Late to the party - 2000 Litespeed Vortex (55 cm stock size) bought used in 2003. King headset, Gunnar steel fork, Chorus 10 mainly from early 2000's, Rolf Vector Pro wheels. I can't see myself ever buying another road bike as long as this one works.
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My b-day present for turning 60 in January. A custom not stock size Vamoots RSL. The stack on the 55 and 56cm model were too tall for my position. I sent Moots the build specs from my Alchemy Xanthus and Breadwinner Lolo. Fits exactly like my Alchemy

94 or 95 Litespeed Catalyst, took it out for its first ride today. Still needs a few finishing touches.

Well, it's a classic, but C&V doesn't seem to dig it. This was waiting for me, about 4 pages in on Craigslist. I've been Ti-curious, so I brought it home. It seems to be a 97 Castanza, which I understand was built by TST for Dean.
I'm not nuts about the wishbone seatstay, but I don't imagine I'll try to change it. The welds are just stunning, IMHO.

That LiteSpeed sure looks like my Merlin with the same wheels as post 118 of this thread.

f you're going to the trouble of white handlebar tape, you should at least have a white saddle. It will look much cooler.

another rebuilt.
94 Litespeed Ultimate
Litespeed Titanium stem
Dura Ace seatpost (polished)
Nokon Cables
Chris King headset and Bottom bracket
King SS Cages
Dura Ace 9000 50x34 crankset with 11x32 cassette.
Dura Ace 9000 GS Rear Derrailleur.
Dura Ace 7810 pedals
Mavic Kysium Elite wheels
Conti GP4000 28mm tires
Fizik Kurve Bull saddle.

First Ti build.
Not sure if it’s the Merckx century geometry, or the frame material. But this is the nicest riding bike I’ve ever owned. Makes me want to sell my carbon roadie.

Columbus minimal 1”
105 5800 groupset
Reynolds Carbon clinchers

AFAIK, Litespeed built Merckx Ti frames to Merckx's specs and geometry. Your AX looks reminiscent of an LS Classic, and the down tube looks biaxially ovalized like some LS frames just before they started into all this "geometrically enhanced tubing" malarky. In any case - beautiful frame, and I imagine rides like a dream - Merckx frames were/are legendary for their long stage comfort.

The Titanium logo looks like Merlin's typeface?

Of those that have owned multiple Ti bikes from famous builders, can anybody comment who makes the best riding frame overall? Seven, Lynskey, Litespeed, Moots? Somebody else?

Any Ti addicts here who owned most of the above and have an opinion and can perhaps even posit why one maker gets it right over another?

Thanks
PS: I toy with building up a Ti bike...
There is a Moots on ebay right now. A 58cm tall. Pretty remarkably it shares virtually identical geometry to the 58cm Roubaix I ride also with a 120mm stem. I would consider buying it, but it isn't exactly what I would prefer in terms of groupset and wheels and so I would end up changing it anyway. Also the Lynskey R265...an endurance geometry, triple butted Ti available right off the rack has almost identical stack and reach to the bike below for less money:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/u.../rp-prod157039


Question is...if going Ti, who makes the best?...understanding this is a very subjective question but perhaps somebody has experience with different brands with an opinion.

Moots on ebay presently with 58cm Roubaix geometry for those interested:

If you are looking for the "best", you have to specify your purpose.. best for what? racing crits? cyclocross? stage races? long hours 6+ in the saddle? casual century rides? best without budget limit?

I've been riding titanium frames since 1996, I have had owned or ridden titanium frames from Ibis, Sandvik (DBR), Voodoo, Yeti, Merlin, Litespeed, Independent Fabrication, Lynskey.. Sometimes, a different seatpost, stem or handlebar can make a frame ride totally different.
I think more importantly is to define what you are looking to accomplish (and how much you plan on spending) with your next titanium frame; not which manufacturer makes the best.

But wait! There's more! I have stainless ones on my Engin ti. My ex has them on her steel IF. One of hers actually broke. Low and behold, we went to the Philly Bike Expo and there was King bending cages in his booth. He had some completed and gave her a replacement for free. What a nice gesture.

Fair Point.
In descending order of importance...you may have been able to deduce...NOT a crit bike. Bike geometry I posted is clearly an endurance geometry.

In terms of relative import:
1. ratio of vertical compliance aka smooth, absorbant ride but with good out of the saddle frame stiffness. I am 6'1" and 180 lbs of lean, old cycling body.

2. low weight. Straight wall Ti frames are both cheaper and heavier

3. cost. More open on cost understanding that an off the shelf Ti straight tube bike is going to be cheaper than a custom bike.

4. want BSA BB like everybody else and external cable routing.


Thanks for your perspective.

I got some Titanium pulleys with sealed bearings, they're on my rather heavy touring bike..

Given your criteria and physical dimensions, doesn't seem that there is a need to spend for custom titanium frame.

If your riding style is more out-of-saddle-power; you may benefit from an upper-end titanium frame with shapely tubes that offer directional compliance & slight better power transfer.. but a decent pair of wheels and tires can do that, too.

If you can afford it, try a budget ti frame for a few years, they can be found under $500-600.. If you enjoy the ride, then find a higher-end ti frame for long-term.

Personally, the allure of titanium frame is no need for upkeep.
I ride my bikes in all weather, rain, snow (salt), mud and I rarely clean my bikes.
No paint to scratch or chip, no cleaning needed for ti frame to look good.

Is that the original fork? Is it titanium?

Whatever it is, it is gorgeous. The straight blades and aero lugs make the bike look like it has come to do business.


-Tim-

Looks like a Colnago steel fork to me.

Thanks cat, appreciate it.
Shapely tubes make sense as they have different bending resistance in different planes not unlike a carbon bike as you know. Do you have any suggestion for a Ti maker that produces a bike with with asymmetric tubing? Seems like most Ti mfr's make a bike with more or less straight tubes although some may graduate wall thickness to create desired flex and reduce weight.

Thanks again.

AFAIK, there are less than a handful of companies that make titanium tubing for bicycle frame usage, frame manufacturers buy the tubing from those companies and weld the tubing to spec. for their frame.
Litespeed was the first and only frame manufacture that made their own shapely titanium tubing back in early 90's, many man-hours involved to shape a single tube.
Ibis was the first frame manufacture to use internally butted titanium tubing for their Ti-Road frame.
Sandvik was the largest titanium tubing manufacture for bicycle frame usage.
All that could have changed nowadays, I think Lynskey also have shaped tubes for their frames.

My workhorse 2001 Litespeed Ultimate has shapely tube, rear wheel cut-out, curved rear stays. I've been riding it since 2004.


I'd like to think that it is the most "shapely" you can get with a mass-produced titanium frame, besides the time trial frame: 2001 Blade

Have never seen that model Litespeed before. Very cool and thanks for all the advice on Ti.
Much appreciated!

Thanks

No it is not the original fork, when I got the frame it came with an 1' Reynolds threadless carbon fork. If I can find a polished Ti fork I might replace it. It is a chromed steel fork, some what of a weight penalty.

Its a colongo styled far east special.

Meet the new Lynskey R470 Disc. It rolls on Industry Nine 45 wheels. I added the Ti seatpost, etched graphics and Ti head badge. Fabric Line saddle and Elite cages and bottles. Still a few more things to add or swap but I love it so far.