GTTurbo's Titan 1/2 Trac

[27motorhead]

Great progress! Good luck with the weight shedding! You'll need all the weight-weenie & ti-bits you can get!

I wonder what created the damage to the paint on the drive-side loop stay??? Certainly zero chain-slap on an elevated stay frame!

 

[gtturbo]

Great progress! Good luck with the weight shedding! You'll need all the weight-weenie & ti-bits you can get!

I wonder what created the damage to the paint on the drive-side loop stay??? Certainly zero chain-slap on an elevated stay frame!

I think the paint damage was probably just poor storage/lack of care. From the pictures of how I got it I think it's fair to say it has been a while since it was someones pride and joy.

Weight wise I think you may be pleasantly surprised. Watch this space.

 

[27motorhead]

I look forward to being surprised!

 

[JCS]

Really interesting build.

You mention in your first post that you have been able to acquire many of your teenage dream bikes from the early 90’s - very interesting - we must be similar age. How has the ‘meet your heroes’ experience been? Have all the bikes lived up to your expectations? Also can you still ride them comfortably given the early 90’s geometry and riding positions (?!)

Last question - can you recommend any good sources for titanium bolts/fasteners? I would like to get some but haven’t been able to find anywhere.

Looking forward to seeing more on this build!

 

[DrJo]

now that isn't something you see every day, props most certainly due, sweet ride......

 

[gtturbo]

Really interesting build.

You mention in your first post that you have been able to acquire many of your teenage dream bikes from the early 90’s - very interesting - we must be similar age. How has the ‘meet your heroes’ experience been? Have all the bikes lived up to your expectations? Also can you still ride them comfortably given the early 90’s geometry and riding positions (?!)

Last question - can you recommend any good sources for titanium bolts/fasteners? I would like to get some but haven’t been able to find anywhere.

Looking forward to seeing more on this build!

Nothing terrible as yet but not been blown away by anything either. However I do ride modern bikes so I think it's unlikely that any of the retros are going to compare to my modern 29er so maybe my expectations have changed too much.

Ti bolts is a good question these days. Pre covid Toronto cycles was fantastic and had all the little ti and alloy bits you could ever want. They closed when covid hit and never seemed to re-open. For generic ti and alloy bolts I use people like ProBolt in the UK. For the more specific bike parts then it's either the classifieds on here or ebay mainly. Quite often it's just a case of right place right time to grab bits.

 

[felixdelrio]

I really like that! Looks ace.

 

[gtturbo]

I have finally pulled my finger out and got this one more or less finished.

First things first the old Titan 1/2 ton name. I was quietly hoping to get it under 25lbs. Well I did it...




But that was without pedals so cheating in my book . With some XT flat pedals we are looking at..



Realisticly it wouldn't be that hard to get it under 25lbs but I'm pretty happy with how it is spec wise. I dont see this as the type of frame to be dripping in expensive cnc'd parts. To me XT and some posh hubs works perfectly.

Here is a reminder of how it looked when I first saw it for sale. Not particularly inspiring I think it's fair to say.



I have had to dodge the rain so here are some quick pictures of how it looks now. I will get better pictures when the weather cheers up and I get out to ride it.












I'm pretty happy with how this one has turned out. On to the next one now although I can't quite decide which one that will be yet

Big thanks to @synlos for the rather nice seatpost.

 

[27motorhead]

Great transformation. That's a real beauty. Really want to get mine built up now. Good effort with the weight too!!! Mine certainly won't be that light. How does it ride???

I got some True Temper bars from @synlos for my Titan 1/2 Ton Trac. Quite a bit heavier than your Taperlite bars!!! He always has some lovely things for sale!

 

[player]

Perfect build, XT and posh hubs are bang on for me.

The Titan was one of those bikes you lusted after at 17 years of age after you'd seen the 2x3 black and white ad in the back of MBA in 91.

Love it.