Stiffness is usually not considered strength. Strength, whether in compression, tension, or shear, is usually defined as the load it can handle without plastic

Stiffness is usually not considered strength. Strength, whether in compression, tension, or shear, is usually defined as the load it can handle without plastic deformation or fracture. Elastic deformation is by definition reversible once the load is removed. Titanium actually isn't that stiff, either. It's quite a bit more flexible than steel. New martensitic steel alloys can be close to a match for the best titanium alloys for strength/weight ratio as well. Since this material is less dense, it should provide better stiffness for weight, since thicker members can be constructed with the same weight. Much like how aluminum bicycles have much larger tubes than steel ones, to make up for the greater elastic flexibility of aluminum.