[hsiaolc]

I am thinking about buying a custom build frame and I can’t decide between Titanium or Steel.

Which would you prefer and if you have any builder you recommend please feel free to advise.

Thank you.

Topic

[hsiaolc]

Jakub N wrote:It depends on

Jakub N wrote:

It depends on what kind of bike you are going to build. For road bike I would choose some hi-end steel (like columbus XCr), for cyclocross or MTB the Ti is better.

Sorry to ask but any reason for that?

I am not familiar with Columbus Xcr. Heard of Columbus Spirit which was the material I had in mind initially.

[AJ101]

As an aside did you know
As an aside did you know Geoff Roberts (yes, from the famous Roberts family) will help you build your own steel bike? He runs courses down south that are very well respected.

[Jakub N]

It depends on what kind of
It depends on what kind of bike you are going to build. For road bike I would choose some hi-end steel (like columbus XCr), for cyclocross or MTB the Ti is better.

[700c]

Interestingly there’s a
Interestingly there’s a review on here of the ti kinesis bike I mentioned, and there’s a favourable comparison made to a couple of it’s ti competitors, including Sabbath September which you’ve discussed above

http://road.cc/content/review/92814-kinesis-gran-fondo-titanium

[700c]

You can’t say one is always
You can’t say one is always stronger/ stiffer / lighter than the other. Bespoke steel and ti can be made to prioritise weight/ strength/ stiffness to suit. That said, ti is likely to be lighter unless you spend £££ on something very fancy in steel..

Get some test rides in if you can

[bushman]

RRP on the frames is £1100, I
RRP on the frames is £1100, I have just had mine refinished after covering about 30000 miles on it over the last few years and it looks mint. WE mostly sell them as complete bikes but frames can be supplied too. I would suggest looking for your local Sabbath dealer if there is one, we would always recommend support your local bike shop where possible even if that’s not us. Follow the link for their dealers and no I dont work for Sabbath!
http://www.sabbathbicycles.co.uk/dealers

[hsiaolc]

I am slightly confused
I am slightly confused now.

IS Steel more durable than Ti?

If Columbus Spirit is stronger than Steel than I can assume it is a life time frame with more flex?

[hsiaolc]

I am slightly confused
I am slightly confused now.

IS Steel more durable than Ti?

If Columbus Spirit is stronger than Steel than I can assume it is a life time frame with more flex?

[hsiaolc]

vaarucycles wrote:Hello,

vaarucycles wrote:

Hello, There’s been lots of positive comments on titanium, my addition to them is that after a few thousand miles, strip it, re brush it and it’ll look like brand new. Titanium is my passion so you can tell where this is heading! I’m a industrial design engineer with a background in precision engineering and metalwork. I designed bike components and bike lights for the last 8 years, steel, carbon, titanium etc! 3 years ago I designed my own titanium frames and had them made, then more and more for friends and family. I designed frames with no cost restrictions. Double butted tubing, tapered headtubes, 5 axis machining, every tube has been formed, even chainstay bridges, seatstay bridges. Design is in the detail! I launched as a brand after leaving my full time job at christmas, 7 months on we’ve just been made a finalist as ‘breakthrough brand of the year’ 2015. If you want a Ti frame, custom or an off the shelf design of mine, give me a call or email me from the website. http://www.vaarucycles.com . I’m also at the cycle show, NEC 2015, stand J42. VAARU – Elite Titanium Cycles.

Cheers – James

Thanks James. I had a look at your site and those are good looking bike but just a bit expensive compared to another that was advised earlier on this thread.

Because of better Ti?
I look forward to seeing your decision.

[Gravelly Stu]

I have a Van Nicholas Ventus
I have a Van Nicholas Ventus and the ride is fantastic. I ride sportives over crappy Devon roads and I find it very confusing. Also very easy to look after and less need to clean. I agree that raw Ti looks lovely unpainted. I have standard spec with Ksyrium Elites and is well under 8kg which is fine for most mortals

[vaarucycles]

Hello, There’s been lots of
Hello, There’s been lots of positive comments on titanium, my addition to them is that after a few thousand miles, strip it, re brush it and it’ll look like brand new. Titanium is my passion so you can tell where this is heading! I’m a industrial design engineer with a background in precision engineering and metalwork. I designed bike components and bike lights for the last 8 years, steel, carbon, titanium etc! 3 years ago I designed my own titanium frames and had them made, then more and more for friends and family. I designed frames with no cost restrictions. Double butted tubing, tapered headtubes, 5 axis machining, every tube has been formed, even chainstay bridges, seatstay bridges. Design is in the detail! I launched as a brand after leaving my full time job at christmas, 7 months on we’ve just been made a finalist as ‘breakthrough brand of the year’ 2015. If you want a Ti frame, custom or an off the shelf design of mine, give me a call or email me from the website. http://www.vaarucycles.com . I’m also at the cycle show, NEC 2015, stand J42. VAARU – Elite Titanium Cycles.
I look forward to seeing your decision.
Cheers – James

[karrie51]

Saffron Frame Works, based at
Saffron Frame Works, based at Greenwich. Matthew Sowter built my stainless steel bike. Absolutely love it from the moment I saw it.
The fit is superb. Matthew sent me to Bespoke Cycling, Jermyn Street where I spent a lovely hour or two on a computerised jig. Getting measured and some helpful pedalling technique tips.
After just one week of ownership I rode from John O’Groats to LandsEnd without any adjustments and was always very comfortable. No niggles, no sore spots, no aching muscles. Day after day of riding yet I never once wished I wasn’t going to get on my Saffron bike. I just whooped for joy. It was fabulous.

On Shap Hill the winds were so strong , 45-60 MPH gusts, that my bike blew up into the air. It is so light, equal to a carbon frame. As I grappled it to the ground my first thought was ‘thank goodness its a steel bike’.

Love it. Love it. Love it.

[graybags]

I have both steel and TI, and
I have both steel and TI, and love them both, although TI is a little stiffer, but still very comfortable for 100 mile plus rides. If you’re thinking of TI, google Cielo Rosso, Neil knows his stuff and spec’d a great bike for me at very reasonable cost with DI2 and hydraulic discs.

[Point]

Currently having my Custom Ti
Currently having my Custom Ti frame built. I chose Justin Burls to do mine. His frames look superb and the whole experience of sorting geometry and fine tuning has been Great fun.

[Point]

Currently having my Custom Ti
Currently having my Custom Ti frame built. I chose Justin Burls to do mine. His frames look superb and the whole experience of sorting geometry and fine tuning has been Great fun.

[Author]

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