Ignore the titanium forever bike naysayers. I’m still riding and racing an almost 22 year old custom Seven Axiom. It’s on it 3rd drivetrain. Two Dura Ace 9 speeds and a recent conversion to Dura Ace 11. The second 9 speed update was after 15 years of consistent riding and while new components of that flavor where no longer being supplied by Shimano, there was plenty available on the aftermarket. Both used and NOS. Chains are still around. Cassettes not hard to find. Went to 11 because I wanted the extra 2 cogs in the back, and the aesthetics of hidden cables under the bar tape, but the 9 speed parts are still in good shape and sitting in my parts box. This frame has withstood years of racing, a couple crashes and last year survived getting ripped off the roof of my car when I drove it into the garage. I’m not anti-carbon. I also ride an Ibis Hakka MX, but I’m done buying road bikes. I love my Seven and it keeps on ticking.
Right on. The “forever” bike isn’t a material, its the one you just like so much you keep it going. A friend has an original Merlin Extralight. Last year he had a shop hang Campy 12s on it and is as happy today as when he got it several decades ago.
Forever or not, if you are putting a leg over a great bike and going for a ride it’s all good.
I just got a Moots Routt RSL. Best bike Ive ever owned by far. To me that was the best all around Ti bike out there, that I could get. I was between a Routt RSL and Firefly. Id shoot for 40mm or tire clearance and fairly normal geometry. Odds are you dont “need” custom geo.
Consider the long-term “future proof” of things like BB’s, headsets, etc. You can tell what will be available in 10-years (because its been around for the last 20).
This is the biggest knock against my 2012ish Colnago. It can fit a true to size and not too tall 25mm tire. It would be nice to bump up to 28 (probably an actual 30mm) sized tire.
Material is less important than fit. If you fit well on a stock frame, good for you and I’d be happy on carbon. Personally, at 6’4" I don’t fit any stock frames particularly well and have been riding a custom Ti frame for 9 years. Awesome. I have a new road frame on order (steel!) that will allow for modern wider tires and disc brakes. I plan to build it up with campy 12 and carbon wheels. The pound or so I’m giving up in weight to a carbon frame will not matter compared to having the fit I want. Can’t wait. Fit fit fit. That is what’s important. Get the fit right and everything else will be fine.