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Titanium frame identification please

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Titanium frame identification please

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Old 10-22-11 | 01:53 PM
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Titanium frame identification please

Hi, I bought this frame from a flee market. Doesn't have any marks on it, I am pretty certain it is titanium because of the small diameter tubing, non-magnetic, light and no paint.
If you could please help identify the maker and/or model, if you've seen something like it before or any comments would be welcomed.

The bottom bracket is a weird thing: although the frame is old, the BB is custom built to take in sealed bearings and an axle goes through them (it seems so ahead of it's time). I have a problem with the bearings because I can't find the size that fit.
I wish to build a fixed-gear out of it. Hopefully if I identify the maker, I may find the correct size bearings.

Thank you for your opinions.

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Old 10-22-11 | 02:40 PM
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From: Toronto, ON, Canada

Bikes: 97 Merlin XLight, 99 Merlin XLM

Are those 2 grub screws in the BB shell? If so, may be Merlin (grease guard BB). And looks like an MTB frame.

Last edited by Bimdapogs; 10-22-11 at 03:56 PM.
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Old 10-22-11 | 03:45 PM
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Interesting frame. Those dropouts were unexpected, especially with the dual eyelets. What is the rear spacing?

Are you planning on trying your luck with a magic gear, white industries eno hub, or frame modification (EBB or dropout replacement) to make it a fixed gear?
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Old 10-22-11 | 03:55 PM
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Doesn't look like a production frame. Might be a one-off. Pretty unusual design.
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Old 10-22-11 | 03:59 PM
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I remember seeing these in the mid 90's but I can't remember the name. Russian-made, "budget" Ti. Totally serviceable high-performance MTB frames, just not as pretty or sophisticated as the US made stuff of the time.

FTW may be able to give you some info on that back-end design...
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Old 10-22-11 | 10:11 PM
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From: Tejas
Originally Posted by YoKev
Interesting frame. Those dropouts were unexpected, especially with the dual eyelets. What is the rear spacing?

Are you planning on trying your luck with a magic gear, white industries eno hub, or frame modification (EBB or dropout replacement) to make it a fixed gear?
Lord, I hope not.
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Old 10-22-11 | 10:15 PM
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I've seen this bike somewhere.....
.
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Old 10-22-11 | 10:43 PM
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Originally Posted by tashi
I remember seeing these in the mid 90's but I can't remember the name. Russian-made, "budget" Ti. Totally serviceable high-performance MTB frames, just not as pretty or sophisticated as the US made stuff of the time.

FTW may be able to give you some info on that back-end design...
Sibex?
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Old 10-23-11 | 09:04 AM
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Thank you for your input.
Yes, it is a 26" wheels frame.
I plan to use a chain tensioner to use it as a singlespeed.
I did look over the internet about Sibex, did not find a manufacturer site. I did find though a bunch of pictures with broken Sibex TI forms, which gave me something to worry about now
Now I am looking for the right size press-fitted bearings, which turn out to be hard to find in that dimension.

Any comments are still welcomed. Thanks.
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Old 10-23-11 | 10:15 AM
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From: Victoria
I knew I'd be able to remember the name: Titan.

This thread should help you build it up: https://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro...me-312712.html

https://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro...read-2814.html

https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/titan/

https://www.titanproduct.com/
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Old 10-24-11 | 01:20 AM
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Thank you tashi.
From the links you posted I am inclined to believe that the frame was made by the US based Titan company, the one that manufactured bmx-es. The frame has indeed a bmx-like design.
What would the connection be to the chinese company titanproduct.com?
Anyway your post solved my concerns about the headtube which I am now conviced it is 1.1/4". I am going to use reducers to 1.1/8" as the ChrisKing Devolution is to expensive...
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Old 10-24-11 | 05:19 AM
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Bikes: Ruckelshaus Randonneur, Specialized Allez (early 90's, steel), Ruckelshaus Path Bomber currently being built

Originally Posted by tashi
I remember seeing these in the mid 90's but I can't remember the name. Russian-made, "budget" Ti. Totally serviceable high-performance MTB frames, just not as pretty or sophisticated as the US made stuff of the time.

FTW may be able to give you some info on that back-end design...
This. I remember it being Russian.
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