[don simon fbpe]

I’m sure this has been done before. Pros and cons of cheaper Chinese titanium frames. Experiences, good and bad.

Recommendations, if any, please?

I’m specifically after a horizontal top tube.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/J-L-Titanium-road-bike-frame-Ti-50-60-1350g-Double-Butted/201589078893?hash=item2eefa53b6d:g:XmEAAOxyOBJRChPC&shqty=1&isGTR=1#shId

Topic

[Chris Hayes]

Buy a used Litespeed or Moots

Buy a used Litespeed or Moots on eBay.  You might have to wait for one you like or your size, but at least you’ll know its pedigree / genesis.  My Litespeeds have a lifetime warranty and have been hammered, truly hammered on sportives like Paris Roubaix – several times: no issues. 

[don simon fbpe]

Cheers, that’s the sort of

Cheers, that’s the sort of positive feedback I was looking for. The link I put in seemed to have negative feedback.

[Recoveryride]

A name that seems to crop up

A name that seems to crop up a lot in relation to this topic is Watly. They offer custom geo, so a horizontal top tube is certainly possible. I do know that you need to know pretty much exactly what you want, though – they ask you to fill in a spreadsheet, basically, and they make the bike to your specs.

This might be interesting: https://mamilmusings.com/waltly-titanium-frames-review

see also https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=134517

There are numerous threads on weightweenies and LFGSS about Watly and Chinese Ti in general, with other recommendations.

In brief, it seems to come down to this: great frames, by and large, if not finished to the same kind of standard as an Enigma or similar. Quite how you’ll get on if there’s a warranty issue is an open question, and that is always the difficulty with any kind of direct from China bike (whether Ti or otherwise). I would treat the purchase like a second-hand one, and assume there’s no warranty. If it still seems like a good buy in that scenario, then go for it.

 

[Author]

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