bigskyTi

Not to cloud the issue, but here is a pretty good list.

https://users.skynet.be/lichtsnelheid/TITANIUM/links.htm

Also you might check out Scott Quiring @ quiringcycles.com

Habanero is going to be the closest to what you are looking for at the least amount of coin. Good luck and have fun.

jfmckenna

I too am curious why you want the straight gauge tubing? My Moots is straight gauge and it's fine but a butted tube set might liven it up a bit, it certainly does with steal.

I've seen some really nice Hamsten TI bikes, I think those are made by Moots, could be wrong, but they are not a dull finish (which btw I really like)

bigtea

I think if you buy any of the higher end bikes (assuming you have budget) you'll be very happy. I bought a Litespeed Siena recently and love it.

Farby

I think you are right. there is one on ebay right now

https://cgi.ebay.com/Moots-Vamoots-57...QQcmdZViewItem

gv1256

i hear dean makes some pretty okay bikes but it takes a while to get a hold of one

guttata

I have a Habenero Team Issue frame, and I love it. I came from an Airborne frame (now flite?), and that one bent on the rear dropout during some rear derailer suckage. The Habanero Team Issue is insanely beefy in the back, much beefier than the Airborne Zeppelin I had.

I'd recommend Habanero highly. The only thing I don't like about them is their logos (Looks like they were made with the GIMP in about 5 minutes )

tokyo_cycler

What's not modern about this frame?

patentcad

I may be the only BF member here who has had a straight guage Ti bike and now rides a butted Ti road bike. The latter is far superior, at least of the two Ti bikes I have owned (Merlin followed by an Ibis Ti Road).

edogawa

Panasonic/National still make a lot of bikes domestically, mostly shopping/commuting bikes but they have the POS division (funny name! piece of ****?) that makes the Panasonic Order System bikes.

https://www.panabyc.co.jp/products/pos/pos.html

I know it would be very difficult to get one outside Japan, but I highly recommend them. Very good value for superb quality hand built frames (but not if you have to have it imported).

A custom geometry straight gauge titanium frame is only 165,000 yen. You can get a stock geometry one (1cm increments) with your choice of color for the same price but you get a carbon steerer carbon fork, tange headset and generic stem thrown in.

riversiderider

I will be going with https://davidsonbicycles.com/ when I pull the trigger.

I visited their shop in Seattle a couple of months ago and got a brief tour of the facilities. I contacted them via email afterwards and have been having an ongoing dialogue with Bob Freeman about custom bike design, materials and such. They have been making frames for many years and I will be putting my trust in them.

ual747captain

Why straight gauge and not butted tube you asked? After talking to a few builders on my concern butted tube as it has materials removed to lighten the frame and they said if weight is not the factor then straight tube should do the job. I am not concerned on weight considering I'm 5'10" at 195 lbs. and I am riding for recreation and not using this in competition. I feel the weight issue is not as important to me as durability and stiffness. I am really not that concerned on a slightly lighter frame that is couple of pounds lighter. I am more concerned on durability and flex issue. With my weight what I am looking for is stiffness, when I am standing on it as I'm peddling putting the power down and torque on it I want to make sure it is solid with no flex. Guys I am only looking to builders in the USA because it is easier and less hassle with freight, time zones and communications. I am looking at household names as they are known and specializing for their titanium frames, not companies that is Jack of all trades. You mentioned Litespeed, custom Litspeeds start at $3600 and up. Why would I want a Litespeed when I can have a Lynskey or a Seven for the same at a thousand less? Yes, a Litespeed for $3600 or a Seven $2500, what would you want? I am not looking at spend $4000 for a frame when I can spend $2500 that will do the job just as well. Why flush $1500 when I can use that toward a group set? Thanks for all your input as I will look at some of these builders mention and go from there.

sstorkel

If you want stiffness, you probably want butted tubing! Butts allow the tubing to have a larger diameter (= more stiffness) without paying a huge weight penalty. As long as the wall thickness doesn't get too thin, a butted frame should still be plenty durable. Sounds like you might want to do a bit more research and perhaps talk to a few frame builders, before you make a final decision.

ual747captain

Yes, when I talked to a few of the builders, the tube set is going to be used is oversize tubing through out, but especially on the downtube seat & chain stays. As most said if the concern isn't a weight issue then straight gauge will be fine as butted removes material away and that will thin the walls down.

dogpound

Independent hands down.

patentcad

For cripes sake just get the butted tubing commander. I'll make yo a deal: don't question Uncle Pcad on this, and I won't knock on the cockpit door and tell you how to fly the 747. But I would like to still get the free nuts and soda if we can work that out, high Jet A prices notwithstanding.

TTULaw

I had narrowed my selection to Desalvo, Moots, Temple, Seven, and Lynskey. I never called Seven, but after talking with the folks at Lynskey, I was sold. Every company I spoke with was nice, but I was amazed at the personal attention Lynskey provided. My local shop measured me. I worked with my LBS and David Cash at Lynskey to figure out if I needed custom or stock geometry. Stock was fine so I was able to get the House blend 320 instead of a level 2 custom. The bike is beautiful. I wanted a custom paint and etching job (I still need to figure out how to post pictures). Jaime who does the graphics at Lynskey must have sent me 20 proofs until I was happy. My bike arrived in about 2 or 3 weeks after I finally said "go". It is amazing. This nicest bike I have seen. It rides wonderfully. I'm still too slow, but the bike is great. Something to consider. Does the frame you are looking at come with a fork (if you need one). Follow the advice I got. Call the companies. I figured if they took the time to answer my stupid questions, (straight or butted) they would take the time to make sure my bike is perfect.

patentcad

I'm a sucker for those Lynskey bikes. I agree with TTU Law. Their House Blend this and House Blend that confuses the crap out of me, but I think they could come up with a bike that would fit me.

merlinextraligh

+1. For example a Merlin Extralight is stiffer than a Merlin made with striaght guage tubing, because the Extralight's tubes are oversized, butted, and shaped, making a lighter and stiffer frame.

If you're going to go custom, why not let the builder spec the tubing based on your size, weight, and priorities, instead of just locking in on straight guage tubing.

abqhudson

You might want to talk to Jim Kish at Kish Fabrication - he does beautiful work.

jfmckenna

Years ago I read an article on straight vs butted tubing in steal and the claim was that the butted tubes were stronger even though they use less material. It went into details but I can't remember it. None the less my straight gauge Moots is the best riding bike I ever rode.

BengeBoy 

+1.

Budget will also play a role.

HAMMER MAN

i am still conversing with david @ lynskey,e-mailed him the geometry on my serotta and waterford and asked for his thoughts and input.
suggestion was house blend # 3
or custom # 3.
super nice people .

each day that goes by I keep leaning towards lynskey

nadimk

https://www.baumcycles.com/bikes/road_romano.html

Expensive though, but would be my choice for my next custom bike.

tedshuck

The Lynskey level 1 series uses butted tubing. I have one and love it. They were great to work with on the design.

grahny

I think you described a Moots Vamoots right there with your requirements. I almost went with a Moots, but their geometry didn't work for me and I see no need to go custom as there's lots of stock frames with different geometries out there.

Lynskey FTW. Great bike. Great people. I was out riding this morning thinking to myself how pleased I am with mine.