Titanium touring / audax / adventure / do it all bike. (Assistance appreciated!)

But how long will it last?

Its relative and depends on usage etc. How long did your last bike last? The whole carbon doesn't last as long or isn't tough enough argument is laughable. 3 riders finished TCR on Datum.

http://thatemilychappell.com/2015/07/time-for-the-transcontinental/

Steel and Ti is great for hipster points, nostalgia or if you have specific geo or other requirements.

Its good to know that Genesis is a local/British brand and has great customer service too. I have a 20% off code on frameset bringing it down to £799, let me know if you need it.

Don't get a datum, get a ti frame. The differences are fairly negligible at that end of the market so get something you lust after and will last longer. The datum might be the logical choice, but it's not what you really want

But will those TCR riders be racing again on the same carbon bike next year?

I've got a lot of time for Genesis, is Kinesis not a British brand also? Just having a look at the Datum now.

3 riders finished TCR on Datum

Three riders started the TCR on a Datum...

But will those TCR riders be racing again on the same carbon bike next year?

Dunno ask @skinny .. I'd say yes.

There were range of bikes at TCR from a Langster to Trek Speed Concept .. you can always ask the Datum riders directly.

Kinesis not a British brand also?

It is and is a decent bike too. I just don't like their geometry progression. Check Datum/carbon and if you still want Ti go with proper Ti .. lynskey, moots etc.

Carbon will ride better, will be lighter and just as (if not more) strong

Ride is more geo than material, weight doesn't seem a key factor here, strength depends entirely on construction...

It also doesn't fit the front panniers and "i'll occasionally be pulling a couple of kids with a trailer" requirements.

Nothing against the Datum mind. I was tempted by the frameset but there's just a few too many of the little things missing.

Get a Ti frame. Ex pro's ride Ti. Ti will genuinely last forever. Don't listen to amey.

If the budget will stretch get a Moots, so lust worthy. Get what @amey is saying about the Datum, but if it's not what you're after then don't consider it.

A Moots is cripplingly expensive.^ And not really good value for money, relatively speaking. If custom is on the table, consider a Kent Eriksen. That man is a Ti God, seeing as he founded Moots and all...

+1 for legit Ti if not carbon

Firefly 😉

Get a Triton. American made Ti is lovely but so expensive. You're paying a lot for the name, often.

if you want custom consider burls or enigma.

for a burls see @scherrit for a fit and get him to liaise with burls for all the details.

Ok, thanks all. Definitely sticking with Ti but more options equals more problems. Thinking of giving Burls a ring this afternoon, although I have read they can come up heavy.

Can't really justify the price of Moots, Firefly, Eriksen or probably anything american made. I don't have a problem with things being manufactured in the Far East.

@amey What do you mean with regards to Kinesis' geometry progression? It was your original criticisms of the Tripster in the gravel bike thread which got me thinking through all of this a bit more deeply (which is obviously a good thing).

Also I'm not sure how much I agree with (understand) about using a legit Ti company. I guess you mean one that has been around a while and has a proven history.

@dancing james Ta, who is @scherrit ? Does he have a website. I had a Serotta bike fit done a while ago but wasn't really too satisfied so a proper one would be a good idea.

Reach progression inconsistent, 54 has more reach than 55.
And IS disc mount in 2016 .. if you can live with that then its a fine bike.

Legit Ti = experienced builder(s), customer service etc.

http://www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk/

Not mentioned in the OP but Cam's at the upper end of the geo charts where things are a little more consistent :)

thebikewhisperer.co.uk/

Ok cool, I think my girlfriend used them. I'll check them out too.

Yep, looking at about a 60cm I reckon.

I have a lynskey sportive disc couldn't be happier with it. I needed to condense my road bike and winter/tourer into one bike due to a very small flat and the lynskey ticked all the boxes for me discs, guards and rack mounts. Over the winter it is practical but still a lot of fun and take all the mounts off and it is a great road bike not far off the lynskey road bike it replaced. A touch heavier and a bit slacker but great over distance. Would really recommend and as mentioned they are very nicely put together and you never need to worry about corrosion, chipping or scratching paint again.

Nothing lasts forever, but.

This. @amey dribbles.

Exactly.

Myself I am waiting for the Canyon SLX disc with mudguard and rack eyelets.

Even if it gets released this year you won't get it till 2017.

2020 more like, just get a Datum ludwig 🇬🇧