titanium purchase upcoming, just a bit of help please.

ianbar

i have set my heart on a new bike for next season and wanted titanium, mainly as i like the look and know it is meant to last time which is good as the money i have now saved i may not be able to in the future. i have near £2000 now. i like enigma frames but really are pretty much out of my range i think. van nicholas seem good value with shimano 105 and vn finishing kit. ideally i think it would have full mudguards but that is not essential. mainly the help i am looking for are....places to buy from...any other titanium bikes i may be overlooking. generally i am happy with my saddle and mavic aksium wheels so to save money i am happy to buy without those as i would only really want wheels if they were a significant upgrade. cheers

bondurant

Quroz, Burls would be worth a look.

desweller

You should also look at Columbus XCR or Reynolds 953 if you're after a 'frame-for-life'.

bondurant

DesWeller wrote:

You should also look at Columbus XCR or Reynolds 953 if you're after a 'frame-for-life'.

Which are steel and can thus be discounted by the OP in that he seems to have set his heart on titanium.

verylonglegs

I bought my Van Nich from fatbirds. I live in Norfolk though so was able to visit the shop at no real expense. Is a face to face visit important to you?

ianbar

i do look on catbirds, i dont think face to face is too important although bit scary spending that money not seeing it lol as for steel, i did look at one or 2 steel options i just havnt seen one that i like as much as ti options.

carl_p

I am really pleased with my VN Euros, which i got from Fatbirds. I bought it on a frame only deal as that was all I could afford at the time and transferred pretty much everything that would fit from my then existing bike. I've since upgraded everything now. I bought online in the end, their service was very good.

Fatbirds currently have this bike around your budget...

http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/864236/produc ... descAnchor

You need to decide what geometry you want, race or Sportive and you could ask if they'll do a deal without the wheels if you are happy with yours.

SPIN make some nice looking frames but may be a bit over your budget fully built up.

And a liitle bit of VN bike porn for you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5gQtj7nzoc

ianbar

ha ha yes aquilo lovely bike maybe pushing it slightly but looks very very nice!

styxd

I'd be more inclined to go for a steel frame since it's cheaper (so you can spend more on the parts which'll make it ride nicer), its stronger, it'll last longer, its less likely to crack, and if it does crack it is easily repairable.

You could get a custom steel frame for less than the price of an "off the peg" ti frame.

As for off the peg steel frames, The Genesis Equilibrium is awesome and cheap. Condor also make a nice looking one (and Enigma do one aswell). It all depends on what you want it for really.

After not blowing your budget on a super expensive Ti frame, you'll be able to buy a nice set of hand built wheels that'll also last a lifetime (or at least the hubs will if you get decent ones). Something along the lines of PMP, Royce, Hope, Dura Ace for hubs and some light rims and good spokes. Get some good tyres, and these will ride much nicer than your current wheels.

Thats my two pence.

bondurant

styxd wrote:

I'd be more inclined to go for a steel frame since it's cheaper (so you can spend more on the parts which'll make it ride nicer), its stronger, it'll last longer, its less likely to crack, and if it does crack it is easily repairable

It'll last longer? Notwithstanding the dubious statements above (repairable really depends on the damage. CF is eminently repairable in some cases), what's wrong with simply answering the question asked instead of telling the OP what you would do with £2k?

Monty Dog

Currently, being the owner of two titanium bikes, I'd say that if you want a memorable purchase you'd get greater pleasure from a UK-build steel frame than a Chinese-built titanium one. I have a 30 year-old steel bike, so there's no doubts about their durability.

styxd

Bondurant wrote:

styxd wrote:

I'd be more inclined to go for a steel frame since it's cheaper (so you can spend more on the parts which'll make it ride nicer), its stronger, it'll last longer, its less likely to crack, and if it does crack it is easily repairable

It'll last longer? Notwithstanding the dubious statements above (repairable really depends on the damage. CF is eminently repairable in some cases), what's wrong with simply answering the question asked instead of telling the OP what you would do with £2k?

Well, you can weld steel easily enough. Titanium on the other hand...... Is there even anyone in the UK that can weld it?

So assuming your frame cracks, you can get it rewelded. Perhaps you might have a crash and damage a tube, just get a new one put in.

As for answer the question, I did my best in a roundabout way. From what I remember, the OP has been posting these topics for months and months. I think dropping over £1k is probably a big commitment from him, that is perhaps a difficult one to make? I know chucking a few hundred quid at nice steel frame, and a few hundred quid at a decent set of wheels would be an easier one for me to make.

bondurant

It will last longer? It is stronger? These were the pieces I didn't really see an argument for. In terms of repairability, no question you are correct. In the bike industry the only UK ti welders that I'm aware of are Enigma. So that's a fair point.

Still, if the fella's already decided to go for ti, then suggestions of affordable frames are what he wants and that was the point I was making.

styxd

Bondurant wrote:

It will last longer? It is stronger? These were the pieces I didn't really see an argument for.

Still, if the fella's already decided to go for ti, then suggestions of affordable frames are what he wants and that was the point I was making.

Haha, fair play. My points are mainly based on what Ive seen, and also what you see on the internet

Steel frames tend to fail due to a crash or summat catastrophic like that. Whereas there always seems to be countless Ti frames breaking through just being ridden normally. My mates did anyway. I think the frame builders try and make them to light, plus its a very tricky material to work with.

Steel is proven, there are steel bikes out there still going today from decades ago. Definitely a bike for life.

As for the fact he's decided to go for Ti, I dont know if he has. He's been on about a new frame for ages but hasnt actually got one!

desweller

Bondurant wrote:

It will last longer? It is stronger? These were the pieces I didn't really see an argument for. In terms of repairability, no question you are correct. In the bike industry the only UK ti welders that I'm aware of are Enigma. So that's a fair point.

Still, if the fella's already decided to go for ti, then suggestions of affordable frames are what he wants and that was the point I was making.

Steel, even stainless, is a lot easier to work with than Ti. Titanium is a royal pain in the arse; as an engineer I'd have to say that, unless there's an unavoidable reason to use it I'd opt for something else.

To the OP: you do know that Enigma do a Columbus XCR bike, right ;-)?

ianbar

oh i have been found out...yes i have been boring you all with ti related posts for ages lol basically the genesis of this was that i have a caad8 but would at very least like another bike...winter bike perhaps but to get anything i really would like i would have to spend £1000 so next point....why spend the same as my current bike price and not be better than what i have? and if i am going to spend that i might as well spend more and get one i really want, hens £2k (and not just a winer bike). spending that much makes me want to spend on something really really nice that i may not have the money for again.

ianbar

yeah enigma does the ethos i think. £1500 quoted without wheels or saddle i was tempted.

styxd

I'm still struggling to see your logic. You have £2000 to spend, you may not be able to spend any more money on a bike for a while (assuming you've got a kid on the way or summat)

So why buy a very expensive frame with very average components?

Why not buy a good bike (which is what £2000 will get you)?

letap73

The SPA cycles Audax bike is very highly rated and very good value for money, the additional benefit is that SPA cycles also make wheels -so you could spend a little extra here:
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 17s21p2573

They have a Sabbath Silk Route on for sale, which also looks great value:

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 87s21p1995

If you want to build up your own bike, this frame looks good value:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRV ... phyr_frame

But saying that, this is not bad either:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBV ... _road_bike

ianbar

i was up in harrogate recently we dont live too far away but couldnt find spa cycles. i will up my search a bit in build up to a week off in a few weeks.

Beatmaker

The Van Nicholas Euros with SRAM Force from Planet X looks good value at £1500

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBVNEUROS/van_nicholas_euros_sram_force_titanium_road_bike

ianbar

thank you to those refering to planet x vn bikes, they all look good value but 2 things , firstly for some reason there all wayyyy to small for me and what the hek are those forks all about?

arlowood

Genesis just launched a Ti version if its Equilibrium model earlier this year.

Original RRP was around 2.2K but i have found it on offer at £1950 here:-

http://www.langsettcycles.co.uk/product ... &vid=26682

Might be worth considering also as it seems to be reasonably well specced.

This "first look" shows you a few more pics

http://roadcyclinguk.com/news/gear-news ... ml#slide-3

- looks a nice bike for the money and the wheelset is pretty good with DT Swiss rims and Shimano hubs

giant_man

To the OP, have you ridden ti? Or is it just something you fancy? I suggest you do get your leg over a ti bike, any really, which will tell you if you really want one or not?

rrsodl

styxd wrote:

Bondurant wrote:

styxd wrote:

I'd be more inclined to go for a steel frame since it's cheaper (so you can spend more on the parts which'll make it ride nicer), its stronger, it'll last longer, its less likely to crack, and if it does crack it is easily repairable

It'll last longer? Notwithstanding the dubious statements above (repairable really depends on the damage. CF is eminently repairable in some cases), what's wrong with simply answering the question asked instead of telling the OP what you would do with £2k?

Well, you can weld steel easily enough. Titanium on the other hand...... Is there even anyone in the UK that can weld it?

So assuming your frame cracks, you can get it rewelded. Perhaps you might have a crash and damage a tube, just get a new one put in.

As for answer the question, I did my best in a roundabout way. From what I remember, the OP has been posting these topics for months and months. I think dropping over £1k is probably a big commitment from him, that is perhaps a difficult one to make? I know chucking a few hundred quid at nice steel frame, and a few hundred quid at a decent set of wheels would be an easier one for me to make.

Van Nicholas gives a lifetime warranty on their frames so if the frame cracks they will fix it or replace it

styxd

RRSODL wrote:

styxd wrote:

Bondurant wrote:

styxd wrote:

I'd be more inclined to go for a steel frame since it's cheaper (so you can spend more on the parts which'll make it ride nicer), its stronger, it'll last longer, its less likely to crack, and if it does crack it is easily repairable

It'll last longer? Notwithstanding the dubious statements above (repairable really depends on the damage. CF is eminently repairable in some cases), what's wrong with simply answering the question asked instead of telling the OP what you would do with £2k?

Well, you can weld steel easily enough. Titanium on the other hand...... Is there even anyone in the UK that can weld it?

So assuming your frame cracks, you can get it rewelded. Perhaps you might have a crash and damage a tube, just get a new one put in.

As for answer the question, I did my best in a roundabout way. From what I remember, the OP has been posting these topics for months and months. I think dropping over £1k is probably a big commitment from him, that is perhaps a difficult one to make? I know chucking a few hundred quid at nice steel frame, and a few hundred quid at a decent set of wheels would be an easier one for me to make.

Van Nicholas gives a lifetime warranty on their frames so if the frame cracks they will fix it or replace it

Great, so whats the lifetime of their frames? 3 years? 5 years?

rrsodl

styxd wrote:

RRSODL wrote:

styxd wrote:

Bondurant wrote:

styxd wrote:

I'd be more inclined to go for a steel frame since it's cheaper (so you can spend more on the parts which'll make it ride nicer), its stronger, it'll last longer, its less likely to crack, and if it does crack it is easily repairable

It'll last longer? Notwithstanding the dubious statements above (repairable really depends on the damage. CF is eminently repairable in some cases), what's wrong with simply answering the question asked instead of telling the OP what you would do with £2k?

Well, you can weld steel easily enough. Titanium on the other hand...... Is there even anyone in the UK that can weld it?

So assuming your frame cracks, you can get it rewelded. Perhaps you might have a crash and damage a tube, just get a new one put in.

As for answer the question, I did my best in a roundabout way. From what I remember, the OP has been posting these topics for months and months. I think dropping over £1k is probably a big commitment from him, that is perhaps a difficult one to make? I know chucking a few hundred quid at nice steel frame, and a few hundred quid at a decent set of wheels would be an easier one for me to make.

Van Nicholas gives a lifetime warranty on their frames so if the frame cracks they will fix it or replace it

Great, so whats the lifetime of their frames? 3 years? 5 years?

MMmmm 117.72 years

Hanners

ive ridden both and decided to go with steel in the end (Equilibrium ) and well pleased with the choice i made.

rolf_f

ianbar wrote:

i was up in harrogate recently we dont live too far away but couldnt find spa cycles. i will up my search a bit in build up to a week off in a few weeks.

It's not a place you find by accident! Even if you know where it is it isn't that straightforward though they may have made it easier by now. Basically, you need to head to Knaresborough from Harrogate and turn left into the little industrial estate just after you cross over the level crossing at Starbeck. It's just past the Daleside Brewery at the end of the road. http://goo.gl/maps/fJaqT - you can see the sign in this view but if you go to the next Streetview position it's an older image without the sign!

Worth a look. If you are up in these parts you could call in at Woodrups or Bob Jackson in Leeds and see if any of their stuff inspires you. You can get a bespoke steel frame from Jacksons for not much more than £600 leaving you loads of float for snazzy build options and parts. Woodrups are a bit pricier but still look more interesting than mass produced Far Eastern frames.

styxd

Thought its worth mentioning that those Spa frames are audax frames, so they have different (worse!) geometry than a proper road frame.

rrsodl

giant man wrote:

To the OP, have you ridden ti? Or is it just something you fancy? I suggest you do get your leg over a ti bike, any really, which will tell you if you really want one or not?

I bought one without ever riding one and I don't regret it. But your advise is good.

I wanted a new bike and in my search for what material I wanted the bike to be made of, alloy was the first to go. Comfort was the most important factor in choosing the material. Steel and Ti seem to offer a greater degree of comfort so CF was the next to go, although I must say that CF was never in the race in my heart. I already have two steel frames so Titanium was the obvious choice for me. The bonus that it doesn't rust is one less thing for me to worry about, it's also lighter than steel.

Probably some CF bikes have about the most beautiful modern frames in the market but they need too much care and attention for my liking.

So, if the OP wants a Titanium bike then I say go for it.