Kent Eriksen titanium road bike
11-07-23, 03:03 PM
#51
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 414 Post(s)
Liked 691 Times
in
287 Posts
Good thing I had the bike shop do a once-over... The prior owner had put on an 11-32 cassette, which apparently does not play nicely with the last generation di2. They swapped it out for an 11-30 and it's working perfectly per the shop. They also noticed that the chain was pretty stretched out, so they replaced that as well. Hopefully picking it up today... Can't wait for the maiden voyage. I'll post pics of the finished product soon.
11-07-23, 05:38 PM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Humboldt County, CA
Posts: 832
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 405 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 430 Times
in
286 Posts
Why are there so few titanium forks?
Because titanium, while it is a fantastic material to build a bicycle frame out of, is really, really difficult to make forks out of. Fork blades are tapered. Titanium tubing doesn't taper easily. Fork blades are, ideally, bent. (Straight bladed forks are a cost-saving measure, they have no other reason to exist.) Titanium doesn't bend easily... at all. Stiffness isn't relevant to this discussion, since you can make a fork as stiff or as flexible as you want out of any material. (Ask anyone who's ever ridden a TVT carbon fork down a steep, curvy, rough descent...)
Basically, making forks out of titanium is really expensive, and a huge pain in the posterior. Which is why the few builders that offer them charge what they do... like, 1/3 the cost of the frame. And, since very few customers are willing to pay that premium, it's just easier for framebuilders to buy off-the-shelf, brand-name carbon forks that almost everybody likes and so everybody's happy.
--Shannon
Because titanium, while it is a fantastic material to build a bicycle frame out of, is really, really difficult to make forks out of. Fork blades are tapered. Titanium tubing doesn't taper easily. Fork blades are, ideally, bent. (Straight bladed forks are a cost-saving measure, they have no other reason to exist.) Titanium doesn't bend easily... at all. Stiffness isn't relevant to this discussion, since you can make a fork as stiff or as flexible as you want out of any material. (Ask anyone who's ever ridden a TVT carbon fork down a steep, curvy, rough descent...)
Basically, making forks out of titanium is really expensive, and a huge pain in the posterior. Which is why the few builders that offer them charge what they do... like, 1/3 the cost of the frame. And, since very few customers are willing to pay that premium, it's just easier for framebuilders to buy off-the-shelf, brand-name carbon forks that almost everybody likes and so everybody's happy.
--Shannon
Likes For ShannonM:
11-08-23, 06:08 AM
#53
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,448
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3148 Post(s)
Liked 1,714 Times
in
1,034 Posts
Laser sintering 3d printers addresses some of the engineering limitations working with Ti for forks, making them more practical, but costs remain high.
Sturdy Cycles in the UK does cool stuff with the tech, including forks.
Sturdy Cycles in the UK does cool stuff with the tech, including forks.
11-08-23, 11:07 AM
#54
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 414 Post(s)
Liked 691 Times
in
287 Posts
Not sure how my thread turned into a discussion on forks, but this is BF! Anyway, just got the bike back. Haven't had a chance to take photos or go for a ride, but I did just order some King titanium cages to complete the look...
Likes For Caliwild:
Likes For Caliwild:
11-10-23, 12:19 AM
#57
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,664
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1948 Post(s)
Liked 1,472 Times
in
1,020 Posts
Caliwild Yes, the welds are very even, almost as even as my max OCD, 1.5 hour long bar tape wrapping job.
Likes For Caliwild:
11-15-23, 09:36 AM
#59
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,448
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3148 Post(s)
Liked 1,714 Times
in
1,034 Posts
Those welds are very, very impressive! That’s craftsmanship!
The King cages, at 28g, are light, but ridiculously light belongs to Supacaz Fly cages at 18g. They’re very good, too, great for road, but a little too light for gravel work with large water bottles. For a lifetime of use, though, you can’t beat King; I’ve broken, in crashes, very expensive carbon fiber road cages from both Lezyne and Elite. I doubt Ti would have broken in those situations.
The King cages, at 28g, are light, but ridiculously light belongs to Supacaz Fly cages at 18g. They’re very good, too, great for road, but a little too light for gravel work with large water bottles. For a lifetime of use, though, you can’t beat King; I’ve broken, in crashes, very expensive carbon fiber road cages from both Lezyne and Elite. I doubt Ti would have broken in those situations.
Likes For chaadster:
Likes For easyupbug:
11-21-23, 11:25 AM
#61
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 414 Post(s)
Liked 691 Times
in
287 Posts
Finally got a chance to take her out for a maiden voyage... I was very pleasantly surprised that this isn't a noodle-y ride. It's very responsive when you stand up (maybe due to the beefy chainstays). It's a comfortable ride too, but not really more than my carbon bikes (I'd say it's just as comfy). Shimano di2 with rim brakes (especially with the braking on these wheels - DT Swiss dicut oxic) is a pretty amazing combo. It's fairly lightweight too: I weighed it with everything you see on the bike, and it's exactly 17.5 lbs. I really like the dark blue Fizik Terra bar tape too. It looks the part (blue without being too blue) and is super grippy and comfortable. I also swapped to a different Fizik saddle, as this one fits my rear better. I have 700x25 tires on there right now, but may switch to 700x27 Enve tubeless tires (these rims are tubeless ready) to get some more comfort and grip. But so far, so good! Go Dodgers!
Likes For Caliwild:
11-28-23, 10:37 AM
#63
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 414 Post(s)
Liked 691 Times
in
287 Posts
OK, ordered some Enve gumwall tubeless tires (which I love on another bike) in 700x27 size (should hopefully fit)... The 700x25 Continental 4 Season clincher tires are bombproof but not really supple. I might actually order a bluetooth module for the di2 so that I can see the shifts on my Wahoo Bolt. Otherwise, loving this thing! Hit my fastest speed on a local descent this morning.
Likes For Caliwild:
Likes For saddlesniffer:
12-29-23, 11:05 PM
#65
Senior Member
01-15-24, 07:57 PM
#66
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 414 Post(s)
Liked 691 Times
in
287 Posts
OK, finally got a chance to take some photos... Went tubeless and installed some gunwall Enve's in 700x27. Also, switched out the saddle to a brown Selle Italia Flite (re-release). Once the tires get a little more brownish, I think they'll match the saddle better too. The bike definitely feels more comfortable, as I am able to run lower pressures. Also, had the bike shop install the bluetooth module for the di2 so that I can fiddle with it without having to plug it into a computer. Also, I'm now able to see which gear I am in on my Wahoo Bolt.
Likes For Caliwild:
01-17-24, 08:24 AM
#67
Senior Member
It's obvious that you love your bike when you stop in the middle of your ride just to take a picture of it.
Who here has not done that? I know I have. I would too if that were my bike.
Who here has not done that? I know I have. I would too if that were my bike.
02-05-24, 01:49 PM
#69
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 414 Post(s)
Liked 691 Times
in
287 Posts
Just found a great deal on a navy blue (discontinued color) Chris King bottom bracket. Had to get matchy matchy with the rest of the blue on the bike 
Likes For Caliwild:
02-15-24, 01:44 PM
#70
Senior Member
Nice bike! I preferred the aesthetics before the "brown" replacements though.
Likes For Caliwild:
02-28-24, 10:17 AM
#72
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 414 Post(s)
Liked 691 Times
in
287 Posts
OK, I think this is the last of my upgrades/changes... Threw on a Zipp Service Course XPLOR bar. A much more shallow drop and the flared ends make for a super comfy bar. Plus, I think the silver aluminum matches nicely with the titanium bike and stem... The bikes feels pretty dialed in right now.
https://www.rei.com/product/219238/z...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.rei.com/product/219238/z...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
02-29-24, 10:09 AM
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,302
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8287 Post(s)
Liked 9,061 Times
in
4,483 Posts
Some of these shots look like Griffith Park? And a Serious Cycling bottle? You know those guys?
02-29-24, 10:29 AM
#74
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 414 Post(s)
Liked 691 Times
in
287 Posts
Good eye! Yep, Griffith Park... great place for a quick spin. I know a couple guys from the Serious Cycling Northridge location. Have purchased a bike and other stuff from them before. Nice guys...
Likes For Caliwild:
