Titanium

Everything in the bike world is carbon these days. Frames, forks, handlebars, seatposts, wheels, even your mini pump and the top cap on your headset. Carbon is definitely a Good Thing. And if it’s not carbon, it’s so last century. Trouble is, we can overlook the fact that lots of things that aren’t carbon are good too… like titanium frames, for example, which can be very light and strong and last aeons. And Van Nicholas’ Astraeus is an absolute beauty.

Van Nicholas Astraeus - riding 2

Van Nicholas Astraeus - riding 3

Van Nicholas Astraeus - riding 1

Merlin have been building high-end bikes for well over 20 years now, and although the US brand has seen many changes over that time including a change of ownership and a move across the country, its frame material of choice remains titanium – custom drawn 3/2.5V ti, if you want the details.