Titanium hardtails

Long time reader first time poster.

I’ve been dreaming about it for many years and finally found/justified the funds – its titanium time!

So currently thinking of a Whyte 19 Ti, love the look of the S-shaped seat stays, looks like they will give a bit of flex in addition to the titanium feel, but are there any other frames I should consider. Its likely to be run single speed so sliding drop outs is a high priority, not keen on the EBB options.

I’m keen to hear about those small companies making pimping yet functional frames. liking the Kish frames but a little concerned on the strength of the SS dropouts.

Looking to run a 120mm fork.

Opinions please.

http://www.pipedreamcycles.com/sirius_ti_2010.html

Standard rear drop outs though. I’d give them a ring and see if they have anything newer planned. Friendly company run by a couple of enthusiasts.
Hth
Marko

Well, I can’t give you a detailed run down on available titanium bikes, but what I can say is that that the 19ti is probably the most amazing hard tail I’ve ever ridden, super comfy, super light, understated, versatile. I really fell in love with it.

However, My wallet didnt, so I had to step down the range to peasants frame materials. That said, Whytes are absolutely on it in my opinion, some of the nicest riding bikes out there (esp the hardtails).

I would seriously look at the enigma ego Ti, it’s 100mm off the shelf but I reckon you could get them to custom build you a frame to accommodate 120mm. I test rode one earlier this year, very nice bikes, handbuilt in Sussex too.

jimbo +1. Not ridden the Ti Whyte but I have the Alu version (with 120mm up front) and it’s just sensational.

Thanks for the ideas guys, the Sirrus has the option of sliding dropouts and is well priced – anyone on here owned one, any feedback?

The Enigmas nice, don’t think they have the SS dropouts option though.

Neither have the bling factor (or the rather shocking price tag) of the Whyte though…

g,

I have a Pipedream Nevis Ti and just love it.
It is under 9Kg with 3×8 speed and White Bros XC-4 forks.
These 80mm forks replaced my 110mm Ronins and have made it sharper but harsher.
I put a Ti seatpost on and with a Ti SLR Carbonio saddle gives some comfort.
At present I have Klimax-Lites and they are simply too skittish for winter.
Planning on 2.0″ Furious Freds for next summer.

PaulD

I had a steel Whyte 19 trail for a year… I liked it for most riding but for the gnarly terrain I love it had “issues” due to the rather large distance between the bottom bracket and the ground.

The dropouts were ace and it went SS with no problems.

As a cheaper consideration, an early on-one 456 with the de-kerf inspired chainstays is a blinder of a ti frame.
I think wanting the sliding drop outs will limit some of your options, wouldn’t it be easier to use a chain tensioner and give yourself more options to pick from?
I have a Ragley ti, 16″ frame, which is cracking. Probably best frame I have ever owned, I recently did 27miles on the North Downs in an afternoon ride and came back feeling fresh and without back ache. I hit most of the jumps I’d do on my full suss. too.
That said its a more longtravel hardtail, sounds like you want a middle ground of Xc and some ability to ride hard.
So back to first suggestion of the original on-one 456 frame – really gentle to ride, nice short chain stays for snappy handling, lots of stand over height. Real class frame for less than usual ti frame money.
Hope this is of interest.
I have read lots of reviews on the Whyte 19 ti from a number of different sources and everyone seems to love them.

There was a great review of the whyte in ST a year or so ago, came out on top against ragley and lynskey I think.

Also not sliding dropouts but my favourite ever bike is the Cotic Soda, I’ve now got the Mk3 but previously owned the Mk2 (slightly more flexy version).

The current one has a stiffer b/b and top tube but, retains the softening rear end and is just a joy to ride. Very light and looks ruddy gorgeous 😀

You don’t say where you typically ride or what weight you are as these may have a bearing on what you choose.
I’m 5′ 11″ just over 12 stone and ride a Medium mostly in the Peaks but have even taken it up to the Highlands and this bike has resulted in a 5 spot collecting dust a lot of the time.

I do love my Ti456, easy to convert to SS, runs well.

The Whyte looks very nice, but why is it almost £1000 more than my frame?

Have you thought about the voodoo d-jab strong sliding drop outs and a nice ride not sure if they are still making them though.

The Enigmas nice, don’t think they have the SS dropouts option though.

But if they make them here, surely its worth a call to see what they can do?

456Ti here though, no idea what I’d be like SS – thank god

Thanks for the opinions guys. Bike is to be an all rounder, by that I mean able to do endurance races, ride very technical XC trails, hit all XC/all mountain sized jumps and drops.

Messiah – whats the issue with the steel 19 BB height?

My concern with the Ti 456 is the seat stays look very rigid, I’m hoping to get a bit of flex from the titanium but with wishbone type seat stays I’d be concerned that the flex would not be there. Having never ridden these bikes though its just my assumptions and would be keen to learn otherwise as someone could save me a lot of money!!

Ti Hardtail was mentioned so I had to post being only 2 rides old…

…even though it may not fit the bill. Astonished at how good it feels to ride and have not missed moving from FS to HT at all.

I’ve not ridden the Ti version but I have ridden the carbon version of the Whyte 19 for the last 18 months and it is fantastic – from quick blasts locally in the hills to 24-hr races to multi-days out. I reckon you’ll love the 19Ti!!!

Bike is to be an all rounder, by that I mean able to do endurance races, ride very technical XC trails, hit all XC/all mountain sized jumps and drops.

Check, check, check. I’m more XC but it’s done plenty of steep stuff in Lakes/Spain….Surrey Hills it’s natural habitat.

My concern with the Ti 456 is the seat stays look very rigid, I’m hoping to get a bit of flex from the titanium but with wishbone type seat stays I’d be concerned that the flex would not be there.

I havent ridden any other Ti bikes so I cant compare. But the 456 is silky smooth, I’ve ridden it on lots of big days and not felt beaten up. First time I rode it I kept looking down thinking I had a rear flat.

That is a proper looking bike there KingofBiscuits. Something very aesthetically pleasing about it.

That is a proper looking bike there KingofBiscuits. Something very aesthetically pleasing about it.

+1…..it’s a beauty. Stays, the curved brace at the seatpost/top-tube, nicely done. How much was that?

Im thinking about a Holeshot but running a 120mm.

Thanks folks, a got a deal on the frame but they usually retail at £1100 I think. All the parts came from my old FS.

Ti Hardtail was mentioned so I had to post being only 2 rides old…

Astonished at how good it feels to ride and have not missed moving from FS to HT at all.

What, in neither of those 2 rides? 🙂

Pretty bike though.

I need new pants thanks to KingofBiscuits 😳

Hi gavdog – my Steel Whyte 19 Trail issues are possibly of my own making but I’ll give you a rundown. I used to run another hardtail frame with similar “on paper” geometry so I bought the Whyte unridden (doh!). It took a while for us to bond and I found I had the saddle all the way forward on the rails and the 120mm Reba forks set up soft. Set up like this it was a bit short but I got to like it and ended up taking it a few places with really gnar terrain which I love. In the gnar I found the handling became very sketchy, not what I expected since elsewhere it handled so well. I was able to overcome this by dropping the saddle/seatpost much more than I like to, but doing this all the time is a bit of a pain. The steel frame has a 27.2mm seatpost… I did consider a dropper post or trying 100mm forks but I sold the frame to try something else.
Anyway – On measuring the frame the angles were not as per the geometry spec on the Whyte site. The head angle was about right but the seat angle was slacker and the bottom bracket was much higher… almost as if the frame was a normal old school 71/73 angle frame with a 120mm fork shoved on it making it a 68/70 with a high bottom bracket (nifty design or we tried this and it works????). The slack head angle gives it nice handling most of the time and especially at speed, but in the gnar the high bottom bracket takes over making it sketchy and like riding on tip-toes. I rode it back-to-back with a Cotic Soda with a similar set up and they were similar but different… the Cotic has a lower bottom bracket which makes it feel better most of the time, but I missed the slacker head angle of the Whyte as the Cotic would stall wheras the Whyte would steam-roller up and over obstacles. My 2p is that the Whyte is not as clever as the marketing and hype suggests. My frame broke and I sold the warranty replacement – Whyte and Alpine Bikes were great to deal with but I needed something a bit more heavy duty.

PS – I now ride an Mmmbop with 150mm Rev’s – I miss the pingyness of the steel/ti of the above two frames but the Ragley is lighter and the angles are the best compromise I have tried yet… but I still want a lower bottom bracket when my forks are at 150mm.

*drool* Holeshot *drool*

what about a Cotic Soul frame?

I hear it has the sprinyness that Ti has but is a slack angle frame which is comfy to ride on those longer days,

Or for a cheaper frame Ti maybe Rock Lobster full build for £1600ish

KISH are lovely frames, and if you’re thinking of one of those I’d also be looking at Eriksen and Potts which are only slightly more expensive.

if its a 16 inch size your after may be able to tempt you with a 456ti frame 2nd hand, email in profile if you want more details

ta

Crell – Member
KISH are lovely frames, and if you’re thinking of one of those I’d also be looking at Eriksen and Potts which are only slightly more expensive.

A Potts frame is $2950, so around £1900.

if you’re willing to spend the £1700 for a Whyte Ti then a Potts or Eriksen isnt too far away from that but you have to factor in postage and import costs as well which can hike the price up a considerable bit. What about a Cove Hummer or a Cotic Soda?

Having said that if its your once in a lifetime frame then why not a Potts or an Eriksen. I bought an Eriksen a couple of years ago and i have no shame in telling you it sits in the living room a lot of the time so i can look at it 😀

It’s such a shame Enigma don’t have a few more options, if you could pick the dropouts and the headtube diameter I think I’d have one myself…less than £1600 for a custom Ti frame makes the prices of some other brands seem ridiculous.
I bought a s/h Litespeed Obed and really like the size…it’s an M/L, this is great for me as I’m tall with short legs. I got it bead blasted for £25 and with some new stickers(£6), looks brand new! 😀
I once came across ‘Crisp’ bikes from Italy…that bloke can weld and the name is perfect for his frames! Don’t know what they cost though.

We have a couple of Ti holeshots in 16″ frames and a 17″ that we are doing a deal on, £975 from £1100.

Si – what is the BB height on the Ti Holeshot? Your site says “/15” but I have no idea what that means!

Oh go on then

Be careful with brown saddles!!! 😯

In my defence though d45yth, it is a Ti railed brown saddle 🙂

Had mine for 2 weeks, love it, absolutely love it !

Bb height is around 12.5 with a 140 fork iirc. The website number is the bb ‘drop’

Will people stop posting photos of Brodie Holeshot Ti’s please! As it is I can barely afford to keep my 2 current mountain bikes, being tormented in this way hurts! God I want one…

+1 for Cotic Soda
I have had mine for 18months now and can’t fault it. Set-up with 100mm forks and to be honest can ride most stuff faster on this than I could my previous two full sussers.
Luckily I have a Simple aswell and ride these two bikes all the time. Tried to keep most contact points the same to keep the same feel.
Cotic only have a few remaining as they have stopped making them, get in while you can!!

KingOfBiscuits – what make of frame is that? A thing of beauty.

(note: if the missus asks it’s purely for research reasons and most definitely for purchase consideration you understand…)