to feel flickable. I ride the 16 regularly though and I'm always smiling!