preferred-google-button
log in
register

Ever thought of a Ti bike?????

  • Creator
    Topic
  • February 3, 2013 at 12:41 pm #17848
    trikeman

    Ever Thought of a Titanium Bike? 😕
    What a question, aye?

    In the ‘garage of many bits’ I had a bike (in fact several) for every type of riding I enjoy – commuters, sportives, fast roads, hill climbers, long riders, tourers and weekenders. These bikes were Colnago’s, Specialized Tarmac’s (S-Works), SL3 Roubaix, Allez’s, Boardman Pro Hybrids and a Peugeot.

    Sitting there one day (recently) I thought ‘what about if I could get one bike that could do ALL the cycling I love’, does that physically exist??.
    :/
    It would have to be light, comfortable, fast, climb well, able to take full (proper) mudguards, rear rack for work (200 miles a week – all weathers), be well kitted out and just as important riding through Bristol,,,, as inconspicuous as possible – just look like ‘another bike’ and blend into the background – not ‘here I am steal me’ bling.

    I searched for some time, read reviews, did a hell of a lot of research and now completed my first Titanium bike,,,, and it meets everything I wanted – a Sabbath September Ti.
    Yesterday I did the third run since completion, great weather, bit windy, sunshine and a little cold. I did a damn good ride and not an ache or blister – she’s gorgeous.
    😀
    I have NEVER owned a bike that rides so nice, really does. For years I have thought about Ti but never dived in and bought one, until recently, and the frame/forkset are second hand (just in case) with some kit I kept back from the selling extravaganza.

    I really wished I had done this years ago instead of spending a fortune on bikes – from the standard ones to really high enders. I have now sold every bike in the stable, can’t believe how much was standing in the garage (which is now a very empty place) both in aluminium and carbon (and ££££) – except for the Peugeot (sentimental and won several races years ago) and my September, that’s it.

    Below is a photo of the bike, may not suit everyone or the ‘must have the big names to impress’ gurus, but it’s a hard one to beat – and over the years I have ridden some bikes.
    She has Ksyrium elites, conti 4 seasons, DA 7900 mechs, Ultegra brakes, CK headset, full mudguards, Keo carbons, pump, bottle cages etc etc and still nudges the scales a good tad under 19 lbs (without the extras, just on 16 lbs) which is excellent.

    If anyone is considering a look at Ti – don’t hesitate, I would have saved thousands over the years and I still never had a bike as comfortable and as all encompassing as this puppy. Go for one, you won’t regret it for sure!
    Regards,
    Trikeman. 😉

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 26 total)
1 2
  • Author
    Replies
  • March 1, 2013 at 1:24 pm #714635
    0
    Tour Le Tour

    Nice looking bike! I’ve got
    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!

    March 1, 2013 at 8:33 am #714633
    0
    stealfwayne

    I too have a Sabbath
    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..

    February 26, 2013 at 8:33 am #714631
    0
    700c

    @Chrismday re creaking –
    @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.

    February 24, 2013 at 2:52 pm #714629
    0
    chrismday

    My local dealer, who sells
    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?

    February 24, 2013 at 1:32 pm #714627
    0
    londonplayer

    700c – thanks!
    700c – thanks!

    February 22, 2013 at 9:42 pm #714625
    0
    700c

    @Londonplayer – are ti bikes
    @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..

    February 21, 2013 at 7:46 pm #714623
    0
    Super Domestique

    Hello Sir!
    Repairing? Erm
    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.

    February 21, 2013 at 7:26 pm #714621
    0
    trikeman

    Hi SD,
    how’s you
    Hi SD,
    how’s you repairing??????

    I really loved my Tarmacs too, they are great bikes – just my ageing bones are more ‘appreciative’ of the smoother ride and my reflexes are not what they used to be so a little slacker, slightly slower response is more suitable now. It’s weired but I still do the same distances, though at not a great deal of difference in time, thus speed – it just seems ‘not so fast’ on the Sabbath… Relaxed maybe??? Strange but true.

    Regards,

    Trikeman. 😉

    February 21, 2013 at 7:15 pm #714619
    0
    Super Domestique

    I must say I pleased I bought
    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.

    February 21, 2013 at 6:55 pm #714617
    0
    trikeman

    Hi,
    are they worth twice the
    Hi,
    are they worth twice the price????

    Well I’ve owned many, many bikes – some of them top line S-Works etc but not one of them rides like my Ti Sabbath for sure.
    However, a Ti is NOT the same as top line carbon bikes as ridden in the top end tours. Top line bikes as seen in the tours and racing are specifically for that – racing and winning. They are razor sharp in the handling, as stiff as hell and are seriously expensive, like ten times the price of Ti’s in the market and teams get paid for riding the big brands bikes.
    Mine was built by some cracking lads up’t North, they couldn’t afford to kit out a team like Sky for example.

    It really is horses for courses – for us (now) mere cycling mortals who don’t race for a living but for enjoyment, nothing compares to Ti for comfort and long distance enjoyment – sit back and enjoy the ride and it’s not so much about ‘keeping this harsh, bucking beast in it’s reins’. Nice slack geometery and forgiving ‘spring’ in the frame….. Loverly. 😀

    My last bike (before this Ti one) was a top spec SL3 Specialized Roubaix which was a comfortable ride for sure, but nothing compared with the Sabbath and just as fast when needed – sold her due to the massive difference and now my preference for Ti.
    As mentioned earlier, I wished I had bitten the bullet years ago and had Ti,,,,, I would have saved an absolute fortune.

    Does take a little thinking about but well worth it.

    Check out the second hand frames/bikes and you may well pick up a cracker for reasonable money.

    Regards,

    Trikeman. 😉

    February 21, 2013 at 5:40 pm #714615
    0
    londonplayer

    This discussion is very
    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? 😀

    February 21, 2013 at 5:16 pm #714613
    0
    broomwagonboy

    I have a September and love
    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.

    February 21, 2013 at 2:13 pm #714611
    0
    Noelieboy

    Bedfordshire Clanger

    Bedfordshire Clanger wrote:
    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!

    My bike hasn’t got any eyelets either but I found that the simple SKS Race blades do the job.
    They attach using a rubber band & eyelet system around the fork & seat stays.
    check it out…
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sks/race-blade-mudguards-black-ec012084

    February 21, 2013 at 2:11 pm #714609
    0
    Noelieboy

    My bike hasn’t got any
    My bike hasn’t got any eyelets either but I found that the simple SKS Race blades do the job.
    They attach using a rubber band & eyelet system around the fork & seat stays.
    check it out…
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sks/race-blade-mudguards-black-ec012084

    February 8, 2013 at 9:00 pm #714607
    0
    700c

    Looks lovely Trikeman. I am a
    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! 🙂

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 26 total)
1 2
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.