Ti Road Bikes

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I'm looking into the market of titanium road bikes because they will last me until I die. I've considered several different companies. I was thinking of either Moots, Merlin, or Independent Fabrication. Any suggestions on what is hot and what is not and WHY? Thanks for your help!

I'm looking into the market of titanium road bikes because they will last me until I die. I've considered several different companies. I was thinking of either Moots, Merlin, or Independent Fabrication. Any suggestions on what is hot and what is not and WHY? Thanks for your help!
A couple of non-US suggestions, just to be different:

Enigma (http://www.enigmabikes.com/)
Van Nicholas (http://www.vannicholas.com/ResLib/WbmNews.aspx)

I'd recommend Serotta, since I have one (very cool bike) but I'm not sure they even make a full titanium frame any more, having gone down the mixed material route, which doesn't interest me.

I'm looking into the market of titanium road bikes because they will last me until I die. I've considered several different companies. I was thinking of either Moots, Merlin, or Independent Fabrication. Any suggestions on what is hot and what is not and WHY? Thanks for your help!

Blatant obvious response from me is

Moots. Small company, very finest welds in the industry, great ride, long history. I have one and it rides like a dream.

Merlin is a Litespeed

IF is another good choice but their 'history' is with other materials(steel). That doesn't mean anything but I'm big fan of Moots..followed by Lynskey.

A bit more of a production frame, with features that do little to make the frame better. They also paint.

A couple of non-US suggestions, just to be different:

Enigma (http://www.enigmabikes.com/)
Van Nicholas (http://www.vannicholas.com/ResLib/WbmNews.aspx)

I'd recommend Serotta, since I have one (very cool bike) but I'm not sure they even make a full titanium frame any more, having gone down the mixed material route, which doesn't interest me.

Ben has always been a sucker for gadgets..like carbon plugs ,carbon butt ends, flexy, suspension rear ends(dum) and such. He has forgotten what got him where he is..well made steel and titanium. The ottrott and mevici are a joke.

I'm looking into the market of titanium road bikes because they will last me until I die. I've considered several different companies. I was thinking of either Moots, Merlin, or Independent Fabrication. Any suggestions on what is hot and what is not and WHY? Thanks for your help!
Moots is hard to beat for a quality of titanium and assembly.
I ride an older Serrotta Legend all titanium and love the ride. I had both Litespeed and Merlin, but Serotta beats them both for quality of assembly.... but I think Moots is even better than my Serotta.
Most titanium frames come with a carbon fiber fork. I changed my Serotta from their F1 to F2 fork and noticed a difference... I made the change because I wanted a threadless fork, but I also like the way it rides better.
For me the fit is most important and being able to use the tires I like. You should ride the models you are considering and pick a shop that will deal with the details that makes your new bicycle fit you and your style of riding.

Just out of curiosity, what would a normal (non-sloping) Moots road frame go for (non-custom sizing). I could not find prices on their website...

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, the sexiness factor of a bicycle of a big factor in my purchase of a bike. What company makes sexy bikes that are also functional?

Just out of curiosity, what would a normal (non-sloping) Moots road frame go for (non-custom sizing). I could not find prices on their website...

$2725

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, the sexiness factor of a bicycle of a big factor in my purchase of a bike. What company makes sexy bikes that are also functional?

if ya want sexy and functional

http://waterfordbikes.com/now/modelthis.php?blobid=595&bwid=202

$2725That is not bad at all converted into good ole Euros these days...

That is not bad at all converted into good ole Euros these days...

It's a great time to be in a member state of the EEC. When I bought my Moots Compact a few years ago, it was $2300. It's been a great frame, but, alas, I have to tweak my position, and there's another frame in the shadows that will fit better. I like the Compact Moots much more than the Waterford I had.

Well if this exchange rate situation continues I may have to plan a quick trip to los estados unidos and see what Moots has 'off the shelf'... :cool:

It's a great time to be in a member state of the EEC. When I bought my Moots Compact a few years ago, it was $2300. It's been a great frame, but, alas, I have to tweak my position, and there's another frame in the shadows that will fit better. I like the Compact Moots much more than the Waterford I had.

I have a Moots Vamoots wet weather bike and the Waterford. Altho different, both are great rides, IMHO. I'm a big believer in riding what ya sell, and we sell mostly Moots and Waterford.

Hard to get a bad bike or frame these days, in terms of quality and function. May not fit and the components may not work but the basic design today is pretty good. Way to much in terms of gadgets and gizmos, lots of marketeering going on today, but the basic bike is pretty good.

Nothing really created for about 2 decades that actually makes cycling 'better(clipless pedals, index, lever mounted shifting....) but bikes pretty good these days.(topic creep-guilty)

Well if this exchange rate situation continues I may have to plan a quick trip to los estados unidos and see what Moots has 'off the shelf'... :cool:

Well, yer in luck. I'll have my Look frame in about 1.5 weeks, and then my mootsie, complete with Reynolds fork, pink CK headset, and AX-Daedalus seatpost go up for sale.

I'll even throw in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that you can take with you on your next ride.

Well, yer in luck. I'll have my Look frame in about 1.5 weeks, and then my mootsie, complete with Reynolds fork, pink CK headset, and AX-Daedalus seatpost go up for sale.

I'll even throw in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that you can take with you on your next ride.Cool beans. But hold the PB&J, NYC bagels and scallion cream cheese, or no deal...

I own a lugged steel Serotta, and while I have never ridden a Ti bike Serotta makes several of them. I recommend that you check them out based on my satisfaction with my own bike. http://www.serotta.com/index.html

I own a lugged steel Serotta, and while I have never ridden a Ti bike Serotta makes several of them. I recommend that you check them out based on my satisfaction with my own bike. http://www.serotta.com/index.htmlAs long as you don't mind carbon mixed in with your Ti. :) But I agree they make awesomely good bikes.

" Roark"
http://www.roarkcycle.com/

Ok, for exotic and expensive, try passoni (http://www.passoni.com/). Better be ready for sticker shock compounded by exchange rate shock if you are earning USD though!

I could be seen on this... :cool: