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Still slightly annoyed I didn't click buy when I had the Soda ti in my basket a couple of years back and have had a hankering for something similar ever since. The recent design/launch of the Binary on Hardtail Party has given me that itch again.
The Binary looks spot on - except they're US based so there will be tax implications, and pre orders (for this run at least) are now full.
Is there anything available in the UK? Something a bit longer and slacker than a Sherpa, 120mm and sub 2kg frame?
I think Pipedream need to build a Sirius in Ti, like the olden days.
What's out there?
(and I already have a steel HT, before anyone suggests steel!)
On One Vandal.
Sonder Signal Ti.
Both designed around 130mm fork I think, but what's 10mm? 🤷♂️
I've no idea whether the geometry would suit (that sort of thing's a bit beyond me) but Singular are still doing small, built to order, batches of their Pegasus frame (the ti. version of the Swift I believe).
https://singularcycles.co.uk/products/pegasus-titanium
That Ti Pegasus single speed looks very nice!
Stanton do off the shelf Ti.
Ted James Designs do bespoke custom frame builds.
I had a Yeti Arc but ended back on a Tinder Signal TI.
Absolutely love the feel and ride of it. If you are South West based you are welcome to try it.
Sonder also have some in their demo bike sale!
My neighbour has the Sonder ti.... but he just doesn't seem to have warmed to it for whatever reason.
I want to like the On-One... but those seat stays.....
My neighbour has the Sonder ti…. but he just doesn’t seem to have warmed to it for whatever reason.
I want to like the On-One… but those seat stays…..
Posted 2 minutes ago
Doesn’t mean you wouldn’t warm to it - could you get a go in it to see what you think? I think it’s sort of long low slack rather than traditional xc style geometry from memory. Look good to me.
Those seat stays are functional - they allow the rear to move a little more and allow better access to the PM brake bolts, especially if using 180mm rotors. They're also on the Pegasus up there ^^^
Signal is nice and I'd definitely recommend but it won't tick your weight box. My XL frame weighed around 2.3kg.
I’ve got the Titus Fireline. Got it for a really good price in PlanetX roulette a few months back. To be honest I was worried as it’s the first time I’ve bought from them and read lots of horror stories.
The bike is bloody brilliant and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Fast, capable and most importantly, shiny shine. The only crap bits were the tyres which I changed straight away. Everything else is great, even the own brand dropper. I’m still messing with the MRP fork, but it does a good job.
Not got a clue how much it weighs as I’ve never weighed a bike or pay much attention to weight tbh.
Ill say Signal Ti also, i didnt gel immidiately with how it climbed, but sensible tyre choices and riding position has helped that, my medium feels pretty light, on xtzees, mezzers and xm481s
now im excited to ride it lal the time
Can recommend the Pegasus. Run mine SS with a 120mm SID 35 and dropper.
More sprightly and twisty single-track friendly than the Solaris I had (Solaris was better on steeper, more technical stuff).
Think Sam's playing with a slightly slacker, longer proto at the moment.
Sorry for going OT but what made you change the ARC?
I’ve got one and it feels like I sat with someone at Yeti describing what I wanted out of a bike. Although I still have this nagging doubt it being carbon after a years on steel!
If it's a to soda you want, why not get exactly what you want made by xcad or walty? They are the Chinese manufactures that make some of the frames for planet X.
I think they make Sonders ti frames, I'm pretty sure the make laverjack framrs looking at the details.
Sonders also do custom frames, but they will guide you through the process.
If it's x you want and x is unavailable off the shelf, why not get x made?
dcl
I had a Yeti Arc but ended back on a Tinder Signal TI
Bet it's real easy to flick that right and left
I’m looking at similar spec hard tail. I can’t find any reviews on the Lynskey Live Wire, but it looks great. I keep coming back to the Signal Ti.
I would expect ordering a Ti frame direct from China would take a very long time to get made given the lead times of the likes of Laverack at the moment.
Re the Yeti ARC, mine is the previous generation and still fine. Can't fault it and no idea still what I would replace it with. It is only just now beginning to show its age with some little lacquer chips from South Downs flints pinging the frame.
Travers Titanium does custom. 6-10 week lead time according to his website.
Normalguy I just couldn't get comfortable on the Arc. thought it would be perfect but found it a bit harsh to ride. Probably an age thing. Love being back on a Ti bike now
I’ve got a Signal Ti with a 120mm SID on it.
It’s fast, and only moderately compromised by the loss of 10mm (had a fox 130mm before). I was definitely getting more pedal strike even with 170 cranks which made the rougher stuff a bit harder. Thinking about sticking a crown race spacer on.
It never felt particularly light, the frame weighed about the same as my Transmitter. Although I didn’t really have a lightweight wheelset on it, maybe this winter I will.
Overall though it feels like a bike I could do pretty much anything from rocky peak miles, trail centres to big xc loops.
I had a Ti hardtail after a string of steel/ alu ones. I have to say it was my least favourite bike out of all the ones I have owned. I wouldn't pay a premium for a Ti hardtail again, I don't think the perceived gain is worth the extra money, but that's just me.
and what was that least favourite @andykirk ?
A Litespeed. It just felt so.... dead. Looked nice though.
The only one that could maybe suck me in now would be a Vassago, but I have a 120mm steel Vassago already and have achieved what I consider to be frame perfection (for my use). It's not brilliant in any one area, but good at everything, and has super short stays which make it really lively and fun. It's quite annoying really as I'd love nothing more than to waste some money on an N+1.
I bought a Travers titanium hardtail a few years ago which I am very happy with.
Some of the newer bikes have more modern geometry but he can do a custom option for not much more money.
Running a Sid 120mm on mine with a dropper and XC wheels and working well!
Regards,
Max.
Turner Nitrous is treating me well. I know you said re tax implications, and UK, but might be worth checking out.
Or to hell with the cost, and ask Tom Sturdy to build you the most beautiful and sweet handling ti hardtail you will ever lay eyes upon.
+1 for Turner Nitrous. Easy to deal the Turner by email or phone. I've had a couple of Ti hardtails, but the Turner is on a totally different level in terms of handling and comfort.
The Moots is very nice. Very very nice.
Kingdom bikes allow you to spec some changes on their Void hardtail - I specced mine for 130mm forks.
I have a Sonder Signal Ti, with 130mm forks and light carbon wheels, its my locals and bike packing bag, is a capable bike, but need to re adjust after i've been riding my yeti sb130 for a while! only thing i'd swap it for is a Kingdom as they have a steep head angle, but that won't be any time soon. loads of choice but didn't fancy the premium price tag of most stuff!
The Kingdom Void is an FS isn't it?
The vendetta is rated 120mm to 140mm in 29er mode.
The Kingdom Void is an FS isn’t it?
err what, yeah did someone say void when they meant vendetta, how odd.
Yep sorry, confusing because they have the printed chainstay yoke which is where the void name comes from.
Ah!
Makes sense. I have one of the last Plate CS Vendettas, which is a hybrid of the L large and XL LE geometry plus a few other little tweaks.
Best hardtail I've ever owned.
Well today I didn't buy the Binary Maniak - order book closed. Thanks to the GBP v USD and around £500 import on top of the $2000 frame cost....
GBP will be back to 2:1 by this time next year, right?!
Signal is nice and I’d definitely recommend but it won’t tick your weight box. My XL frame weighed around 2.3kg.
Ooft, as a comparison my original 26" Lynskey 456 Ti Lynskey XL weighs 1.7kg - CEN testing probably has a lot to do with it.
I've had a kingdom vendetta... lovely LLS hardcore hardtail (had 140mm forks) but no necessarily 'nimble'...
Currently got a Travers Angus SS (though, it's developed a crack...boo) that is WICKED with either rigid or 100mm forks... Nimble, fast, turns brilliantly...
Maybe a RussTi from Travers?
DrP
I was in touch with Pedro at nordest, they'll do custom geo and sliding dropouts on their ti hardtails for not crazy money when I asked. Decided I didn't ride my hardtail enough to justify a purchase but was very tempted.
Just checked, 1400 euros ex vat and duties for the custom geo and sliders back in may and he said he hoped the price would hold for 8 months...
Neuhaus Metalworks Hummingbird - check out the review of this Marin county brand on Hardtail party on Youtube
Calls it the most supple modern geo steel frame he's ever ridden, not cheap but sounds v.good. Am all about supple in this kind of ride.
Other than that, go full leftfield modern Fat Chance Yo Eddy...
or home-grown Stanton Sherpa 853 or Ti...
I think I'd want another degree or so off the Sherpa HA.
There’s a large Sonder Signal Ti on the alpkit outlet on eBay. £800 ex display instead of 1299 retail.
there was a medium, but that’s now in my possession! I will be building it with my existing 120mm forks for now and will change it as time progresses
I have a custom Sonder Signal Ti.
I paid a small uplift in cost to get sliding dropouts, longer reach and clearance for 29 plus wheels.
Neil was great to deal with and turnaround (pre pandemic) was ~9 weeks.
Its a lot less noodley than my old Kona Hei Hei 😂
.
I have a vendetta, old style 27in none-boost version
Been running it with 160mm forks for years but have just modified it to 130mm mullet
Havent tried it out yet but it looks pretty sorted!
This could be an option as older vendetta frames often pop up on ebay