poilished titanium frame - question

vertigoscene
vertigoscene Posts: 56
edited September 2008 in Workshop
I'm about to buy a titanium frame, not sure about whether I want a matt finish, or a polished finish on the frame.

Anyone own a titanium frame who can give me tips about maintenence etc?

I'd like to order a polished frame, but not sure if it will be a massive pain to keep clean and looking good.

Any thoughts most appreciated.

Comments

  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I have a polished MTB frame - and thats the way to go. Quick wipe and its lovely.

    Is this XACD Ti ?
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    cougie wrote:
    I have a polished MTB frame - and thats the way to go. Quick wipe and its lovely.

    Is this XACD Ti ?

    How does it cope with scratches - say a pedal from another bike clips the stay - do they polish out?
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Dunno really - I'm not that precious about it - its a MTB. My wedding ring is Ti too - it does scratch, but it still looks nice.
  • Van Nick
    Van Nick Posts: 68
    I think this is a nice look. Not sure how durable it is or how much maintenance it requires though.

    blasting1.jpg


    http://pub28.bravenet.com/forum/2342060945/show/880010
  • jimilindley
    jimilindley Posts: 59
    Yeah my wedding ring is Ti too, came off the bike and the ring scratched up badly, some of it will have to filed down and some metal will be lost. Ti isnt indestructable
  • DavidBelcher
    DavidBelcher Posts: 2,684
    vertigoscene wrote:
    I'm about to buy a titanium frame, not sure about whether I want a matt finish, or a polished finish on the frame.

    Anyone own a titanium frame who can give me tips about maintenence etc?

    I'd like to order a polished frame, but not sure if it will be a massive pain to keep clean and looking good.

    Any thoughts most appreciated.

    The brushed finish on a Ti frame is apparently easy to maintain using a Brillo pad (but don't overdo it!). No lacquer need as Ti has a self-healing oxide film on the surface which prevents corrosion.

    David
    "It is not enough merely to win; others must lose." - Gore Vidal
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    DavidBelcher wrote:
    [No lacquer need as Ti has a self-healing oxide film on the surface which prevents corrosion.

    David

    :shock: :shock: Self Healing?? That's astonishing (no sarcasm intended) :shock:
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • DavidBelcher
    DavidBelcher Posts: 2,684
    idaviesmoore wrote:
    DavidBelcher wrote:
    [No lacquer need as Ti has a self-healing oxide film on the surface which prevents corrosion.

    David

    :shock: :shock: Self Healing?? That's astonishing (no sarcasm intended) :shock:

    Straight up, it repairs itself - scratch it to expose the metal underneath and it will oxidise again fairly quickly to mainain the corrosion-resistant outer layer.

    David
    "It is not enough merely to win; others must lose." - Gore Vidal
  • idaviesmoore
    idaviesmoore Posts: 557
    DavidBelcher wrote:
    idaviesmoore wrote:
    DavidBelcher wrote:
    [No lacquer need as Ti has a self-healing oxide film on the surface which prevents corrosion.

    David

    :shock: :shock: Self Healing?? That's astonishing (no sarcasm intended) :shock:

    Straight up, it repairs itself - scratch it to expose the metal underneath and it will oxidise again fairly quickly to mainain the corrosion-resistant outer layer.

    David

    :shock: Like The Terminator :shock: Forget atom breaking machines...fair does, a self healing metal is pretty cool :D
    'How can an opinion be bullsh1t?' High Fidelity
  • Ken Night
    Ken Night Posts: 2,005
    vertigoscene wrote:
    I'm about to buy a titanium frame, not sure about whether I want a matt finish, or a polished finish on the frame.

    Anyone own a titanium frame who can give me tips about maintenence etc?

    I'd like to order a polished frame, but not sure if it will be a massive pain to keep clean and looking good.

    Any thoughts most appreciated.

    I have one of each, so may be qualified to advise. The brushed one polishes up too!

    If you're keeping the frame clean, it really isn't too onerous to polish up either, but you get a better result from the polished frame

    Here is my 1999 Litespeed Classic-nine years old, still got the mirror finish. I concede it may be too brash for many people's taste, but I like it, and it does seem to attract attention wherever I go
    Etape06016.jpg
    “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    Ken Night wrote:
    Here is my 1999 Litespeed Classic
    Looks lovely. 8)

    Where was the shot taken? I want to go!
  • Ken Night
    Ken Night Posts: 2,005
    Taken in July 2 years ago, two days before the Etape. Not the best tapering, I grant.

    Rode from Barcolonette, cols Cayolle, Champ, and Allos-about 85miles with 3600metres of climbing. Had lunch at a lovely little village, in a family run restaurant advertising "menu cyclist"-3 courses, 3 or 4 baskets of bread, and a banana to go-all for 12 euros....one of my most memorable rides. Loads of Spaniards on Col Cayolle for some reason
    “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway

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