Which titanium superbike?

Pork Sword

I am considering the purchase of a top end titanium frame. I've narrowed my choices down to off the peg models such a Van Nicholas Astraeus, Lynskey Helix or Litespeed Archon.

Was wondering what people think of these choices and whether I should get fitted for a custom frame from Enigma or Justin Burls instead?

Isn't it about time Bikeradar did a titanium 'superbike' grouptest. The latest carbon uberbike just doesn't do it for me..

giant_man

If you want a 'superbike' you wouldn't be looking at VN, Lynskey or Litespeed, now would you?

No. you would be looking at Passoni, Legend or Baum just to name but three ...

milleman

There was a test of titanium bikes in cycling plus recently-VN Zephyr, Sabbath Silk Route etc

Probably best to find a dealer that stocks them and have a look.

marksteven

i own a lynskey r330 & its fabulous had an omega b4 that which was pretty good 2 but i think the astreus is stunning id love 1 of those

edhornby

sabbath??

whenever I've read group tests of Ti bikes I get the impression that they are a muchness in terms of tubing and welding quality - and that the important thing to do is get one that fits and has the geometry that you need

FransJacques

Pork Sword wrote:

...Van Nicholas Astraeus, Lynskey Helix or Litespeed Archon...

Of the three only the Archon is really high-zoot. Lots of good ideas in there with the wrap around HT. I've seen 3 in my life and sadly, have never ridden one.

VN is mass-market if that's what you're looking for - they are the Planet X/Ribble of ti. Seven, IF, Serotta can be the same level as Lynskey and Litespeed, or can be higher if you like.

I can't believe not one's said "OMG you HAVE to get an Enigma, they do custom and they're British".

Do you want an all out crit racer or laid-back road racer feel to it?

DeRose also do 2 made to order Ti bikes. Their low BBs make for legendary handling.

StanwaySteve62

Would go custom sabbath or enigma, nice backgrounds and will get you on the right fit

AndyF16

OMG you HAVE to get an Enigma, they do custom and they're British

appletrees

So is Justin Burls...

I know several people who ride his frames and they are really very nice. And he's a good bloke too.

pinnacleroadie

I really recommend the Lynskey Helix. I have owned one for a year now and it is by far the best bike I have ever ridden.
Not only is it stiff but it instills confidence when cornering and feels really well balanced.
I cannot fault the quality of the frame either, not to mention the appearance with the twisted tubing and the shamrocks in the dropouts!

Anonymous

If you want a Ti 'superbike' then you'd be looking at Baum, Passoni, Lynskey Helix, Serotta or Independant Fabrication to name a few.

I wouldn't touch anything owned by American Bike Group (which rules out the Litespeed) due to warranty nightmares (there is another big thread on this where they even sent the cops round to a customers house claiming harassment!)

I personally feel Ti is way overrated as a frame material (owned a Litespeed) I'd rather have top end carbon or steel.

BrianTrousers

FransJacques wrote:

VN is mass-market if that's what you're looking for - they are the Planet X/Ribble of ti.

That's funny. I thought Lynskey used to make the PX ti frames.

Anonymous

BrianTrousers wrote:

FransJacques wrote:

VN is mass-market if that's what you're looking for - they are the Planet X/Ribble of ti.

That's funny. I thought Lynskey used to make the PX ti frames.

They did for a short while but VN do now.

Pork Sword

giant mancp wrote:

If you want a 'superbike' you wouldn't be looking at VN, Lynskey or Litespeed, now would you?

No. you would be looking at Passoni, Legend or Baum just to name but three ...

If money were no object I'd probably go for the Passoni with Di2... Baum do nothing for me as I think you're just paying for the name. However, I want something that's going to ride like stink, be durable and not be a thief magnet. Perhaps superbike is over egging the pudding somewhat. I just want a bike that looks great and is capable of being raced in Crits etc. without the fear that it will implode if crashed. Titanium just seems like the most sensible option. Carbon bikes leave me cold...

Pork Sword

NapoleonD wrote:

If you want a Ti 'superbike' then you'd be looking at Baum, Passoni, Lynskey Helix, Serotta or Independant Fabrication to name a few.

I wouldn't touch anything owned by American Bike Group (which rules out the Litespeed) due to warranty nightmares (there is another big thread on this where they even sent the cops round to a customers house claiming harassment!)

I personally feel Ti is way overrated as a frame material (owned a Litespeed) I'd rather have top end carbon or steel.

NapD... I've read elsewhere on this forum that in your experience racing a Ti bike isn't the best thing in the World (why was that?) and I know you've sold your Litespeed Siena. Litespeed have had problems lately so will probably give the ABG a wide berth. Perhaps Reynolds 953 is the way forward then? By the way, what do you ride now?

Anonymous

So you don't want a 'superbike', you just want a Ti bike?...

A titanium bike will be just as more likely to fail in a crash...

If it's stifness you want then a Sabbath Monday's Child is for you.

Although personally if it's for crits I'd get a stiff aluminium bike if you don't like carbon, like a Canyon AL, Cannondale CAAD10, Cinelli or Colnago.

Basically any beginning with 'C' :shock:

Pork Sword

FransJacques wrote:

Pork Sword wrote:

...Van Nicholas Astraeus, Lynskey Helix or Litespeed Archon...

Of the three only the Archon is really high-zoot. Lots of good ideas in there with the wrap around HT. I've seen 3 in my life and sadly, have never ridden one.

VN is mass-market if that's what you're looking for - they are the Planet X/Ribble of ti. Seven, IF, Serotta can be the same level as Lynskey and Litespeed, or can be higher if you like.

I can't believe not one's said "OMG you HAVE to get an Enigma, they do custom and they're British".

Do you want an all out crit racer or laid-back road racer feel to it?

DeRose also do 2 made to order Ti bikes. Their low BBs make for legendary handling.

I'd be after a bike that could handle Crits as they are probably more my kind of thing. Will have to give DeRosa a look. Cheers.

Anonymous

Pork Sword wrote:

NapD... I've read elsewhere on this forum that in your experience racing a Ti bike isn't the best thing in the World (why was that?) and I know you've sold your Litespeed Siena. Litespeed have had problems lately so will probably give the ABG a wide berth. Perhaps Reynolds 953 is the way forward then? By the way, what do you ride now?

It wasnt the Ti per se, it was the geometry of the Siena. It was pretty stiff but it was quite relaxed and handling on sharp fast corners was a 'challenge'. Great for sportives and bimbling about though.

I've had a variety of bikes including the Litespeed, Fondriest (alloy), Look, Cervelo, carbon Colnago but I now ride a Colnago Arte (aluminium front end/carbon rear end) as my only bike.

I have ended up with this due to personal circumstances but it fits me perfectly, the geometry is spot on and I love it! I now, tbh, am happy with my lot...

Pork Sword

NapoleonD wrote:

So you don't want a 'superbike', you just want a Ti bike?...

A titanium bike will be just as more likely to fail in a crash...

If it's stifness you want then a Sabbath Monday's Child is for you.

Although personally if it's for crits I'd get a stiff aluminium bike if you don't like carbon, like a Canyon AL, Cannondale CAAD10, Cinelli or Colnago.

Basically any beginning with 'C' :shock:

Cannondale's are fine looking bikes. Colnago Arte's are fine too - even with the carbon rear end.

Titanium just looks better in my opinion.... and it stays looking better. Painted Alu frames chip, carbon clearcoat scratches and cracks around the rear dropouts etc. Titanium just buffs up nicely. okay, if you crash it heavily enough it will break like anything else.

The Sabbath Mondays Child looks good.

bigpikle

another vote for a custom frame from Enigma - great to deal with (I have 2 ) and you can get exactly what you want.

Make sure you ride some of ther steel while you're there though as well...you might just be surprised

antlaff

Bigpikle wrote:

another vote for a custom frame from Enigma - great to deal with (I have 2 ) and you can get exactly what you want.

Make sure you ride some of ther steel while you're there though as well...you might just be surprised

Did you get your recent purchase built? pics? comments? - Mark phoned this morning to say mine will be ready shortly - cant wait.

giant_man

NapoleonD wrote:

If you want a Ti 'superbike' then you'd be looking at Baum, Passoni, Lynskey Helix, Serotta or Independant Fabrication to name a few.

I wouldn't touch anything owned by American Bike Group (which rules out the Litespeed) due to warranty nightmares (there is another big thread on this where they even sent the cops round to a customers house claiming harassment!)

I personally feel Ti is way overrated as a frame material (owned a Litespeed) I'd rather have top end carbon or steel.

Yes we know that from my reply, note that doesn't include your Litespeed effort.

Anonymous

???

Pork Sword

Bigpikle wrote:

another vote for a custom frame from Enigma - great to deal with (I have 2 ) and you can get exactly what you want.

Make sure you ride some of ther steel while you're there though as well...you might just be surprised

Enigma's look good. I'm liking the look of the steel Elite model in white with the polished stainless dropouts. That's one of the best looking bikes I've seen lately and the price is keen too...

Pork Sword

marksteven wrote:

i own a lynskey r330 & its fabulous had an omega b4 that which was pretty good 2 but i think the astreus is stunning id love 1 of those

The Astraeus looks great. Polished, double butted hydroformed Ti frame including free forks and headset for £1940 from Fatbirds.co.uk. I'm very tempted. Would like a test ride first though as It's a lot of money to bang out just to find the ride's a bit dull.

andyp

Get a Paduano, definitely a superbike, it looks the mutts nuts and is stiffer than most;

Pork Sword

andyp wrote:

Get a Paduano, definitely a superbike, it looks the mutts nuts and is stiffer than most;

Nice!

dcj

sounds like you could also include other metal bikes in your review. how about a nice stainless steel cinelli, enigma or pegoretti?
or even plain old steel. does it have to be only ti?

Pork Sword

dcj wrote:

sounds like you could also include other metal bikes in your review. how about a nice stainless steel cinelli, enigma or pegoretti?
or even plain old steel. does it have to be only ti?

953 by Brian Rourke or Chas Roberts, or the Columbus XCR by Enigma and Cinelli make great looking frames I must admit. Will 953 or XCR stiff enough for a 90kg rider though?

Lunar Tick

Hello Pork Sword - I have a Monday's Child (Sabbath) and it's light, very stiff (without being uncomfortable) and handles like a dream - totally stable on 50+mph descents (yep, quite a lot of 'em here in the Cumbrian Pennines :shock: ) I also ride a Silk Road Pro during the winter months - it's a plusher ride, a little bit heavier but still handles very well (although not as pin sharp as the Monday's Child). Before buying, I test rode lots of high end carbon bikes but none matched the Monday's Child for sheer responsiveness and 'zing'!

Monty Dog

If you're talking high end, then you need to add Moots or Dean to your list. Lightspeed by all accounts have gone to the dogs, with ABG flogging off Merlin too. There's nothing wrong with many of the others, just that some are still focused on building the best frames they can, whereas others are marketing a product to a certain niche.