Looking for a Ti frame for Sportives

verloren
verloren Posts: 337
edited November 2009 in Road buying advice
I'm looking for a titanium frame to build up for sportives and 'Sunday rides'. I've looked at the fairly obvious candidates (Planet X Ti Sportive, VN Yukon, Sabbath September, Enigma Etape), and while I would be happy with any of those, I'm wondering if there are bikes that have the same sort of sportive-friendly geometry, but without the extra clearances and fittings for mudguards/ racks. Basically a Ti Roubaix is about what I'm after!

Edit: Oh yeah, I forgot to say - so, does anyone have any suggestions about possible frames?
'09 Enigma Eclipse with SRAM.
'10 Tifosi CK7 Audax Classic with assorted bits for the wet weather
'08 Boardman Hybrid Comp for the very wet weather.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    I have a Litespeed Siena that I use for all day rides. It's awesome! Really stiff but still very comfy. Furthermore, if you do want to fit guards it manages the new crud roadracers very nicely indeed!

    LitespeedHeavyweight.jpg

    CrudRoadracers.jpg
  • verloren
    verloren Posts: 337
    A handsome bike, but stretches my budget a little too much (I was thinking something for £1100 or so at the most).
    '09 Enigma Eclipse with SRAM.
    '10 Tifosi CK7 Audax Classic with assorted bits for the wet weather
    '08 Boardman Hybrid Comp for the very wet weather.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Aaah, you never mentioned budget! :o
  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    Depends on your personal geometry too. I looked at the PX Sportive for an "all day bike" but felt that given my "long back, short legs" the Pro Road would be just the job. And it certainly has been, it's great and fine for all day riding. If you're somewhere near them, go try one of the Ti Pro Roads out, that's well within your budget and satisfies your criterion regarding "without the extra clearances"

    BTW I agree, NapD's bike looks great! :)
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    I'm not really sure what 'sportive friendly' geometry is, but my VN Chinook gives a very comfortable ride over pretty much any distance or duration. The majority of road frames can be set up to cater for a wide range of positions, depending on your build or intended purpose....
  • Barrie_G
    Barrie_G Posts: 479
    For your budget also try considering the Enigma Eclipse
  • verloren
    verloren Posts: 337
    The two aspects of 'sportive friendly' that I've been considering are a longer head tube, to give a more upright position without having to stack spacers under the stem, and a more forgiving ride (probably at the expense of some nimbleness or ultimate speed). Clearly the Ti helps with the latter, although the right frame design is still important.

    The Eclipse does look good, and it's useful to hear that it does keep those levels of comfort. The other option I'm thinking about is a custom build from Burls - I figure I could actually get a Ti Roubaix that way!
    '09 Enigma Eclipse with SRAM.
    '10 Tifosi CK7 Audax Classic with assorted bits for the wet weather
    '08 Boardman Hybrid Comp for the very wet weather.
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    +1 for the Chinook - as long as you then spec it with nice comfy parts e.g. a fork with a small curve, wheels that don't use aluminium spokes etc.

    Also consider the new Mistral - you could then upgrade it over time if you wanted to do something else with it besides sportives (e.g. deep aero wheels for a TT).
  • schweiz
    schweiz Posts: 1,644
    Completed many days in the Swiss Alps and also La Marmotte on my VN Euros.
    VN BMC Cube SS
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/30000
  • verloren
    verloren Posts: 337
    Thanks guys - you're all making a good case that the standard geometry bikes are still comfortable enough!
    '09 Enigma Eclipse with SRAM.
    '10 Tifosi CK7 Audax Classic with assorted bits for the wet weather
    '08 Boardman Hybrid Comp for the very wet weather.
  • The Hedgehog
    The Hedgehog Posts: 169
    I too have been looking at this kind of Ti bike & I've seen a small number of posts about QOROZ bikes.
    http://www.qoroz.co.uk/index2.php

    The Road Won looks good.

    Does anyone have any experience of these bikes ? Gloucester based & new company.
    Any feedback would be appreciated.
    thanks.

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