Ever thought of a Ti bike?????

Nice looking bike! I've got a big trip coming up, and while I would kind of like to take my mountain bike (this trip is the third of a set, and it would surely make it the only MTB in the world to have completed that particular set) I am also thinking that a durable road tourer might be a better idea overall. If I do go down that path, titanium is the material at the top of the list, especially after hearing so many good reports on it!

I too have a Sabbath September which is Wonderfully smooth and yet fast enough to keep up with the Shorter Rochford boys around my way (well at least for a couple of miles anyway unitl my lungs give out anyway)
No creaking so far.
I really am happy that I have made the leap to TI. As OP stated it's one bike for all reasons and sweasons so the only problem I have now is working out what my N+1 is going to be. Mrs S is slowly getting the bug so perhaps a tandem, TI of course..

@Chrismday re creaking - nothing from my kinesis gf ti so far, would have thought that was more an issue with installation than frame itself though.

700c - thanks!

My local dealer, who sells Kinesis frames, commented that they have more problems with creaking from Ti frames than from any other, usually from the bottom bracket.

Any views on this?

@Londonplayer - are ti bikes worth it -well comparing all ti frames to one internet retailer like canyon is slightly tricky but that aside, ti bikes fulfil particular criteria better than aluminium or carbon usually can - longevity, comfort, even appearance, but its ti's potential to be a bike for life that's the USP for me. Spending a bit more on the frame and having the confidence in the material, backed up by a long warranty just seemed to make economic sense for me..

Hello Sir!

Repairing? Erm not! Just as bad tbh.

Hospital said no riding as they think it's an underlying hip issue. I am not convinced if being honest but there you go.

I did disobey orders recently and have had 2 sessions of just 10 mins on the Allez strapped to the turbo. It was in hill climbing gear so just spinning but felt great mentally. Less so physically.

Today's a bad one. Such is life. Back to hospital on Monday. Thanks for asking.

Keep enjoying the new bike.

I must say I pleased I bought a carbon bike but the changes coming in the road bike world (ie disc brakes for eg) makes me think my 'super bike' purchase should have perhaps been Ti.

Plus I have more than enough thinking time recently over riding time.

That said, for a race orientated bike the Tarmac is very comfy.

This discussion is very interesting. I'm currently about to buy a new bike. I just need convincing that buying a Titanium bike is really justified by the cost. I could buy 2 Canyons for the price of a Ti bike.

To play Devils' Advocate, if they're such good bikes, how come the Pro Peloton isn't all riding them?

I have a September and love it, sold my Bianchi about a year after i got it because I never rode it. Been touring on it and it's fine with panniers.
So glad I got it the frame is not as light as many carbon bikes but I have still got mine to just under 8kgs which is not bad for a do it all bike.

Looks lovely Trikeman. I am a much happier cyclist since I bought my Kinesis gran fondo ti so I know exactly where you're coming from.. Mine was an upgrade from the same bike in Al (I broke my last two ) so I've had a good opportunity to compare frame material. So my main priority was a strong, long lasting frame but the increase in suppleness is really welcome. I don't think this came at any expense of stiffness and virtually no weight increase.

Classy looks, all day comfort and security in the knowledge I'm unlikely to snap this frame any time soon!

That's alright then

I am still off the bike! Seeing an expert at the hospital Monday.

Looks like the full sus mtb was a waste of money. Going through all the hospital paperwork I am quite concerned the 'bounce' while pedalling may have even been the culprit. Bet no one has ever had that one
before.

I won't show my father this thread as he has always thought of a van nich.

I have to admit i do hanker after a Ti frame, my wishlist would have the following :-

http://www.baumcycles.com/bikes/corretto

and

http://fireflybicycles.com/bikes/road-titanium

The craftsmanship on these is otherworldly, the quality of the welds.....

Glad to hear you managed to get everything together and purchase your Ti bike! Also glad to hear you're enjoying it so much

Yep - I've got a Spin Spitfire III and it's just awesome. I had a Litespeed Archon Ti and I actually prefer the feel and responsiveness of the Spitfire. Looking forward to lots and lots more miles on it.

I love my Airborne Valkyrie which is these days known as a Van Nicholas Yukon. It takes a rack & mudguards if needed, is super comfy, helped by the extra length in the chainstays. As mentioned above, I have had it 7 years now and the frame looks almost as good as new. I also regret not getting into Ti sooner, the frame should last a lifetime so more than repaying the upfront expense.

Nice bike.

Gutted you sold the stealth tarmac though!

Two bike here. Sabbath Silk Road Alp with Sram Red for summer and like you I have just built a Sabbath September for winter. Wonderful ride - proper comfy - all road bumps ironed out - full mudguards. Couldn't have wished for a better winter ride!

I was thinking that a Ti frame might be at the heart of my next bike, but I'm so inflexible that I need a tall headtube (like, 225mm including stack). This means that bikes with normal size tubing look a bit daft, whereas something like a Roubaix still manages to look good thanks to the oversize tubes and the curves from the top to the down tube.

What did you think of the Roubaix? I've noticed some shops still have 2011 SL3 in stock for £1400 - I can't be paying over £2.5k just for an SL4 frameset before I've even started building it up.

I have a couple of Ti road bikes and they are great. In honesty though the are very different to each other. One really cool thing about my ti bikes is that they still look great after a few years of abuse, which never seems to be the case with my other bikes. I use one ti bike for around 10000 miles a year and it is like an old favourite jumper or a pair of comfy old slippers. It has had a couple of groupsets and forks, numerous wheels, pedals and finishing kit, but it always feels nice.

That looks absolutely brilliant. I love my Van Nic but can't commute on it as it has no rack or mudguard eyelets. I can ride all day on it without a hint of trouble though. Enjoy!