Can a steel bike be had for less than Ti, and weigh less than ti? I have been looking into custom frames in Ti, but am curious if I can get a less expensive frame in steel...but I want the light weight.

Carl works with both as well as aluminum. He would be able to give the info you seek.

Can a steel bike be had for less than Ti, and weigh less than ti? I have been looking into custom frames in Ti, but am curious if I can get a less expensive frame in steel...but I want the light weight.

Steel is nearly always cheaper than Ti, because the metal itself is so much cheaper. That said, there are many Ti frames available for less than what Richard Sachs charges for his steel frames. A very light steel frame can be lighter than a heavy Ti frame, though likely not with the same riding characteristics or durability. Ti is 57% as dense as steel, so for a steel frame to be the same weight, the steel tube walls would have to be 57% as thick as the Ti tube walls. It should be self-evident that these frames would not ride the same and that the steel tubes would be more prone to denting and failure. Specific application details, including the particular steel and Ti alloys chosen would decide the outcome. All that said, you will not find a comparably durable steel frame at the weight of a Litespeed Vortex.

Can a steel bike be had for less than Ti, and weigh less than ti? I have been looking into custom frames in Ti, but am curious if I can get a less expensive frame in steel...but I want the light weight.

Depending on the materials, I think it would be possible to take a steel bike close to a ti bike. But lighter? That might be a stretch.

An example for you - I had a custom S3 steel built last year and challenged the builder to make it as light as possible. Result - 3 lbs. 4 ozs. Same challenge with a 725 steel bike resulted in 3 lbs. 8 ozs.

Built a 3/2 Ti bike this year to the exactly same dimensions, no challenge on making it light. Result - 2 lbs. 9 ozs.

Talking to Carl Strong is a recommendation I second - he built a custom for me.

Terry and Kerry pretty much covered this topic. Steel is a great material for a road bike frame but it's not the lightest. Frankly, flyweight frames are over rated in my opinon; lightweight frames are a compromise when it comes to durability and often stiffness. And why worry about 1/2 lb on the most important part in a bike?

Steel bikes can be made pretty light. Titanium is more expensive mostly because it is more difficult to work with. Remember that most of a complete bike's total weight comes from the components. A high end steel frame is going to be less than a pound heavier than a titanium frame. If you're a weight weenie, you're probably thinking carbon instead of metal anyway.