Titanium Frames

[trip]

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This seems interesting I´ve ridden for the last years some of the nicest titanium frames out there; MacMahon, Kona Hei Hei, Merlin Mountain, Merlin Elevator, Ibis ti, IF and Moots. Also own some nice frames which are still unbuilt such as Merlin FS, Merlin Newsboy, Fat ti, Ti-mega and recently a Specialized Ultimate.

For riding I´d go probably for the Merlin Mountain, great frame indeed, love almost everything about it. I´d have serious doubts with the Ibis, also really nice one, gorgeous finishes for both, but very little tyre clearance for the Ibis, a shame. The double butted tubes of the Ibis are one something difficult to match, specially in 1993-94. The Moots I´ve got is a modern one, with an actuall set up, so comparing them would be unfair, but I´ve to say it´s an extremely comfortable frame, love it.

The IF is a roadie one, so can´t compare it to the mountain ones, but is about 15k km, and won´t change it untill it brakes, I hope in many years.

And just for their finishes, would have to say Newsboy, huge craftmanship, bended tubes, absolutelly gorgeous. Next of the line could be again the Ibis, it´s amazing, and the Moots is also a great frame.

Didn´t like much the ride of the Hei Hei, but might be a problem of mine, because of an ultralight set up.

 

[Splatter Paint]

I'm currently polishing KeepItSteel's old Airborne, it looks much stiffer than my Van Nicholas Zion was, which is a definite bonus as that was silly flexy, I hated that frame! :evil: Still the Airborne isn't for me it is for my Dad, who won't give it too much stick around the Purbecks. I was riding the VN in Norway where it was as much use as a chocolate fireguard! I went full sus after that.

SP

P.S. Has anyone had a Lancaster or any other Airborne fail around the seat-tube? My mate's frame went in a big way.

 

[ekiborter]

I'm currently polishing KeepItSteel's old Airborne, it looks much stiffer than my Van Nicholas Zion was, which is a definite bonus as that was silly flexy, I hated that frame! :evil: Still the Airborne isn't for me it is for my Dad, who won't give it too much stick around the Purbecks. I was riding the VN in Norway where it was as much use as a chocolate fireguard! I went full sus after that.

SP

P.S. Has anyone had a Lancaster or any other Airborne fail around the seat-tube? My mate's frame went in a big way.

Van Nic and Airborne are one and the same company... The aluminium Airbornes snapped like it was going out of fashion but the Ti models are pretty damn resilient as far as I know.

;]

 

[Jones]

I'm currently polishing KeepItSteel's old Airborne, it looks much stiffer than my Van Nicholas Zion was, which is a definite bonus as that was silly flexy, I hated that frame! :evil: Still the Airborne isn't for me it is for my Dad, who won't give it too much stick around the Purbecks. I was riding the VN in Norway where it was as much use as a chocolate fireguard! I went full sus after that.

SP

P.S. Has anyone had a Lancaster or any other Airborne fail around the seat-tube? My mate's frame went in a big way.

Had two Lancaster frames go around the seat tube and not just little hairline cracks either, big scary cracks diagonally across the top tube/ seat tube weld :?

Also had a Zion frame go around the dropout, I'm 9 stone soaking wet and only ride xc so its a bit worrying :shock:

I must say they were very good, even though by the time the second Lancaster went they had morphed into Van Nicholas they still gave me a new frame but when that went as well I gave up on them

 

[mr_ship]

If I had the money and was in the market for a ti bike it'd be an Eriksen

My Nuke Proof is a great frame, fairly flexible but very comfortable.
Welds aren't the nicest looking...bit industrial in places but that doesn't really matter 'cos it's it's always covered in crap