Custom steel frame or titanium off the peg

i'm getting a new frame for a project next year, i can't decide whether to go for custom build for around £8 - 900 or an off the peg titanium for £1000. i like the idea of a bike made to fit, but i also like the idea of ti (bike for life).
what do you guys reckon? a custom ti is just silly money.

Ti FTW!

If you are a funny shape go custom
If you are all in proportion you may get away with ti otp
Have you had a cyclefit to determine ideal geometry first?

Engima do custom Ti for a reasonable price on top of the standard OTP

flip a coin , theres always next year , if you make the wrong decision.

get a cycle fit. Even if it's just getting a mate to help you with the Competitive Cyclist online fit and a turbo trainer to test it on. Then weigh up what you want, custom steel will be unique and you can have it exactly how you want, but will have to wait a while, OTP titanium may do everything you need and want but won't be unique. It also depends on what you thinks looks nicer.

^ that's what i keep coming back to, it'll be what i want and unique. steel bikes should last long enough anyway. cheers guys, steel is real - keep it steel. just need to learn about the different steels now.

Don't buy into the myth about Ti lasting forever. That's just marketing bollocks.

^ that's what i keep coming back to, it'll be what i want and unique. steel bikes should last long enough anyway. cheers guys, steel is real - keep it steel. just need to learn about the different steels now.

953 is the balls, it's stainless. 853 is best for something actually affordable.

ti is more durable but not indestructible

fit is more important than frame material, so get a fit done

if you can then find an otp frame that fits great, if not then get a custom one

i like ti but make the choice for yourself

custom steel over OTP ti every time.

this depends

do you need custom geo or is there a stock bike that will do?

Even if you're averagely proportioned for an "OTP fit", there is something a bit special and deeply satisfying about having a frame custom made for you. As well as geometry, take into account any preferences you can specify regarding spec, design, materials, etc. One of the reasons I pimped up my 25 year old custom steel frame this year is because I simply couldn't bring myself to pass it on. Plus, as far as longevity goes, I think 25 years is pretty good and it rides as well as ever.

Go custom steel - you'll love it more than you would an otp (another bare looking ti bike won't seem as special).

custom steel, next

save up a little more and custom ti, best of all worlds

Why can't steel be a bike for life? People are still riding steel bikes now that were made in the 70's.

Personally, I would go for custom steel every time - fuck all the geometry bollocks for a second: what you are going to get from someone like Chas Roberts or Brian Rourke is something handmade, for YOU, to your spec, in the finish of your choice, in the tubeset of your choice, finished by a master craftsman. What you will get for the same money in Ti will be batch made in the east or Russia. No brainer in my opinion.

Disclaimer; I don't own a custom steel frame, or any titanium.

Custom Ti from Justin Burls isn't so expensive.

I own 2 custom ti frames, and have one stock ti bike and another on order.

I think of it as idiot proof steel, not the thinking mans steel as señor bear calls it.

Don't Burls get all their frames built in Russia?

I think their tubing's from Russia.

I own 2 custom ti frames, and have one stock ti bike and another on order.

The biggest irony is that the stock is taking as long as a custom.

damn you scoble - one of your rare typings of truth!

Don't Burls get all their frames built in Russia?

I think their tubing's from Russia.

Aerospace grade titanium.

The design discussion is local and it's welded up in Russia AFAIK. Happy with mine. Pretty stellar service for the price.