[21pavone]

Two questions in one really.

I’m considering getting a titanium framed bike. It’s a big investment – for me anyway, especially as I’m a Yorkshireman – so I don’t just want to jump in, no matter how tempting it is.

Firstly, it’s easy to believe from short term tests in magazines or on websites that it’s a wonder material and that it’d be a good choice. But what about long term? Is it a keeper or would any foibles mean that I’d be looking to change to carbon or aluminium in a couple of years? Are there any possible stress points that I need to be aware of? I’ve seen a couple of examples that have suffered cracks, particularly round cable entry points.

Secondly, the frame I’m considering is a Kinesis GTD V2. It’s a relatively new version of the GTD so there may not be a great deal of opinions out there but some forum members may have experience of the previous model.

Thanks in advance for comments.

Topic

[theslowcyclistxx]

I believe that the first
I believe that the first question you have to ask yourself is whether you will use the bike for the purpose of winning a race or riding together with a group of people who are riding at your level or faster on Carbon bikes (and who don’t wait up for slower riders). If you can answer no to these two questions, you should definitely consider a titanium bike. While they can break (as will steel or alu), they, in general, take much more abuse and can be handled in ways which are not recommended for carbon frames. As already said, whether they break or not has probably very little to do with the material and much more to do with the manufacturing process and the types of tubes used. If you are in a situation where you have a limited budget, I would also suggest you save some money and buy a aluminium frame and some better wheels instead. Yes, ti and steel are better at absorbing vibrations, but even my old cheap aluminium frame with 20mm tyres is perfectly ok, so it is not a must to go with ti.

[Nick T]

Some of the fastest guys I

Some of the fastest guys I know are in their 40/50s, they don’t look ridiculous when they’re smashing around on 35kmh+ rides on carbon frames 

[Marco Guzman]

There are also Linskey Ti

There are also Linskey Ti bikes, and they’re very good, indeed. I bought a Linskey Premier frameset last year, and I’m enjoying it a lot. You, in the UK, have also many brands that have ti bikes.

 

[SimonAY]

I’ve had a Enigma Evade for a

I’ve had a Enigma Evade for a couple of years now after 10+ years of carbon race bikes. In addition to the comments below about comfort and weight I think there’s definitely an element of the look of Ti bike befitting the more mature rider, if you get my meaning

I don’t know how old you are but Im in my mid 40’s and look quite ridiculous on a Venge or similar. Not sure if anyone else takes this into consideration when buying a new bike?

[leipreachan]

A good thing about Ti bikes

A good thing about Ti bikes is that you can order bespoke Ti bike for your needs. If you’re tall or short, if you have a short torso or longer legs — whatever. There’s a bunch of companies happy to create a Ti bike only for you.

[Chris Hayes]

That would be the C50….I

That would be the C50….I own one! 

[Anonymous]

I get the feeling that they
I get the feeling that Waltley produce frames for a number of boutique brands.
There’s a factory tour video and design/build story somewhere on YouTube. I think it’s the China cycling channel.

[Nick T]

The titanios had a reputation

The titanios had a reputation for falling apart though as I recall

[Chris Hayes]

It’s been there ages… Jan

It’s been there ages… Jan had a Pegoretti MTB too… aluminium.  The Titanio is made by Litespeed, by the way. But Litespeed workmanship and Colnago paintwork isn’t a bad combination.  

[andystow]

I may get a Ti bike next, or

I may get a Ti bike next, or perhaps Reynolds 953.

https://www.reynoldstechnology.biz/materials/steel/s-953/

I just spent a lot building a steel bike, though, and love it. So really titanium or stainless would only be for bling. I turn 50 next year, so realistically a frame that lasts 40 years is a “forever” bike. I see loads of perfectly serviceable steel frames around that are older than 1980, so I don’t expect mine to fail before I do as long as I don’t keep it outside in a coastal town and never wash it.

[hawkinspeter]

21pavone wrote:

I’m of advancing years so don’t need a big stable of bikes – sadly. My next buy is likely to have to last me longer than previous steeds have, particularly in terms of adaptability, and the one I’m considering currently appears to be the closest to that. And I’ve always fancied a Ti bike. And a Colnago, but that’s another story…

If you’ve always fancied a Ti bike, then go for it. If you’re of advancing years, then definitely go for it. The functional differences between frame materials is nothing compared to how much you bond with your steed and enjoy riding it.

In fact, if you’re that old, then why on earth are you asking us? Just buy it and come on here bragging about how much fun it is to ride.

[hawkinspeter]

OnYerBike wrote:

I definitely felt a significant difference when I upgraded the unbranded stock wheels on my bike to Mavic Krysium pros. It was a while ago now so it’s hard to remember exactly what felt different. I think the most noticable thing was climbing out-of-the-saddle felt more efficient with less flex. The hub/bearings also felt much smoother – although I think that’s partly because the stock wheel hubs were a bit knackered by the time I upgraded!

Those unbranded wheels don’t sound confidence inspiring if you could feel them flexing.

[Nick T]

Brick lane bikes have a

Brick lane bikes have a colnago titanio up for sale..

[dabba]

I bought a Lynskey Backroad

I bought a Lynskey Backroad touring frame and built it up in 2013 because I wanted to have a Ti bike and disc brakes. It was such a nice bike to ride that I bought their Sportive Disc frame too and built it up in the same year, just for long comfortable day rides. I converted my lovely Trek 520 steel tourer to an ebike just for commuting a couple of years ago, and I still ride my carbon Trek 5.2 Pilot when I want to go a bit faster and lighter. Love them all but use the Ti ones the most. Disc brakes are the best. 

[21pavone]

Phew, that’s quite a lot to

Phew, that’s quite a lot to take in! Thanks everyone for your comments so far.

Longevity is a recurring theme, but then I suspect it would be for steel, aluminium, carbon etc. Looks are part of the longevity aspect for me and I like the look of the raw metal. Colour schemes come and go and what’s fashionable now may not be in 12 months time, although I suspect that is often driven by what manufacturers say is en vogue. 

I have to admit that one of my reasons for considering titanium, and in this instance the Kinesis GTD specifically, is contrary to Rule #12 i.e. ‘While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned’. I’m really looking for an (almost) do-it-all bike, one that I can ride summer and winter, one that takes ‘guards but doesn’t look wrong without them, one that I can attach a pannier rack and panniers to and be strong enough to take it (not on expedition type touring I hasten to add), although I might also do some bikepacking trips too. Wheels could of course be changed as required.

I’m of advancing years so don’t need a big stable of bikes – sadly. My next buy is likely to have to last me longer than previous steeds have, particularly in terms of adaptability, and the one I’m considering currently appears to be the closest to that. And I’ve always fancied a Ti bike. And a Colnago, but that’s another story…

[Author]

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