Mountain Biking - titanium

I am considering buying my next frame as titanium, rather than another steel hardtail. I have been told by one local bike shop that Dean Titanium was one of the few remaining independantly owned fab shops, which also had a good reputation. Another local shop basically said that Dean frames are garbage, and that he seriously doubts that they are made "in-house", but rather the frames are farmed out to some other welder. He suggested that I go with Seven Cycles. Hmm, the Seven is more expensive AND he just happens to be a Seven dealer. Any thoughts/opinions out there?

Dean is fine...definately not garbage. Seven Litespeed and Merlin are the top Ti brands, this doesnt make all the rest garbage. Dont listen to dealer-specific lies... unfortunately some dealers do that....saying that our product is the best and that the rest are crap...

I've had my Litespeed for a long time now, and it's done it all. All the people that bought a new CC HT mtn bikes around the same time I bought mine have changed bikes 3 times or more since then - I just change components. If there is ever a need to replace it, I'd get another.
Joe

Never trust a salesmans opinions. It's pretty easy to see the bias on this one.

independant fabrications are a small company building some of the best ti, steel HT frames right now their welds are flawless and geometry is great for XC/race. they do custom work but are pricey. if your not looking for a one of a kind frame look into litespeed, dean, or seven (i think they build custom too). my next ride will be a IF Ti built for race (but thats not till 2005 only one new bike per year)

I was gonna say check out Independent Fabrications' frames.They always get great reviews.
Seven and I.F. will both cost serious money.
If you don't need a custom built frame I'd buy a Rocky Mtn.scandium Vertex.It's lighter than Ti. and has a smooth ride.
http://64.227.152.248/frames2/tideluxe.shtml
http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2004/vertex/vertex_tsc.aspx#

Matt Chester Frames!

29" Single Speed

Custom Built.

Rode one, loved it, although not for me I'm anti lightweight XC.

L8R

Matt Chester Frames!

29" Single Speed

Custom Built.

Rode one, loved it, although not for me I'm anti lightweight XC.

L8R

I rode one at the Cascade Cream Puff 100 this past summer. I would'nt call them light weight - They are ti, but all straight gauge tubing - No fancy processes - just a tough "grass roots" ti bike. And if you bug Matt enough he'll build a geard frame - my buddy did.

Ti frames are strong and are an ideal metal for Cross Country. I know there are no Titanium freeride frames in the making or planning board yet. Reason price of construction. Titanium is expensive.

You want to make sure your Ti is the right alloy as well. I'm not sure of the percentages but something like 4V/6Al is supposed to be the best alloy for bicycle frames. Gauge of tubing is another factor to consider, butted shaped tubing, designed to flex in certain planes but not others, is a hallmark of a top of the line Ti frame. Don't think all Ti bikes are equal...

Hey Danka, a few years ago Litespeed came up with the Kitsuma, NICE!

And, Cove does make some of their frames in Ti as well.

L8R

Hey Danka, a few years ago Litespeed came up with the Kitsuma, NICE!

And, Cove does make some of their frames in Ti as well.

L8R

Unfortunately Cove Ti frame is also ultralight XC frame... it can only handle XC with a 4" fork strictly...and is one of the few Ti frames which doesnt have a lifetime warranty.

Hey Danka, a few years ago Litespeed came up with the Kitsuma, NICE!

And, Cove does make some of their frames in Ti as well.

L8R

I remember the Kitsuma, it did not last too long on the market though, price was way too high.

Buy Aluminum, with the $$$$$ you save you'll be able to trick it out with XTR everything for the same money you would have "blown" on the Ti frame.... Are you grossly overweight or something? You're only saving a pound or two for an extra $300... Get real man!

Aluminum is plenty strong enuf for most of us.....

Buy Aluminum, with the $$$$$ you save you'll be able to trick it out with XTR everything for the same money you would have "blown" on the Ti frame.... Are you grossly overweight or something? You're only saving a pound or two for an extra $300... Get real man!

Aluminum is plenty strong enuf for most of us.....

If you buying ti for weight savings - you are buying it for the wrong reason. I have broken many Aluminium frames, one steel - and not my ti - and it has seen more miles than all the bikes I broke put together. It still looks and rides like a champ. If you don't plan on owning the same frame for more than 2-3 years (and you ride a bunch) you don't need ti.

Hey everyone....i havent broken a frame before, but i was wondering...HOW they break?.......just use?....or insane landings or something?....i have no clue....IM NEW....haha....alrihgty......thanks to anyone with answers

Hey everyone....i havent broken a frame before, but i was wondering...HOW they break?.......just use?....or insane landings or something?....i have no clue....IM NEW....haha....alrihgty......thanks to anyone with answers

I've had both. One time on a GT LTS 1 I was going down the backside of Silver Mountain (Idaho). Jumping, hopping, going over 30mph. Started climbing again - on my first power stroke (about 5-7 mph) I flew over the bars - the seat stays (on either side) broke in half - I'm glad it was on the climb - when I picked the bike up the rear wheel was hanging by the chain stays. A few other times (once on my GT after it was fixed by GT, and my Big hit - cracks developed - where the top and seat tube meet and at the head tube, respectively. Another time, on my Big Hit I came off an 8 ft drop onto flat (somthing I never do anymore) the drive side dropout tore out of the frame - it sent the rear derailuer into the wheel, destroying both - that was not cheap to fix.

And if you bug Matt enough he'll build a geard frame - my buddy did.

I wonder how many of those geared Chesters are floating around. I asked Matt before, but I don't remember his answer. However, he emphatically stated he won't do 'em any more.

Holy old thread Batman.

Actually it's a good subject still.

Independent Fabrications is another good Ti frame builder.

Regarding Matt Chester. I don't know the guy, only rode one of his frames for a short test ride. However, I do check out his website regularly. It seems as time goes on, he gets grumpier and more retro-grouch with every passing year.

I like that! He will no longer build a geared bike, he will NEVER put disc tabs on one of his frame...etc.

You want one of his frames, you gotta buy into his philosophy. It's a custom frame by HIM. He'll build it to your body dimensions, but that's HIS name on the frame, not yours. So, like every great artist, he leaves his signature. It's just more subtle than a name, it's a reputation.

Kudos Matt, from a fan of yours!