Cycling UK Forum

re breakage/repair; I guess (even with a steel frame...) it all depends on whether you think you might be touring in (drum roll....)

Outer Mongolia!

From this POV steel is a comfort. But then again, realistically, there are various splint-type bodges that might have to be used for a while regardless of the frame material. Also if you did get a 'blacksmith repair', how much further would you willingly ride it anyway?

cheers

I have been riding a Van Nicholas Yukon for the past 11 years and I really like it. As others have said, the main advantage over a steel frame is that it is easier to keep looking smart because there is no risk of rust, scratched or flaking paint. Having said that, I also have a Thorn steel MTB of a similar age that still looks as good as new but I do wash it it after every outing.

I have a Litespeed from 1994. It is a lovely long distance rider. However you can build Ti frames to be jarringly stiff as well, depending on tubing selection.
It's not perfect: the rear brake bridge is a little low which limits tyre size to 23c or so and I would prefer the water bottle bosses to be slightly differently positioned. However for a bike that I have owned for a very long time that's small complaint. It still looks like new due to the unpainted finish.

I have two titanium bikes, an Enigma Etape and a Sonder Camino Ti. I also have a carbon race bike and a couple of all mtb

The carbon is fastest, but I find it too fragile. Im on my third frame in 7 years and I only use it for fast club runs. I think this one is on its way out - I recently had it x-rayed.

I've ridden the Enigma all over the world touring, and it's my winter bike. I wear out the components but the frame is as good as new. Very comfortable and almost but not quite as fast as carbon. That said I did a 4 hour hundred on it last year with panniers so it's not slow.

I rarely ride the aluminium bikes. I just haven't sold them because they are practically worthless 2nd hand, and handy to keep for mtb'ing

When the carbon goes again I'll replace with a Ti racer.

Post by mnichols » 9 Dec 2016, 9:21pm
I have two titanium bikes, an Enigma Etape and a Sonder Camino Ti. I also have a carbon race bike and a couple of all
mtb

What do you reckon of your Sonder Camino TI? I have been eyeing one up myself.

I've had a Litespeed for 10 years and I'm very pleased with it. Day rides and light touring. Only one negative is that Ti has a tendency to amplify any noise elsewhere on the bike - anything that's marginally loose and you'll know about it! This could be taken as a bonus (being warned early about a bolt coming loose) but can be annoying sometimes.

Vetus Ossa wrote:A question for titanium frame owners.
Are you happy with yours and would you buy another one.

Yes and Yes.

Lovely to ride and looks a million dollars......A 100% 'Keeper'........

700c wrote:Does anyone with a Ti frame worry about it breaking while on a tour?

That has never once entered my head.........

rotavator wrote:

Post by mnichols » 9 Dec 2016, 9:21pm
I have two titanium bikes, an Enigma Etape and a Sonder Camino Ti. I also have a carbon race bike and a couple of all
mtb

What do you reckon of your Sonder Camino TI? I have been eyeing one up myself.

That's why this Forum is so very dangerous. That which is known cannot now be unknown

700c wrote:

robgul wrote:Nope - my understanding is that welding Ti is a VERY specialised process - not your ordinary blacksmith with an arc or gas welding kit.

Rob

That's my understanding too, which is the only thing putting me off purchasing...

I wouldn't want to get caught out in the middle of nowhere with a busted seat
stay for example, and not be able to get it repaired easily and without much fuss...

I'm not sure steel tubes with their relatively thin walls are repairable by everyone with an arc welder. My first instinct if a tube broke in the back of beyond would be to go Ray Mears and try doing a fix with whittled wood, etc. That would have a bit of entertainment value. In real life I have never broken a bike tube and don't expect to. I've been cycling without stabilisers for about 50 years without a broken tube so I'll take a chance with what remains of my cycling life. I'm not going to avoid titanium just because of anxiety over possible mishaps.

pwa wrote:
I'm not sure steel tubes with their relatively thin walls are repairable by everyone with an arc welder. My first instinct if a tube broke in the back of beyond would be to go Ray Mears and try doing a fix with whittled wood, etc. That would have a bit of entertainment value. In real life I have never broken a bike tube and don't expect to. I've been cycling without stabilisers for about 50 years without a broken tube so I'll take a chance with what remains of my cycling life. I'm not going to avoid titanium just because of anxiety over possible mishaps.

Also been cycling for 50+ years without ever breaking a frame, perhaps I’ve been lucky though to be honest I seldom find myself in the back of beyond. Even if I did I most definitely wouldn’t worry about what the frame was built from.
Probably would be a good idea to take Ray Mears with you though…just in case.

rotavator wrote:

Post by mnichols » 9 Dec 2016, 9:21pm
I have two titanium bikes, an Enigma Etape and a Sonder Camino Ti. I also have a carbon race bike and a couple of all
mtb

What do you reckon of your Sonder Camino TI? I have been eyeing one up myself.

I love it, it's just great fun I live in the sticks and use it for thrashing around the muddy lanes and tracks

I bought it to go touring in countries where the roads may turn to dust, dirt and sand

I love the splayed drops, but they get some disapproving looks

It's basically a cross between a MTB and a road bike, which is exactly what I wanted. Reasonably fast on tarmac but I can take it offroad as well

I'm not convinced about the wheels, but I haven’t had any problems with them. They seem fast, light and robust. They just seem too good to be true for the money

Can a front mudguard be fitted? I notice that their forks (made of the material whose name shall not be mentioned...) aren't drilled.

But the forks, made from that same material, which are fitted to the Camino Al do have "drillings" for panniers even!

I know everyone has their own views but that particular bike is very close to my vision of a one-bike-does-all model.