Forum menu
"Still, that's the advantage of going to someone with no/little experience "
I'm not going to anyone with 'no/little experience', I'm going to be using the services of a framebuilder/s with many years of building frames behind them.
"you ... get all grumpytrousers with anyone who dares disagree with you."
This isn't actually true, but if you want to think that, go ahead. I've actually taken several points raised by other posters, on board. Yes, I have had different opinions with certain individuals, but as it's going to be MY bike not theirs, I'm entitled to do so. One or two posters have suggested 'don't do this or that' without actually explaining why. Some of the 'advice' on this thread is contrary to what several actual frame builders have advised, therefore I'm inclined to go with what people who actually make bicycle frames advise, rather than with those who ave no experience of this.
"You're set on a course which will ultimately get you exactly the bike you ask for, of this I have no doubts, but that's a world away from the bike you actually want. Have a think on that."
You have no idea what 'course' I'm on, the conversations I've had with various skilled and experienced people, the knowledge and experience I already have from working in the cycle industry, or indeed anything about me other than what you've decided to interpret on this one thread. Your only input to this thread appears to be to try to antagonise me. Have a think on that.
"you want a money-is-no-object do-everything frame that'll potentially set you back several thousands of pounds and last you for the best part of the next two decades, and yet are basing immutable design decisions on random components you happen to have lying around. Seriously?"
Yes. You may think that's a 'risk', but it's one that I'm willing to take. I'm basing such choices on what I know to work for me personally. I have a far better idea of what that is, than you do.
"you don't really know what you want. "
I have a pretty good idea, backed up by several people who know about framebuilding. It's the fine details I'm trying to get worked out. This thread has been very helpful in certain ways, and I understand that on the internet, you will always get those who think they know better, and need to express their egos a bit. Fortunately, I'm able to filter out the wheat from the chaff.
Ok. I'd like to put this nonsense to bed. I appreciate any positive input from those with ideas and experience of having a frame made, and for those who simply want to shout 'you're wrong' at me, I suggest you find another outlet for your energies. Thanks.
"I only sort the cable runs on my steel frames once I have a complete frame and dummy parts build to experiment with."
This is very good advice. I have been thinking about what components will be used, and any possible alternatives that might come into play. This is something I will of course be discussing with the frame builder.
and I understand that on the internet, you will always get those who think they know better, and need to express their egos a bit.
Anyone got a link for a new irony meter? Mine's just exploded.
" I understand that on the internet, you will always get those who think they know better, and need to express their egos a bit."
🙂
EDIT. too slow I see!
Which frame builder are you going to use?
Who was that bloke who was a director of the surf/bike brand importer who used to come on here and try and wind people up every now and again until he got banned again?
"Which frame builder are you going to use?"
Not sure yet, although I have one or two 'favourites' so far, based on the conversations I've had with them. Definitely won't be using on company, as their attitude was rather condescending and it seemed they weren't interested in deviating from their own limited palette of designs. As it's actually a rather simple design brief ultimately, it looks like it will come down to whoever can sort out the fine details the best. I won't be naming names just yet, but will be making a decision in the next couple of weeks or so, and get some money down on it. Considering what's involved with a custom build, I think the actual costs are pretty reasonable actually, certainly when considered relative to many other items.
bartyp - Member
"as their attitude was rather condescending and it seemed they weren't interested in deviating from their own limited palette of designs."
Oh the iornings.
It was SurfSales, although they seem to be mostly closed down now. Maybe he has time on his hands?
You have no idea... anything about me other than what you've decided to interpret on this one thread.
Sure, and I wasn't claiming otherwise. How could I?
Your only input to this thread appears to be to try to antagonise me. Have a think on that.
Heh. Don't flatter yourself, I don't really care sufficiently to waste time intentionally antagonising you. I was actually trying to help you avoid potentially making a very expensive mistake.
But again, you're assuming that everyone who disagrees with you is "antagonising" or otherwise unqualified to comment, and that's not going to make a great impression when people who [i]actually do this stuff professionally[/i] are offering you free advice. The ones shouting "you're wrong" that you're instantly dismissive of (did anyone actually say that?) might well just be Internet warriors of course, but alternatively they might actually have a point.
Ho hum. Anyway. I sincerely wish you all the best with your build and look forward to reading the rest of the story.
Which frame builder are you going to use?
I dunno, it all got confusing somewhere arround these comments:
I've merely stated I would rather get advice from someone who actually builds Titanium frames, than someone who doesn't. I think that's perfectly fair really.
a lad who's just starting out in (steel) frame-building, with a view to setting something up with him
But in all seriousness:
Probably 160mm maximum really. Won't need as much braking power as something like an enduro style MTB for example. Maybe even 140mm on the rear, as I'm not that heavy
Don't underestimate braking forces on the road. An Enduro bike, or even a DH bike is braking from 25mph and limited by the traction of the trail surface. And the speed is continuously scrubbed off by the rough trail doing a lot of the work. A road bike you'll be braking from 50mph+, with far more grip, and you lose almost no energy to the roughness of the road, and if carrying panniers you'll be carrying 20% more weight too.
It was SurfSales, although they seem to be mostly closed down now. Maybe he has time on his hands?
That'll be our Graeme, if you need a quick reminder. He crops up like a fart in a lift every so often, we deleted his latest alter-ego only a month or so ago. He sent us an email in response telling us how shit we were and how rubbish the site was, then promising that he'd return at some point. Which presumably made some sort of sense in his head, I have no idea.
and here we are 😉
Oh yeah, and he accused the forum of dying out - the day after the busiest day the website had ever seen, with some 92,000+ visitors. (-:
'Custom rack'- would be very nice, yet very expensive, especially in Titanium,
A custom frame isn't exactly cheap, a rack would be a small percentage of the overall cost.
But...why not have the rack incorporated into the frame rather than an accessory? That would be the most "elegant" solution.
Something like this, but obviously much nicer and in keeping with your frame rather than just looking like a welded on extra:
[img] 
[/img]
😯
wow, that 'could' be more ugly I suppose, but you'd have to try really really hard
Not quite as cool as a radball frame though
[img] 
[/img]
My eyes!!
Pffft!
This, however;
[img] 
[/img]
have you been in my garage waswas!
Lets not derail the thread ^^, it has all the hallmarks of being a beaut.
Interested to know who the builder is as I wasn't aware of that many in the UK that specialise in titanium which I thought (quite possibly incorrectly) was a lot more finicky to weld well than steel.
wow, that 'could' be more ugly I suppose, but you'd have to try really really hard
In fairness I was thinking more along the lines of Jones rather than Cube 😉
I stand by my suggestion though.
turboferret - MemberIf you are going to have a rack on there full-time, why not build the rack into the frame? I took quite a bit of inspiration from Rob English when putting together my bike - load of fantastic stuff on his site.
I wondered what had become of 'Bob' English. Went to school with him and shared a DT Class at A-Level. I remember he built a Ti seatpost which failed and a recumbent built out of a cannibalised regular frame. Nice chap and gald to see he has chased his dream.
OP, out of interest is the frame that your basing your new design on, made from Ti?
Is that fixie-thing supposed to wheelie everywhere? Otherwise the geometry, flat pedals and 1:1 gearing make no sense!
[quote=thisisnotaspoon ]Is that fixie-thing supposed to wheelie everywhere? Otherwise the geometry, flat pedals and 1:1 gearing make no sense!
Rad = Wheel.
Bal = Ball
I can see the skill, but there's a reason that's never taken off isn't there.. 😆
What is it with the Germans and riding bikes in sports halls?
thisisnotaspoon - Member
What is it with the [u]Germans [/u]and riding bikes in sports halls?
I think you need to read that again. Sort of self explanatory.
Saw this and thought of this thread.
[img] 
[/img]
seems fair 😆
brant - Member
Saw this and thought of this thread.
Not sure where I fit in on that scale 🙂
Fwiw I had a bike fit a couple of years ago from which I have a list of measurements that suit me. Having ridden around for a coupe of years, doing maybe 8,000 miles, I was fairly happy they were right. Brant designed my frame around those figures. I realise that you have a frame as a starting point but if you're spending a load of money I'd want to be absolutely sure the basics were spot on first.
"you're assuming that everyone who disagrees with you is "antagonising" or otherwise unqualified to comment"
I'm not. But there are a few individuals whose input has been little other than to try to antagonise. I'll be ignoring them from now on, unless they have something constructive to offer. I think that's fair enough.
"that's not going to make a great impression when people who actually do this stuff professionally are offering you free advice."
So far, I've had only positive conversations with 'people who actually do this stuff professionally'. Most seemed very keen to undertake the work. And so far, no-one who 'actually does this stuff professionally' (ie actually build frames from Titanium) has commented on this thread. It's interesting how the conversations with people who 'actually do this stuff professionally' have differed quite significantly from those on here.
"I sincerely wish you all the best with your build and look forward to reading the rest of the story."
Thanks. I'm sure it will be a very interesting journey!
"Don't underestimate braking forces on the road. An Enduro bike, or even a DH bike is braking from 25mph and limited by the traction of the trail surface. And the speed is continuously scrubbed off by the rough trail doing a lot of the work. A road bike you'll be braking from 50mph+, with far more grip, and you lose almost no energy to the roughness of the road, and if carrying panniers you'll be carrying 20% more weight too."
I've used 140mm discs on the rear on an MTB (I was a bit lighter then though!), and a 180mm rotor on the front is still more than enough for me off road. I take your point though re carrying luggage, so would probably use a 160mm disc, although I've used V-brakes with no issues with panniers in the past. I wouldn't imagine my max laden weight would be more than 80kg, so I won't be needing quite the stopping power a heavier person would.
"But...why not have the rack incorporated into the frame rather than an accessory? That would be the most "elegant" solution."
It's definitely a consideration, as I've said earlier. The already mentioned English bikes have a very nice take on it:
[img] 
[/img]
Apart from Travers who you pissed off on page 1 and even felt the need to apologise and Brant a little while later.
You can argue all you like, but you come over as an objectionable know it all. You can't argue against that as you're not the one experiencing you.
No offence intended.
Rob English does some nice work.. but i reckon he'd be glad to consign that one to the 'experimental' stage in his career.
Yes, I can't help wondering how flexy that rear end might be. But it's certainly an interesting idea. Other 'integrated rack' designs tend to look quite chunky, and utilitarian. I suppose it is a tricky thing to do right, if you want a lightweight frame, hence why separate racks are probably a better option really.
Why is this thread still going? Get a firefly so i can own one by proxy of having talked to someone on the net about them
Well, I do like the Firefly bikes. Too far away though! Why not get one yourself?
I've used 140mm discs on the rear on an MTB (I was a bit lighter then though!), and a 180mm rotor on the front is still more than enough for me off road. I take your point though re carrying luggage, so would probably use a 160mm disc, although I've used V-brakes with no issues with panniers in the past. I wouldn't imagine my max laden weight would be more than 80kg, so I won't be needing quite the stopping power a heavier person would.
That's kinda my point, I'm 15stone and have used 140mm disks at the back off road, but it was on the verge of boiling a lot of the time, I'd not use that on the road, for touring I'd probably have it built for 180-160. Look at a Motorcross bike VS a supermoto, same bike, same power, same weight, tiny disks vs massive disks.
Typically for me, I've sort of forgotten about this, as other distractions happened. That, and I have a short attention span. But a ride on Sunday reminded me I really do want another bike, so I'm re-enthused. My requirements have become a little more refined (do I really want v-brake mounts when discs are now so ubiquitous?). And it's unlikely I'll be doing any solo round the world trips, so it doesn't have to be particularly utilitarian, or super strong. So it's now about discarding unnecessary elements and concentrating on what I really want from the bike. Which is al-day comfort, a bit of a jack of all trades but also something a bit nice. So still quite vague really!
I do need to sort myself out and make some decisions, as otherwise it'll never happen. This thread's been fairly useful though, so thanks to those who contributed positively. And I'm still up for any other ideas people might have. I'd love to see examples of reader's bikes.
I fear somewhat,that any remaining goodwill may be a little thin on the ground 'round these parts.
Still a troll
Still a troll
I'd kind of figured that you are, but if you do have any genuinely interesting insight, I'd still be up for reading it.
I'm also considering the possibility of stuff like seatpost and handlebars. I saw a selection of bars recently that looked like they would be great for all-round use, and thought that such an idea could be 'borrowed' and adapted:
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
My ti Burls with Tubus Airy ti rack. Three month frame build time. Audax file frame design with some tweaks after some pretty heavy demanding from me. Had to weld a new derailleur hanger on after it bent. Not hugely impressed with the finish on the welds but it's ok.
Oh and the rack is for sale...