Need help picking a Ti Frame
 

I've been kicking around the idea of picking up a Motobecane Century Pro Ti.

To summarize, this is what I was looking for: relaxed road geometry, disc brakes, and massive tire clearance (40c on the moto).

It seems to be a great deal but I figure I want to customize some things (wheels, cockpit, etc), and I may as well build from the ground up after the money I'd spend doing that. So I want to know what other frame options are there.

Lynskey seems to have some similar frames, but their website seems to only advertise 28c clearance on all their frames (with the exception of their CX frames). That doesn't seem right considering some of their frames take disc brakes. Does anyone know if any of their frames can take high tire sizes?

What other options do I have?

I'd like to find a frame around or less than $2000.

You are in Philly, want a ti frame and are not going to splurge on an Engin? Blasphemy!

Wow! I did not even know they existed. But looking on the website, they are way, way, way out of my price range! I was looking at spending less than $3000 on a complete bicycle set.

Its going to be hard to build a ti bike for less than $3k since most framesets will be over $2k. Motobecane is hard to beat for value.

Or look for a used frame and make compromises

What size do you take. There is a dynamite used Lynskey on ebay a few days ago in 56 I think. Bidding started at $999 as a built bike. Lots of opportunity to dump off the parts and do it right for your budget. Item number 292748222134.

Yes, they have their own ebay store where they sell trade in frames. You might get a good deal there on an auction

lynskeyperformance on eBay

There is also Habenero who's basic frames start around $1000

3Al / 2.5V Brushed Titanium Frames from $995

But even with them you are going to be looking at around $1500 with fork

I love my Habanero but honestly I chose it because I wanted custom geometry. If your body is on the bell curve you don't need that. Hard to beat motobecane/bikesdirect if cost is a concern.

I seriously doubt you'll find a ti endurance frame that takes 40c tires and discs unless you get custom, which will be way over $2000.

Something like this Dean is probably the cheapest you'll find, it takes up to a 37c.

Rando

And let me apologize for ignoring the wide tire and disc requirement in my recommendation. It is still a dynamite deal.

That's a great deal, but yeah I ride 50-53 frame size (my current bike has a 53.5 TT).

I'm beginning to think that the Moto is the best deal I can find. The cheapest Ti frame I've seen is the Lynskey R150 disc but it doesn't have the high tire clearance that I want. Add that they want an extra $300 to get a brushed finish, the Moto deal is starting to look unbeatable. I guess I'll still be ahead even if I buy a second set of wheels and customize everything else.

I would get the Motobecane.

Habenro does have disc frame that takes up 45cm tires for $1045 but I don't know if its any better than Motobecane. I think Habenro is made in China and Motobecane is actually made by a pretty respected manufacturer in Taiwan

MOTO Ti bikes ARE the best deal you can find, easily. The frames are made by ORA Eng. in Taipei, who are very very good. Moto frames are butted and therefore lighter, unlike pretty much any cheaper TI frame from a name brand, which will use all straight gauged tubes.

I've owned a Moto Century. The frame's quality is excellent with very clean welds, but I found it to be almost too stiff for my liking. It has a FAT downtube. I prefer my frames to be a bit more lively.

Thanks for the response.

Now I gotta decide if I want a titanium bike over a similar carbon bike, and how to size it. Unfortunately there are almost no titanium bikes to test ride.

The Century sizing is different from typical bike sizing. It has 50cm/53cm, whereas I usually ride 52cm in other manufacturers. How would you say their sizing compares to typical manufacturers?

With BD you have to check whether the nominal size corresponds to actual seat tube length or effective seat tube length. I think it is actual which is less usual. Or you could just focus on effective top tube.

Thanks. It seems like I would go for the 50cm frame. Do you know how the finish compares to other bikes? Is it a bright high polish brushed or more of that industrial mill from Lynksey?

Can't say. Dunno.

Bright finish on my Moto and all the others I've seen. The welding is immaculate!

Hey, what would you recommend then for touring? I was gonna get the motobecane century or the Jamis renegade steel. Thanks