Ti Road Bikes

Nas_kaj

I'm looking into the market of titanium road bikes because they will last me until I die. I've considered several different companies. I was thinking of either Moots, Merlin, or Independent Fabrication. Any suggestions on what is hot and what is not and WHY? Thanks for your help!

scirocco

A couple of non-US suggestions, just to be different:

Enigma
Van Nicholas

I'd recommend Serotta, since I have one (very cool bike) but I'm not sure they even make a full titanium frame any more, having gone down the mixed material route, which doesn't interest me.

Peter@vecchios

Blatant obvious response from me is

Moots. Small company, very finest welds in the industry, great ride, long history. I have one and it rides like a dream.

Merlin is a Litespeed

IF is another good choice but their 'history' is with other materials(steel). That doesn't mean anything but I'm big fan of Moots..followed by Lynskey.

A bit more of a production frame, with features that do little to make the frame better. They also paint.

Peter@vecchios

Ben has always been a sucker for gadgets..like carbon plugs ,carbon butt ends, flexy, suspension rear ends(dum) and such. He has forgotten what got him where he is..well made steel and titanium. The ottrott and mevici are a joke.

daveornee

Moots is hard to beat for a quality of titanium and assembly.
I ride an older Serrotta Legend all titanium and love the ride. I had both Litespeed and Merlin, but Serotta beats them both for quality of assembly.... but I think Moots is even better than my Serotta.
Most titanium frames come with a carbon fiber fork. I changed my Serotta from their F1 to F2 fork and noticed a difference... I made the change because I wanted a threadless fork, but I also like the way it rides better.
For me the fit is most important and being able to use the tires I like. You should ride the models you are considering and pick a shop that will deal with the details that makes your new bicycle fit you and your style of riding.

__________________
David Ornee, Western Springs, IL USA

Powerful Pete

Just out of curiosity, what would a normal (non-sloping) Moots road frame go for (non-custom sizing). I could not find prices on their website...

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Nas_kaj

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, the sexiness factor of a bicycle of a big factor in my purchase of a bike. What company makes sexy bikes that are also functional?

Peter@vecchios

$2725

Peter@vecchios

if ya want sexy and functional

http://waterfordbikes.com/now/model...id=595&bwid=202

Powerful Pete

That is not bad at all converted into good ole Euros these days...

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Campagnolo Per Sempre!
PAOLO BETTINI CAMPIONE DEL MONDO x 2!

alienator

It's a great time to be in a member state of the EEC. When I bought my Moots Compact a few years ago, it was $2300. It's been a great frame, but, alas, I have to tweak my position, and there's another frame in the shadows that will fit better. I like the Compact Moots much more than the Waterford I had.

Powerful Pete

Well if this exchange rate situation continues I may have to plan a quick trip to los estados unidos and see what Moots has 'off the shelf'...

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De Rosa Planet
Campagnolo Per Sempre!
PAOLO BETTINI CAMPIONE DEL MONDO x 2!

Peter@vecchios

I have a Moots Vamoots wet weather bike and the Waterford. Altho different, both are great rides, IMHO. I'm a big believer in riding what ya sell, and we sell mostly Moots and Waterford.

Hard to get a bad bike or frame these days, in terms of quality and function. May not fit and the components may not work but the basic design today is pretty good. Way to much in terms of gadgets and gizmos, lots of marketeering going on today, but the basic bike is pretty good.

Nothing really created for about 2 decades that actually makes cycling 'better(clipless pedals, index, lever mounted shifting....) but bikes pretty good these days.(topic creep-guilty)

alienator

Well, yer in luck. I'll have my Look frame in about 1.5 weeks, and then my mootsie, complete with Reynolds fork, pink CK headset, and AX-Daedalus seatpost go up for sale.

I'll even throw in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that you can take with you on your next ride.