As I approach 50 I reckon I’ve one nice road bike purchase in me. I’d like something different that will last and possibly Titanium. Has anyone got any experience of a similar situation? Also any U.K frame builders that could be recommended please. Extra points for in Yorkshire ?
Got a planet x tempest that I've updated for road use, Hunt wheels etc. it's like riding a limousine.
Enigma will see you good. And will make what you ask. Even a fixed wheel road bike.
I've got a titanium MTB which I love, it's just budget stopping all my bikes being titanium.
However, they are not the 'bike for life ' they are supposed to be. Yes, the frame should last many years but 'they' keep messing about with the increasingly inaccurately named 'standards' What use is a straight steerer frame nowadays for example?
I've got a couple of Ti road bikes. A Van Nicholas Yukon which is lovely and comfy with a touring frame. And an Airborne (predecessor to Van Nicholas) Torch which is indestructible, light, fast, and uncomfortable, 6Al/4V race frame.
And when I say indestructible the Airborne Torch was in a road accident after which pretty much all the components had to be replaced but the frame didn't have a mark on it - 6Al/4V is tough!
Have a look at Laverack frames
Field Cycles have closed, I think; Ricky Feather works with steel inc stainless but not Ti as far as I know.
Planet x get their ti frames from walty. Walty do (did) custom one off frames that work out a bit cheaper than one one.
Why not go custom?
Yes absolutely open to custom. Thanks so far.
I bought a Laverack frame with a small inheritance from my Nan, on the basis that it would be a forever frame. Being a road-oriented build I figured it wouldn’t be as likely to obsolesce as an MTB frame. It wasn’t bought with bad weather and winter in mind, but it has become my de facto rode when conditions aren’t great. It’s stiff yet comfy and with full guards and 32mm tyres does everything I’ve ever asked of it.
I believe Tom Sturdy is at the sharp end of custom titanium bikes.
Not Yorkshire, but if you can afford one of his frames, a couple of trips down to see him isn't going to make it cost prohibitive
I (belatedly) did this just after Covid - had to wait till a savings plan came out when I was 51.
Laverack are 40 minutes away in Oakham, though frames come from China. Weird build as I wanted it as my audax/winter bike, so GRX 2x, dynamo, PDW fenders. Completely ruined the look of such a sexy frame. But it rides beautifully, gets my fat arse up any hill, in any weather. Still turns heads.
Probably could have got the same from Enigma and saved a grand, but **** it, you're only 51 once!
sonder alpkit colibri ti or the new release gravel race ti has just launched, if
Laverack are 40 minutes away in Oakham, though frames come from China
...and bear some uncanny resemblances to Waltly offerings, or at least did when I looked. No bad thing I guess if you don't fancy going direct.
https://www.simpsonframeworks.co.uk/copy-of-p35-sparkles
These guys are based in Kendal, Martin is a friend of mine, he’s super happy with this.
Sturdy, omg they look lush
Mason to add to the more affordable off the peg list
I use my Reilly Gradient as a winter road bike, or for days when I'm not feeling racy. I would love a Fusion to replace my Defy.
While I love Ti and have an original 456Ti I'm looking at one of these:
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/fairlight-strael-review
I've also a Cotic FS using Reynolds 853 so already 'bought in' to the material and with Fairlight each frame size is available with a standard & taller head tube (I've long legs and are 'old').
Current road/gravel bike is carbon.
Another for Enigma, great personal service too. I’ve hand an Evoke for 2 years now and thouroughly enjoy it. I do find Ti bikes to show very fingerprint, dirt and tiny scratch though.
I bought a Planet-X titanium bike for my 40th after saving £25 per month in a "Friendly Society" account for 10 years.
The actual frame was made by Lynsky (original founders of Litespeed) and it had a 9 speed Dura Ace groupset - not bad for £2k.
It is great to ride but, as others have said, developments in the interim have made it seem a little old fashioned.
It has caliper brakes, which work fine but I prefer the hydraulic disks I have on my other road bike, and is limited to 25mm tyres which feel a bit skinny for our pot holed roads.The Dura Ace groupset has a 50/34 chainset and can cope with an 11-28 cassette which lacks the low gears I have on my other bike (34 cassette).
All that means I don't ride it as much as I thought I would although my riding has also changed over time. I now do more long, hilly audax rides where lower gears, puncture resistant and comfortable tyres (i.e. bigger) and the ability to stop quickly are now more important.
If you want titanium then go for it but think long and hard about what riding you plan to do.
A mate has a nice looking Colina bike, I don't know much else about them but seem good value and based in the Peak somewhere.
Another mate has a Dolan, another value offering.
I’ve had a Ti MTB for 15 years, I’ve not had a problem with parts compatibility.
As I approach 50 I reckon I’ve one nice road bike purchase in me
Also... the Gradient was a 60th birthday present to myself, and for my 65th I'm considering getting Meteorworks to build me a new singlespeed. Don't write yourself off too soon!
If my Goldrush had arrived I'd be telling you what a great ride it is. Ti is not a frame for life though, but lots of manufacturers are good with warranties.... see my thread from May re cracked ti456 and the incoming Goldrush.
Have a look at J Guillem frames at a local independent bike shop
https://jguillem.com/our-bikes
I got my Atalaya gravel bike from Albion Cycles near Holmfirth.
I’ve had a Ti MTB for 15 years, I’ve not had a problem with parts compatibility.
Straight steerer?
Sturdy, omg they look lush
They were at the Bespoked handbuilt bike show in Manchester the other week and yes, they were stunning. Not just the frames but the integration, the amazing and super neat stem, the hidden seatclamp and so on. Incredible attention to detail.
I'd say the real question now is have standards settled enough to buy a "bike for life"?
And I'd answer probably yes, or at least it feels like there will be parts availability for the foreseeable - and that any subsequent new standards can't really add that much.
I'd still probably go carbon or steel myself for a nice road bike, but the heart wants what the heart wants.
I’m 50 in a few years time and like the OP fancy a titanium road bike. Laverack look stunning and have Yorkshire back story for the OP requirements. Looked at a Reilly gradient gravel a few years ago and it was very impressive, but I couldn’t afford it at the time. In non ti, as a Fairlight Secan owner, the Strael holds real appeal. But then I realise that I don’t need anything more than my current road bike and start looking at mtb options to replace my Signal Ti …….
Lovely idea, and the researching is part of the excitement!
Laverack is my aspiration, they are some lovely looking bikes. Reilly was also on my radar when I was looking for something similar a while back; also check out Ribble. Their frames probably aren't quite as lush, but they have the CGR for more gravelly type stuff, and an endurance frame too, with various builds - you can get it with Di2 for <£5k if you're that way inclined. I have a CGR Ti in the basic build, upgraded a few bits over time (stem, seatpost, wheels) and am pretty happy with it all.
Spa Cycles in Harrogate has some deals on a few Sabbath models at the moment.
If you've got a big budget look at Mason.
I think their Ti frames are hand rolled between the teak coloured, walnut-cracking thighs of a Tuscan artisan welding God.
A Seven, my Axiom Sl frame is 21 years old, over 100k miles. Only reason to replace is if my bike fit requirements change. Seven warranty is absolute, none of this 'lifetime of the frame' nonsense.
I’ve had a Ti MTB for 15 years, I’ve not had a problem with parts compatibility.
Straight steerer?
yep, rigid fork
Enigma are gorgeous (I have one!) and Flamme Rouge distribute them nationwide. I was well impressed with it being delivered to my doorstep fully built and then fitted to me
I went for gravel as a 'retirement (from racing) multi use bike'
But then I ... start looking at mtb options to replace my Signal Ti …….
What don't you like about it?
My original "Bike for Life" was a Merlin Cyrene. THE most beautiful Ti frame from when Merlin engraved them with lovely graphics and no decals. it was stolen. I'd buy another in a 56 in a heartbeat. It was a standard 73 degree parallel road frame, but it drew comments like no other bike I have owned. Almost too nice, so I bought a used alloy Giant TCR to race in naked alloy - looked a bit like Ti.
The biggest question I'd ask is have you ridden a steel road bike you like? Titanium bikes ride like steed (thin tubes so a little more flex), but weigh the same as alloy. Other than that, new high-end stainless steel offers much the same. My cross/gravel bike is Ti and sits on the Kickr at the moment, my fixed wheel is Ti, but I have a steel fixed road bike too. There is little difference in the ride, but you notice when you pick them up (The Enigma is 7.3kg).
And if a Brompton is a titanium road bike - well it's ridden on the road, a T-Line could be my next Ti bike.
BTW, I'm now 55 and hope to have one or two more "nice bike" purchases left in me!
Reilly Gradient here. It's lovely, and a keeper.
Another Enigma rider here. I've an Excel gravel. Though obviously not a road bike the gravel geometry makes it a bit easier on my 60+ yr old body!!
I think Enigma have two ranges 'standard' are imported from the Far East, whilst 'Signature' are hand built in Sussex. They may however have changed that now.
I know Enigma themselves are brilliant to deal with and will provide you with exactly the bike you want, but I got mine via Prologue in Harrogate (which may keep your Yorkshire demand). They too were brilliant and kept me fully in the loop during the order and build process.
I got a brilliant bike and love it.
Spa Cycles in Harrogate do a range of their own brand frames in titanium. A couple of mates have them and they are very good value, if not very sexy (the bikes, not the mates). Depends exactly what you want it for as to whether there is one that you'd fancy.
I replaced a Mk 1 Enigma Evoke a year ago because it had significantly dated and couldn't handle through axles and wider rims/tyres, but I replaced it with a Mk 3 Evoke, which is just lovely.
I also have an Etape which is now a bit old school but it's my winter bike/commuter so I am less bothered by that; in fact I rode it a 40 mile round trip to work today.
All in all, a Ti bike tart here........
