History of titanium bikes.

[dyna-ti]

Incredible to think that its went from the ore-Rock, to liquid and to gas eventually ending up as a bicycle :?

 

[newsboy]

at least for merlin i documented (and still do) progess of the frames... http://merlintitanium.com/merlin_evolution.html

 

[24pouces]

Re:

I remember (and got in my archives) a1994 article in a french magazine with 11 titanium bikes were tried : Merlin Litespeed, Kona HeiHei, Clark Kent, DBR…
One of the frame failed and the magazine showed all the frames in the weld institute for a Xray check.
If they were aeronautic parts, only the Merlin could be used in airplane with the better and perfect welding job.
The Kona Hei Hei and the Sandvik job was near in 2th place but didn't get the aeronautic quality.
All the litespeed parts were far behind, with some inclusion and "dust" in the weld job.

 

[REKIBorter]

Re:

Strange, Litespeed started out as fabricator of exotic metals for the aerospace industry.

 

[M-Power]

Re:

Hey 24 Pouces, any chance you could post that article ?

 

[Woz]

Re: Re:

I remember (and got in my archives) a1994 article in a french magazine with 11 titanium bikes were tried : Merlin Litespeed, Kona HeiHei, Clark Kent, DBR…
One of the frame failed and the magazine showed all the frames in the weld institute for a Xray check.
If they were aeronautic parts, only the Merlin could be used in airplane with the better and perfect welding job.
The Kona Hei Hei and the Sandvik job was near in 2th place but didn't get the aeronautic quality.
All the litespeed parts were far behind, with some inclusion and "dust" in the weld job.

Interesting that. I understood that Sandvik specialised in Ti tubes for aeronautics - especially hydraulic links, and the bike part was something aside since they had good knowledge, machinery, and welders under the roof, rather than core business. Not sure, but I think they were one of few suppliers to the US air industry due to a very strict conformaty of standards.

 

[RockiMtn]

Great read and info detailed here in this thread. Glad my two Ti steads are: 1) Merlin Titanium and 2) Rocky Mountain Titanium (Sandvik made I believe).