[olioneill123]

hey all

I’m looking for a titanium bike that can be my one and all.

Ideally something fast and nimble but comfortable enough that i can enjoy just going out for a ride day after day.

Im happy to spend a bit of money on it so it looks and feels classic and have a bit of longevity – im thinking of it as more of an investment rather than a constant spiral of a new carbon bike with terrible paint and design. (I have a carbon bike that i race before the haters step in).

I have found a few that i like, namely the Van Nich Aquilo and the Enigma Esprit. These two are in my budget of 3000 ish (thank god for the cycle to work scheme!) and i would build them up rather than off the shelf.

I have searched for others but I dont know much about geometry to know what each frames best use is and the above seem very different. I do like the look of Mosaic but they are out of the price bracket.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with these two bikes?

thanks for your help

Oli

Topic

[monty dog]

Nothing wrong with ‘cheap’
Nothing wrong with ‘cheap’ Chinese titanium – all but at most 2 of the frames listed above come from a factory in Taiwan/China (including ‘stock’ Enigmas). I’ve just bought my sixth custom build direct (5″ fatbike) – never experienced any problems, or failures. I have seen quite a few ‘premium’ titanium frames break – mainly due to poor quality construction leading to accelerated fatigue failure.

[iamalex]

I have an Enigma Esprit,
I have an Enigma Esprit, really enjoy it. Certainly worth a look. Sometimes I think I ‘need’ something a bit stiffer but it’s not really an issue. It comes across as character rather than a problem. Silky smooth ride and with a good set of wheels it’s stood up to some pretty testing rides.

Other than a single speed for getting knocked-off/crashed into during my London commute, it’s the only bike I need.

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=111955&sid=573fd4459a0eb795e56dd733b4860698&start=45

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/14562527970_eb4617cbf6_c.jpg

However… Cadance Performance in Crystal Palace, London had some half price Legend Titanium framesets a couple of weeks ago. Might be worth a call.

[kingbucko75]

I bought a Van Nicholas
I bought a Van Nicholas Aquilo this summer following an insurance payout after a few bikes got nicked. I looked at the Enigma Equinox but couldn’t find a bike to look at in the flesh other than their factory in Sussex. In the end i saw the Aquilo and loved how it looked so opted for that. I built it up with Ultegra 11 speed, 3T finishing kit and some FFWD carbon/alloy clinchers and it rides like an absolute dream. Its heavier than my last carbon bike (Cube Agree) but my Strava times were up everywhere so I think the 1 kg difference is negligible. Its quite stiff for a Ti frame but doesn’t rattle my fillings like the carbon bike did on dodgy road surfaces. I reckon you could price a build for 3 grand easily (mine was around 4) with a lower groupset and cheaper wheels. I can’t speak for the other brands but I sure there are lots of good Ti bikes out there. Yes, some welds may fail but I’ve had mates whose carbon frames have cracked and Al bikes that welds have gone. Just make sure the warranty is decent…I think Van Nicholas have a lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects and will replace it (not repair it)

[vorsprung]

I’ve got a titanium bike.
I’ve got a titanium bike. The company that made it went broke and I got it welded up again

It was Dead but….

Titanium failures are not uncommon. If you get one either get a really cheap one from china and plan to replace it or get a really expensive one from a trust worthy outfit and expect some warrantee replacements

Don’t be suckered into the myth that titanium is stronger and more durable than anything else. It is a great material, better ride than steel, light, no rust but welding it seems to be less of an understood process than welding steel.

It’s difficult to assess what type of bike is the most durable: carbon would last the longest but surface scratches and wear eventually weaken them. Steel would be good but it rusts. Titaniums Achilles heel seems to be random manufacturing defects

[truffy]

Since no thread on bike
Since no thread on bike choice would be the same without some lame and pointless comment on aesthetics, and since Ti bikes aren’t painted (so the “everything’s stealth black these days” and “ooooh, I don’t like that paint job” comments are moot), can I just say that I really don’t like the Van Nicholas logo?

[notfastenough]

@Bobbydazzler – yes, I just
@Bobbydazzler – yes, I just put my back out looking at it properly!

[bobbydazzler]

And a picture! Well, was
And a picture! Well, was going to be a picture but is upside-down! Anyone know how to turn it around??? 🙁

[bobbydazzler]

I’ve had an Enigma Esprit for
I’ve had an Enigma Esprit for the last 2 1/2 years, and it’s fantastic. I’ve had various other bikes alongside it [Genesis Equilibrium – what a ride, but much heavier and not as agile, Boardman 9.8 SLR – slightly quicker, a bit stiffer, but felt much more ‘serious’], and this wins every time for the smile it puts on my face. It’s just very very quick while feeling completely alive. And the classic looks and Ti ‘colour’ still makes me want to look at it all the time.

I built it up myself too. With SRAM Rival, Easton EC90 forks, Pro-Lite Bracciano’s, Lynskey Ti seatpost, Schwalbe Ultremos, Spin Ti headset and the rest of the finishing kit it came it at 7.2kg exc. pedals and cages, and well within £3k. I’ve now got Columbus minimal forks – light but I’d say a bit flexy. I’m keen to get an Enve 2.0 fork to give it more stiffness.

If I did it again? Maybe Campag or Ultegra, but definitely all black wheels like Mavic Ksyrium SLR’s. I had a pair of H Plus Son handbuilts and they looked incredible until the brake track anodising wore away.

Hope that helps 🙂

[bjornalkema]

my choice would be…
my choice would be… Gilbertson Titanium Bikes B-)

[bjornalkema]

my choice would be…
my choice would be… http://www.gilbertson.nl/

[rch30]

I bought a Moots Compact SL
I bought a Moots Compact SL in August it has transformed my cycling in comfort, enjoyment and improvement in performance. Google Moots and have a look at some of the links to find out more about the light weight a build quality.

[700c]

Daveyraveygravey

Daveyraveygravey wrote:

Kinesis do at least one Titanium frame I believe. Would definitely be on my shortlist.

+1 this is what I ride – Kinesis granfondo (v1). I believe the v2 is even better. the only change I make throughout the year is to put winter/ summer wheels on and it’s good for an all-purpose machine. Rigid, fast, comfortable. Plus their customer service is exceptional. 5 year warranty is provided

I recall that there was a recent test of Ti bikes on bikeradar/ cycling plus and the conclusion was that they can be made to suit a variety of purposes – so don’t assume all will be comfortable, flexible, or suitable for touring etc. The Kinesis came out top I believe, in as much as you can compare apples and oranges!

In terms of using to race, you will usually sacrifice a little weight vs equivalently- priced carbon machine, but nothing that can’t be overcome with speccing some decent components. My bike (size L) fully equipped comes in a little under 8 kilo’s. Some from different manufacturers could well be lighter

[trikeman]

Hi, I also had the same
Hi, I also had the same requirements as you and after a long hard research I found my Sabbath September Ti.
What a machine, light, fast, extremely comfortable and really good looking – could ride her all day. It was able to take full mudguards and 25mm tyres.
Oh, she was a brilliant bike,,,,,,,,,,,,, and then I regretfully sold it in a ‘fit of madness’. :S Regretted her sale ever since.
[URL=http://s442.photobucket.com/user/Jammo/media/DSC_0593_zpsd8605ffe.jpg.html][/URL]

Regards,

Trikeman. 😉

[notfastenough]

Well firstly, have you seen
Well firstly, have you seen the reviews for the Aquilo and Spitfire?

http://road.cc/content/review/61298-van-nicholas-aquilo
http://road.cc/content/review/40913-spin-spitfire-mk-iii-supermarine

However, this cropped up in another thread recently:
http://cielorossobikes.com/cielo-rosso-custom-built-titanium-frames-601-p.asp
Now at £700 it would probably be under your radar, but given that it’s a full custom Ti frame from a British firm (although manufactured in the far east) and they look classy, I wouldn’t write it off. If I recall correctly, Simmo72 on here has one and loves it. You could try PMing him. If it worked out, you would be left with funds for some serious parts…!

[Hugor]

Thats a nice budget to
Thats a nice budget to have!!!

I have a titanium Guru Praemio which I’m very happy with.

I’m also a massive fan of Enigma bikes and would love to own a Evoke Disc.

At the upper end of your range would also be a Legend Prince or ILRe. Stunning bikes.
Any Legend bike is in a class of its own.

http://www.legendfactory.it/eng/ilre.php

[Author]

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