Not sure what they are like these days, but still use my 1993 Merlin Mountain regularly
Probably go along the lines of a Seven or Moots if I were looking to buy now
If you are going to spend that sort of cash, get a good'un that has been made with some attention to detail from quality tubes, once in a lifetime purchase after all
I've a 17' Airborne Lucky strike (US crafted) with fox RL80 up front 2006/2007 pre Van Nicholas. It is without a doubt the fastest/best hardtail i've ridden. I've always ridden hardtails, stumpies for years, Zaskars, Santa Cruz etc and even the holy grail (in my opinion) a square Pace. Ti kick ass and i'm amazed its taken me so long to get hold of one. You can spend a fortune on one but i'd recommend looking at what grade the ti is before you buy. I did some homework and mines the same grading as Moots, Litespeeds etc but a fraction of the cost, look at the welds as well. Cool ti stands out as awesome over cheaper stuff
TI 456 if you can get one!
Great for everything!
+1
It makes me brave, somehow
Love some of the Airborne frames, they are like rockin horse s*** tho. I would have to run a 120mm fork minimum due to the type of riding i prefer and know what i can get away with being a heavier rider. I would prefer to stick within the recommended set up perameters to keep the geo on the money. Might have to be a 456 then.
I recently finished a build using an Airborne Lucky Strike frame;
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/monotokpoint/sets/72157624201550137/ ]** Airborne Lucky Strike Pics **[/url]
Love the looks of it so far, but haven't had the chance to use it in anger yet. Will try and get out on it this weekend if I can!
Van Nics are just Airbornes with different stickers following the split of the company a few years back.
recently finished a build using an Airborne Lucky Strike frame;** Airborne Lucky Strike Pics **
Love the looks of it so far, but haven't had the chance to use it in anger yet. Will try and get out on it this weekend if I can!
Sweet! Heres mine. Are you running 100mm forks?
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What happened to that trick looking flat seat stay bridge they used to use?
[i]I've a 17' Airborne Lucky strike (US crafted)[/i]
I thought they were all made in Taiwan?
So did i, i did some digging and the general thought is that the Lucky Strikes where built in the US and then stickered up Airborne. The welds and the grade ti is not like any Taiwan frame. Either way i'm super happy with my XC wippet. The flat seat stays are Black Widows.
Nice pics fellas....
anyone else got any more Ti jazz material?
Girlie Ti:
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The airborne frames were made in taiwan, the van nics are too at the same factory in fact that airborne used.
The airborns were great as are the van nics, dont understand the anti taiwan snobbery tbh
New On One TI456 for sale on Ebay!
If you want something a little more slack and long travel the Brodie Holeshot is shipping as of next week. £1099 buys you a lovely frame 🙂
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If you want something a little more slack and long travel the Brodie Holeshot is shipping as of next week. £1099 buys you a lovely frame
*dribbles*
I don't suppose you do a finance scheme for that Si?...
I've had a Lynskey (Glynskey now)ridgeline LT for a few months now and I'm loving it, although the geometry is really good for a short arse like me. Off to Drumlanrig 2nite again. Lovely bike
*dribbles*
I don't suppose you do a finance scheme for that Si?...
Afraid not, though i can take credit cards 🙂
Dekerf Implant Ti?
Mix of old and new, wouldn't swap it for any of the new fangled Ti frames or anything else for that matter.
Seventeen years young, they certainly put some care and attention into making a frame back then. Even the seatpost is sleeved and every weld is smooth as a baby's bum
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I can recommend mine 😆
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Having ridden a few, I think it's more about build quality and geometry than the magic of ti ... tho when it works, it's great
F##k me, AUS just hit the nail on the head apart from adding in design on top of that mix 😉
Are Ti frames a big flexy for big buggers like me?
Yes. Way too flexy for larger guys, but perfect for others.
Shame they didn't sort that eh?
Like the look of the Broady there Si!
What's the geo like on a large? 130mm fork? Warranty etc? Any more more pics? And part ex available? 😉
Just as a warning to others, my Airborne Lucky Strike frame split along the top tube and through the seat tube weld on both sides.
Irreparable and no guarantee as Airborne are no more and Van Nics not interested. A frame builder told me it was due to excessive force from the seatpost acting on the seat tube as it is extended above the top tube quite a long way.
So I have built up an older Airborne Lancaster and it's great. Wonder how long that will last??
Another firm vote for the Dekerf, good luck finding one...
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Here's a proper gussett
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[url][img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/stewno1/4845667188/in/photostream/ [url] [url][/img][img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/stewno1/4845048927/in/photostream/ [/img][img] [url] [url] http://www.flickr.com/photos/stewno1/4845048717/in/photostream/ [/img][img] [url] [url] http://www.flickr.com/photos/stewno1/4845667010/ [/img] [url]
Kent Eriksen
anyone help me here? can't post an image
Use the "IMG" button instead of "URL"
Assuming you have the pics hosted on a suitable site. TinyPic seems OK to me, plus it gives you the complete code with the IMG bit ready to paste straight in to a msg board etc, so no need for the "IMG" button.
I have a Moots Rigormootis, nice bike but worth the money? Hmmm I think there might be a lot of self affirmation going on here.
I can't say that it rides any better than a few quality steel bikes I have had in the past and even if it does, not in a way that is commensurate with how much more it cost.
If I was making the same choice now I'd go custom steel tbh.
Tiny girly ti:
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I loved it at the time, but tbh I now actually prefer my alu Kinesis. I think it's the geometry mainly (a little slacker than the widow), but also with fat tyres, carbon bars and post I'm not sure I can actually tell the difference in frame material feel - I'd like to ride them back to back to find out though, just for curiosity's sake!
The Widow was beautiful though...
Just as a warning to others, my Airborne Lucky Strike frame split along the top tube and through the seat tube weld on both sides.
Irreparable and no guarantee as Airborne are no more and Van Nics not interested. A frame builder told me it was due to excessive force from the seatpost acting on the seat tube as it is extended above the top tube quite a long way.
Doesnt sound good mate! Did you have your posted shimmed? or was the post to short? I've a mate who used his jump bike with the seat to high (not enough in the frame) and that happened to his. Whilst commuting my i add. I've had no issues with mine. touch wood...
Nice Dekerf Gil, prefer your Fat Chance 😆
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try again. custom Ti Kent Eriksen. If your thinking of getting a Ti bike i would spend a bit of money on it. you don't have to go too excessive. If it was me i'd buy a second hand Moots. They can be picked up for almost the same price as a new On-One 456 and they're a far superior bike. If it has any marks on it get the scotchbrite pad out and buy some new decals et voila New Frame! 😀
From what i've heard of On-Ones and Lynskey built frames in general they're prone to snapping at the dropouts plus from what i've heard in this thread here and elsewhere about Airborne/Van Nicholas i'd stay away from them.
Please also note and this is very important ITS NOT ABOUT THE GRADE OF THE TUBING! ITS ABOUT WHO WELDS IT TOGETHER! Check out titanium fusion welding. Most of these companies above do not do it. Steve Potts has a good explanation on his site about it. Basically all sections of the tube are welded, not just the parts you can see.
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Seems my info on fusion welding was slightly inaccurate. Fusion welding is where no filler rod is used for the primary welding of the tubes to ensure a deep bond between tubes as shown on Mr Potts' website blog. Plus i thought i'd throw in another picture of some nice even welds from Kent 😉
http://stevepottsbicycles.blogspot.com/search?q=fusion+welding
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Inspired by this thread, I managed to get hold one of those cheap Commencal Flame Ti frames from Freeflow (before they sold out). Here's how it ended up looking...
Thanks for the heads up on the cheap frame!
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I like the lynskey
[img][url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6069188602_68d51de934.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/66617506@N04/6069188602/ ]ego[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/66617506@N04/ ]catsplums[/url], on Flickr[/img]This is an old thread but what the hell as there are some lovely bikes here... any more Ti loveliness out there? (I have posted my enigma in the other thread but just for good measure...)