Carbon vs Ti vs CroMo rail durability?

[sethschmautz]

Just snapped a rail on my CroMo railed Phenom and need to buy a replacement. Is anybody seeing much of a difference in durability between the three materials? Cost difference between CroMo and Ti looks to be about $30.

Seth

[toast2266]

I've bent / snapped lots of cromo. I think I bent a ti, although that was a while ago. Never bent or broke carbon, but I've only had one saddle with carbon rails.

For $30 more, I'd go ti.

[jamal]

I've seen a number of broken carbon rails, would stick to steel or ti for a mtb or cx/gravel bike I think.

[Andeh]

I've broken a carbon rail Silverado. Technically, it was a skills coach riding my bike, who only weighed like 150 lbs at most, but he insisted I must have weakened it before. He said he's broken about 3 of them, and just uses Ti now. Another guy I know has broken carbon Volts.

Never had an issue with the Ti rails. Would not recommend the carbon ones, but if you really absolutely want a carbon one, I've got the warranty replacement Silverado in my parts box.

[sethschmautz]

I'm definitely leaning toward Ti with these recommendations. That said, if the price was really cheap for that silverado I'd consider it.

[Sandbox]

I’ve bent a cro mo Chromag… that’s about all I can offer


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[plugboots]

Yup. Broke a Carbon, and one squeaks. Ti has always been great. Ti from now on. I’m only 175 lbs and don’t do big drops.

[Andeh]

I'm definitely leaning toward Ti with these recommendations. That said, if the price was really cheap for that silverado I'd consider it.

Actually, I forgot I also have an SQLab 611 Ergowave Active S-Tube (Ti rails) if you're more interested in that. Size 13 (measures a hair over 140mm wide). Nearly new, just a couple rides on it before I realized that even though this was the right width, I didn't like the shape. $90 shipped.