By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BeFirsTrankBeFirsTrank
  • Home
  • Car Reviews
  • Auto Shows
  • Bike Reviews
  • Future
  • New Car
  • Used Car
  • Contact Us !
Reading: Nothing Like It: Titanium Dream Bikes
Share
Aa
Aa
BeFirsTrankBeFirsTrank
  • Home
  • Car Reviews
  • Auto Shows
  • Bike Reviews
  • Future
  • New Car
  • Used Car
  • Contact Us !
Search
  • Home
  • Car Reviews
  • Auto Shows
  • Bike Reviews
  • Future
  • New Car
  • Used Car
  • Contact Us !
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2023 BeFirsTrank News Network
Bike Reviews

Nothing Like It: Titanium Dream Bikes

anik
Last updated: 2015/12/22 at 4:52 AM
By anik 4 Min Read
Share
SHARE

Today, the competition to build frames that are ever lighter, stiffer, and more aerodynamic has made carbon composites the most desired material for performance road bikes. But to some of the grand masters of bike building, and to a select number of revered engineers and designers who have tried all the materials, there is still nothing quite like titanium.

“You can use body English with a ti bike because it has some springiness that lets the bike react to you,” says Rob Vandermark, who created that iconic Extra Light. “With a stiffer bike, particularly newer carbon bikes, the stiffness initially feels really good, but there’s no interaction.”

Vandermark, an early employee at Merlin Cycles and founder of Seven Cycles, has a nearly unmatched pedigree in custom-bike circles. One person at his level is Tom Kellogg, whose frames were ridden to two professional world championships and 20 national titles ­between 1977 and 1980, a track record that led to his ­collaboration with Vandermark on the Extra Light. Among custom and production builders, Kellogg’s own Spectrum bikes are some of the most respected in the world—even though they’re made with the untrendy gray metal. He points to ti’s nonlinear modulus as the source of the metal’s unique ride: That characteristic means the more force you apply, the harder it becomes to bend. “If you try to bend a piece it will at first give a little,” says Kellogg. “But the further you try to flex it, the more resistant it becomes.” On the road, that trait means you know exactly what’s going on at the intersection of your tire and the pavement—a sensation demanded by performance-oriented riders—but the initial flex means you’re not bothered by rough pavement. Bikes made from steel, aluminum, and carbon can also achieve that result, it’s just that titanium does so with a blend of ride sensations nothing else quite matches, kind of like the way any alcoholic beverage can get you inebriated but only a single-malt Scotch possesses its distinctive, refined combination of tastes.

Tom Kellogg, the man behind Spectrum Cycles, helped to modernize Ti frames. (Joshua Simpson)

Vandermark and Kellogg also point to ti’s longevity—the metal does not rust or corrode, is less likely to be damaged in a crash than bikes made from other materials, and has a longer fatigue life than steel or aluminum. But those are additional benefits, nice qualities to get in a new bike, rather than an abiding reason to buy one. Put simply: It’s all about the ride. We tested five custom bikes to find out if that mysterious, magic ride feel still stands out in the era of carbon. And we found ourselves in agreement with Vandermark, who told us, “Ti will never be back to its former heyday, but we’re seeing it becoming a larger share of our business at Seven. There’s some backlash against the limitations of the carbon ride as the material is pushed to be as light and stiff as possible. It’s great to see good riders enjoy titanium bikes in a way that stiffer frames just won’t allow.”

[“source-bicycling”]

You Might Also Like

Motor SRC 500 Review: A Powerful Cruiser

Super Power Dollar 70 vs Honda CD70 | Local vs. Japanese

Himiway A7 Ace Metropolitan Suburbanite e-bicycle survey

‘New’ Honda Disc 70 Dream 2025 – A Survey

1O Fascinating TRICYCLE Realities TO Knock YOUR Socks off!!

TAGGED: Nothing Like It, Titanium Dream Bikes
anik December 22, 2015
Share
Previous Article Batman v Superman Trailer Shows Villain Spoilers, Wayne Driving Aston and Batwing
Next Article 2016 INDIAN SCOUT SIXTY – FIRST RIDE REVIEW

Calendar

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

Latest Trending News

  • How the future will be altered by artificial intelligence May 27, 2025
  • Cybersecurity audit: what it is and why you need one? May 19, 2025
  • Over the Next Ten Years, the Used Car Industry May 8, 2025
  • Beyond the Map: What Modern Vehicle Tracking Can Do for Your Business May 3, 2025
  • What Should My Video Game Room Have? April 28, 2025
  • Personalized advertising fuels growth and drives competitiveness for European businesses April 28, 2025
  • Personalization, AI, and the future of retail April 14, 2025

© 2023 Befirstrank News Network. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?