Titanium single speeds?

boulderse92 · Jun 9, 2014

Does anyone else have a titanium frame SS? This is my first SS MTB, ive had many road bike converts in the past. The top pic is after I painted the seat post and put taller bars and stem on. I picked it up from a dude on craigslist for 80 bucks... Cant find any info about the frame other than its russian, titanium, and weighs 3.3 LBS. Anyone ever heard of KGB cycles? Theres only one relevant page on google

Anyways I just wanted to see if anyone else has a titanium setup as an SS. And while im here, can anyone recommend a good chain tensioner? Im still saving up for that beautiful white eccentric hub.

smac · Jun 9, 2014

Yup, still running my 1998 Kona Hei Hei. I am currently running a Yess Ert/B tensioner that has worked flawless over the past two years.

boulderse92 · Jun 9, 2014

smac said:
Yup, still running my 1998 Kona Hei Hei. I am currently running a Yess Ert/B tensioner that has worked flawless over the past two years.

the BB mounted one?

Birdman · Jun 9, 2014

I'm running a 1991 CBO/ Litespeed ti frame with an Eric's Eccentric ENO WI hub.

JMJ

boulderse92 · Jun 9, 2014

Looks good. I was thinking about stripping and polishing the frame, but the paint job grew on me.

Iamrockandroll13 · Jun 10, 2014

Yep I love mine:

finch2 · Jun 10, 2014

Me too, still loving mine as much as when it was new, not that it is that old. Dedicated rigid SS with sliders and short AC.

mattkock · Jun 10, 2014

I had this Habanero 26er Ti SS. It weighed 14.4lbs and was a little flexy. Gear was a 24x12.

I also had this Vassago 29er Ti SS and with the fork it weighed 17.9lbs. It was still flexy and had a 26x14 gear which is the same as a 32x17 that is commonly run here in Houston and even in Austin.

I'm on a Niner SIR which is steel and I really like it. It weighs 19.4lbs

boulderse92 · Jun 11, 2014

That is incredible the steel frame bike is that light. Mine is at 23 pounds it needs to go on a diet...

paleh0rse · Jun 18, 2014

boulderse92 said:
That is incredible the steel frame bike is that light. Mine is at 23 pounds it needs to go on a diet...

Steel frame + everything else carbon = pure win.

Gritter · Jun 20, 2014

mattkock said:
I had this Habanero 26er Ti SS. It weighed 14.4lbs and was a little flexy. Gear was a 24x12.
I also had this Vassago 29er Ti SS and with the fork it weighed 17.9lbs. It was still flexy and had a 26x14 gear which is the same as a 32x17 that is commonly run here in Houston and even in Austin.

Are all ti frames flexy? I've never ridden one, but always wanted to try. I rode a ti fork once, and didn't like how flexy it was, so I'm wondering if it's just how titanium is, or are some brands stiffer than others?

finch2 · Jun 22, 2014

Gritter said:
Are all ti frames flexy? I've never ridden one, but always wanted to try. I rode a ti fork once, and didn't like how flexy it was, so I'm wondering if it's just how titanium is, or are some brands stiffer than others?

no, but I don't think they are ever really stiff. Solid is a good way to describe a Ti frame that isnt flexy. I can't comment though as I have had 2 ti frames neither one flexy. I think the ones that try to get too light or do very unusual designs can run the risk of getting a little flexy. If the tubes keep to particular diameters and keep decent geo they should be good.

cstem · Jun 22, 2014

Ti builds that are deemed flexy seem to always be built up as light as possible. Unless you spend huge money- a super light bike tends to get flexy. I have rode a few Ti bikes and have four buddies locally that have Vassago Optimus Ti's and they all felt some flex in the rear that was easily remedied going with a thru axle on the rear. Obviously, everyone is different.

mattkock · Jun 23, 2014

The new Optimus Ti is WAY stiffer than the one that I had. You can get a custom Ti frame built up as stiff as you want but it will cost you a pretty penny.

That being said, I WILL have another Ti SS soon. Nothing beats the ride quality of Ti, except maybe a really nice Steel frame.

Birdman · Jun 23, 2014

Gritter said:
Are all ti frames flexy?

My Litespeed-built ti frame is really old, so it has straight gauge tubes. Consequently, it is stiffer than my 2002 steel Soma Groove hardtail (also set up SS).

BTW, I paid just $200 for that frame, and another $180 for the titanium fork. Weight is 20.5 lb.

JMJ

finch2 · Jun 24, 2014

Birdman said:
My Litespeed-built ti frame is really old, so it has straight gauge tubes. Consequently, it is stiffer than my 2002 steel Soma Groove hardtail (also set up SS).

BTW, I paid just $200 for that frame, and another $180 for the titanium fork. Weight is 20.5 lb.

JMJ

got a photo, would like to see that.

jeff · Jun 24, 2014

Ti can be built to ride most any way the builder would like. Flexy Flyer to Klein stiff. It's about tubing selection.

shiggy · Jun 24, 2014

jeff said:
Ti can be built to ride most any way the builder would like. Flexy Flyer to Klein stiff. It's about tubing selection.

This is true of any frame material. It is not which material, but how it is used.

teamdicky · Jun 24, 2014

shiggy said:
This is true of any frame material. It is not which material, but how it is used.

True dat. Ti ain't gotta be flexy.

finch2 · Jun 25, 2014

yes it is true, but keeping things reasonable like tube bend radius and frame weight and clearances mean there are some limits. Diameter and profiles the same, different materials will most likely exhibit different traits. When I had my frames built I could have specified nearly anything, but went with what was the best mix of stiffness and weight and ride and clearances and minimal manipulation that I could.

Titanium single speeds?

boulderse92

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