lets talk Titanium frames......

saracen fan

I work in the mobility trade and often deal with wheelchairs......we normally sell alu chairs but recently got in a titanium one.
all I can say is WOW! it is so much lighter and stiffer than aluminium!

which got me thinking about bike frames.....combined with the right wheels, fork ect that should equate to a seriously light mtb, lighter than carbon maybe?!

I looked around online and noticed my first problem......chuff me there expensive! :shock:

so was wondering what my options are, (as in built to a budget) do I buy a complete bike such as the voodoo halfrauds stock, or would it be more cost effective to buy say a carrera fury and rob the parts off it?

also does anyone here have experience with ti frames? what they ride like ect?

cheers 8)

alfablue

I have a Ti Rock Lobster - 2000 vintage, it rides well, is reasonably light, the back end seems compliant and softens the blows! I think the frames have improved somewhat since I bought it, but it is perfectly good enough for me. My gf has a 2009 853 steel Rock Lobster, and I am secretly envious; as far as I can tell (riding a bike a size too small for me) the ride is even better, and I do like steel (have 2 steel road bikes).

Anyway, you can get a custom made ti frame from XACD in China for maybe £450-500 delivered. They will make it to your exact dimensions. Apparently they make the frames for some well known Ti bike brands. Many posdters on this forum have bought from them, so have a search for XACD.

http://www.xacd.com.cn

nickfrog

saracen fan wrote:

it is so much lighter and stiffer than aluminium!

For bike frame applications, Ti is not stif at all compared to Al, but very comfy, which is great from some. Personally I don't like it as I like a stiff chassis, at least laterally but it's still a very noble and very solid meterial. And it does not rust.

supersonic

Aluminum is less dense than titanium. Titanium is stiffer than aluminum. But for frames, it depends on tube sizes, joins etc.

Aluminum frames can usually be made lighter than titanium for a given stiffness due to oversizing the tubes.

The Northern Monkey

Next frame for me is a Ti Charge Duster... mmmmmmmmm perfect lightweight xc bike for a heffer!

saracen fan

hmmm....I guess im just after the lightest bike possible, but at the same time seriously strong (hence thinking titanium)

I would like a bike around 23lb but strong as hell, could a titanium frame achieve this?

cat_with_no_tail

saracen fan wrote:

hmmm....I guess im just after the lightest bike possible, but at the same time seriously strong (hence thinking titanium)

I would like a bike around 23lb but strong as hell, could a titanium frame achieve this?

Of course, but what sort of travel would you be looking at, and what sort of budget?

saracen fan

I would sat about 120mm travel, prob a double chain set......would be used for fast XC as apposed to FR or DH.

would prob be looking to spend about £1500 max (at the moment this is all theoretical, im mearly musing over the concept for now)

but then if I could achieve the same with aluminuim I imagine it would be cheaper!

supersonic

You just might be able to squeeze in a Van Nicholas build for that (the Zion).

But yes, alu will be cheaper...

Digby

I have a Van Nich Zion, which I have ridden for the last 2 years, mostly in Scotland.
Cross Country, Pitfichie, Fochabars, Elrick, Kirkhill, and more.
Brilliant hardtail, got it from Cyclesense in Tadcaster, superb deal, needed a longer headset so that the poploc control on the top of the fork could clear the downtube.
Smooth ride, very light excellent quality for the price.

saracen fan

its very tempting......the problem is is that I dont know anyone with a titanium framed bike, which means I cant try one out, for all i know i might not even like it!

they sure look nice though..........

supersonic

Not all titanium frames feel the same though.

Northwind

I'd love a new Soda 8) Built for 140mm forks now, mmmmmmmm. But can't afford it