China Ti Chainstay size

Bozabyka

I am about to commission a titanium frame from China.
I like the look of The Van Nic Aquilo and want a fast bike to replace the Caad9 which has never been a good fit.
http://www.vannicholas.com/54/Aquilo/bike.aspx
The bike is going to get thrashed.
Aquilo uses a 31.8 x 0.9 chainstay.
I would like to buy from Cielo Rosso but the maximum chainstay size is 22.2 x 0.9
I am waiting to see if they can use a thicker tube.
Does 31.8 sound big for a chainstay?
I do want a stiff frame to replace the Caad.

Monty Dog

31.8mm is overkill for a chainstay. I specc'd a custom titanium frame for a friend after he bust his Litespeed - 22x1.2 were fitted and he's no problem with flexing. FWIW Cielo Rosso buy their frames from Waltly titanium and they're pretty good at responding to customer needs - I've bought 2 frames direct. If you want a stiff frame, it's not just the chainstays but also the downtube and bottom bracket - a 48mm downtube, BB86 and wide-spaced, non-crimped chainstays

Bozabyka

Thanks Monty
What kind of weight would you expect a road frame from Waltly?
53cm

keezx

If you want a stiff bike, forget titanium, it will become too heavy if stiff like the Caad.
Even with a 30,9 chainstay it will have to ovalized and loose lateral stiffness.
Thicker wallthickness may help a bit, but not much.
Ovalizing downtube (lateral widest) at the BB will help.
At a decent weight (lets say 1,4 kg) it will always be less stiff then oversize alloy.
I can send you a drawing from my titanium frame I had build 2 years ago and is stiff enough for me. (it feels weaker then an alloy but it doesn't bother me.)

Interesting prizes at Cielo Rosso......about the same (little bit more) I paid two years ago direct from China (incl bank fee & shipping)....bookmarked.

Bozabyka

Thanks Keezx.
So the Van Nic Aquilo is no better than the Caad?

keezx

Not as a racing bike I think....it has other qualities.
Allthough I'm 62 I still race (Masters 60+) but not on the titanium bike.
Cheap alloy is better for racing, lighter and stiffer and not much lost if you crash.
If you're after a 53 cm you're not a big guy I suppose , so titanium can be raced though.
Stiffness is way overrated unless you are really big and powerful.

Bozabyka

My plan is to use the following tubes
Are these suitable for a race frame ?
78 kilo off season
53 cm frame
Chain stays 22.2 x 1.6
Seat stays 17x0.9
Seat tube 34.9x0.9 with shim to fit 27.2mm seat post
Top Tube 34.9x0.9
Down tube 48x0.9

keezx

Looks plenty material, but it won't be light with those fat tubes.....and probably overkill.
Chainstays good, but personally I would take the seat- and top tubes 31,8x0,9 and downtube 44x0,9 to keep some
"springiness"in the frame., which I like (maybe you don't)

Bozabyka

Thanks
I cant get a frame off the shelf so I need to go custom due to an injury.
So I have two choices steel or ti.
Titanium doesn't rust:)

keezx

Well, for me it was also the custom option why I chose titanium.
Why buy steel or aluminium if you can get titanium for less?
If I could get a custom steel frame for 500€ I would have chosen that, but those times are over in W-Europe.
Please keep us informed about your expierience with Cielo Rosso, would like another one.....