Titanium Road Bikes

[RonK]

No-one has said that in this thread.

You're right... it is the message I received though... and I believe it was the message intended. If not - then why post the info - and - assert it.

Why post the info? Well to put it in context, it was posted as part of a conversation that went like this:

Soon after getting the Baum, I was riding with the bunch at Ocean Grove and Cadel joined us. He told the 2 of us riding Ti bikes that he really liked them and that was enough validation of my decision!!!

And Phil Ligget himself rides a BAum too

So does Cadel - he disliked the Lotto team bike and had a Baum disguised as a Canyon.

It's a simple response to the comment that Phil Liggert rides a Baum. You seem a little touchy about it - are you a Canyon owner perchance?

[Kenzo]

nah, never even seen a Canyon bike.
touchy? Nah, happy with the bikes I own.

[jacks1071]

My recently built Burls Ti road bike weighs in at 8.3kg. (includes computer and bidon holders, double handlebar tape & gel inserts) Ultegra 6700 groupo, TWE clincher wheels 1350gms, Pedals Time RXS, Saddle Brooks Swift Ti, Forks Easton EC90SL. The frame was specified oversize by me to give a long head tube (19cm) longer chain stay (415mm) and longer seat stay to increase the wheelbase length to 1002mm for comfort on long rides.

The cost? All new, parts & components only (I built it) Includes GST and import duties on frame, fork and headset: $5,800

Ride quality is superb and definitely cannot be compared to my compact 2007 Giant TCR-C1. (wheelbase 980mm) The 1st ride on familiar surfaces close to home was a real eye opener!

The frame was manufactured in Russia by people who have long term experience in Ti welding in the Aerospace industry. I believe they produce Colnago's Ti frames.

Oh and all parts are current and fitted perfectly...........

Burls do a really nice Ti frame, I have an Omega that was made in the same Russian factory that Burls use.

If anyone is in the market I'm looking to sell mine as I've changed to a slightly larger frame. This one is about 53.5 top tube or there abouts.

I'll probably get Justin to build me one in the larger size if my Enigma ever breaks.

[bosvit]

Sorry to continue to hijack this thread,

But.....IMO how the book reads is that Cadel was not happy with the head tube height on his time trial bike and Canyon made a custom frame for him.

When he was training in Australia he was unable to get a Canyon (why they couldn't fly one out to him is beyond me...) and had a Baum Ti made to his specs.

No where in the book does it mention or even hint at that he raced a Ti Baum disguised as a Canyon.

What his personal view on the two is I have no idea, just referring to what was actually written in the book.

[Le Velo]

I heard that Julia Gillard is also riding a TI bike !

[ausrandoman]

I have no idea why it matters who does or does not ride a Baum.

[RonK]

I heard that Julia Gillard is also riding a TI bike !

Nah, I'm sure it was MRabbit.

[Le Velo]

I heard that Julia Gillard is also riding a TI bike !

Nah, I'm sure it was MRabbit.

+1

[jacks1071]

I heard that Julia Gillard is also riding a TI bike !

If this is true, I'm guessing it hasn't seen much use.

[twizzle]

...
What his personal view on the two is I have no idea, just referring to what was actually written in the book.

... which was only part of the story.

You would also have to have read the article in BA or Ride (can't remember which) on when he received his team bike.

Not sure why you think he raced on a disguised Baum, not written in this thread and not that I've read anywhere. In Australia, he had a training frame thrown together by Baum to suit his sizing which was painted Canyon white to avoid sponsorship issues. Was it a Ti Baum anyway? Could have been Al... but it was definitely a Baum as he was at their workshop when a mate of mine collected his Baum - my mate got Cadel to sign his top tube (shame it's in black pen on a brown frame, you only see it when it's pointed out).

[symo]

I have a Ritchey Breakaway Titanium road bike with full Dura-Ace 7800 and full Ritchey WCS components with a pair of Ritchey WCS Zeta wheels.
This bike comes apart and fits into a travel bag, about the same size as a normal suitcase.
It's great for interstate and international travel. It's also easy to take apart and assemble.
My bike in the bag with bottles, shoes etc. weigh about 16.5kg.
I've been very impressed with the ride quality.
One cannot detect that the bike comes apart versus a complete frame.
I would recommend to anyone considering a Titanium bike that they wish to travel with.

[Rich-Ti]

I have not read the book, nor do I have any intention to read it, but how does any of this show Cadel 'preferred' Baum over Canyon.. or BMC for that matter?

The friend in this article might be Cadel...

Here's my Baum:



I love it so much I'm getting another built right now.

I don't care what anyone says about "for the price of XYZ other Ti manufacturer...", this bike cost me a flaming fortune but it was worth EVERY last penny. Yes, other brands cost a fraction of what a Baum can cost, but they're also only a fraction as good. Darren is a true master of his art and I genuinely believe he is probably one of, if not the best frame builder on the market today. The guys at Firefly are the only ones who could even vaguely tempt me towards something else.

Be careful with the "Ti is comfortable" cliché too - it depends how the bike is built. Sure, my Lynskey was comfortable, but my Corretto is every bit as stiff as my Cervélo R3 was.

[Comedian]

Well my giant carbon frame is getting a few cracks at the back around the brake mount. I just had it inspected and they reckon it's all good. What's more I've been looking around and noticed that most people that ride a lot seem to change their carbon frames every few years.

I reckon if a Baum lasted me ten years I'd be on bonus time with it financially by the time I'd bought 2/3 carbon bikes. Plus I would have had ten years riding around on bike porn.

[jacks1071]

Well my giant carbon frame is getting a few cracks at the back around the brake mount. I just had it inspected and they reckon it's all good. What's more I've been looking around and noticed that most people that ride a lot seem to change their carbon frames every few years.

I reckon if a Baum lasted me ten years I'd be on bonus time with it financially by the time I'd bought 2/3 carbon bikes. Plus I would have had ten years riding around on bike porn.

10 years as long as you don't crash the wrong way.

[Rich-Ti]

10 years as long as you don't crash the wrong way.

Ahh, but that's the other beauty of Ti: it can be repaired. Carbon can only be patched.

Whole tubes can be cut out and replaced on a Ti bike and, with the right person behind the work, can be done to 99% as good as new.

[Magpie]

"Ahh, but that's the other beauty of Ti: it can be repaired. Carbon can only be patched.

Whole tubes can be cut out and replaced on a Ti bike and, with the right person behind the work, can be done to 99% as good as new."

Don't agree that carbon can only be patched
I have first hand experience sailing /racing a Mumm 30 yacht with a repaired carbon mast that performed as well as original,it had same bend shape and the repair was invisible.

[grasshopper]

"Ahh, but that's the other beauty of Ti: it can be repaired. Carbon can only be patched.

Whole tubes can be cut out and replaced on a Ti bike and, with the right person behind the work, can be done to 99% as good as new."

Don't agree that carbon can only be patched
I have first hand experience sailing /racing a Mumm 30 yacht with a repaired carbon mast that performed as well as original,it had same bend shape and the repair was invisible.

Damn tough riding a yacht up Hotham though.

[chucknitro]

Damn tough riding a yacht up Hotham though.

Going down could be fun.....

[__PG__]

"Ahh, but that's the other beauty of Ti: it can be repaired. Carbon can only be patched.

Whole tubes can be cut out and replaced on a Ti bike and, with the right person behind the work, can be done to 99% as good as new."

Don't agree that carbon can only be patched
I have first hand experience sailing /racing a Mumm 30 yacht with a repaired carbon mast that performed as well as original,it had same bend shape and the repair was invisible.

A couple of relevant links:
http://www.carbonbikerepair.com.au/
http://www.carboncyclerepairs.com.au/

[Kenzo]

and...

http://www.paintmybike.com.au/CarbonRepairs.aspx

[Disciple]

Hi Guys,

For what it is worth...

I own a Baum Cubano, it is my second after getting t boned by a car back in Feb. The basic evolution of my road bikes is as follows:
1. Steel
2. Alu Avanti
3. Carbon Trek 5500 (yes it was a team postal version)
4. Carbon Cervelo R3
5. Ti Baum x 2

I cannot explain in detail the differences, suffice to say I believe each bike has been better than the previous one. Yes, Baums are expensive, I bought mine after 6 months in a little country between Pakistan and Iran so I figured I was due an reward! When I was fitted at Baum for my first Cubano, Darren spent a lot of time working on the fit and how I wanted the bike to ride, my R3 was, until that point; the best ride I had encountered. I asked Darren to give the Cubano similar ride feel, he achieved this and more! From the first ride I was amazed (this may just be the custom sizing etc...).

What amazes me is how many people think because it is Ti it will be a noodle, one LBS have even warned me that I will drop the chain in sprints due to flex. I am 194 cm and 92 kg, I have raced for about 2 years, I am no pro level cyclist but I put out decent watts and have found both Baums to be as stiff as my R3 (as far as I can tell), the chain does not rub on the front derailiuer (spelling?) even under full power, something that was a real issue on my CF Trek. The Baum is stiff enough to crack the odd KOM on Stava up here in the Blue Mountains as well.

Given my size the first Baum, essentially a 60 cm frame, weighed 7.33 kg w/o pedals with a record 11 speed build and Fulcrum zero wheels. Pic of this is on the superlight bike thread somewhere. I fully recommend Baum for anyone looking at taking the plunge, The personal service and build exactly to your requirements are awesome. I am suer other reputable Ti builders are also making sweet rides as well!

[bprb]

Thanks for sharing Disciple. Out of curiosity, was the second Cubano a straight replica of the first, or did you change anything for the second one?

[Le Velo]

Hi Guys,

For what it is worth...

I own a Baum Cubano, it is my second after getting t boned by a car back in Feb. The basic evolution of my road bikes is as follows:
1. Steel
2. Alu Avanti
3. Carbon Trek 5500 (yes it was a team postal version)
4. Carbon Cervelo R3
5. Ti Baum x 2

I cannot explain in detail the differences, suffice to say I believe each bike has been better than the previous one. Yes, Baums are expensive, I bought mine after 6 months in a little country between Pakistan and Iran so I figured I was due an reward! When I was fitted at Baum for my first Cubano, Darren spent a lot of time working on the fit and how I wanted the bike to ride, my R3 was, until that point; the best ride I had encountered. I asked Darren to give the Cubano similar ride feel, he achieved this and more! From the first ride I was amazed (this may just be the custom sizing etc...).

What amazes me is how many people think because it is Ti it will be a noodle, one LBS have even warned me that I will drop the chain in sprints due to flex. I am 194 cm and 92 kg, I have raced for about 2 years, I am no pro level cyclist but I put out decent watts and have found both Baums to be as stiff as my R3 (as far as I can tell), the chain does not rub on the front derailiuer (spelling?) even under full power, something that was a real issue on my CF Trek. The Baum is stiff enough to crack the odd KOM on Stava up here in the Blue Mountains as well.

Given my size the first Baum, essentially a 60 cm frame, weighed 7.33 kg w/o pedals with a record 11 speed build and Fulcrum zero wheels. Pic of this is on the superlight bike thread somewhere. I fully recommend Baum for anyone looking at taking the plunge, The personal service and build exactly to your requirements are awesome. I am suer other reputable Ti builders are also making sweet rides as well!

+1 ..... Owning a corretto myself I have not had any issues with chain drop and have used the bike in racing and have had some of the best sprint top speeds due to the power transfer in the BB and its stiffness
I'd ride and race my Baum any day of the week (unless it's wet ) lol ....

[Disciple]

Thanks for sharing Disciple. Out of curiosity, was the second Cubano a straight replica of the first, or did you change anything for the second one?

Second Cubano is the same frame build in terms of geometry and fork, different colour. Transferred what was still usable from the old one onto the new one (seat, crank and gears) and replaced everything else like for like. I changed the wheels to a set of hand built HED Belgium C2 rims on Chris King R45 hubs as the roads up here in the mountains are anything but smooth. The wheels are another story, suffice to say I believe these are every bit as good as the Fulcrums.

[Comedian]

Well I don't want to start a carbon hating thread in here. However, I've noticed that my current bike is a little flexible when I stand on the pedals. I've noted several times that over big bumps it flexes significantly and just thought this was a good thing. Anyway, today I stood there with the brakes on and leant on one pedal a bit. We noted that not only does the carbon crank bend, but the whole frame does an impression of a fish. I can see the whole thing bending and people looking from the front claim to see it twist alarmingly. Now I'm not going to panic, about this as...

A) I am not concerned that it will cause a failure.
B) It may have been doing it all along - and I've never noticed before.
C) It may be completely normal for this to happen in a static (and not realistic) test like this.

So, my concerns about this is that it must be affecting my power transfer. How much does it matter? Who knows. This week I'll be conducting experiments with my riding buddies to see if in fact it is normal. I'll report back and if it appears it's just my bike and no one elses I might do a separate thread on it. For the record, it's a large framed 2010 Giant Defy with just under 20k on it. I'm about 76kg and clearly do a bit of riding but aint no A-grader.

I'm going to see what this week brings ... go see a few bike shops and talk to some people. My friends are pleading with me to just order one to save them their misery.