Show us your Titanium! - Ti and Stainless bikes

Some lovely bikes here love the idea of ti and a bike that really lasts. Am very close to parting with my hard earned cash for a van nic mistral. Any other options in the sub 1500 bracket I should be looking at? Mostly going to be used for sportives and odd bit of touring.

Have you looked at this one?
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p2573

Its an Audax frame so should be a happy medium between racebike, and tourer theoretically.

With 2 kids it can be nice to have a bike you can ride in the rain. I find the perfect cycling weather turns to rain. The second my kids are asleep, and the Mrs releases me from fatherly duties. So the mudguard clearance could be nice. Plus you can add a rack if you do find the time for some light touring.

Not to say the minstral isnt bloody nice though. Plus you can buy clip on mudguards, a massive saddle bag, and a big barbag etc. So while its not as flexible a frame as the Audax. you've hardly burnt any bridges. Depends on your priorities.