Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Help identifying an unmarked titanium bicycle

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Help identifying an unmarked titanium bicycle

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-07-17 | 08:11 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Help identifying an unmarked titanium bicycle

Hi,
I'm trying to identify a titanium frame that has no decals or marks. The serial number is G45118 and it has Shimano Sora components as well as a Look carbon fork. I've attached a photo as well. Thanks for your help.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
00f0f_9HnwAMZP4Wj_600x450.jpg (24.2 KB, 417 views)
danielac is offline  
Reply
Old 06-07-17 | 08:17 AM
  #2  
Kevindale's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 46
From: Amsterdam

Bikes: 1980 Koga-Miyata Gentsluxe-S, 1998 Eddy Merckx Corsa 01, 1983 Tommasini Racing, 2012 Gulf Western CAAD10, 1980 Univega Gran Premio

How did you determine it was titanium? Is the entire bike painted, or are any parts of the frame exposed? Seems odd to me to have a titanium frame, which is usually very high end, with Sora groupset.

Edit: close up photos of the welds might help. Also a photo of the serial numbers might give a clue.

Last edited by Kevindale; 06-07-17 at 08:21 AM.
Kevindale is offline  
Reply
Old 06-07-17 | 08:21 AM
  #3  
brianmcg123's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 62
From: TN

Bikes: 2013 Trek Madone; 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker

Looks like an Airborne Valkyrie that was debadged. What does the head-badge look like?
brianmcg123 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-07-17 | 08:39 AM
  #4  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
The bike doesn't seem to be painted, I'm just saying titanium because that's what I was told. Could be wrong, but it seems to be the case. Here's a photo of the serial number. I'd send more pics, but it's a bike I'm trying to buy and trying to figure as much out about it as possible.
danielac is offline  
Reply
Old 06-07-17 | 09:20 AM
  #5  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Here's the serial number.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Screenshot (1).jpg (23.4 KB, 396 views)
danielac is offline  
Reply
Old 06-07-17 | 09:39 AM
  #6  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by brianmcg123
Looks like an Airborne Valkyrie that was debadged. What does the head-badge look like?
The head badge actually says "Glacier N.P.". I think it was used as a bike rental for a spell.
danielac is offline  
Reply
Old 06-07-17 | 10:41 AM
  #7  
TenSpeedV2's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 22

Bikes: Felt TK2, Felt Z5

Originally Posted by danielac
The bike doesn't seem to be painted, I'm just saying titanium because that's what I was told. Could be wrong, but it seems to be the case. Here's a photo of the serial number. I'd send more pics, but it's a bike I'm trying to buy and trying to figure as much out about it as possible.
OK, other than being "told" that it was titanium, what makes you think that it is? You said it seems to be the case. What leads you to believe that? I don't know that I would buy a debadged and possibly repainted frame of unknown quality that you are unsure of the material. The owner doesn't know what it is?
TenSpeedV2 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-07-17 | 11:55 AM
  #8  
rpenmanparker's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 28,682
Likes: 63
From: Houston, TX

Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build

Why do you keep telling and showing us the serial number as if that identifies the maker. A picture of the head badge would be much more informative.
rpenmanparker is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-17 | 05:37 AM
  #9  
Machka's Avatar
In Real Life
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 52,159
Likes: 774
From: Down under down under

Bikes: Lots

Maybe it's the light or the photo, but that just looks like a grey bicycle to me. Titanium has more luster than what it appear that bicycle has.

As someone else mentioned, let's see the head badge and welds.
Machka is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-17 | 07:02 AM
  #10  
cydewaze's Avatar
Emondafied
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 0
From: Maryland

Bikes: See sig

Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
Why do you keep telling and showing us the serial number as if that identifies the maker. A picture of the head badge would be much more informative.
It's logical to conclude that he's not in possession of the actual bicycle, and the photos we're looking at are the only ones he has.
__________________

my bike page - my journal
Current Stable: Trek Emonda SL - Trek Top Fuel 8 - Scattante XRL - Jamis Dakar Expert - Trek 9700 - AlpineStars Al Mega
cydewaze is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-17 | 08:31 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 4
From: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca

Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike

it's probably ti. i had a custom one make years ago. they gave me three finish options: polished, brushed or bead blasted. that one, like mine, looks to be bead blasted. sort of a non-descript dull grey. after 22 years and a yearly 2 minute wipe-down, it still looks the same.
hueyhoolihan is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-17 | 09:39 AM
  #12  
DiabloScott's Avatar
It's MY mountain
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 4,274
From: Mt.Diablo

Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek

Originally Posted by Machka
Maybe it's the light or the photo, but that just looks like a grey bicycle to me. Titanium has more luster than what it appear that bicycle has.

As someone else mentioned, let's see the head badge and welds.
I'd think a bike that age would have chipped paint somewhere if it weren't Ti.

Also... are those real downtube shifter bosses? Don't see those on Ti very often.
DiabloScott is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-17 | 09:52 AM
  #13  
noodle soup's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,946
Likes: 1,901
Originally Posted by DiabloScott
I'd think a bike that age would have chipped paint somewhere if it weren't Ti.

Also... are those real downtube shifter bosses? Don't see those on Ti very often.
could be a Habanero. It also looks like it might have a 1" steerer tube.
noodle soup is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-17 | 05:57 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 780
Look...
02Giant is offline  
Reply
Old 06-08-17 | 06:01 PM
  #15  
Doge's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,588
Likes: 427
From: Southern California, USA

Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753

Originally Posted by danielac
Here's the serial number.
Hard to stamp Ti like that.
Doge is offline  
Reply
Old 06-09-17 | 04:49 AM
  #16  
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Doge
Hard to stamp Ti like that.
No it is not. My titanium Wittson has a serial number under the bb and the same applies to most ti frames.

As someone already suggested, this one does look like a beadblasted ti frame to me.
rockenrolla is offline  
Reply
Old 06-09-17 | 04:59 AM
  #17  
rpenmanparker's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 28,682
Likes: 63
From: Houston, TX

Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build

Originally Posted by cydewaze
It's logical to conclude that he's not in possession of the actual bicycle, and the photos we're looking at are the only ones he has.
Logic...BF...logic...BF? Does not compute.
rpenmanparker is offline  
Reply
Old 06-09-17 | 05:36 AM
  #18  
ecnewell's Avatar
Full Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse, NY

Bikes: 2007 Raleigh Rx 1.0, 1990 Cannondale ST400, 1981 Fredy Rüegg, 1984 Miyata One-Thousand

The Look fork is a clue, perhaps.

This looks close.
LOOK KG 282 Ti | Cycle EXIF
ecnewell is offline  
Reply
Old 06-09-17 | 07:52 AM
  #19  
Full Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 478
Likes: 53
From: Flat Rock, NC
With the exception of the fork, it looks like my first and last titanium bike that I got new in the early 90's. It was manufactured by Sandvik and sold through Fuji. It had a bare brushed finish, drop tube bosses and 1" tubes. Fuji slapped some absolutely horrendous peel and stick decals on it, that I promptly removed. Other than a stamped SS# on the bottom side of the BB, it had no markings. I bought it as a bare frame and built it up. IIRC this was a common manufacturing arrangement BITD. If yours comes from that era, other than deciphering the SS# I doubt if you'll be able to figure out brand or model. Don't worry about its pedigree, just ride it. Mine had a nice plush ride, although the BB was a little noodly.
coupster is offline  
Reply
Old 06-09-17 | 10:38 PM
  #20  
Machka's Avatar
In Real Life
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 52,159
Likes: 774
From: Down under down under

Bikes: Lots

Originally Posted by DiabloScott
I'd think a bike that age would have chipped paint somewhere if it weren't Ti.

Maybe it was recently spray painted grey.
Machka is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-17 | 10:40 AM
  #21  
Drew Eckhardt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 326
From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA

Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs

Originally Posted by Machka
Maybe it's the light or the photo, but that just looks like a grey bicycle to me. Titanium has more luster than what it appear that bicycle has.
Bead blasted titanium frames are dull gray, except where things like cable housings have worn the finish producing polished spots.

In the 1990s lots of less expensive (< $1000, like the Litespeed Natchez) titanium frames came with that finish.

It does look painted - the down tube doesn't match the bottom bracket in the second photo.

Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 06-15-17 at 04:35 PM.
Drew Eckhardt is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-17 | 04:19 PM
  #22  
Drew Eckhardt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 326
From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA

Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs

Originally Posted by Doge
Hard to stamp Ti like that.
A single flute engraving bit will do that on a CNC mill with a fourth axis.
Drew Eckhardt is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-17 | 04:25 PM
  #23  
Drew Eckhardt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 326
From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA

Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs

Originally Posted by DiabloScott
I'd think a bike that age would have chipped paint somewhere if it weren't Ti.

Also... are those real downtube shifter bosses? Don't see those on Ti very often.
Litespeeds came that way in the 1990s. My 1997 Natchez has down-tube bosses, just like other Litespeed frames of its time.

Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 06-15-17 at 04:34 PM.
Drew Eckhardt is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-17 | 04:59 PM
  #24  
Doge's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,588
Likes: 427
From: Southern California, USA

Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753

Originally Posted by Drew Eckhardt
A single flute engraving bit will do that on a CNC mill with a fourth axis.
No way. See the displaced raised metal. Don't get that from a cut.
Doge is offline  
Reply
Old 06-15-17 | 10:45 PM
  #25  
Doge's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,588
Likes: 427
From: Southern California, USA

Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753

Originally Posted by rockenrolla
No it is not. My titanium Wittson has a serial number under the bb and the same applies to most ti frames.

As someone already suggested, this one does look like a beadblasted ti frame to me.
Can you show us a picture of your stamped serial number?

Stamped means metal is displaced as the indents form the number. You can see in that photo - metal was displaced. That proves nothing, but as pointed out, I normally see Ti cut/or engraved or etched - not stamped.
Being a Look - maybe production was high enough they stamped.
Doge is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.