Titanium tourer options

P_J_Rogers

I'm considering buying a titanium tourer to replace a Hewitt Cheviot which on reflection is a shade too small for me. I have a 25mm layback seatpost and a 130mm stem on a large Hewitt and I still could stretch out a bit more. I bought the bike used, so no reflection on Hewitt's fitting service which I understand to be great. I'd be looking for a 56/58cm frame size and would either build up from the frame and fork or buy complete. My current options are a Van Nicholas Amazon, Sabbath Silk Route or Spa Tourer.

The Van Nicholas Amazon complete build options are all too road focussed and not very touring specific. I'd want 36 spoke wheels and would probably transfer my TA Carmina chainset and some other components. The frame and fork are quite pricey though.

The Sabbath Silk Route looks good BUT no local Sabbath dealers actually stock actual bikes, and worse they have only bad things to say about Sabbath as a company in terms of customer service. So hard to see a bike in the flesh! Reading up on the company they look as if they've had financial troubles which may explain things.

Spa have a good reputation and I use them for components, but they are at the wrong end of the country and their bike looks very "industrial" and unpolished. It is a long way to Harrogate to go and test one. Pricing is very good though.

I'd welcome any thoughts or suggestions!

pkripper

what about a VN Yukon?

jordan_217

I would give Sabbath a wide birth. I wouldn't have confidence in them being around to honor any warranties.

Have you thought about Enigma? The Enigma Etape may suit:

http://www.enigmabikes.com/bike/bike-enigma-etape.html

P_J_Rogers

Thanks for these views. I'd assumed I'd want cantis so hadn't really looked at these two so far. Will consider these options.

styxd

I have to say, a Titanium tourer seems a bit pointless. Why not go for a steel one and expand your options?

Camcycle1974

P_J_Rogers wrote:

I'm considering buying a titanium tourer to replace a Hewitt Cheviot which on reflection is a shade too small for me. I have a 25mm layback seatpost and a 130mm stem on a large Hewitt and I still could stretch out a bit more. I bought the bike used, so no reflection on Hewitt's fitting service which I understand to be great. I'd be looking for a 56/58cm frame size and would either build up from the frame and fork or buy complete. My current options are a Van Nicholas Amazon, Sabbath Silk Route or Spa Tourer.

The Van Nicholas Amazon complete build options are all too road focussed and not very touring specific. I'd want 36 spoke wheels and would probably transfer my TA Carmina chainset and some other components. The frame and fork are quite pricey though.

The Sabbath Silk Route looks good BUT no local Sabbath dealers actually stock actual bikes, and worse they have only bad things to say about Sabbath as a company in terms of customer service. So hard to see a bike in the flesh! Reading up on the company they look as if they've had financial troubles which may explain things.

Spa have a good reputation and I use them for components, but they are at the wrong end of the country and their bike looks very "industrial" and unpolished. It is a long way to Harrogate to go and test one. Pricing is very good though.

I'd welcome any thoughts or suggestions!

Hi,

My LBS does Fahrrad Manufaktur bikes from Germany which are top quality. They have a Ti tourer with carbon fork in the window. About £1500 I think. Chris's bikes in Girton.

LegendLust

Depending on your budget, Legend could build you a touring ti frame I would imagine.

giant_man

I think your absolutely best bet would be to speak with Enigma, very friendly and professional company imo

P_J_Rogers

Thanks. Just choked on my cheese sandwich while looking up Legend prices. :shock: Would have to go without the accompanying pickle for a very long time methinks....!

philwint

My mate just bought a Spa.

But he does live close enough he got the train out to Harrogate and rode it home.

I think it's a thing of beauty:

P_J_Rogers

Thanks Phil

That's a VERY long steerer although does allow him to get the bars high up.

Philip

p.s. excellent portfolio on your website! 8)

2oldnslow

+1 for speaking with Enigma. Been doing the same (well OK via e-mail) myself and they are very very helpful. For me it's looking like a custom Etape frame with discs but I'd be surprised if they can't sort you out with whatever you want.

ianbar

+1 enigma, you could also look at the steel ethos? that may suit too. i looked at an etape which was brilliant, but ended up with an echo.

passout

I'd look at Spa Cycles.

ermintrude

If you can get there, I would go to Fat Birds (look at their website) they are specialist stockists of titanium bikes. I bought a Lynskey from them, it's a brilliant bike and the service was excellent

Hoopdriver

giant man wrote:

I think your absolutely best bet would be to speak with Enigma, very friendly and professional company imo

Indeed. Hard to go past Enigma

infopete

styxd wrote:

I have to say, a Titanium tourer seems a bit pointless. Why not go for a steel one and expand your options?

Why pointless?

infopete

I've had an Omega Axis for about 8 years made just before Mark was rescued and Enigma was formed.

I've toured on it, used it as a commuter abused it during the winter and it just needs an oily rag to make it shiny.

Now I have my Ribble 365 It's being upgraded to 10 speed and will only be used for touring.

P_J_Rogers

Thanks Ermintrude. I bought my wife a Lady Van Nicholas Amazon from Fatbirds about 3 years ago and we've been pleased with it. However, I'm in the South West and its a very long way. Plus prices have shot up over the last three years. What bought the complete bike then now only covers little more than the frame and fork etc.

LegendLust

infopete wrote:

styxd wrote:

I have to say, a Titanium tourer seems a bit pointless. Why not go for a steel one and expand your options?

Why pointless?

Agreed. It won't rust for starters...

mercia_man

If you want a titanium bike as a like for like replacement for your Paul Hewitt Cheviot, the Spa Cycles tourer is your best bet, as well as being very good value. It has classic touring geometry (almost identical to the Cheviot) and comes fitted with handbuilt 36-spoke wheels, proper touring triple chainset (46/34/24), clearance for bigger tyres, front carrier braze-ons and no risk of front mudguard toe overlap. This is a bike capable of touring with camping gear in front and rear panniers as well as day rides.

Unless you go completely custom, the other bikes mentioned are more light touring designs. They have sharper frame angles, tighter clearances for brakes and tyres, lack front fork braze-ons and may have toe overlap depending on frame size. They tend to come equipped with higher road triple gearing not suited to heavily laden touring and won't handle so well with a big load. They are more suited for B&B touring and day rides. Spa Cycles' titanium audax bike comes into this category. They've also just introduced a steel version.

CTC's technical expert Chris Juden praised the Spa Cycles tourer highly in a recent review and ended up buying the test bike to replace his Cheviot.

Monty Dog

You can buy custom titanium frames from China for $800 including shipping - same factory / quality as Spa / Sabbath / VN etc except you're cutting out the middle-man. There are a couple of Chinese factories that sell direct to individuals - I've bought 5 frames for myself / others this way. You can spec every single detail, plus add things like frame couplers etc.
You also wouldn't end up with a stupidly ridiculous stack of spacers under the stem like that Spa bike which makes the fork steerer a liability and a shame that anyone was allowed to ride out a shop with a bike in that condition!

passout

Monty Dog wrote:

You can buy custom titanium frames from China for $800 including shipping - same factory / quality as Spa / Sabbath / VN etc except you're cutting out the middle-man. There are a couple of Chinese factories that sell direct to individuals - I've bought 5 frames for myself / others this way. You can spec every single detail, plus add things like frame couplers etc.
You also wouldn't end up with a stupidly ridiculous stack of spacers under the stem like that Spa bike which makes the fork steerer a liability and a shame that anyone was allowed to ride out a shop with a bike in that condition!

Interesting. Have you got a link?

MattC59

giant man wrote:

I think your absolutely best bet would be to speak with Enigma, very friendly and professional company imo

+1
The Etape would probably suit your needs but the guys at Enigma can modify a frame to your requirements (adding bosses etc) or supply you with a completely custom frame.

I'd highly recommed making a call to them !

Monty Dog

This site will give you links and ideas - you are only really limited by your imagination. However, you need to be able to read a drawing and specify exactly what you want:

http://www.spanner.org.uk/

This RBR thread has plenty of discussions too:

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/bikes- ... 37368.html

passout

Monty Dog wrote:

This site will give you links and ideas - you are only really limited by your imagination. However, you need to be able to read a drawing and specify exactly what you want:

http://www.spanner.org.uk/

This RBR thread has plenty of discussions too:

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/bikes- ... 37368.html

Thanks for this, i'll have a look.

P_J_Rogers

Thanks for all the feedback. The Spa Ti Tourer looks the best buy. However, sticking with steel, one cheaper option would be to simply get an XL Cheviot SE frame from Hewitts with a 110 or 120mm stem and simply rebuild everything onto the new frame. I'd need to take a whole day to go to either Hewitts or Spa for fitting but to help me think further could I ask any Hewitt Cheviot /SE riders over 6ft whether you have the large or XL frame?