Who makes best Ti frame / bike
08-20-09, 04:08 PM
#51
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You can't go wrong with Moots, Merlin, Seven or Serotta.
Course not. It's those paranoid carbon people who are the troublemakers.
Course not. It's those paranoid carbon people who are the troublemakers.
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08-20-09, 05:50 PM
#55
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After owning my Litespeed for a few years I have decided to go for a cream of the crop titanium. Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with the Litespeed as I consider them to be one of the best production builders in titanium. But moving on to the upper echelon I wanted a top custom titanium bike. I have looked at many titanium builders lately before making another purchase on my second titanium bike. My overall pick for a custom was down to a Serotta or a Seven as Seven was my final choice. I have looked at Deans, Eriksen, Independent Fabrication, Lynskey, Moot, Titus. I seriously looked at the Moots and didn't like their finish on their frames as the beaded finish looked much unfinished. Most everyone else had the brush frames which are nice.
These are my current bikes:
These are my current bikes:
With my carbon bikes however, the differences between frames in more obvious. I also had a Vortex which I didn't care for, so I went back to more traditional rounded 3/2.5 which gives a smoother ride IMO.
08-20-09, 05:55 PM
#56
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I rode on Sunday with a guy on a Schwinn Paramount Ti. He said the frame was built by Serotta for Paramount. I have no idea what year it was, but it looked very nice. He went on about how it was so light but rode smooth like steel...
08-20-09, 05:56 PM
#57
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08-20-09, 06:00 PM
#58
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i wanted one but waited too long...
<sigh>
i had to settle for my Merlin Fortius
(found at a nice price locally)
<sigh>
i had to settle for my Merlin Fortius
(found at a nice price locally)
08-20-09, 06:07 PM
#59
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I own 3 Ti bikes, two Litespeed and an Airborne. The Airborne Zeppellin rides the best of the three but im happy with them all. My dream frame would definitely be Independent Fabrication.
08-20-09, 07:18 PM
#60
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
08-20-09, 07:28 PM
#61
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Litespeed does "ugly" too:
This may be their new carbon bike.
This may be their new carbon bike.
08-21-09, 12:18 PM
#63
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People tend to leave Litespeed off the "Ti to buy" list only because how ubiquitious they are (were) when in reality, they are just as good as any of the high end brands.
So, keep an eye out for a Litespeed Icon or Siena or even an Archon at a good price and you will not be disappointed.
So, keep an eye out for a Litespeed Icon or Siena or even an Archon at a good price and you will not be disappointed.
Last edited by bigtea; 08-21-09 at 12:24 PM.
08-21-09, 08:37 PM
#65
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What does the Ti Thinktank make of Habanero Ti bikes? I'd love to own a Litespeed, but the wife looked at me crazy !!! They seem to make decent frames and the guys there are in fact honest. 
Last edited by Blimms; 08-21-09 at 08:37 PM. Reason: spelling
08-25-09, 04:31 PM
#67
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Myself, I think the Habanero's are a hell of a bang for the buck. I think it's one of the most affordable Ti's in the business!
08-25-09, 07:22 PM
#68
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Like others I am biased, but I'm going to plug Litespeed too. I ride an '05 Solano. I had an Airborne Zeppelin that I really liked, but I'm not a big fan of how compact style frames look. I prefer a classic looking frame for asthetic reasons. It isn't a custom frame but the Solano works so well in so many ways I doubt I'll ever get rid of this bike. However, I would like to add a custom Moots or Dean someday.
08-25-09, 07:27 PM
#69
Junior Member
It took me a minute to figure it out, but here's a pic of my Litespeed.
