Titanium Audax/Touring options

[CC Rider]

I'm looking to upgrade my winter/general bike and would like a titanium frame at a reasonable price. I don't mind about the age but, apart from mudguard and luggage mounts, I also want drop brakes and down tube shifters.
As far as I can see Spa Audax and Sabbath September could fit the bill - I think!
Van Nicholas and Dolan don't appear compatible with downtube shifters ..... and that's about all I've found
Any other suggestions or recommendations?
Thank you

 

[grantoury]

I think the Spa is one of the best value framesets available. They also come up second hand as this thread shows:

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/titanium-spa-audax.488534/

 

[pigman]

Love my titanium spa audax
Rim brakes and down tube shifters too

 

[bikeworkshop]

What sizeare you after?
Given you want "heritage" gears and brakes, saving an ebay search should net you a bargain, as used bikes with rim brakes are trading supercheap as the POs change to disc.

 

[winjohn]

This one may be still available. £295

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/...-carbon.-size-54cm.-approx-10.5kgs/1491125721

 

[CC Rider]

Thanks for your help. I'm after a 54 or thereabouts and have seen the couple on ebay and Gumtree. They are both 'up north' so I was wondering if I could widen my options by including other makes/models. Patience is a virtue - apparently!

 

[bikeworkshop]

Thanks for your help. I'm after a 54 or thereabouts and have seen the couple on ebay and Gumtree. They are both 'up north' so I was wondering if I could widen my options by including other makes/models. Patience is a virtue - apparently!

I've sold a few sabbaths, some new, and a couple of spas.
Possibly using the same factory at times, like xacd - excellent product!

You could make an overnight trip, go for a ride while you're there?

You could ask a forum member to collect and send or carry?

As a shop, we pack bikes for shopping from time to time, charging £25-35. You could arrange drop off, pack and collection perhaps?

These bikes cost around 1500 new - I think it would be well worth the effort.

Order brands might carry a premium, or be a bit crap (no names)

You do need to be careful with all used ti, frame failure is a little more common than it ought to be, sometimes in unusual places.

 

[CC Rider]

Have made contact and am going up to take a look; as you say, it seems worth the effort.
Thank you for the warning - any particular places I should look?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Check around the welds at the seat cluster, bb shell and head tube.
Sometimes tubes split along their length, but the cracks will be obvious. Stays & toptube in particular.
Plenty of ti frames are reliable though.
If you get a good one you won't be sorry - this sort of bike should be worth £1000, but the overflow of fancy modern stuff has killed the used market.
Bargain time.

Good luck with the trip.

 

[CC Rider]

Thanks once again. Will let you know how I get on