My Waltly Ti frame #2 (29er)

[tripleDot]

It's my second custom titanium frame from Chinese company Waltly Titanium. That should be enough to say that I was very happy with the first one.

This project was finalized around March 24th. But Amy of Waltly and I had been on the planning state since Feb 11. The main reason for the long planning was because my original project was a 29 plus bike but we hit a lot of bumps and what I wanted & would not compromise... a rather short chainstay, was as of now, not doable. I can't fault them at that as I am aware it wasn't going to be an easy task to do with titanium. Still we went at it for about a month until I settled with my fallback design, which is a 29er largely based on a Niner S.I.R. 9. Also holidays in China got in the way too. In the end, all I can say is Amy had extraordinary patience & very accomodating.

While the frame was finished and shipped to me as early as May 9th, it is only today that I received it. The long delay was caused by the COVID-19 lockdown. But it's here now and I'm pretty excited.

I'm sure the first thing you'd want to know is the weight. Well, it's actually lighter than I expect it would be (which was over 2kg) but it tip the scale at 1.952kg (this includes the pair of brake/TA/dropout brackets but without TA).

(Edit) 1.952kg also includes seatpost collar.

These were the features I wanted for this custom bike frame:
1. tire clearance for 29x2.35
2. boost rear hub (12x148) thru axle
3. 44/56mm head tube for tapered fork (1-1/8" - 1-1/2”)
4. internal cabling (brake hose, rear shifter cable & dropper post)
5. sliding dropout for post mount brake
6. seatpost 31.6mm
7. 3 bottle cage mounts
8. water drain hole under BB & chainstay
9. curved seat tube (like Niner SIR)
10. oval chainstay tubes
11. threaded bottom bracket BSA (English 73mm)
12. Ti tubes with polished finish
13. set rider weight w/ gears at 200lbs (91kg), I'm 165lbs (75kg)
14. 40T chainring

[tripleDot]

The plans...
Niner S.I.R. 9 (size MD) & Waltly's design specs.

Cost:
Frame with TA, brackets & seatpost collar - $800.00 (discounted)
Extra brackets - $35.00
PayPal charges - $42.00
DHL Shipping - $200.00

I got a $30.00 discount for being a returning customer. I always ship with EMS which cost me $60-70... I lived in Asia. But due to COVID lockdown, I was left only with DHL. It is still a pain to think DHL cost that high.

[tripleDot]

Some detail shots of the frame.

[carbonazza]

Wow... that looks so cool ! Another Ti build.
I need to refrain myself, I just ordered an FM936, that is more than enough for this year...

They must have had a lot of welding fun for the inner routing endings !

Do you plan to make it single speed at some point ?

[tripleDot]

Do you plan to make it single speed at some point ?

Perhaps a few years from now. At the moment, the plan is this one will be geared while the gravel bike will be converted to single speed.

[bxcc]

That's a nice looking frame! The geometry is pretty close to what's currently in production for me. You should definitely be happy with that one.

Couple of questions.
1. Seat tube: how does your post fit in the frame? My drawing shows the same 31.75mm diameter and I'm concerned it could be a bit big.
2. 29 plus fail: How short were the stays that you were hoping for? I'm surprised they couldn't make it work as Trek is making a 420mm stay work with the elevated CS design.

[tripleDot]

1. I've yet to try on the seat post. Will update... and it came with a free aluminum seatpost collar. Just like the first one.

(Edit) I believe it should fit ok. I've checked the specs sheet of my gravel bike and the bore size was 27.35 for a 27.2 seatpost. And I've encountered no problem.

2. The 29+ I wanted was Trek Stache. It is the elevated chainstay that they could not accomodate. They can do the weld but they are not confident it would do the job. They've never done it & have reservations doing it.

[bxcc]

1. I've yet to try on the seat post. Will update... and it came with a free aluminum seatpost collar. Just like the first one.

(Edit) I believe it should fit ok. I've checked the specs sheet of my gravel bike and the bore size was 27.35 for a 27.2 seatpost. And I've encountered no problem.

2. The 29+ I wanted was Trek Stache. It is the elevated chainstay that they could not accomodate. They can do the weld but they are not confident it would do the job. They've never done it & have reservations doing it.

Thanks for the update.

1. This is reassuring.

2. while it can be aggravating that they won't do it, it is good to hear that they are not willing to take chances with things that they are not sure about. I would love to see a Ti Stache though. 

[tripleDot]

Did some testing.

CONFIRMED!!! 31.6 seatpost in the 31.75 bore. Fits pretty good, not too loose & not too tight.

Checked BB fit & chainring clearance.

• BB screwed in easily, a wee bit rough but that's probably because I didn't greased it, just hand tighten.
• I had chainring spaced for a 40T, I want to be able to put a 38T oval when called for. But the test 42T round fits ok, a bit tight but enough to show 38T oval would do well.

Couldn't do additional tests as parts haven't arrive yet... COVID-delays.

[bxcc]

Thanks for the update with pictures! I'm feeling better every day. 

It still appears that they are conservative with their design limitations and clearances if you have clearance for 42t when 40t was requested. Same with not wanting to risk it with the elevated stay design.

[tripleDot]

I am currently staring at a fork in the road. To the left is going full rigid as I have been for 5 or 6 years now. While no clear decision of getting a 29er Chiner or a branded carbon fork. On the right, getting a Lauff suspension fork. Something I've never tried. But since I have decided to migrate the groupset from my 29+ (because...

• have 29+ frame check to confirm crack/s & repaired
• probably have it painted
• ordering new groupset means waiting... again
• saving funds as we are still on COVID lockdown

I though I'd do some experiment... a mullet setup. 29x3.0 up front & 29x2.25 at the back. I know most mullet setup involves 27.5 & 29 wheel sets but I'll go a size bigger 'cause it's what I got. Not exactly something I dreamt of but something I can try. This is gonna be a full-rigid setup though. I'm just waiting for my 29er wheelset & headset to arrive and I'd be able to get this setup by next week. For reference, attached is a pic of the plus bike I'm gonna cannibalize.

What do you guys think.

[carbonazza]

The 29er Lauf gives you an incredibly light front end compared to a fork.
It saves your wrists(and above) against vibrations and hits.

However it hasn't much dampening if any.
If you bomb through rocks and roots, it will just jump around.
And require some effort to keep your direction.

Since I put a SID on my MTB ~2y ago, the Lauf is collecting dust in the garage.
Waiting for a new assignment.

[tripleDot]

@Carbonazza, was your Lauf fork the original 29er version or the TR Boost? The TR Boost has 60mm travel, boost hub specific and fits up to 29x3.0 tires. Although it cost more than what I spend for this titanium frame.

[carbonazza]

It is the non boost 29er.
As well with 60mm of travel.

[tripleDot]

Listing the components (partial list).

Frame & Fork:

• Waltly custom titanium frame 29er
• Carbon Speed FK-03 29+ carbon fiber fork

Cockpit:

• Chris King 44/56 headset
• Crank Brothers Opium 3 780mm handlebar (black)
• Crank Brothers Opium 3 65mm stem (light grey)
• Raceface Getta Grip (orange)
• Neco Expander Plug
• Generic cf spacers

Groupset:

• Shimano XT 1x11 Speed
• Deckas 38T oval chainring (temp... 34T still in transit)

Wheelset: Tubeless Built

• DT Swiss 350 Boost
• DT Swiss XR331 rims
• Pillar spokes
• Pillar brass nipples
• Maxxis Ardent 29x2.25 (Tan Wall)
• Ashima 180mm rotors

Others:

• Fabric Saddle
• KS LEV Integra Dropper Post
• Crank Brothers Candy 2 (orange)
• Fouriers Seat Post Collar (orange)
• Carbon Speed cf Bottle Cages (x2)
• Rear Brake Adaptor/Extender to accomodate 180mm rotor