for how pretty I think Ti bikes are heck I think that GT is drop dead sexy. I have found that compared to steel that they tend to be heavier for the same stiffness and/or more flexy.
I have ridden the Salsa Selme ti and felt its was too flexy although very complaint, it still was not light for sure not as light as the old scadium/carbon first gen selma's.
Steel on the other hand, I have a mass produced cheap steel frame. it light for the price, and IMO way stiffer where it needs to be well still having the magic carpet like steel ride. The only hardtails I have liked better than the redline are the Niner steel bikes(SIR and MCR), the Old salsa Selma/mamista, the Niner Air Nine carbon , the giant XTC 29er carbon, and my next potential SS bike the Kona Honzo(game changing bike though due to its progressive geo). For how much I would love a boutique steel frame from Hubcup, spot,, elect the cost is absurdly high and IMO not any more value than the mass produced frames. I can build a whole carbon bike for the cost of a frame in many cases and trust me carbon is the best material (short term) for making a bike out of.
BW -- interesting comments on Ti frames. I was under the impression that they were lighter and more supple feeling than Reynolds, but not necessarily that much more flexy. But wanting a Ti frame is different from actually owning one. In reality, the price would probably keep me away, as we've invested a lot in good quality bikes for all four of us in the family in the past few years, so buying a $3000 Ti frame is not in the cards anytime soon. A really good Reynolds frame, on the other hand, might just tempt me. I've stumbled upon a couple of sweet 29ers in the past year -- a Jamis Dragon, and a Marin Pine Mtn. single speed. Had the shop stocked the Jamis in my frame size, or the Marin in a geared setup, I might have pulled the trigger. I have not seen Niner bikes anywhere in this area, but I hear they are very nice. Not sure what the difference is between the SIR 9 and the MCR. I'll do a dealer search and see if I can do a test ride somewhere.
As for scadium, is anyone even making bikes out that anymore? Supposed to be great material, though. I know a guy with an older Kona scandium hard tail, and he says it's the best bike he's ever owned (and he has a low of high end bikes in his stable, including some pricey carbon numbers).
But Jim thinks they look really sharp with the bike, and as you know Svend, Jim is all about fashion and style. 
Lynn -- quite so. He cut a dashing figure in his bright yellow and blue rain gear last fall for our ride along the Potomac. And he seemed proud of his ensemble -- he most certainly chose the shade of yellow of his jacket to match the paintwork on his bike. Fashion is all in the details, eh Jim?
Hey, if your GT is lookiing a bit scuffed, put Mr. R to work with a can of metal polish and a buffing cloth. That can be his penance for not saying you're the fastest rider on the road. With a bike like yours, you outta be. Nice rig, Miss Lynn!
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