Turner, Seven, moots, litespeed. Lenz???

they are good in different ways.

 

RSD Middlechild
Neuhaus Hummingbird

 

Vassago, Chumba, Lynskey, Litespeed are among domestic Ti frame builders.

 

Really depends on what your goals are...just to get a Ti frame? There are many Why as you mentioned, Bearclaw, Linskey (although not a fan) all make production frames, as well as others. If you want custom, there's Moots, Mosaic, Sycip, etc. Just depends on your goals and pocketbook. Last I looked, Linskey had some unbelievable sales going on.

 

Good questions. I was inspired by Seth's custom which I just found out is from Sage. His is fully custom, plus he got that sick paint job so I'm guessing his cost around $13k ... Definitely not looking to spend that kinda cash, but I want it to be higher end so it'll cost around $6,500 or thereabouts (not including wheels), depending on what kinda sales are still out there. I'm nursing a broken leg (compound fracture, bone was popping out, brutal) so it'll be awhile before I'm riding and this will be a fun project to work on while I'm recovering. It'll give me a little extra motivation when rehabbing, some light at the end of the tunnel (at least that's what I convinced myself to justify it).

I've heard of Lynsky. Why aren't you a fan?

 

Chumba Sendero, Neuhaus Hummingbird, Turner Nitrous, Moots Womble, Revel Tirade, Vassago are all solid options.

I'm very partial to my Ti Chumba Sendero, it's set up with a 130mm Pike and absolutely rips! Customer service is second to none also. SS slider are a must for me too, so that would rule out a few of these.

 

Tried googling but what's "ss slider?" Checking out the Chumba right now, looks pretty sick!

 

Here is a cheapish option (that I have and love). On One Vandal...65 HTA, designed around a 120-140mm fork. External brake and derailleur cable routing (yay), internal dropper cable routing, room for big (29x2.75") tires. No sliders.

On-One Vandal Titanium Mountain Bike Frame

<p>The Vandal is On-One’s titanium-tough trail smashing 29er frame. Using the knowledge gained from the success of their light and lively Scandal trail bike, On-One have taken the sweet handling geometry model and translated it onto a premium titanium frame</p><p></p> <ul> <li>29er Trail...

www.planetx.co.uk

 

The Neuhaus Hummingbird, Stanton Sherpa, Binary Maniak, Esker Japhy, and Passila Juntu are all worth considering for off the shelf Ti frames roughly in that travel category. They are all substantially more capable than your current bike while still retaining plenty of the lively, energetic hardtail feel. The YouTube channel Hardtail Party is also a great resource.

 

I had the Lynsky but the head tube angle was too slack for me. For someone who does mostly downhill or shuttle routes it would have been great. The Fat Chance Yo Eddy is now available in Ti, and is handmade in Oregon. I have one on the way, custom super tall stack to accommodate my post-dozen-surgeries-body. It also has a more versatile head tube angle to fit my mostly XC riding.

 

Are Vassago titanium frames made in USA? It's explicitly stated for the VerHauen steel frame, but I don't see that for the Ti frames. Just wondering.

Anyone tried Binary Bicycles ?

 

Are Vassago titanium frames made in USA? It's explicitly stated for the VerHauen steel frame, but I don't see that for the Ti frames. Just wondering.

Anyone tried Binary Bicycles ?

A buddy has a Maniak and LOVES it...

 

Other custom builders: Bingham Built. Firefly. Possibly Sklar (although not sure if he does much titanium?).

 

,I am not sure if anyone mentioned, Chumba. They do great work from what I have seen.

 

Waltly. Haven't seen one in person though yet, at least not knowingly.

 

If you've got the $$, Viral.

 

Interesting. Never heard of them. Their website doesn't look professional at all, "Made with Squarespace", no word on the company, people, or even location. Not the kind if website that invites to have thousands of dollars charged on a card.
Does anybody know them? Who are they and where? What's their history? Who makes the frames?

 

I sold my Ti frames for custom steel. I wouldn't go back, and I'm Ti whore.

 

OP, how much does corrosion resistance matter in your area?

 

I'm in Eastern PA but I'm a real sissy with my bikes. Keep em inside, always kept clean and well maintained and don't do a ton of riding in bad weather.

 

Can't forget Black Sheep Bikes and Oddity Cycles.

 

As long as we're mentioning Black Sheep, might as well throw out Moonmen bikes also. Sadly it looks like mostly it is a component business now, as it says they aren't taking frame or bike orders at the moment.

 

I love my Litespeed Pinhoti!

 

Cool bike, but sounds like something that would get you punched in the mouth for saying to the wrong person.

 

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...

 

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!

 

A frame has to ride right. Not always the case with any material including titanium. Same for steel and carbon.
Steve on YT Hardtail Party has comprehensive ride and build reviews of lots of hardtail frames and components.
Maniak Titanium MTB Frame | 29 Plus | Binary Bicycles
Hangover on the Binary Maniak - Can I Clean Sedona's Hardest Trail on a Hardtail? (youtube.com)

My 5 Nominations for the "2023 Hardtail of the Year" Award (youtube.com)
I'd pick the carbon Ibis DV9 on sale for 1124.

To speed the leg recovery and strong bone knitting callus material, eat almonds, yogurt and pineapple every day for about 3 months. Worked for ski injury that required a rod and lesser breaks.

 

I have friends who ride Binary and are friends with the owner. They are made overseas and tend toward the heavier side.
They are more of the modern, slacker geometry.
Also familiar with the guys at Moonmen as they originally worked for Black Sheep, but not in fabrication there.

Depending on your budget, I’d give James at Black Sheep a call. He rides, a lot. And has the experience and knowledge to build you what you want.

Best of luck in your search! I hope you heal fast and well !!

 

Neuhaus Hummingbird. But I am very biased.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Forgot to ad a pic!

 

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.

 

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?

 

I had a great experience with Funk. They built two bikes for me.

Funk Cycles | Custom Titanium Bikes | Englewood Colorado USA

Funk Cycles Produces Custom Titanium Mountain Bikes, Gravel Bikes, Cross Bikes and Fat Bikes made in Colorado USA

www.funkcycles.com

 

I had a great experience with Funk. They built two bikes for me.

Oh, yet another Ti company in CO. What's the deal there? Is there a state incentive for titanium welders?