[jpmike6656]

Hi guys and gals, I don't know anything about using scandium for mtb frames but see them for sale. I've been looking at Lynskeys and the titanium frames they build, drool! I'm interested in building a 29er. I see 29er scandium frames for about 1/2 the price of a titanium frame from Lynskeys. I imagine the price diff. is that Lynskeys frames are hand made in the US (huge plus) and the other frames from are robotically built in China (big minus). I guess my question is how is scandium diff. as a frame material from crmo steel/titanium/carbon/aluminum? Any opinion/help is appreciated.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Mike

[Industry_Hack]

Seems like you've got a bit of misinformation. You could pay a premium for a frame made in the US, but that doesn't necessarily mean you get a better bike. And many people fail to make the distinction between China and Taiwan.

Given a choice, would you prefer a frame that's hand made by someone who only builds maybe a couple dozen bikes a year, or someone that welds up several bikes a day? I'm just trying to point out that country of origin does not always dictate quality.

As far as comparing materials, that would take forever to point out the differences. But here's a short primer on Scandium, which is an element added to aluminum alloys.

[funetical]

Which is better Scandium or Titanium?

[IanHighfield]

Do not judge frames by where they are built. This is often a big mistake and tends to cast a negative light on the person making the judgment. People in China are no better or worse than those in the USA or the UK.

As for the metals. Both can make a good frame. I have no long-term experience with scandium but ride a titanium MTB and think it's great. Very stiff and fairly light. My bike is not shocked or suspended. If you are familiar with alloy as a frame material, I'd say titanium is very similar in feel to me. I like alloy too but have heard of major frame failures with this material. I have never seen an alloy failure on a production bike however.

I just saw a picture of a carbon fibre mountain bike posted in recumbents by JohnnyMagic you should find. Have never seen a better looking MTB. And being of CF it has to be pretty stiff yet soft of feel. Go find that photo. Expect to fall out of love with metal. I have.

[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by funetical

Which is better Scandium or Titanium?

Neither.


Ian, you can call it aluminium. Technically, all metals are alloys, since they are composed of more than one element.

[Industry_Hack]

Carbon fiber iso-truss wins, hands down.

[IanHighfield]

Originally Posted by Industry_Hack

Neither.


Ian, you can call it aluminium. Technically, all metals are alloys, since they are composed of more than one element.

It's the spelling that gives me the dry heaves. I always get it wrong. Alloy I can handle.

[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by IanHighfield

It's the spelling that gives me the dry heaves. I always get it wrong. Alloy I can handle.

I worked for a transport company in Australia, and we shipped aluminium all day long. Drove me nuts.

[IanHighfield]

Where did the CF truss frame come from, Indy Hack?

Looks like you could twist it into junk. But it must be much stronger than it appears.

[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by IanHighfield

Where did the CF truss frame come from, Indy Hack?

Looks like you could twist it into junk. But it must be much stronger than it appears.

Some info. Real world results.