WHICH TITANIUM FRAME ?

2

Comments

  • mjbennett
    mjbennett Posts: 532
    Like colnago, Look, Trek, De Rosa, Litespeed, serotta, Lynskey
  • mjbennett
    mjbennett Posts: 532
    :lol:
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    Mine comes from Russia. ;-)
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • bikergirl17
    bikergirl17 Posts: 344
    edited April 2012
    asc
  • bikergirl17
    bikergirl17 Posts: 344
    never *ever* heard anything bad about litespeed nor had a problem with my frame.
    i have a 2007 bella, which is the girl frame (no longer sold). think it is similar to the siena, which i think was also phased out.

    and, knock wood here, i have had two bad head and rear-ons by cars and a serious crash at speed as well as flown with the bike 20+ times and not a ding or scratch on the frame (my bones have been less fortunate!). carbon frame would have been in bits. and definitely no warranty would cover that!
  • Beatmaker
    Beatmaker Posts: 1,092
    ynyswen24 wrote:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12744794&hilit=merlin+frame+warranty

    this may go some way to explaining some of the comments about Litespeed who, as I understand it, are part of the American Bicycle Group alongside Merlin.

    And even if this weren't the case then I'd still suggest talking to Justin Burls or Enigma. Because they're both very good.

    Wow, I've just read that thread about Merlin. Appalling service by representatives of Merlin on both sides if the pond. No wonder the brand is in such a state. I hope Competitive Cyclist can turn it around for them.
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    bikergirl17 wrote:
    asc

    ?? don't know what this means, sorry.

    Just googled it, Ammonia Scrubber Condensate?? :oops:

    Another Satisfied Customer?? 8)
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    I had a Litespeed Siena 2008 model. I was quite disappointed with it. Sold it before any warranty issues reared their head. Looked good though.

    LitespeedZipps.jpg
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • nevman
    nevman Posts: 1,611
    Im not in the market but if I were then Enigma would get my cash-looked hard at the sales after Xmas and they are class.Mate has just bought one and is having it fitted up for touring.
    Whats the solution? Just pedal faster you baby.

    Summer B,man Team Carbon LE#222
    Winter Alan Top Cross
    All rounder Spec. Allez.
  • bikergirl17
    bikergirl17 Posts: 344
    that was because it double posted, and didn't allow me to delete.

    funny to see full on bling zipps on this type of frame; thought it was more designed as a long distance, comfortable type ride!

    ultimately one always needs to test the bike. you'll never get consensus to your question and most internet searches turn up negative comments since people more inclined to post when they are pissed off (i was close to starting a similar campaign as the merlin customer about american classic wheels).
  • JamesB
    JamesB Posts: 1,184
    I see Kinesis GF Ti on your list
    not ridden one but :

    I ride a Van Nic yukon, similar setup to GF in that more Audax orientated; also have Lynskey R230 which is much more rigid, due in part to teh ovalised downtube.

    GF Ti I`ve seen (Epic Cycles @ Ludlow) also has an ovalised downtube which would maybe combine extra comfort of Yukon with teh more responsive attributes of an R230. So maybe that woudl fit your needs?
  • Smirf
    Smirf Posts: 123
    I've got a Kinesis GF Ti and extremely happy with it, but haven't tried any of the others so not able to say it's better than the rest ( though naturally would like to think so!!)

    I did an event recently and didn't find it held me back on climbs in fact I was passing most others on decent long hills. But it could also be down to the rider on the day! So in IMHO it's a great frame, but with a very limited field of reference, it's hard to pin one down.
    Parlee Altum - "summer"
    Felt VR5 - "winter"
    Trek Triton Singlespeed - "commuter"
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    bikergirl17 wrote:
    that was because it double posted, and didn't allow me to delete.

    funny to see full on bling zipps on this type of frame; thought it was more designed as a long distance, comfortable type ride!

    ultimately one always needs to test the bike. you'll never get consensus to your question and most internet searches turn up negative comments since people more inclined to post when they are pissed off (i was close to starting a similar campaign as the merlin customer about american classic wheels).

    The Siena was billed by Litespeed as a do it all racing frame...
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • EarlyGo
    EarlyGo Posts: 281
    NapD,

    In the picture you posted weren't the pedals at the wrong angle? And where's the white background? Devastated!!

    (Jealousy can turn ugly!)

    Regards, EarlyGo
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    EarlyGo wrote:
    NapD,

    In the picture you posted weren't the pedals at the wrong angle? And where's the white background? Devastated!!

    (Jealousy can turn ugly!)

    Regards, EarlyGo

    Because my garage door needed repainting :)

    Here's another of my previous bikes taken without white background...

    c502.jpg
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Here's one of me and the litespeed with a white background...

    PoledancingonGalibierSummit.jpg
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    Nap, that pic of you and bike on Galibier is becoming the most posted pic on this site, but keep it up - I like it :D

    I have a Lynskey, sourced from PlanetX when they had a frame sourcing agreement. I fall out of and into love with it from time to time. I love the fact that it still looks as good now as it did 2.5 years ago when I bought it. I hate how it feels (and is) slower than my carbon Dolan. The ride is sublime, almost as if you have a partially deflated tyre (but without the sketchy handling that gives).

    My intentions were to buy a frame that I could live with forever, a romantic notion, but frame designs change and now decent frames in carbon can be had for not much cash so I don't really get the rationale for a 'frame for life' now. I'd rather have a new carbon frame every now and then. What I'd like now is a winter bike (the Lynskey is my winter bike) with 11 speed Alfine hub, belt drive and disks. That would be fit for purpose for a British winter bike imo.

    Anyway, I'm waffling, what I mean to say is don't waste too much money on a flash frame.
  • bikergirl17
    bikergirl17 Posts: 344
    nap. d -- cognitivie dissodence, like to think of my ti frame as a race bike but i know the curved stays gear it for comfort, not speed.

    just frustrated that guys can get bikes that weigh in at +500-600g less, as no really high end carbon frame comes in my size (i am not a fan of the frames being manipulated to get on 700c wheels). i'm at the seriously pathetic stage where considering weights of handlebar tape.

    that said, i do love my frame, and i can usually hold my own on climbs (and with harder gearing too since i ride 53-39!)if i'm on the featherweight wheel set.
  • ynyswen24
    ynyswen24 Posts: 703
    Not sure the frame for life idea stacks up anyway, already we're seeing more frames being built for electronic cabling and when - and I'd be surprised if it isn't when rather than if - disc brakes become a lot more common if not ubiquitous then will the rear end hub spacing creep up to 135mm?
  • JamesB
    JamesB Posts: 1,184
    Not sure the frame for life idea stacks up anyway

    and Ti frames are not immune to failure :(:( eg BB shell cracked on my Van Nic (very quick warranty replaced though :) )
  • chris217
    chris217 Posts: 218
    thanks for all comments guys, i currently have a perfectly ok Carbon frame and while not perfect is light , fast and pretty comfortable.

    i am probably deluding myself, trying to find a bike for life but in reality may struggle to find this, i also have a 531 Steel bike that does me for commuting and so i cannot complain really.

    now back to my wish list....mmm Columbus XCR ...................................
  • ynyswen24
    ynyswen24 Posts: 703
    Steel.

    now you're talking....
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Indeed. XCR... Yes :)
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • vorsprung
    vorsprung Posts: 1,953
    Before you get a cheap Chinese Ti frame with no warrantee, take a look at this

    http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2010/08/1 ... setavento/

    there is a happy ending however

    http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2011/12/2 ... -dead-but/

    If I was buying another Ti frame now, I'd get a Burls
    Audaxing Blog - Long Distance Cycling
    follow on twitter-c.png
  • vorsprung
    vorsprung Posts: 1,953
    Before you get a cheap Chinese Ti frame with no warrantee, take a look at this

    http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2010/08/1 ... setavento/

    There is a happy ending however

    http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2011/12/2 ... -dead-but/

    If I was buying another Ti frame now, I'd get a Burls
    Audaxing Blog - Long Distance Cycling
    follow on twitter-c.png
  • kfinlay
    kfinlay Posts: 763
    The only thing I take from those links is that the guy doesn't seem to take care of his bikes and that 'repair' is simply hideous!
    Kev

    Summer Bike: Colnago C60
    Winter Bike: Vitus Alios
    MTB: 1997 GT Karakorum
  • vorsprung
    vorsprung Posts: 1,953
    kfinlay wrote:
    .. that 'repair' is simply hideous!

    I asked the welder doing the repair to make it strong, not pretty

    I assume when the bike was built the difficult weld around the seat tube / top tube / seat stays was done in such a way that left the tubes weakened. Then I did a few thousand km on the bike and the fault developed.
    Audaxing Blog - Long Distance Cycling
    follow on twitter-c.png
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    kfinlay wrote:
    The only thing I take from those links is that the guy doesn't seem to take care of his bikes ...

    What leads you to that conclusion?
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    NapoleonD wrote:
    Indeed. XCR... Yes :)
    Yes you are. Try as many titanium frames as you want and then try a frame made from Columbus XCr, and I guarantee you won't go back to any of the titanium ones ....
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    giant man wrote:
    NapoleonD wrote:
    Indeed. XCR... Yes :)
    Yes you are. Try as many titanium frames as you want and then try a frame made from Columbus XCr, and I guarantee you won't go back to any of the titanium ones ....

    My next road bike will be XCR...
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach

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