Can we talk titanium?
09-29-14, 04:39 AM
#26
Moultoneer
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I'm going to try to snag this Thanks! I'll keep you updated
09-29-14, 06:56 PM
#28
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
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Sorry - I'll keep an eye open. They do appear on eBay with some regularity, and you have an easy to get size. One thing to be aware of is that many have a goofy proprietary bottom bracket - you can't just use any bb...phil wood makes one. You're better off making sure it comes with the bottom bracket. That's the main reason they go for less money than their riding value.
09-29-14, 07:24 PM
#30
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I see Litespeeds at that $1200 price point with some regularity. I believe they would be nice rides for that amount of money. Generally they are equipped with older ultegra or better groups, nothing too shabby. Good luck.
09-29-14, 07:36 PM
#31
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Yes and no - phil wood still makes them. It does limit you if you want a latest/greatest crank, but pretty much all systems and chains work fine with older cranks, or newer square taper. There are instructions out there, easy to find, on servicing the bearings. I just have my lbs do it.
09-29-14, 08:08 PM
#32
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I rode a Merlin as my only road bike for eight years. It was amazing, they are super stable and responsive bikes. I have bombed hills at ~50 m.p.h and done 100 mile days, I never gave the bike a second thought. I would get another Tom Kellogg designed bike in a heartbeat. Especially one of those really hot Spectrum anniversary steel bikes.
The only reason I moved on is because eight years is a long time with the same bike for me and I wanted to check out vintage steel. I still have the frame and will probably never sell it, I might just want to ride it again someday.
Unfortunately I could not find any pictures of the bike built up. They must be on an old computer in my storage unit.
Here is the frame:
IMG_0700 by lelandgibson, on Flickr
I think it is from about 2000 or so because of the early campy carbon bits that were on it. I have seen other painted frames from the same era as well. They go pretty reasonably. The one thing I don't like about it is the integrated headset. Its just really hard to find parts for. you should watch for that as well as the BB.
The only reason I moved on is because eight years is a long time with the same bike for me and I wanted to check out vintage steel. I still have the frame and will probably never sell it, I might just want to ride it again someday.
Unfortunately I could not find any pictures of the bike built up. They must be on an old computer in my storage unit.
Here is the frame:
IMG_0700 by lelandgibson, on FlickrI think it is from about 2000 or so because of the early campy carbon bits that were on it. I have seen other painted frames from the same era as well. They go pretty reasonably. The one thing I don't like about it is the integrated headset. Its just really hard to find parts for. you should watch for that as well as the BB.
09-29-14, 08:12 PM
#33
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Simple - and it should be in budget - Cambridge Merlin. I'm not sure exactly what it is about these bikes, but they're my favorite production rides, hands down. My advice with ti is to stick with builders who work with ti almost exclusively, and to avoid subcontracted frames. Another option, though likely slightly higher than budget, is a Serotta legend. At your budget - it's Merlin.
Not to disagree with KA Snake, but there may be exceptions.
I have a Ti subcontracted frame from Merlin through Excel Sports in Boulder, CO. They were the USA West's largest distributor of Merlin in the 90's, and had a history of running private label frames from steel to Al to Ti models. My Macalu Cirrus is from a mixed tubeset of the early 2000s Extralight. I've never gotten a first hand story regarding the details of the Macalu line. Mine was from the years when the Merlin Mass team was transitioning production to Litespeed TN. Naturally, the seller of my frameset told the story of a frame from Mass. It has the curved seat&chainstay rear-end with thick chainstays. This model has a relatively short headtube for the 59cm size. It rides small and lightning fast with a light-weight wheelset.
I will update with pics when I can find them.
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09-29-14, 08:50 PM
#34
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Here is the Macalu mentioned above. If anyone knows the detailed history of the Ti Macalu line in the early 2000s, please PM me.
This has been my go-to bike as the curved chainstays allow a triple, even with relatively short cs length. It took me across WA state a few years back. Stiff frame for its' time. There was another Macalu model that was more touring oriented and whippy in the larger sizes.
On the road = Olympic Peninsula in the summer daisy season.
Or across WA in Hwy 20
This has been my go-to bike as the curved chainstays allow a triple, even with relatively short cs length. It took me across WA state a few years back. Stiff frame for its' time. There was another Macalu model that was more touring oriented and whippy in the larger sizes.
On the road = Olympic Peninsula in the summer daisy season.
Or across WA in Hwy 20
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 09-29-14 at 09:20 PM.
10-01-14, 12:01 AM
#36
10-01-14, 05:30 AM
#38
Banned.
Not to disagree with KA Snake, but there may be exceptions.
I have a Ti subcontracted frame from Merlin through Excel Sports in Boulder, CO. They were the USA West's largest distributor of Merlin in the 90's, and had a history of running private label frames from steel to Al to Ti models. My Macalu Cirrus is from a mixed tubeset of the early 2000s Extralight. I've never gotten a first hand story regarding the details of the Macalu line. Mine was from the years when the Merlin Mass team was transitioning production to Litespeed TN. Naturally, the seller of my frameset told the story of a frame from Mass. It has the curved seat&chainstay rear-end with thick chainstays. This model has a relatively short headtube for the 59cm size. It rides small and lightning fast with a light-weight wheelset.
I will update with pics when I can find them.
I have a Ti subcontracted frame from Merlin through Excel Sports in Boulder, CO. They were the USA West's largest distributor of Merlin in the 90's, and had a history of running private label frames from steel to Al to Ti models. My Macalu Cirrus is from a mixed tubeset of the early 2000s Extralight. I've never gotten a first hand story regarding the details of the Macalu line. Mine was from the years when the Merlin Mass team was transitioning production to Litespeed TN. Naturally, the seller of my frameset told the story of a frame from Mass. It has the curved seat&chainstay rear-end with thick chainstays. This model has a relatively short headtube for the 59cm size. It rides small and lightning fast with a light-weight wheelset.
I will update with pics when I can find them.
10-01-14, 02:46 PM
#41
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Rear dropouts are not hooded
Rear brake cable routing is via 2 braze-ons at about 7 o'clock (left side, lower portion of top tube)
No downtube bosses. Cable routing has head tube braze-ons.
Does that add to the understanding of this frame?
IIRC from my search years ago the 2002 Extralight had similar dropouts and HT cable routing braze-ons. The HT was appropriate for an integrated headset, while my Macalu has a traditional headtube for 1 1/8 headset. The bike also came with a Real Design fork, which was a Litespeed product (i think).
Here's a link to Velospace and a 2002 Extralight - with exception of headtube, mine 'looks' similar. Same fork, too.
https://velospace.org/node/31819
By th way, I've never said my bike is an exact copy of the Extralight, just similar in many ways.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 10-01-14 at 02:55 PM.
10-01-14, 11:29 PM
#42
Senior Member
10-02-14, 09:36 AM
#44
Senior Member
Any interest in building your bike with a new Ti frame?
Frameset 3AL/2.5V Butted Titanium Frameset $999
High Modulus Carbon Fiber fork with Carbon Steerer
Save Up to 60% Off Road Titanium framesets - Motobecane Le Champion Team Ti
Frameset 3AL/2.5V Butted Titanium Frameset $999
High Modulus Carbon Fiber fork with Carbon Steerer
Save Up to 60% Off Road Titanium framesets - Motobecane Le Champion Team Ti
Last edited by FlatSix911; 10-02-14 at 07:01 PM.
10-02-14, 10:17 AM
#45
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^^^ That is exactly the kind of ti frame I would not go near. Ti isn't something to do on a budget (unless used), if it's out of budget (and it's out of mine) I think you're best off buying used, or going with a different material. Ti frames are, in my experience, more variable in ride quality and build quality than other materials. I have ridden some truly uninspiring ti frames and I don't think many really design well with the material. Tom Kellogg has the voodoo, Serotta had the voodoo. Folks I trust say Moots, Firefly, and Hollands have the voodoo, though I haven't ridden one. A lot of really good frame makers don't - my De Rosa Primato is a much better ride than the titanio.
I look at it this way - you're really buying the builder, and some like to work in ti. Don't buy something just because it's titanium, or SLX, or 531, etc. A good builder can make a good frame with nearly any material - and a bad frame can be made with any material too. Just because it's ti doesn't make it special.
A bikes direct ti frame? No thanks.
I look at it this way - you're really buying the builder, and some like to work in ti. Don't buy something just because it's titanium, or SLX, or 531, etc. A good builder can make a good frame with nearly any material - and a bad frame can be made with any material too. Just because it's ti doesn't make it special.
A bikes direct ti frame? No thanks.
Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 10-02-14 at 10:21 AM.
10-02-14, 10:52 AM
#46
Senior Member
What's funny is that I recently passed up a Merlin at your budget because I have one. They really are exceptional bikes...it's nice to see someone as knowledgeable as nlerner...and GMG...concur. I have been disappointed with the other ti roadies I've ridden - but my Merlin sings. The Merlin isn't the lightest ti I've had (the main difference being build, not frame), but it's the most comfortable and the best handling.
Mine is nothing much to look at, but its beauty comes when it's being ridden.
I am planning on converting it over to campy 10 soon - with a cook bros. crank. Honestly - I am shocked that these aren't more desirable given how desired they were at the time and how well they hold up.
Mine is nothing much to look at, but its beauty comes when it's being ridden.
I am planning on converting it over to campy 10 soon - with a cook bros. crank. Honestly - I am shocked that these aren't more desirable given how desired they were at the time and how well they hold up.
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10-02-14, 11:21 AM
#47
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I ride a 2002 Colnago CT1 (CarbonFiber rear triangle and fork/Titanium main); and it is the most comfortable riding bike I've ever owned-ridden up to 214 miles in a day on it. I don't know if the production was out-sourced, but I've never had any issues with the frame.
10-02-14, 01:07 PM
#48
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I have and Eddy Merckx titanium bike that was built by Litespeed. Here are a few pics of the bare frame. I will try to get some built up pics tonite.
10-02-14, 01:34 PM
#49
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I agree, get a Merlin! It's my favorite bike.
I would also look into GT (this one is not mine):
I would also look into GT (this one is not mine):
Last edited by link0; 10-02-14 at 01:39 PM.
10-02-14, 07:07 PM
#50
Senior Member
Funny thing, how is the OP going to build a custom Ti frame from Serotta, Moots, Firefly, or Hollands at the $1,200 price point ... 
^^^ That is exactly the kind of ti frame I would not go near. Ti isn't something to do on a budget (unless used), if it's out of budget (and it's out of mine) I think you're best off buying used, or going with a different material. Ti frames are, in my experience, more variable in ride quality and build quality than other materials. I have ridden some truly uninspiring ti frames and I don't think many really design well with the material. Tom Kellogg has the voodoo, Serotta had the voodoo. Folks I trust say Moots, Firefly, and Hollands have the voodoo, though I haven't ridden one. A lot of really good frame makers don't - my De Rosa Primato is a much better ride than the titanio.
I look at it this way - you're really buying the builder, and some like to work in ti. Don't buy something just because it's titanium, or SLX, or 531, etc. A good builder can make a good frame with nearly any material - and a bad frame can be made with any material too. Just because it's ti doesn't make it special. A bikes direct ti frame? No thanks.
I look at it this way - you're really buying the builder, and some like to work in ti. Don't buy something just because it's titanium, or SLX, or 531, etc. A good builder can make a good frame with nearly any material - and a bad frame can be made with any material too. Just because it's ti doesn't make it special. A bikes direct ti frame? No thanks.
