For sure Mosaic, Firefly, Ericksen and Kish. I have a Serotta Ti that is just beautiful but can't get those anymore.

Yup, I can say the same for my fabulous Merlin.

Look at Hamsten too. Honestly, there are so many good Ti builders to check out. Moots and Seven are great frames especially if you would be selling it soon otherwise I would go with a smaller builder who is actually building the frame himself.

The beauty of Ti frames is that so many are available in like-new condition but used on ebay. My Merlin Works CR listed at $2,700. It was never built up, just sat around. I got it for $1,000. I defy anyone to put forward a sweeter riding frame. That is my kind of basis for a bike build project.

Buy the bike you really want. The Moots will last a lifetime and retain a good chunk of it's original value. They have 35 years behind them and from what I hear, have some of the best customer support in the industry. There are plenty of other options like Firefly, Stinner, Sage, Mosaic, Eriksen, etc. I have the Vamoots RSL and have to say that it's pretty cool knowing I have one of the best titanium bikes out there.

I think the beauty is in the handwringing. I'd buy new and handwring.

Thread needs more pics. My choice.

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3aup3b4l.jpg

this popular brand chek this idea smarthttp://laissezachats.net/180/o.png

Is that an integral stem-bar? Which?

Foundry and No22 are both making nice frames.

Here's a No22

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdn...ad-bike-20.jpg

This! No. 22's are made in upstate NY by the same guys that worked at Serotta. Before buying mine I looked extensively into every single american manufacturer, people stop me to admire the welds and finish, it looks better than a Moots at the eye of many, and it rides like a dream. If it isn't American made I would go for Baum.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/02...g?v=1456953982

Some ridiculously nice bike pics showed up...really improved this thread. I'll check out the No22s.

sbxx1985- which brand is your one?

I want a Ti bike, I really do.

The first thing I would do is try to convince Nao Tomii to make me a Ti bike. He only does steel so far.

Otherwise, I'd get another Spectrum.

Kualis is nice also
http://enve.com/wp-content/uploads/2...-1-800x532.jpg

For me it's IF, Firefly, Moots, Lynskey. But mostly because I have an R240, the price was definitely a little easier to swallow than some of the other boutique brands. They all do incredible work, I've been nothing but impressed with my Lynskey. I've ridden a friends IF and it made me lust after Ti.

I love my Lynskey R330 (from 2009). In November it will be 7 years old and I've got just over 35,000 miles so far. It's stiff, comfortable and light enough for me. And with a little Lemon Pledge, it cleans up well and looks virtually brand new! I bought it as my last bike and at 54 yrs old, it might very well be my last.

But......if I had to replace it, since the R330 is no longer made, I think I'd be tempted by a Moots Vamoots or a Vamoots RSL.

But (again)...if money were no object....I'd definately get the Ti bike that I've lusted after for years - a Baum Corretto.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=520510

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=520513

There are frame/bike makers who work with various materials and some who work with one or two and other who work with just one. When I was shopping for a Ti frame in 2011 I focused on those who specialized in titanium, and there are a number who have already been mentioned here and some who have not. If you are looking for the top class in Ti frame builders I would add to the list Steve Potts (incredible precision and knowledge of ti frame building), Crisp (he works out of Italy, but if you want the top class add him to the list) and although he works in steel as well as Ti, Mike Desalvo is among the most underrated ti frame builders. I chose Bill Holland and have an exogrid frame that makes me happy every time I ride it, look at it, or think about it. Friends ask me what frame I want next and I cannot think of an answer......... I am that happy

Love my Seven.

Answering for sbxx1985. That's a Mosaic (RT-1?).

Kent Eriksen - probably the best Ti frame you can buy
Firefly - my favorite aesthetically, the custom anodizing they're doing these days is extremely desirable
Baum - totally custom everything, great build quality, lots of experience.

I expect to see a lot more custom 3D printed options in the coming years, design is about to go crazy.

I asked Firefly about this, and say the the only way to polish off the beads in the welds is to grind them, but they do not recommend it because it weakens the frame.

Well... how about making the weld thick enough so that a little grinding will not weaken it? But then again, what do I know...

As far as I am concerned, you know the precise truth. Thick welds could be ground down to essentially invisible, yet very strong seams...if it weren't for the you-must-be-able-to-see-the-craftsmanship fetish.

But actually, it seems you can still buy a Merlin; though nobody gives it cred any more. If Comp Cyclist's descriptions are true ("Every Extralight features American sourced titanium tubing and is hand-built in the USA..."), it's still a fully USA-made bike. No love any more since Tom left?

im going to go with the old school litespeed just because it was what i always wanted as a little kid looking at bikes. the one with the old school yellow script, i dont really like the new, slope top tube thing that is happening now... so the new school really is nothing i find all that pleasing.. but the traditional diamond frame old school bikes are all great, merlin, litespeed, the rare traditional moots, the eddies, those are the ones i dig.. i really like the vortex too.. its neo traditional, with weird hatchet shaped top tube and down tube.. looks a little battle star galactic but .. it was the last of the traditional shaped litespeed.. then they went to that plain script and slope tube.. i like traditional