[Closed] titanium hardtail ?

Enigma?

Love mine

Whyte 19, if i could have afforded one I would have bought one but went for the Whyte 19 Steel which is an awesome bike too.

A salesman will be along soon to talk you through your post.

Cotic Soda's very nice. All the usual Soul goodness, plus a lot of shininess and some lightness. New one runs 120mm max forks, but they're happiest there anyway IMO. Mine makes me smile a lot.

"titanium hardtails" is nearly (nearly) as vague as asking for advice about choosing, say, a "red car".

titanium is a metal, and good quality, engaging bikes (which I would hope you would wish to purchase, considering titanium frames are not cheap) should be gauged by more than what they're made out of.

bikes, interestingly, are often segregated according to frame material, wheelsize, or suspension travel, rather than "what they're good at doing".

titanium frames are very lovely though particularly the way that you can run 'em over with a kitchen scrub, put on new stickers, and make them look box-fresh. So for that reason I'd never get a bead-blasted one. 'Cept I have a bead blasted one 🙁

Van Nicholas??

Sorry if I sound like an idiot I just wanted to chuck a post 'out there'.
I consider myself to be a fit xc rider, always wish I was better at skills, but when I'm out all I want to do is ride til I'm knackered.
Just got into singlespeeding so if I could run as either it might be an advantage.
Thanks.

what length fork?

26 or 29 wheels

I have a VN Zion and I'm really pleased with it. 90mm forks and it flew round Exmoor last weekend. Doesn't feel as fast as the stumpjumper HT I had before but a nicer ride by far. Probably not the kudos of a lightspeed but less than half the price and still looks pretty neat IMO.:0

v happy with my Soda. (Bought when the frame was under a grand!)

sunn tzar

what are you actually after?
A racey Ti hardtail or something more 'butch'?
If former then I have Commencal Flame Ti, its amazing (sizing is small though), frame is superb quality, easy on a par with anything produced by Lynskey etc, the welds are immaculate. Quite relaxed geometry and just flies and really tempts you to ride above your ability
Can only take 100mm forks though (I reckon would be better with 120 as point it down and it just excels)
frame is currently only £650 or so at Freeflow Bikes, given rrp of over £1650 taht is an absolute bargain
Pretty exclusive too, only ever seen one other around

Very vague statement - you need to say what length forks and what you intend using it for. Is it for racing, general XC stuff or a bit more hard-core? Plenty of nice stuff out there so best of luck.

All day? Long travel Ti HT? - 2010 Cove Hummer.

XC Race - Merlin XLM

29er HT? Cost not object? - Singular Pegasus.

+1 for Singular Pegasus. Great review of it in the last issue of ST mag.

Have a look at kingdombike.com

love my soda, not riden my full bouncer since! had it about a month and its the only bike i ride now 😀

Santa Cruz Chameleon and spend the ridiculous money on the kit.

Santa Cruz Chameleon and spend the ridiculous money on very light wheels/cassette etc with a tubeless setup.

26" definitely. Fork - 120 ish. 3 hours usually.

kingdombike.com

nice.

sorry to crash the thread but -
ian1775 -
I've seen that offer on the flame - mentally cheap but, sizing seems way small so, can I ask your height + inside leg and what size you're riding?
Also - have you tried 120 forks on it (think STW suggested it might be an option when they tested it last year, don't think they actually did though, however - they've got the long term test on the Meta 4 with 120's(same head angle as the flame I think) and they love it like that...

Cheers
MM

I'd certainly recommend getting a Ti frame - my original Ti Inbred is still the bike I ride most. Its getting on a bit now (7yrs old I think!), but its the only frame that's remained in my collection while many, many others have come and gone.

Cove Hummer is possibly the worst bke I have ever rode, handled like a pig..:(

Super quality Ti frame? easy, Indi Fab, Serrotta, Moots or Kish. Everything else is relying on the "Ti" tag and not the build and tubing quality

marsdenman (and OP)

Im 5'10" with 32" inside leg
I have a medium

It is small for a medium but I prefer my bikes a bit on the small side. It handles like an oversize BMX! I could maybe be better with large though. I got it a couple of years ago, it had been built up for a trade show and never riden, I only paid £600 for it back then.
Absolutley love it, hardly ever use the Meta anymore
Built up with SID's DT Swiss 240 / Stans Olympic wheels, XTR and Hope 160 Mono Minis it weighs in about 22.5-23lbs

The build quality is superb, best welding Ive seen on any ti bike, the wishbone stays and laser etched graphics are a work of art yet the whole bike looks very understated and never draws any attention

I havent gone with 120 forks yet but I do think it would definately be better with 120's on. Soon as I can get a pair 2nd hand at a decent price thats what I plan to do

I have a van nic, second one I have had I I just don't see why I'd need to pay more. People get very anal about build or tubing but let's be honest, an Audi costs more than a ford but the ford drives better...

TI 456 if you can get one!
Great for everything!

Starrman28 - Member
Cove Hummer is possibly the worst bke I have ever rode, handled like a pig..:(

In what way?

Ragley TD-1 for me if you go 29er route not that you'll actually know it's got big wheels! Feels and turns like little wheels but is a rocket on singletrack, makes you rip peoples legs off on climbs and descents fast and stable.
Gears or ss no problem can't get enough of mine 🙂

@iain1775 - cheers!
i'm 5'11' with a 31" inside leg so worried the med would be way short - seems the large would be the way to go..

Cheap Commencal one from www.freeflowbikes.com ? Supposed to be the secret and seriously cheap.

Bobtser, It was the most vague handling thing I ever ridden, I've prety much always ridden HT's albeit more XC. I was expecting a really good ride, the frame is a lovely build and spec. Could wait to get off it after about 10 miles. Horses for courses I guess.

Anyone know where to find the geo of the Commencal Ti flame? Struggling ere.

Seems like a steal TBH.

Anyone know where to find the geo of the Commencal Ti flame? Struggling ere.

Seems like a steal TBH.

Tomahawk, I have the 2009 Commencal catalogue with it in, I will post up tonight
Be wary though it is different geo to the alloy Flame, more in line with Dan Atherton's Ti 4x bike

Marsden - definately a large, was out on mine last night and got thinking about it, woluld definately be better a little bigger with a shorter stem (I have 90mm at mo and bars rolled quite forward, with a layback post also)

Thanks Iain...

Been on the site and they only have XL's left apparently? I wonder if that is a error on the site? I wouldn't have thought they would do a XL.

Why doesn't the orange range include a ti hardtail?

Would the P7's "sorted" goemetry go to pot with a change of metal?

Terrahawk

Im pretty sure from memory the sizing on the Ti is different to the normal Flame
I think sizing is similar to other bikes in the Commie range in that it is a S/M and a L/XL
maybe give Freeflow a call to check
Failing that Steve B at Real Cycles www.realcycles.com has the Ti Commie in the sale (although not as cheap) give him a call he will definately know, he is Commencal guru!!

[url= http://www.cyclesportsuk.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=8669 ]Sunn Prim Ti[/url]reduced from £1600 to £1100 on cyclesportsuk. Medium and large left- thats where my money would go.

Just heard from freeflow that they do not have any Commencal Flames in.

I just spent ages on the Kingdom Bike project website. Amazing! I can't believe I've never heard of them before, they look great.

I have a Ti Flame and i'm running 120mm Reba XX forks on it, great bike! super light and bombproof. With regards to sizing they do come up small I am 6ft and large is a tad on th small size but it does make it really great for throwing around on the singletrack. Mines off to the alps next week, great do it all hardtail.

Get one bought, what are you waiting for 🙂

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:

[img] [/img]

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 🙂

[img] [/img]

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

[img] [/img]

I can recommend mine 😆

[img] [/img]

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...
[img] [/img]
Here's a proper gussett
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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:

[img] [/img]

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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