Southern California - Where can I see titanium bikes?

I'm in the market for a new bike, and I like what I read about titanium, but so far none of the shops I've gone to have any on the floor, or much interest in selling anything other than carbon fiber frames. I would prefer a used bike, but ebay and craigslist haven't yet yielded anything close enough to look at. Are there any So Cal shops that actually stock Ti bikes? I would like to examine/ride a couple of them before taking a chance on something that looks good on ebay, should the opportunity arise. I'm in Long Beach, current bike is a Tesch with some rust issues from the late 80's, 60 cm (could go smaller) with 53/42 chainring and 13-23 6-speed. I could use some lower gearing and really want the new STI shifters. So you titanium riders - where did you get them? Gary

Here are a couple dealers for ti manufacturers near Long Beach. I know they aren't used but you might get a feel for them.

Good luck and I love my Merlin!

Merlin Dealer:

Ted's Manhattan Cycles
110 N. Sepluveda Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, California 90266
310-379-3204


Litespeed Dealers:

Surf City Cyclery
7470 Edinger Avenue
Huntington Beach, California 92647
714-842-1717

The Bike Shop
430 Pier Avenue
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 376-2914

Thanks, Mike. I went to Ted's today - he had one Merlin frame only and one that was built up. Very nice looking bikes. It was notable that one of them had, instead of decals, beautiful laser engraving, while the other just had some paper stickers that looked like they would peel off easily. Now that I think of it, maybe they were covering the laser engraving, but I don't see why that would be necessary.
Surf City had no titanium bikes at all last week and didn't seem to want to discuss anything that wasn't already on their floor. I didn't get to the Bike Shop in Hermosa. Too bad I didn't read your reply before I drove to Manhattan Beach! I am getting more sold on titanium, but I am not quite ready to pay the price of a new custom one. A little more salesmanship by the bike shops I've visited might have pushed me in that direction, but maybe I don't come off as a serious buyer. I'm sure they have all had their time wasted by people who ask a lot of questions and then go buy somewhere else. I just don't want to spend thousands of dollars in a shop where I don't get the feeling that they really want to sell what I want to buy. Maybe I should call Litespeed and ask them who sells the most of their bikes. Gary

I don't know much about these guys, but the bikes look nice and the price is right!
http://www.evertibikes.com/

There are lots of small Ti builders, some cheaper some not...

check out http://www.habcycles.com

maybe in a museum? Seriously, what have you been reading about titanium that makes you want one? Titanium seems to be about the least attractive material for a frame after steel. Most builders are limited to standard drawn tubes, so can't take advantage of oversizing/shaping (except Linksys, and their frames are still over 1/3 heavier than a carbon frame and cost a lot). How much are you looking to spend?

It amazes me someone always has to crash a thread and bash someone's ideas...

If you don't like Ti, then go read another thread....

If you don't mind driving further south into the San Diego area, Hi-Tech bikes sells Litespeed and I remember seeing new models there. Nytro also sells LS. Both also sell carbon and aluminum bikes, so you can make easy comparisons.

Hi-tech also sells Serotta... Bike Empire sells Seven and the owner usually has his sweet carbon/Ti Seven in there...

Ok, maybe my response was a bit acerbic re titanium, but the original poster mentioned he was interested in it because of what he READ about it, currently rides a 20+ year old bike, so is maybe not exactly going into a new purchasing decision completely informed, and is also constrained in terms of his budget (is looking for a used bike on ebay etc). Suggesting a carbon/ti Seven isn't exactly going to fit his needs, unless he is prepared to sell his house. The truth is, he can get a whole lot more bike if he avoids titanium options. Titanium was a good idea around the time his Tesch was probably made, but - seriously - titanium has been outpaced by other materials. It makes either a whippy light frame or a heavy not so stiff one.

If he really wants one, he should look at the bikesdirect ones - probably closer to his budget. But, he'd do a WHOLE LOT better buying something like a budget-priced carbon frame (like a pedalforce RS2 for $800 if he wants something new and either getting one of their build options, or piecing something together via ebay).

Well, first I had to look up the word acerbic...

As far as Ti being either whippy or heavy/not stiff is a bit archaic... there are lots new advances in Ti technology that have alleviated these issues. Look into Bill Holland Ti frames...

BTW- the OP didn't really state a price range other than he was looking at used. He did state he'd been looking at new Merlin frames...Seven's aren't any more than those (still too much for me though).

Bicycle Johns in burbank has seven, moots, serotta, litespeed, merlin, and indy fab of the top of my head. They also almost always have a few built up.

I got a Ti bike recently. To be honest, I think my carbon bike is more fun while the Ti is a lot smoother, but that's subjective and probably bike-specific.

The original poster is looking for local shops so he can test ride them. Why not let him try it out for himself?

Ok, maybe my response was a bit acerbic re titanium, but the original poster mentioned he was interested in it because of what he READ about it, currently rides a 20+ year old bike, so is maybe not exactly going into a new purchasing decision completely informed, and is also constrained in terms of his budget (is looking for a used bike on ebay etc). Suggesting a carbon/ti Seven isn't exactly going to fit his needs, unless he is prepared to sell his house. The truth is, he can get a whole lot more bike if he avoids titanium options. Titanium was a good idea around the time his Tesch was probably made, but - seriously - titanium has been outpaced by other materials. It makes either a whippy light frame or a heavy not so stiff one.

If he really wants one, he should look at the bikesdirect ones - probably closer to his budget. But, he'd do a WHOLE LOT better buying something like a budget-priced carbon frame (like a pedalforce RS2 for $800 if he wants something new and either getting one of their build options, or piecing something together via ebay).

You guys live in Cali and pay like 40% taxes. I don't think the price dif will destroy him that much.

For what it's worth, I bought a Tomasso in Dec 2002 and have been riding it ever since. I am now in the market for a carbon frame bike, but will not stop riding the titanium. Also, much as I hate to admit it, I was broadsided by a Tundra on Christmas Eve 2006. The bike was thrown into the street and I landed on the pavement. I needed a few stitches, but I rode the bike home. I'm not sure a carbon frame bike would have survived without damage.

OP here. Thanks for all the interesting back and forth in response to my post. Steve, what got me interested in Ti was a combination of things: Most people seem to feel they get a comfortable ride -I'm not sure if I would notice a difference from steel, but it sounds good! Titanium doesn't rust - my Tesch is damn near perfect, except for some serious rust issues where the rear brake cable enters and exits the top tube. Sweat drips off my chin right over the front hole. The other thing is the hardest to define - I get no aesthetic pleasure from a carbon fiber frame. For me, it's not just about what is practical/functional. When I rode a $6000 carbon bike I understood why they are so popular. If it were just about the ride I would probably buy one. But part of the attraction to a bike is for me an appreciation of the craftsmanship that went into it. Lugged steel frames and titanium really show off the builder's skill, in a visual way, and I value that. That's why I said that a good saleman could possibly have moved me to consider a new Ti bike. I have the money to spend, and realize that, to a degree, it would be akin to buying functional art. But I'm not wealthy, so buying used makes a lot more sense to me. I would just as soon skip the anxiety I would have over the first scratch or dent. So there it is - I'm not only concerned with the practical, so if my reasons for wanting Ti seem illogical, it's because they are, kind of. Gary

PS: I may be looking at a 1999 Litespeed Classic tonight. It shows well in the pictures, 9-speed Ultegra, has STI shifters. Seller wants $1500. It's painted, but that can be fixed.

Let me know if you need something with a shorter top tube relative to seat tube (say ~56-57 TT and 59-60 ST), as right now I have 3 Ti frames that fit the bill. 2 Indep Fabs and 1 Seven. Currently riding the Seven but may switch, and I really don't need three.

Gary, sounds like you've worked out your priorities re what qualities are most important to you, and you're right that there's considerations besides performance; I bought a Tesch (s22) circa 1990 from Dave based a lot of the beauty of the frame and his workmanship (gotta admit switching to an early Look a few months later to race on...) but definitely got pleasure out of admiring the Tesch...

it does sound like the bike you're looking at is a bit over-priced for the components

it does sound like the bike you're looking at is a bit over-priced for the components

I would agree on that, I would think somewhere down around $1k... BUT, it all depends on how well the bike fits you and if it speaks to you when you ride it.

Good Luck!

new Sampsons polished Ti frames on closeout at excelsports for $999 down from $1799

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Silverton+Titanium+Frameset&vendorCode=SAMPSON&major=1&minor=1

^^^"Features

3.4 pounds"

I gotta wonder if that is for the frame and fork or just frame.... I just picked up a Soma Smoothie ES with a published weight of 4 pounds for the frame and it's steel. I gotta think that's frame and fork...

yeah, I'd think the 3.4 pounds is for the frameset. Nashbar has 58s on sale for $899...