...lots of very good suggestions IMO.
Does it have to be Ti? If we are pretending money is no object then what about a Crumpton?
Bike Forum
[closed]
Ti road frames.....
-
Posted 2 years ago #
-
Bike frames are like suits; what looks great this year will look dated and tatty in 5-6-8 years time.
Ti is nice, but is waaaaay over-rated as a frame material. I'd go carbon in the latest up-to-the-minute spec, then review the situation in 4 or 5 years.
Custom....Nah. Unless you are a monkey with extremely out of the ordinary proportions, custom is a very expensive way of riding a bike.
Money no object? Get a Scott carbon with Di2 or whatever the Shimano electric groupset is called.
Money getting a bit tighter? Get a high end carbon Colnago/Scott/Pinarello/insert flash manufacturer with the top of the range Shimano or Campag groupset on it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Currently contemplating either a Sabbath or an Enigma road bike. I already have a couple of US made Ti frames (Cove Hummer and Ibis Silk Ti) while my missus has an Airborne. To be honest, the Airborne looks and rides just as nicely for a lot less money. I'm about to send back a Cove Hummer as an aluminium insert was used in the frame construction and Litespeed have offered under warranty to reinsert the insert if they can save it or cut out the head tube and charge me for the privilege. Cue one shortened top tube and one very unhappy customer. Frankly, I'd rather have a Taiwanese or Chinese frame builder who turns out a higher volume of frames build my bike than a yank who'll charge me more for the privilege.
A mate has a custom DeSalvo crosser- lovely bike painted up by Spectrum but the clearances for the discs are paper thin.
Of course, if money is no object, there is always Robin Matther if you want a full custom UK made machine. His steel creations are mighty fine. I would expect his Ti ones to be equally as nice.
Cheers
Sanny
Posted 2 years ago # -
Titus makes some very lovely Ti road frames, amongst other the Solera.
Have a look on their website.Posted 2 years ago # -
And speaking of Titus, if you are lucky enough to fit a 54cm frame, Fattreadbikes have one Solera on sale for £700!!!!!! (down from £2000)
It is the 07 frame, mate built one up and it is superb.
http://www.fattreadbikes.co.uk/offersPosted 2 years ago # -
And here is a linky to a piccy of a solera
http://www.titusti.com/solera_lg.htmlPosted 2 years ago # -
If oyu get it custom built you can specify stiffness etc...At the end of the day a Ti bike could be built to ride like a Carbon or Aluminium bike.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I built up a Planet X / Lynskey Pro Ti thingee earlier this year, the 'race' one, it rides really nicely, very supple but not wibbly when you do put the power down either, really smooths out the Peak roads. I like it a lot. I haven't ridden any of the exotica that folk keep suggesting - I wonder if they have - but for the money, the Planet X frame is absolutely blinding and looks nice too in an understated sort of way.
Posted 2 years ago # -
At the end of last year I spent some time riding a Colnago EPS, which handled and rode pretty much the same as my CR6/4 - although the CR isn't as light.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Serotta = money no option
Glider Tupelo Ti, from cyclefit in London is ti frame made by Serotta but Glider badged. Still not cheap though, and more of a trad, rather than compact frame design.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I got three things at once - custom fit, ti frame (mtb) and custom orthotics (insoles) in decent shoes. Going from my old shoes/insoles and my too-small-for-me Inbred it was a massive improvement, though impossible to single out which had the most effect. Though the shoes/insoles also feel awesome on my other bikes (knee trouble in the past). Possibly would have got most of the benefit on a custom steel frame, but that wasn't what I really wanted.
Eye-wateringly expensive, but probably the best value things I've ever bought since I now want to, and am able to cycle loads more than I used to.
Serotta frame and orthotics from Physio4Life.
Posted 2 years ago # -
A work colleague of mine had an off the peg Van Nicholas until recently, He did like it but being 6’2”-ish and having a longer legged/shorter torso build than "normal" I think he wanted something a bit more specific geometry wise, shorter top tube and taller HT/ST than his Large off the peg frame, he wound up selling it and that just about covered the cost of a heavier steel Dave Yates custom frameset… which I think he's much happier with...
Fit is king with road bikes, light, spangly Ti is all well and good, but if you’re grinding out the miles on a bike that doesn’t fit properly then it’s wasted money, you need to try before you buy, as it’s a lot of cash even for an off the peg one, on what should be a long term “keeper” frame…
Posted 2 years ago # -
All the Seven fanboys may be interested to read this.
On top of that, when he ordered, they screwed up the order, geometry wasn't even close to being right for him.
Put me right off having one.
I'm intrigued about crikey putting a Scott in the 'money no object' pile then suggesting Pinarello as a cheaper option.
What's a Prince frameset these days? £3300? Not exactly cheap. I really want to like the Addict, but it's just boring and uninspiring!
Incidentally that's where my money would go, I'm 5'10 and when I was about 67kg I tried several high end ti bikes (Litespeed Ghisallo, Merlin Extralite etc) and found them really flexy and unpleasant, I'd never buy one.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Glad someone else mentioned Robin Mather as I wouldn't want to appear biased (although if you want his PDF on Ti frames mail me
).I would also have a look at a 953 frameset, as they look lovely, although never ridden one. The IF SSR springs to mind...
Posted 2 years ago # -
That Titus Solera is a peach.....
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've now emailed different chaps at Sabbath twice with queries regarding getting one of their bikes on C2w scheme. Maybe they think I'm taking the pss but had nothing back at all. Have to call I guess.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ask them for one of these:
Posted 2 years ago # -
I would love a Ti race or sportive frame next year.
Have you chosen one yet Mcboo? (sorry if I missed it on one the replies above)
Posted 2 years ago # -
I love that new Sabbath, in a strange 'it's ugly but I like it' way
Posted 2 years ago # -
Those Sabbath stays remind me of Hetchins for some reason...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Why not go to Rourkes and get a custome built 953 frame, just as nice as a Ti but made to suit you.
Posted 2 years ago # -
In no particular order (money no object of course)
Moots (I ride a 2008 Compact and love it!)
Kent Eriksen
Independent Fabrication
Steve Potts
BlackSheep Cycles
Jim Kish
Seven
SerottaCustom ? - depends how out of proportion you are, no doubting you can get the BEST if you go custom including angles and even specific tubing depending on riding type etc but for overall stock is generally fine IMHO (mine's a 53.5cm stock Compact BTW)
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'll be perfectly honest and say that the best bike I've ever owned was carbon - a Serotta Meivici - but my current ride is ti; a Lynskey R330 (with all EC90 components de-labelled). Picture taken in current winter mode with 'orrible looking mudguards:
Its the first titanium frame I've ever owned and I completely don't regret it. Might sound daft but as amazing as the Serotta was to ride (and it was amazing) I didn't want to use it in anything less than perfect conditions so it was a bit impractical. However, it taught me just how comfortable a top end road bike can be (without sacrificing stiffness / handling) and I really got into riding century rides / sportives this year (something that was bloody torture on my old Six13 and even my old 595 was too aggressive for really long rides). I decided that - like the Serotta - I wanted something discreet and comfortable. I don't race so don't want to look like a race rep and would rather do long ride than a short blast these days so ti seemed just the ticket. And it is - with a few caveats; ti carries a weight penalty compared to carbon - even the best to frames won't be below 1250g where you can take at least 400g off that for a lot of top carbon frames - and (careful you get what you wish for!) it just doesn't have that racer-ish snap of out and out carbon race bikes. That said, I can do 100 mile on my Lynskey comfortably, I love the springy feel of the ride, I love the fact that being titanium it feels like it will last forever and I don't have to freak out about it being hammered in the rain for ages and I love the fact its quite subtle. Dare I say its a 'mature' choice...
If you want to go crazy for your 40th how about a Passoni:
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
This topic has been closed to new replies.
