[Secret_squirrel]

Folks as above – seriously considering a Gradient purchase as a one-bike-to-rule-them-all, Road biased Adventure bike, but struggling for alternatives at a similar price point.

Best I can come up with are :
Ribble CGR Ti – but not as “sexy”
Sonder Camino Ti – but currently sold out
Laverack J.Ack – dearer

Anything else I should be considering? Maybe Planet X Tempest, but put off by the “budget” connotations. Anyone have real life experience?

Topic

[njblackadder]

Hello Chris. I think you may

Hello Chris. I think you may have missed the point. PpPete suggested that Ti-6Al-4V is stronger than any steel and I was merely pointing out that it isn’t – not remotely in fact!! I think yield strength particularly can be a useful measure, for the simple reason that the stronger a material, the less is required. These comparisons often seem to end up being a bit iffy. You are correct in saying that the shape of the tube affects the properties of the structure, but what is applicable to one material is equally applicable to another (assuming both can be similarly shaped), hence, when comparing like with like, a steel tube (and therefore frame) will always be significantly stiffer than a titamium one. The titanium version will, of course, be lighter (once again, like for like).

[Chris Hayes]

I wonder whether yield

I wonder whether yield strength and ultimate tensile strength are useful measures when you’re comparing bike-frame materials: the shape of the tubing adds stiffness and spring / shock absorbsion where appropriate – absolute measures don’t mean much (unless you’re comparing Ti or high-grade steel to plasticine, obviously).

[Chris Hayes]

I have a Litespeed Vortex

I have a Litespeed Vortex made of Ti-6Al-4V.  They come up on eBay from time-to-time, but are getting rarer.  Expensive bikes: I think the frame was in the £3000 range in 2003….have to say, the engineering on it is breathtaking: curved eliptical rearstays. diamond shaped tubing, and incredible welding. Great machine.  I would say that it was years ahead of its time… but they don’t make bikes like this anymore…

[Secret_squirrel]

Very close to pulling the

Very close to pulling the trigger on a Gradient, with a slight hesitation due to the Spectre.   Also have seen a drool fest I love but that most feel is a bit marmitey, which is a Wittson. Love the rear stays. Helps that I have a DeKerf MTB with a similar design. 
https://wittson.com/handmade-titanium-frames/titanium-gravel-frame-set-effugio

 

My money no-object purchase would be a custom gravel bike from Chris DeKerf but that’s fantasy bike territory  

 

[PpPete]

Sorry matthewn5 but your

Sorry matthewn5 but your statement cannot go unchallenged.  The 9xx Reynolds are certainly extremely strong but to make any sense you need to specify what titanium alloy you are referrring to.   Pure titanium can’t even hold a candle to Reynolds 531.   Ti-3Al-2.5V is the most popular alloy for bikes (and indeed most other uses of titanium tube and is pretty damn strong.  Ti-6Al-4V will knock any steel you care to mention into a cocked hat. AFAIK only Enigma have ever really offered a frame made from that – but there may be others in the USA.

[njblackadder]

Hello PpPete. Afraid to say

Hello PpPete. Afraid to say you are well wide of the mark regarding your comparison of Ti-6Al-4V with alloy steels. Ti-6Al-4V is generally stated to have a yield strength of around 850 – 900 MPa and UTS of around 950 – 1000 MPa. Reynolds state that 953 has a UTS of 1750 – 2000 MPa. Though I am unable to find figures for yield strength, the UTS suggests it will be at least 1500 MPa. Coupled with a ‘stiffness’ that is almost twice that of ANY titanium alloy, this makes 953 a good choice, in respect of mechanical properties, when compared with titanium.

I believe Litespeed used to make a frame in Ti-6Al-4V, but, like yourself, I am not sure who does so now.

[matthewn5]

Go stainless, not titanium.

Go stainless, not titanium. Reynolds 953 0r 931 is twice as strong as titanium, so you can build a lighter frame. Looks pretty well identical.

[davman]

I have a Waltly titanium

I have a Waltly titanium frame i bought direct from them in China. I had an earlier iteration of this bought through a guy who was on Ebay (Cielo Rosso) but this time i went direct to Waltly and ordered a revised frame

Love the frame: well made and comfortable as it as built specific to my requirements. Although it’s only plain guage titanium, that doesn’t seem to be a problem. Weight is 8.8Kgs

Am now waiting for a titanium adventure frame from Waltly to be finished and sent. This again is built to my requirements

Going with a complany like Waltly involves work on your part to design the frame; i simply took my Cielo Rosso as the start and tweaked it more. But Waltly have a good reputation and i’ve not had a problem with dealing with them

Simon

[Secret_squirrel]

I’ve seen the same.

I’ve seen the same.

I don’t know but I suspect that Force AXS wholesale prices vary a bit and I suspect there are sometimes big discounts on R8070 DI2 Ultegra.  £500 difference seems quite common.  But the rrp difference is closer to £1000.

 

[darkstar01uk]

I’ve owned a Gradient for
I’ve owned a Gradient for about a year. Can’t recommend it highly enough, it is just good at everything. I got it for winter club runs and light touring, now I’m riding it through the summer in preference to my Domane.

[Zigster]

I’m in a similar place at the

I’m in a similar place at the moment – thinking about a budget gravel bike (say a regular Camino) but that has muttated into a new bike altogether to replace my current bike  Wife has given permission to spend up to £5k.

I thought about a Bokeh (there is a Ti version but it’s expensive).  Looked at other options like Strael and some of the big manufacturers’ stuff.  Currently thinking the Reilly Spectre might just be perfect – road focused but get a fatter set of tyres if I do fancy a little off reading from time to time..

Reilly pricing seems a little odd in places for complete bikes – £4,199 for Ultegra Di2 rises to £5,099 if I went for Force AXS, which seems a surprisingly big increase compared to Mason differentials.

[Secret_squirrel]

Popped into cycle-art today

Popped into cycle-art today and had a good lustful look at a pair of gradients they had.  Chris the manager was lovely and we chatted for a good 20 mins before a paying customer came in to collect a bike.

they have a lovely pair of mediums in there one is an early disc model that is Chris’s personal bike, and the other a new Medium with Deep section carbon rims and Force AXS.

So engrossed forgot to ask about the Spectre.  Huge amounts of other bike porn there though.

Really recommend a visit if you are in the Newcastle area.

[louismichaels]

I have owned a Gradient for

I have owned a Gradient for over 2 years.

It has been a fantastic do-everything bike.

I commute on it daily, and have a have a spare set of carbon hooped wheels for sportives and cycling holidays.

Handles well and is comfortable. (I moved on from a Cannondale Synapse whose 56 was too small and 58 too big!).

Mark Reilly is also an absolutely lovely man and a pleasure to deal with.

[scholly9]

It’s a small world!

It’s a small world!

Would appreciate your thoughts too?

[Secret_squirrel]

How funny.  I’m staying with

How funny.  I’m staying with the in-laws 15 mins from the Metro and Prudhoe I’m from the other end of the country.  Was toying on a visit to Alpkit myself!  Brought a bike so may take a spin out there.

[Author]

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