Forum menu
Recommend me a Ti f...
 

[Closed] Recommend me a Ti frame...

Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 
[#546829]

Bored at work and the "Are Alu hardtails still relevant" thread has got me thinking...

Having been a bit out of the loop for the past 18 months I dunno what the latest buzz is as far as Ti frames go. What is there at around about the grand mark? Can you get them for less now-a-days? Is it worth spending more? That sort of stuff, and if so, what?

Thinking maybe trade in my S-Works hardtail for something Ti and less overtly jey


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 2:41 pm
Posts: 1
Free Member
 

I love my Whyte 19 Ti (but the frame was a bit more than a grand), and I've got the option to change from geared or SS very easily.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 2:50 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I really loved my Airborne Black Widow, so maybe look at Van Nicholas.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 2:51 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Funny you should say that, I was just running the rule over Van Nicholas here...

[url= http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/store.asp/d=3/c=45 ][/url]

Is that who Airborne "became"? Mrs P has an Airborne Liberator which is a lovely little frame (Alu tho')


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 2:58 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Yep - Airborne "became" Van Nicholas. You can also get "Airborne" frames direct from China, but the exchange rate makes this less attractive than it once was. I got mine for £325 (delivered).


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:04 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Have a search for old threads on On-One Ti 456 which appeared last year to great acclaim, I got one, like it a lot.

Ragley Ti about to drop, more expensive but will be worth a test ride. Again, quite a few threads on here. Brant built both.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:04 pm
 mt
Posts: 48
Free Member
 

Built em with his own hands then?


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:08 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Yes, I think the rights to the Airborne name ran out or something so then the Van Nicholas brand was formed to sell the frames. The Black Widow is the same as the Tuareg. You can also find the same frame direct from [url= http://www.ti-bicycle.com/chpjsh/shdch-e.htm ]here[/url]


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:10 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Lots of choice but be careful - dont forget the old adage "You get what you pay for.."


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:12 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

So if Black Widow = Toerag, does it follow that Lancaster = Zion?

neilb67: That chinese website looks well dodgy, for starters the MTB frame has v-brake bosses and no disc mounts


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:17 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

RepacK - Member

Lots of choice but be careful - dont forget the old adage "You get what you pay for.."

In this case, you pay more, you get a fashionable "name".


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:18 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Not always true Druid - yes in some cases but not always the case.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:19 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Yep - Lancaster = Zion.

Here's one of the cheap chinese frames built up (in this case a HM-III).

[img] [/img]

They all have V-brake [b]and[/b] disk mounts

Oh - and the dodgy graphics come off with a wee touch of nail varnish remover.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:20 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Never bought from the site. Was just pointed to it by the people who sold them on Ebay. Which I believe is were Druid bought his. They are all from the same factory in China. You can spec what you want on the frame. As I said before never had any dealings so not personally recommending. Druid seems very happy with his though... 🙂


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:23 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

mike_P, the frame in the picture does have disc mounts


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:26 pm
Posts: 17843
 

There's a Litespeed Obed in the Classifieds.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:34 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

It does now... your link took me to a completely different site the first time I clicked on it! The glory of the web, eh...


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:34 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

MT have you the scene from The Office when the IT geek pays a visit?

“You know when he's fighting Chuck Norris in Enter the Dragon?”
“No?”
“You not seen that?”
“No?”
“Have you not, I can’t... that is a classic.”
“No, I’ve not seen him fight Chuck Norris in Enter the Dragon, I’ve seen him fight Chuck Norris in Way of the Dragon.”
“Ah, that’s what I meant, that's what I meant.”
“Is it? Why did you say have you seen him fight Chuck Norris in Enter the Dragon? He fight’s Bob Wall in both, but Norris is only in Way of the Dragon.”
“Yeah, I know, so when he’s fighting Chuck Norris-”
“In what?”
“In Way of the Dragon.”
“Correct. At last.”

Go on mate, correct me.....


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:37 pm
 mt
Posts: 48
Free Member
 

mcboo - as a manufacturer with our own design office I'll be pedantic, design/built himself but manufactured by others is significant. Especially when made by cheap labour in the fareast. I'll give Mr Richards his due he does not make any claims about doing anything other than what he does, unlike some uk based "manufacturers". To think we all worry about being unemployed, were did all the jobs go?


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 3:59 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

The Whyte is essentially a Litespeed - just thought Id point that out.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 4:03 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

so my Ti frame was built in Asia? Chattanooga actually, which is word i never get tired of saying.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 4:09 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

and thanks for pointing out yourself that you were being pedantic. Top man, apology accepted.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 4:12 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Here we go... get a room FFS

RepacK - being a Litespeed is no bad thing, surely?


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 4:14 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

yeah the ti bit of my frame was built in chattanooga as well 🙂


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 4:17 pm
 jad
Posts: 7
Free Member
 

I got myself a VN Zion last year before the exchange rate was less attractive. I've been really impressed with it. I use it for the daily commute and fit mudguards & rigid fork during the winter. It's also got mounts for a rack so I can go touring on it as well.

The Santa Cruz hasn't seen any use for months - that's how pleased I am with it.

It depends what you want - it 'only' takes a 100mm fork.

Just Washed:
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 4:30 pm
 mt
Posts: 48
Free Member
 

mcboo - I take pride in being pedantic (in this instance) so don't see it as an apology, you were wrong.

Did you really type all that scene from The Office for me, takes on to know one then.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 4:33 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

mike_p yeah Litespeed top bikes & I love the idea of a Ti HT designed for the UK manufactured by one of the best makers (allegedly).


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 4:52 pm
Posts: 1
Free Member
 

This was on my Whyte 19 frame.
[img] http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ywykir&outx=600&quality=70 [/img]


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 5:11 pm
Posts: 17843
 

My MLC

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 5:12 pm
Posts: 8403
Full Member
 

The Zion and the 19 both appeal to me as I could run the Rohloff on either if I went for right Zion frame.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 5:13 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Lookin for less 'jey' then the ragley is probably your best bet close to what you want to spend.

Litespeeds are about £1700 and I think the Cove Hummer now made by Lynskey is about the same.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 5:39 pm
Posts: 468
Full Member
 

Anotehr vote for Airborne(Van nicholas) here, I love my black widow(Tuareg). Mike_p I didn't know that airborne did any alu frames, you learn something new every day eh!


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 6:03 pm
Posts: 10635
Full Member
 

I prefer my Airborne to either the Ti456, the Cotic Soda or the Hummer and yes I've owned them all.

I'd like a Whyte 19 Ti, it looks fandabbiedosie....but i'll never see one second hand and so will never own one.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 6:14 pm
Posts: 19
Free Member
 

i got a second hand airbourne lancaster (zion) frame with lifetime warranty.

It had tatty decals, so i stripped it refinished it with scotchbrite, and reapplied some van nic decals, it came up as new.

didnt skimp on parts, the whole thing only cost about £1100, which is the same as most frames, ....

best bike i have ever built/ridden

[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 6:31 pm
Posts: 1442
Free Member
 

a custom crisp.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 6:33 pm
Posts: 1011
Full Member
 

DeSalvo


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 7:13 pm
Posts: 66115
Full Member
 

"mcboo - as a manufacturer with our own design office I'll be pedantic, design/built himself but manufactured by others is significant. Especially when made by cheap labour in the fareast."

The current titanium On Ones are made by Lynskey, neither cheap nor far eastern.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 7:19 pm
 gamo
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

Van Nicholas Mamtor looks nice!


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 9:20 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

van nick zion - cheap, light, fast, brilliant frame detailing what's not to like (mate has one)

OK it's not very "core" like the 456Ti is.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 10:04 pm
Posts: 143
Free Member
 

What's the deal with hummers these days, have they fallen out of fashion? Does the change from litespeed to lynskey make any difference? For what its worth I love mine, a 97, 19 inch,
PJ


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 10:49 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

buzz-lightyear - Member

van nick zion - cheap, light, fast, brilliant frame detailing what's not to like (mate has one)

OK it's not very "core" like the 456Ti is.

You missed "versatile". My cheapo copy of a Zion has been around SITS, to the top of Cairngorm and loaded up with panniers for off-road touring.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 11:10 pm
Posts: 357
Free Member
 

[img] [/img]
Love my Seven Sola. IMO if you go the Ti route you have to lay down the cash to get the benefits over a steel bike. Indy Fab also make some lurvely bikes too. If I was in the market again I would probably get an Indy.


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 11:22 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Fat tread have a few Elevens in the sale for under the price you are talking about.they retailed at 1600 but are less than a grand. possibly only Large and smalls though..


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 11:26 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Another vote for Airborne/Van Nicholas. I borrowed my friend's Black Widow for a quick bash around the woods and that was it... she very very very kindly let me have her frame(!) and has since got another one. Her husband has also got one... That's how nice they ride. Really lovely bikes. (Oh and yes, we do look very special if when we go riding together!)


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 11:39 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I've got a Ti456 and its ace.

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 12/05/2009 11:59 pm
Page 1 / 2