Post Your Titaniums
08-09-17 | 11:02 AM
#2604
Peddler
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Denver
Bikes: litespeed veneto
Spray.bikes was developed to get better at home results for painting bikes, and Squid bikes uses them for their bikes as well. https://spray.bike/collections
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/spraydotbike/ has some good inspiration.
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/spraydotbike/ has some good inspiration.
08-27-17 | 05:07 PM
#2606
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: 2021 Rock Lobster Steel "All-Road" // 1989 Eddy Merckx Century TSX "Team Motorola" // 1995 Eddy Merckx Arcobaleno
Freshly built, still tweaking it a bit.
Debating on what stickers to use, if any. Leaning towards the black (a bit more understated).
Debating on what stickers to use, if any. Leaning towards the black (a bit more understated).
10-08-17 | 05:24 PM
#2607
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 1
From: Syracuse, NY
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey R 260 Disc; 2008 Trek 4.7 Madone; 2017 Framed Minnesota 3.0 Fat Bike; 1984 Nishiki International
It's got just a few miles on it... Splurged on this after my old-ish Ti-Sport had an altercation with a moving vehicle last October and ended up with a questionable looking crack in the seat stay. Just got the wheels in from Light-Bicycle so there's my new gamble. They seem well built 25mm wide x 45mm deep with Sapim blades and 240 straight-pull hubs.
I mismatched the drivetrain on purpose. I like Shimano except for their cranks. It's 9100 derailleurs and cassette (11-30) with last-year's Dura-Ace/Ultegra brakes. The 9100 disc brakes just aren't in stock anywhere yet. EC70 stem, EA70 bars, though I'm saving up for a 3T aero bar if I can find one to test. Cheap Chinese carbon seatpost for now. Specialized Romin Pro saddle. Needs one more link in the chain before I snap it forgetting that I shouldn't be shifting into big-big.
It's not as light as my old minimal Ti-Sport was with downtube shifters and 9-speed Dura Ace, but it's faster, no doubt. I've lost more weight than this bike's weight since this time last year, and can lose another bike's worth before anyone can have any weight discussions about this build.
I mismatched the drivetrain on purpose. I like Shimano except for their cranks. It's 9100 derailleurs and cassette (11-30) with last-year's Dura-Ace/Ultegra brakes. The 9100 disc brakes just aren't in stock anywhere yet. EC70 stem, EA70 bars, though I'm saving up for a 3T aero bar if I can find one to test. Cheap Chinese carbon seatpost for now. Specialized Romin Pro saddle. Needs one more link in the chain before I snap it forgetting that I shouldn't be shifting into big-big.
It's not as light as my old minimal Ti-Sport was with downtube shifters and 9-speed Dura Ace, but it's faster, no doubt. I've lost more weight than this bike's weight since this time last year, and can lose another bike's worth before anyone can have any weight discussions about this build.
10-08-17 | 05:34 PM
#2608
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 343
Likes: 12
From: Austin Texas USA
Bikes: 1989 Trek 400, 2000 Lemond Buenos Aires, 2013 GT Attack, 2017 Lynskey R250
I like that finish also. Mine (in the pic) is the Brushed Finish which was a $300 upgrade, and I'm not sure I like it better than dieselrover's which looks like either satin/standard ($0) or industrial mill ($150).
10-08-17 | 06:08 PM
#2609
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 188
From: Denver area (Ken Caryl Valley)
Bikes: 2022 Moots RCS, 2014 BMC SLR01 DA Mech, 2020 Santa Cruz Stigmata, Ibis Ripmo, Trek Top Fuel, Specialized Epic Pro, Pivot Les Fat
Spectrum, Firefly, Moots, Mosaic...so many stunning choices. Soon....
10-09-17 | 05:08 PM
#2611
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
Its here, but hard to see, though you can tell the milled finish is more of a brushed look and the satin finish is a blasted look:
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...l#post19688402
10-10-17 | 04:26 PM
#2612
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 1
From: Syracuse, NY
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey R 260 Disc; 2008 Trek 4.7 Madone; 2017 Framed Minnesota 3.0 Fat Bike; 1984 Nishiki International
How are those wheels working out? I did a similar build, trying to keep it on a budget. The FSA's seem pretty good for the price. I'm hoping it comes before the snow flies here in Syracuse!
10-10-17 | 08:38 PM
#2613
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 343
Likes: 12
From: Austin Texas USA
Bikes: 1989 Trek 400, 2000 Lemond Buenos Aires, 2013 GT Attack, 2017 Lynskey R250
I have the Visions back on and I will probably keep them on the Lynskey and put the Fulcrums on one of my other bikes.
10-11-17 | 01:38 PM
#2615
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 546
Likes: 45
Bikes: colnago titanio oval master, pinarello treviso es, centurion prestige, tomac ti 26er, lemond buenos aires, mbk 753, vitus 992 and zx1, rocky mountain hammer disc,bd century titanium, specialized venge expert
Compared to some of the builds here this is cheap. Built up a motobecane century with some campy 10 and vittoria corsa 28s. Comes out to a very capable and comfortable 18lbs.
P_20171011_152952.jpg
P_20171011_152952.jpg
10-11-17 | 04:31 PM
#2616
Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
My 2003 Merlin Solis
Hey Guys/Gals, I just wanted to share some pics of my new (to me) 2003 Merlin Solis. Its all original except for the seat, pedals and tires.
It has a full Ultegra groupset, with a triple up front, and a 12-25 cassette. It has Mavic Cosmos wheels and hubs, and 3T bars and stem.
I was lucky enough to purchase it from a gentleman who took excellent care of it, and it is in almost showroom condition.
I am almost 40, and I remember being in my late teens/ early 20’s and seeing the Titanium bikes in the shop and just thinking that they were the coolest things ever. Made of the same thing as an SR-71. Fast forward 20 years, and I finally got one, and it is just as exciting as it was then.
https://imgur.com/a/G8D6C
It has a full Ultegra groupset, with a triple up front, and a 12-25 cassette. It has Mavic Cosmos wheels and hubs, and 3T bars and stem.
I was lucky enough to purchase it from a gentleman who took excellent care of it, and it is in almost showroom condition.
I am almost 40, and I remember being in my late teens/ early 20’s and seeing the Titanium bikes in the shop and just thinking that they were the coolest things ever. Made of the same thing as an SR-71. Fast forward 20 years, and I finally got one, and it is just as exciting as it was then.
https://imgur.com/a/G8D6C
Last edited by sgtdemeo; 10-11-17 at 04:32 PM. Reason: Fixed link to pics
10-12-17 | 12:39 AM
#2618
serious cyclist
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 21,147
Likes: 3,687
From: Austin
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
10-12-17 | 06:07 AM
#2619
Ride more, eat less
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 944
From: Philla PA, Hoboken NJ, Brooklyn NY
Bikes: Too many but never enough.
Generic Chinese 29er tapered carbon disc fork
Purchased under $80 shipped from China.. I've put about 80 miles on it.. can't say that I feel any difference from a $200 or $400 carbon disc fork.
Purchased under $80 shipped from China.. I've put about 80 miles on it.. can't say that I feel any difference from a $200 or $400 carbon disc fork.
10-12-17 | 10:25 AM
#2620
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 78
Likes: 46
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Bikes: 1980 Trek 412, 1985 Fuso FR1, 1986 Lotus Legend, 1990 Vicini, 1998 Klein Quantum Race, 1998 Gary Fisher Wahoo, 2007 Bianchi 928 Lugged, 2020 Trek Emonda SLR Project One, 2022 Wilier Jaroon
Basso Gap Ti
10-12-17 | 10:58 AM
#2622
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 901
Likes: 32
From: NYC
Hey Guys/Gals, I just wanted to share some pics of my new (to me) 2003 Merlin Solis. Its all original except for the seat, pedals and tires.
It has a full Ultegra groupset, with a triple up front, and a 12-25 cassette. It has Mavic Cosmos wheels and hubs, and 3T bars and stem.
I was lucky enough to purchase it from a gentleman who took excellent care of it, and it is in almost showroom condition.
I am almost 40, and I remember being in my late teens/ early 20’s and seeing the Titanium bikes in the shop and just thinking that they were the coolest things ever. Made of the same thing as an SR-71. Fast forward 20 years, and I finally got one, and it is just as exciting as it was then.
https://imgur.com/a/G8D6C
It has a full Ultegra groupset, with a triple up front, and a 12-25 cassette. It has Mavic Cosmos wheels and hubs, and 3T bars and stem.
I was lucky enough to purchase it from a gentleman who took excellent care of it, and it is in almost showroom condition.
I am almost 40, and I remember being in my late teens/ early 20’s and seeing the Titanium bikes in the shop and just thinking that they were the coolest things ever. Made of the same thing as an SR-71. Fast forward 20 years, and I finally got one, and it is just as exciting as it was then.
https://imgur.com/a/G8D6C
10-14-17 | 12:11 AM
#2623
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Bikes: Fuji Saratoga 650b, Merlin Ti, Miyata 512
Spray.bikes was developed to get better at home results for painting bikes, and Squid bikes uses them for their bikes as well. https://spray.bike/collections
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/spraydotbike/ has some good inspiration.
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/spraydotbike/ has some good inspiration.
10-21-17 | 08:58 PM
#2624
Junior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Merlin Works CR
Merlin Works CR 3/2.5.
Found on Craigslist for $550. Here's how I found her:
Beat up. Mostly some serious drivetrain issues, a seized seatpost, and heavy wheels. The frame? Almost perfect. Nothing removing stickers and some scotch pad couldn't clean up.
Other resuscitation work included new to me Ksyriums with Conti 4000s, a new Ultegra groupset, stem, bars and saddle (2/3 on hand from other projects), and a few other bits. The fork got a fresh coat of paint.
Here's how she turned out:
The build reflects a few of my quirks: I like a small frame (ex-mountain biker), high-ish stem, lots of silver and black, and a clean look with only a few logos or words.
It's often funny reading the comments on these Ti posts ("Rides so smooth, like a dream!"). Sure, she's nice on the road. But it's a little more subtle than that. She wants to carve a little more than the carbon Giant TCR Advanced she replaced, which was a lot twitchier. That carve kind of originates from the bb (a little flexy but manageable), up through the top tube. It was fun to re-learn leaning into turns on her, versus the ride she replaced. And yes, the Ti soaks up the beat up San Francisco roads well.
All in all, quite pleased with this BIFL ride.
Found on Craigslist for $550. Here's how I found her:
Beat up. Mostly some serious drivetrain issues, a seized seatpost, and heavy wheels. The frame? Almost perfect. Nothing removing stickers and some scotch pad couldn't clean up.
Other resuscitation work included new to me Ksyriums with Conti 4000s, a new Ultegra groupset, stem, bars and saddle (2/3 on hand from other projects), and a few other bits. The fork got a fresh coat of paint.
Here's how she turned out:
The build reflects a few of my quirks: I like a small frame (ex-mountain biker), high-ish stem, lots of silver and black, and a clean look with only a few logos or words.
It's often funny reading the comments on these Ti posts ("Rides so smooth, like a dream!"). Sure, she's nice on the road. But it's a little more subtle than that. She wants to carve a little more than the carbon Giant TCR Advanced she replaced, which was a lot twitchier. That carve kind of originates from the bb (a little flexy but manageable), up through the top tube. It was fun to re-learn leaning into turns on her, versus the ride she replaced. And yes, the Ti soaks up the beat up San Francisco roads well.
All in all, quite pleased with this BIFL ride.
Last edited by cashewman; 10-25-17 at 08:41 AM.
10-22-17 | 08:20 AM
#2625
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,288
Likes: 1,036
From: Chicago area
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
OK, I'll add my 16-year-old Airborne "Carpe Diem". It's set up more for touring than speed, and has been a delightful bike. My LBS owner, who declined to arrange for me to buy the bike through him, always refers to it as "your Huffy" since I went ahead and bought it on-line. 
Steve
Steve