Anyone got a Titanium bike?

mudsucker

Hi All,

I'm in the market for a new bike soon. I tend to do more endurance so looking for something more comfortable and due to it's light ish weight and flex/bump absorbing ability coupled with great looks I think titanuim could be good.

Anyone got a titanium bike? If so, what are your thoughts on it? Any brands I could look in to?

Thanks!

MattFalle

Planet x have got well dece deals on at the mo' for ti framesets - haven't heard anything bad about them tbh.

mudsucker

Thanks Mattfelle. I will take a look.

MattFalle

No worries - be sure to keep us updated!

imposter2.0

mudsucker said:

due to it's light ish weight and flex/bump absorbing ability

This is largely a myth. Titanium is no more capable of absorbing flex, bumps, etc than any other material. If you are looking for a comfortable ride, look for something which gives you the opportunity to run higher volume tyres at lower pressures. The frame material is not really relevant - Ti looks good though, so if that's your wish, then go for it. But if you buy it thinking it will give you some kind of 'magic carpet' ride, you will be disappointed.

vincesummerskRoxcBTr

I looked at titanium when I bought my new bike, decided against it, the only real advantage seems to be its lack of corrosion, many of the frames for sale are not that light compared to other materials whilst being expensive.

webboo

imposter2.0 said:

mudsucker said:

due to it's light ish weight and flex/bump absorbing ability

This is largely a myth. Titanium is no more capable of absorbing flex, bumps, etc than any other material. If you are looking for a comfortable ride, look for something which gives you the opportunity to run higher volume tyres at lower pressures. The frame material is not really relevant - Ti looks good though, so if that's your wish, then go for it. But if you buy it thinking it will give you some kind of 'magic carpet' ride, you will be disappointed.

What it does give you is a sensation that you have a rear wheel puncture at times.

imposter2.0

webboo said:

imposter2.0 said:

mudsucker said:

due to it's light ish weight and flex/bump absorbing ability

This is largely a myth. Titanium is no more capable of absorbing flex, bumps, etc than any other material. If you are looking for a comfortable ride, look for something which gives you the opportunity to run higher volume tyres at lower pressures. The frame material is not really relevant - Ti looks good though, so if that's your wish, then go for it. But if you buy it thinking it will give you some kind of 'magic carpet' ride, you will be disappointed.

What it does give you is a sensation that you have a rear wheel puncture at times.

Mine only did that when I actually did have a rear puncture..

First.Aspect

A good Ti frame is magical. A basic one is wooden. Just like steel, tbh.

Not ridden that many cf frames, but I've only ever been impressed, not excited.

But everyone with a cf frame that's better than your Ti frame in all quantifiable ways will want your Ti frame.

And that is the main reason you want one.

webboo

First.Aspect said:

A good Ti frame is magical. .

Yes just like a fairy tale. Great to read about but in reality it doesn’t exsist.

First.Aspect

webboo said:

First.Aspect said:

A good Ti frame is magical. .

Yes just like a fairy tale. Great to read about but in reality it doesn’t exsist.

Nah, you just can't afford it.

joeyhalloran

I've got a Titus and previously had a Planet X for 10 years or so. They're both lovely frames but there is nothing magical about Ti. I liked the way it looked, it's robustness and having something a bit different and was happy to give up some performance for it. As carbon has developed that performance gap, I suspect, has gotten wider. I would guess a well engineered carbon frame has the potential to be more comfortable than a well engineered Ti frame as they can control different aspects of the tubing with the layup

First.Aspect

joeyhalloran said:

I've got a Titus and previously had a Planet X for 10 years or so. They're both lovely frames but there is nothing magical about Ti. I liked the way it looked, it's robustness and having something a bit different and was happy to give up some performance for it. As carbon has developed that performance gap, I suspect, has gotten wider. I would guess a well engineered carbon frame has the potential to be more comfortable than a well engineered Ti frame as they can control different aspects of the tubing with the layup

Depends what you are looking for. The industry prizes stiffness. If you try to force steel or Ti to do that, it is not magical, more Paul Daniels.

You might be right that if you tried to make a cf frame mimic the best Ti frame, it would be just as good, and lighter. Not sure that frame exists though.

webboo

First.Aspect said:

webboo said:

First.Aspect said:

A good Ti frame is magical. .

Yes just like a fairy tale. Great to read about but in reality it doesn’t exsist.

Nah, you just can't afford it.

Can’t afford what? You don’t mean that Titanium bike hanging up in the garage by any chance.

joeyhalloran

My point was you wouldn't make a cf frame to try and 'mimic' a ti frame, that would be pointless. Instead you would use the fact that carbon fibre is anisotropic (the opposite of ti's isotropic) to enable desired properties. If you want a super stiff, aerodynamic bike you can do it better in CF, if you want a super comfortable bike you can do it better in CF, with the caveat being you need proper engineering.

First.Aspect

joeyhalloran said:

My point was you wouldn't make a cf frame to try and 'mimic' a ti frame, that would be pointless. Instead you would use the fact that carbon fibre is anisotropic (the opposite of ti's isotropic) to enable desired properties. If you want a super stiff, aerodynamic bike you can do it better in CF, if you want a super comfortable bike you can do it better in CF, with the caveat being you need proper engineering.

That's basically what I've been saying.

Not sure about the premise though, thinking about it. Builders such as Parlee or Crisp probably would make something with a bit of spring in it, if you asked.

Sure I've read a couple of articles recently about things being slightly less stiff, that improve over the improvements by rolling back the improvements.

webboo said:

First.Aspect said:

webboo said:

First.Aspect said:

A good Ti frame is magical. .

Yes just like a fairy tale. Great to read about but in reality it doesn’t exsist.

Nah, you just can't afford it.

Can’t afford what? You don’t mean that Titanium bike hanging up in the garage by any chance.

No mate, I meant a good Ti frame.

Not sure I ever understood the need for a Ti mtb, mind you. Bit like a stradavarius in a rock band. Frame compliance is totally drowned out by fat tyres and suspension.

DeVlaeminck

I used to race on a Litespeed Ultimate. It did have a smoothness to it that is often said to be a property of titanium. It was also practical in terms of the finish being resilient.

I hesitate to say it was more flexy than a carbon bike given Robbie McEwan won a green jersey on the same model but you could get chain rub really cranking up short hills. Nice bike though.

First.Aspect

DeVlaeminck said:

I used to race on a Litespeed Ultimate. It did have a smoothness to it that is often said to be a property of titanium. It was also practical in terms of the finish being resilient.

I hesitate to say it was more flexy than a carbon bike given Robbie McEwan won a green jersey on the same model but you could get chain rub really cranking up short hills. Nice bike though.

Will be flexier, for an acceptable frame weight. The question is more whether or not that's makes any difference.

I've got a cervelo, ridden emondas and supersixes on holiday. They were okay. I'd happily own the supersix. Not the trek. The cervelo is meh. Prefer the feel of my v high end titanium.

Also got a low end one. It is agricultural. Partly because its heavy, but partly because its too stiff and chatters over the road. Much like those cf frames.

mudsucker

Thanks for your thoughts everyone, very interesting. A local shop sells Enigma bikes so think i need to go ride one and make my own mind up.

webboo

First.Aspect said:

joeyhalloran said:

My point was you wouldn't make a cf frame to try and 'mimic' a ti frame, that would be pointless. Instead you would use the fact that carbon fibre is anisotropic (the opposite of ti's isotropic) to enable desired properties. If you want a super stiff, aerodynamic bike you can do it better in CF, if you want a super comfortable bike you can do it better in CF, with the caveat being you need proper engineering.

That's basically what I've been saying.

Not sure about the premise though, thinking about it. Builders such as Parlee or Crisp probably would make something with a bit of spring in it, if you asked.

Sure I've read a couple of articles recently about things being slightly less stiff, that improve over the improvements by rolling back the improvements.

webboo said:

First.Aspect said:

webboo said:

First.Aspect said:

A good Ti frame is magical. .

Yes just like a fairy tale. Great to read about but in reality it doesn’t exsist.

Nah, you just can't afford it.

Can’t afford what? You don’t mean that Titanium bike hanging up in the garage by any chance.

No mate, I meant a good Ti frame.

Not sure I ever understood the need for a Ti mtb, mind you. Bit like a stradavarius in a rock band. Frame compliance is totally drowned out by fat tyres and suspension.

I think at its birth it’s was probably not too shabby. First frame cracked on the BB weld, went back to shop on Monday and sent back to Raleigh. Called by shop on Thursday to go pick up bike fully built up with new frame.
Where would you get service like that now.
It’s also done a few decent things in its time, like the Grand raid Christalp, it’s even won a race.

First.Aspect

No, it's nice. And rim brakes. Imagine that.

An ex used to have a cherry red steel hard tail I could ride with a bit of adjustment. It was just a nice thing.

veronese68

DeVlaeminck said:

Nice bike though.

First.Aspect said:

No, it's nice... It was just a nice thing.

Surely this is all that matters.

First.Aspect

veronese68 said:

DeVlaeminck said:

Nice bike though.

First.Aspect said:

No, it's nice... It was just a nice thing.

Surely this is all that matters.

Everything on my best bike is chosen for aesthetics, other than the contact points. It isn't the only factor, but it's the most important. Followed by price then weight I suppose.

Aerodynamics and elastic anisotropy aren't high on the list.

MattFalle

First.Aspect said:

veronese68 said:

DeVlaeminck said:

Nice bike though.

First.Aspect said:

No, it's nice... It was just a nice thing.

Surely this is all that matters.

Everything on my best bike is chosen for aesthetics, other than the contact points. It isn't the only factor, but it's the most important. Followed by price then weight I suppose.

Aerodynamics and elastic anisotropy aren't high on the list.

as Yossie would say, its all about the feel good factor people.

paulbnix

I've got a ti Px Hurricane.
I've also got a cf Px Maratona.
They both have the same 28mm tyres and I use the same pressure.

The Hurricane does feel a bit smoother at the front but it might the Selco fork which does seem to flex bit.

Other than that I don't notice any difference but I have been told that I am a bit insensitive.

Obviously it's heavier being metal and disc braked with mudguards but it's a lovely finish that I hope will last a long time.

tigersnapper

If it helps, I've got an Enigma Escape. I bought it as a winter / all round bike and to accompany my wife on gravel tracks as she doesn't like riding on the road. It is a lovely bike but definitely heavier and not as nimble as my CF road bike. Although with larger tyres and lower pressures is a bit of a softer ride. Use it and enjoy it but don't expect miracles.

mudsucker

Thanks Paulbnix and tigersnapper. I shall check those out

HilaryAmin

In a few weeks time I will be hiring a new or newish Ti bike for about 800km of mountainous cycling. Never ridden one so interested to read the comments here. Brand unknown but it is apparently worth more than I have ever spent on a bike! I have experience of good (borrowed) CF bikes so it will be good to compare.

exlaser

The bottom line is do your research and buy what you want . It’s your money .
All I will say is my wife bought me Van Nicolas Ventus for my 50th birthday nine years ago, and I still love it now as much as I did then . 😀😀
Even though I ended up with a lower end group set than I wanted to keep it on budget. I said I would change it after a couple of years , but it’s worked perfectly so have never bothered. Might treat myself for my 60th birthday , think it would look good with some high end campag hanging off it 😀

gary_sparrow

The van Nicholas ventus titanium I had , was one of the nicest riding bikes I’ve owned . Beautiful springy feeling , breezes over bad road surfaces and the comfort was brilliant .looking on Strava it was was as quick as any carbon bikes I rode with similar wheelsets even if it wasn’t aero, super light etc.

froze

imposter2.0 said:

mudsucker said:

due to it's light ish weight and flex/bump absorbing ability

This is largely a myth. Titanium is no more capable of absorbing flex, bumps, etc than any other material. If you are looking for a comfortable ride, look for something which gives you the opportunity to run higher volume tyres at lower pressures. The frame material is not really relevant - Ti looks good though, so if that's your wish, then go for it. But if you buy it thinking it will give you some kind of 'magic carpet' ride, you will be disappointed.

Not true. I have several steel bikes, scandium, and rode a lot of various carbon bikes, and I can tell you this, steel is the most comfortable of all the bikes I owned or test rode...until I bought my first TI bike, while there wasn't a day and night difference there was a difference, enough of one however for me to notice it, and at the time all my bikes were running 23c tires. But don't take my word for it because I know you won't, so see these websites instead:

https://wheretheroadforks.com/titanium-vs-carbon-fiber-bike-pros-and-cons/

http://www.bikeroar.com/articles/why-steel-and-titanium-are-better-than-carbon-fibre

https://bikehike.org/how-do-chromoly-bicycle-frames-compare-to-aluminum/

https://livehealthy.chron.com/steel-vs-titanium-bike-frames-4083.html

That is why Lynskey made the Helix bike, the frame has a twist in it, and that frame is designed to twist slightly along that twist, people who own this bike say it is incredibly nice to ride, like riding on a cushion...in bike terms.