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Titanium Frame?

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#41 ·
eri said:
There’s the cool name and marketing. And the price. And graphics.

There’s also specific tubing selection (diameter and wall thickness) that makes the bike ride well for you.

I’ve had ti bikes that were dead flexible dogs, and a few that ride as well as anything I’ve ever been on.

For the dead feeling ti bike: even though I bought used and made a profit selling it on, I felt pretty stupid when I realized I hated a bike that I’d bought after test riding it several times.

Point is the metal is only magic if the design matches your needs. Chase the frames that thrill.

I think all we can do is test ride a bunch of bikes, take notes about tubing dimensions, and get the one we like best.
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Very well said @eri! I've had more bikes than I can to admit and sold too many as well. I've had a couple of custom bikes and plenty of high end off the shelf bikes, (Ti, alu, FS, HT, steel) and the builder has a huge amount to do with it. Tube thickness, geo, design, and everything else...all the 'little' things add up. I've been on my custom steel HT for almost 7 years as my only MTB. It's my favorite of all time. I worked with Matt pretty extensively to get exactly what I wanted and man o man did he deliver. I can't imagine how many miles I've put on this bike. Unfortunately, Covid did him in so my dreams of a Samsara gravel bike is gone.

I really enjoy Ti but don't discount how great a very well built steel bike rides.
 
#42 ·
I have had a Why Cycles (now Revel) S7 v2 for the past 4 years and I love it. Running it with a 130mm Pike. The Revel Tirade is supposed to be the updated version of that frame, but turned out to be a little burlier than I expected, as I planned to possibly swap into that frame so I can run Transmission. But for the use that bike sees the Tirade is "too much", and if I had to get another Revel/Why I would likely get the El Jefe and run it with the 130mm fork. BUT, now that I have cooled a bit on Transmission (have it on my Ripmo, but it's not necessary at all), I am sticking with my S7 because it's pretty much the favorite bike I have had in my 37 years of MTB'ing. Fits like a glove, ride so smooth and it is a great compromise between too low and slack and too high and steep for me.

Image
 
Discussion starter · #43 · (Edited)
gdb85 said:
I was going through the same little dilemma about a month ago. Narrowed down to Turner Nitrous and Revel Tirade, both the same cost. (didn't want to pony up for the Ti Hummingbird). I wound up purchasing the Tirade because of the sliding drop outs.

Should be completed this weekend and hoping for the initial ride this Sat or Sun. I have a thread here that I will post pic's and my thoughts. Prolly a couple weeks out though, I try to get over the "placebo" effect of a new bike. They always seem to go faster and jump higher/farther and handle better the first ride or two...:cool:
Click to expand...
I'm starting to see more Tirades roll out on Instagram. I'm a sucker for that raw titanium with the kashima aesthetic, really looks gorgeous. I know some people don't care about looks, but I do. Performance first but I want to put just as much into appearance. Nothing flashy, just some colored Better Bolts, headset and bottom bracket for that subtle bling. Everything else I like stealthy with very little branding. I've always liked having higher quality components, but you really have to look close to tell what they are (hubs, rims, bars, etc).

I'm leaning towards the Tirade since I have a local Revel dealer and I like the company and love their bikes. This thread has been EXTREMELY helpful though so I'll due my research first.

Which build did you get, and what made you narrow your choices down to Turner and Revel? Were there any other brands you considered? I'm looking forward to checking out your post. I love looking at bikes online, old bikes, new ones, gravel, DH, BMX, mechanical or e-bikes, doesn't matter, I love all of them!

Thanks again for your help!
 
Discussion starter · #44 ·
Crash_FLMB said:
Very well said @eri! I've had more bikes than I can to admit and sold too many as well. I've had a couple of custom bikes and plenty of high end off the shelf bikes, (Ti, alu, FS, HT, steel) and the builder has a huge amount to do with it. Tube thickness, geo, design, and everything else...all the 'little' things add up. I've been on my custom steel HT for almost 7 years as my only MTB. It's my favorite of all time. I worked with Matt pretty extensively to get exactly what I wanted and man o man did he deliver. I can't imagine how many miles I've put on this bike. Unfortunately, Covid did him in so my dreams of a Samsara gravel bike is gone.

I really enjoy Ti but don't discount how great a very well built steel bike rides.
Click to expand...
What about steel do you like over titanium? I love the aesthetics of steel bikes with their simple, clean lines, but haven't ridden one since I was a kid.
 
Discussion starter · #46 ·
blaklabl said:
I have had a Why Cycles (now Revel) S7 v2 for the past 4 years and I love it. Running it with a 130mm Pike. The Revel Tirade is supposed to be the updated version of that frame, but turned out to be a little burlier than I expected, as I planned to possibly swap into that frame so I can run Transmission. But for the use that bike sees the Tirade is "too much", and if I had to get another Revel/Why I would likely get the El Jefe and run it with the 130mm fork. BUT, now that I have cooled a bit on Transmission (have it on my Ripmo, but it's not necessary at all), I am sticking with my S7 because it's pretty much the favorite bike I have had in my 37 years of MTB'ing. Fits like a glove, ride so smooth and it is a great compromise between too low and slack and too high and steep for me.

View attachment 2087115
Click to expand...
Wow that thing is gorgeous!! I literally just commented above before seeing this, that I like subtle bling. I like just the headset and bottom bracket to have color plus some Better Bolts in spots. I'd have went with a fidlock water bottle and black decal on the fork to keep it stealth, but other than that your bike is perfect!! How you liking it so far?
 
#47 ·
coke said:
I had a great experience with Funk. They built two bikes for me.
Click to expand...
Oh, yet another Ti company in CO. What's the deal there? Is there a state incentive for titanium welders?
 
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Discussion starter · #49 ·
I really want to thank everyone for helping me out with this thread. I did my research first and hesitated even posting the question, but really glad I did cause this is the most comprehensive, up-to-date list of titanium options I've found anywhere online. I'll report back with my findings after doing a little digging. Hopefully other people will find it as helpful as I did. Thank you!
 
Discussion starter · #50 ·
baker said:
Bike people living and working where the biking is good...as well as a receptive market for their products.
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I have a lotta friends in Colorado and a few of them recently moved to Texas. Another buddy listed just last week and they're moving to Nevada ... I know both states are popular destinations right now, but why do you think so many people are leaving CO? I'm in PA and if I had to move anywhere it'd be CO, am I missing something though?
 
#51 ·
2021Mach6 said:
why do you think so many people are leaving CO? I'm in PA and if I had to move anywhere it'd be CO, am I missing something though?
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💸💸💸
It's significantly cheaper in TX or NV.

baker said:
as well as a receptive market for their products.
Click to expand...
AFAIK, titanium bikes on CO roads and trails have been largely replaced by carbon bikes in the past 6 to 10 years. It's a niche market today, but not the hottest thing everybody with a big wallet wants.
 
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#53 ·
2021Mach6 said:
I have a lotta friends in Colorado and a few of them recently moved to Texas. Another buddy listed just last week and they're moving to Nevada ... I know both states are popular destinations right now, but why do you think so many people are leaving CO? I'm in PA and if I had to move anywhere it'd be CO, am I missing something though?
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No clue. People come and go. I'm OK with people leaving Colorado :)
 
#54 ·
2021Mach6 said:
I have a lotta friends in Colorado and a few of them recently moved to Texas. Another buddy listed just last week and they're moving to Nevada ... I know both states are popular destinations right now, but why do you think so many people are leaving CO? I'm in PA and if I had to move anywhere it'd be CO, am I missing something though?
Click to expand...
Not starting a war, don't care what anyone believes so don't take it that way.... but I'd put money on it that it's politically motivated.
 
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#56 ·
2021Mach6 said:
What about steel do you like over titanium? I love the aesthetics of steel bikes with their simple, clean lines, but haven't ridden one since I was a kid.
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Oh I love the feel of Ti too! I like both Ti and steel but I think, as mentioned above, the builder and tube specifics are more important than ti v steel. Both can ride incredible or crappy, just depends on how thick the tubes are, how compliant things are and the builder knowing what they are doing as far as geometry for each user's bike. If I'm explaining it correctly....I may not be but working with a custom builder so they get your measurements, fork you will be using, ride characteristics that are important to you, terrain, etc. all make for a better bike for 'you'..just my opinion from lots of off the shelf bikes and 2 complete customs.
 
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#58 ·
2021Mach6 said:
I'm starting to see more Tirades roll out on Instagram. I'm a sucker for that raw titanium with the kashima aesthetic, really looks gorgeous. I know some people don't care about looks, but I do. Performance first but I want to put just as much into appearance. Nothing flashy, just some colored Better Bolts, headset and bottom bracket for that subtle bling. Everything else I like stealthy with very little branding. I've always liked having higher quality components, but you really have to look close to tell what they are (hubs, rims, bars, etc).

I'm leaning towards the Tirade since I have a local Revel dealer and I like the company and love their bikes. This thread has been EXTREMELY helpful though so I'll due my research first.

Which build did you get, and what made you narrow your choices down to Turner and Revel? Were there any other brands you considered? I'm looking forward to checking out your post. I love looking at bikes online, old bikes, new ones, gravel, DH, BMX, mechanical or e-bikes, doesn't matter, I love all of them!

Thanks again for your help!
Click to expand...
Sliding drop outs put it over the top for me, good, bad or indifferent. If the Nitrous had them 98% sure I would've went in that direction. I bought a frame only and building it up, I don't know how to link but the thread is "WHICH HARDTAIL TO BUY".

I also live in Pa, Pgh area...
 
#59 ·
gdb85 said:
Sliding drop outs put it over the top for me, good, bad or indifferent. If the Nitrous had them 98% sure I would've went in that direction. I bought a frame only and building it up, I don't know how to link but the thread is "WHICH HARDTAIL TO BUY".

I also live in Pa, Pgh area...
Click to expand...
Just saw this new Turner offering with sliders:

turnerbikes.com

TURNER BIKES | DeWulf Ti Cruiser Frame

We wanted a mountain bike that looked like a 'cruiser', i.e., modern geometry with longer lower slacker stance, that is totally trail ready, able to rip thru the woods ducking branches and carving up the spaces between the trees. That's why we created the DeWulf!
turnerbikes.com turnerbikes.com
 
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