dkyser

I have a Trek Domane SL 6 Disk & Specialized Sequoia and love the geometry of both. I would love to invest in a Ti or nice steal road bike that has a similar geometry and not sure who offers options like this. I have the Sequoia set up as a gravel bike so want this to be a more road specific setup running disc brakes & 32mm tires. I would prefer to ride the bike first so hoping a brand name makes one that could possibly be in stock at a dealer.

profjmb

If you can afford it, you should explore custom geometry, which is more common in titanium and steel than in carbon (although exists in carbon). It is expensive, and you may not even need it (if your off the shelf carbon fits you perfectly). If you can, I suggest Mosaic bikes (which I own, and which have been scientifically proven to be the most beautiful and coolest bikes made): https://www.mosaiccycles.com

But if you have financial constraints (and until I was hit by a car with settlement, I sure did), there are less expensive makers. I think first of Lynskey (ti only, I think).

kbarch

Steel or titanium bike, your size, in stock? Good luck with that!
Kona made (makes?) a nice titanium bike that my old shop had in stock for a while - but that was kind of a fluke - it made for a nice window display, though.

dkyser

If not my size, could at least get a feel for it.

DiabloScott

Moots dealers sometimes have bikes in stock. The road models can't take 32mm but the endurance/gravel ones with disc brakes probably can.

chicagogal

+1 on Lynskey. Beautiful and well-made bikes... frames are not inexpensive, but not unreasonable for what you get.

kbarch

True, but like I was telling the guy who wanted in-stock because he didn't want to wait; it doesn't really matter what anyone here says because your choices are going to be very limited. You're better off just calling around and seeing what's available. There are only a handful of manufacturers of titanium bikes anyhow, and I don't think any of them are duds.

As for steel, I don't know who makes what for gravel, but I always like to put in a plug for Casati. You'd have to get it made to measure, but they have a design for a gravel bike now, in steel, that looks pretty cool:

Bah Humbug

Your best bet would be seeing if there was a Kona dealer around you that might have a Roadhouse, but it seems unlikely. Steel and Ti are rare tastes these days, and you're not likely to find them taking up space and capital in an LBS that could be used for a bike that would sell a dozen times over before the steel or Ti did.

Sy Reene

Just check the geo charts at bikesdirect.. maybe you'll get lucky

kbarch

Nah, the more I think about it, the less I think he should rely on luck. I keep looking at that Casati - he needs to get THAT. Even with those monstrous, hideous brifters, it is SO cool....

Gconan

The Casati does look awesome. So did the custom bikes at Mosaic cycles!

dkyser

After a lot of research will probably just stick with steel for now, I am not so worried about weight but durability and comfort are top of the list.

cpach

More economically priced (still very nice) would be a Gunnar roadie disc. Nice, heat treated steel, us production, flat mount discs and thru axles. Frameset only so unlikely to be pre built. Little more affordable, IS mounts and QRs, Soma Fog Cutter--a bit less high end tubing.

Kona Roadhouse might be the only thing fitting your criteria sold as a complete I can think of.

Dean V

What would this steel/Ti bike do that your Domane SL6 wouldn't?
I don't think it would be any more comfortable and I also doubt you will have durability issues with the Trek.

kbarch

Wait a minute! If this new bike is supposed to be road-specific, why do you want 32mm tires? Are your roads all gravel?

dkyser

I started riding 6 years ago at 400 lbs so basically rode a tank, as I have lost weight I got lighter bikes and smaller tires. I still prefer a little wider tire @ 260 lbs and the sections of rough road I do ride.

deacon mark

I bought a Habanero about 16 months ago and now has 6000 miles. I have not really even road my Wilier since then except once. Check them out they are in my opinion the best deal and ride fantastic. They come standard with brush finish and pegs for a frame pump and chain holder. Finally a threaded bottom bracket that I must have if a bike. I have done zero to the bike except change the cables after one year. That is another plus regular cable stops much easier than going through the frame. Mark Hickey the owner is tremendous to deal with too.

kbarch

Ah, I get it. My TCX came with massive 40mm tires and I'm eager to put smaller tires on, and 32 are the biggest I'd want, and I can see how they are more road oriented for that bike. Roads this neck of the woods aren't great, but the trails I take are all pretty mild - no need for knobbies.

noOriginalNames

I will second the Kona recommendation. Couple of options in steel and Ti frame sets available, I'm sure your local dealer could give you some guidance even if they don't have them in stock. The Kona dealer near me sells quite a few Rove's and they ride nicely.

RockiesDad

Black Mountain Cycles is at the top of my list for my next steel bike if I ever decide to get one. They have road and gravel frames that can fit wide tires. Check it out...

Home - Black Mountain Cycles

rgconner

+1

I should have my MCD in a week or two, new frames just hit the store yesterday.

Shuffleman

MyTi

Is disc brakes a must have since this is a road specific only bike? Have you thought about used? I would say go for 6/4 ti if you want a stiff frame. I've tested some Ti bikes where the frame had a lot of give in them, when hammering I can literally feel the bottom bracket flex with every pedal stroke. I've had this issue on lysnkey, litespeed, and motobecane titanium frames on 3/2.5 ti. It's like a noodley feeling that many ti frames seem to have if you are the kind of person that can generate a lot of torque. My vortex I don't feel any flexing at all, it's as good as any modern 3k carbon frame out there as far as stiffness goes. Of course that's just my experience, I'm sure there are many 3/2.5 ti frames that are just as stiff and more stiff than 6/4 ti. And I'm not sure if manufactures make anything in 6/4 ti any more due to cost issues from what I've read.

Gconan

Lynskey does have some 6/4 bikes.

downhillmaster