Chinertown
Chinese Carbon MTB => Metal Frames => Topic started by: ottoreni on December 04, 2019, 04:24:07 PM
-
Howdy...
I know this might not be the right site, but have to ask.
Looking at having a Chinese Titanium frame fabricated. I dealt with Waltly Ti in the past and the frame they made was spot on except the seat-tube. It was suppose to be 27.2, but I needed to use a 27.4 otherwise seat post slippage would happen.
Looking to see if anyone knows of any other titanium frame makers?
THanks
-
I too had my Ti gravel bike done by Walty, although, I went indirectly via Carbon Speed. Reason for this was I've no experience with designing a bike frame, and CS helped me with that. There was an extra added cost but it was worth it. The frame was very well made and after a year (3k km) it is still a wonderful ride.
As for other Chinese Ti frame manufacturer, I am only aware of a representative Lily Liu (see screen shot). I don't know what company she represents but it's definitely not Walty. I'm guessing it's Hi-Light Titanium Bikes (see ss). Both have Ti frames, fork, stems, handle bars and seat posts. Honestly, I don't know much about either. I did inquire with Hi-Light once regarding a custom gravel fork and the price was just to high (US$800 iirc). That's actually more than what I paid Carbon Speed (includes shipping fee but less local tax/duties) 2 years ago for a whole gravel bike frame.
Btw, the screen shots are their FaceBook account. Both had joined a local Ti bike group I'm a member of. You might want to check them out. Again, I've no experience dealing with either and I don't know much about them too.
Edit: Was reading some of the post made by Lily Liu, she mentioned price is around US$750. Not sure if that's for a custom built or pre-built model.
-
I have a frame from Ankang Haofutan (find them on Alibaba), with their distinctive twisted down tube
Pretty decent, except they didn't make X12 dropouts at the time so I had to send them some Paragon ones
Limited choice of yokes as well, but that may or may not be a problem for you
-
Reviving an old thread as I’m currently dealing with Waltly right now. So far, they’ve been great to deal with. They have some cool designs. Anyone else deal with them?
-
What's their quoted wait time at the moment?
-
No firm quote yet but she said generally it’s within 30 days. I’ll be happy if I see it within 8 weeks. I like to keep my expectations low.
-
bxcc, would you care to share some details on what your ti frame geometry and type of bike? I am thinking about working with waltly on having them build me a ti frame that would be a gravel/touring bike with some swept alt-bars like carver bikes MyTi handlebars. I want to have the ability to use mountain bike drivetrains, shifters, and brakes as I don't like drop bars and the brakes and shifter options right now. I might add some small bar ends to the middle of the bars to add some hand positions like the hoods of a drop bar, but I am not sure yet. I am currently trying to draw up a basic frame in bikecad that will get me to the dimensions I like (or think I like at least!)
-
bxcc, would you care to share some details on what your ti frame geometry and type of bike? I am thinking about working with waltly on having them build me a ti frame that would be a gravel/touring bike with some swept alt-bars like carver bikes MyTi handlebars. I want to have the ability to use mountain bike drivetrains, shifters, and brakes as I don't like drop bars and the brakes and shifter options right now. I might add some small bar ends to the middle of the bars to add some hand positions like the hoods of a drop bar, but I am not sure yet. I am currently trying to draw up a basic frame in bikecad that will get me to the dimensions I like (or think I like at least!)
Sure thing. Figuring out your own geometry is the hardest part. I based mine off of the new Specialized Epic as it seems to be a good middle ground between an XC race bike and an enduro sled. Once you give them the deposit, it takes a few days for them to send you a blueprint of the bike. It will have EVERY detail of the bike from head tube angle to where the water bottle bosses are. It's quite impressive. I wasn't sent a recent blue print so I could see how they do it. I have yet to receive mine. I'll start a new thread once I have more details so folks can see what's involved. Hopefully it all goes smoothly and I like the end product.
-
Do they make internal routing of the rear brake hose ?
Or this is not Ti philosophy ;)
-
Do they make internal routing of the rear brake hose ?
Or this is not Ti philosophy ;)
They do internal routing for anything you want. ;)
I opted for internal routing on the seat tube only for a dropper post. Everything else will be external. It's being built as a singlespeed so paying the extra for internal routing of the rear derailleur doesn't make sense. I'm not sure how much extra it costs, I was just told that it's extra. ???
-
I'm currently on my second Waltly Ti bike. My first is this gravel bike (http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,1528.0.html).
Got the second one into production just before the COVID lockdown on March. It was done and shipped to me early-May but the lockdown had delayed the delivery on the local end. I am expecting it to arrive any day this week though. What is it? Well, it is a 29er hard tail. Geometry was based on the Niner S.I.R. 9. With a modified dropout. I loved what I did with the first gravel bike using a horizontal sliding dropout, so the second one also had that. With the 29er coming, I plan to setup the gravel bike as a single speeder... I kind'a learned to love the simplicity of an SS during the lockdown. Pretty much rode the Haro Projekt 2016 fixed/free bike around the subdivision daily during the lockdown. Sold the Projekt as soon as we improved from ECQ to GCQ. This new 29er will be my geared bike. The only difference my 29er Ti frame from the Niner S.I.R. is internal cabling, sliding dropout and boost hub spacing.
Below are photos of the 29er.
-
I too had my Ti gravel bike done by Walty, although, I went indirectly via Carbon Speed. Reason for this was I've no experience with designing a bike frame, and CS helped me with that. There was an extra added cost but it was worth it. The frame was very well made and after a year (3k km) it is still a wonderful ride.
As for other Chinese Ti frame manufacturer, I am only aware of a representative Lily Liu (see screen shot). I don't know what company she represents but it's definitely not Walty. I'm guessing it's Hi-Light Titanium Bikes (see ss). Both have Ti frames, fork, stems, handle bars and seat posts. Honestly, I don't know much about either. I did inquire with Hi-Light once regarding a custom gravel fork and the price was just to high (US$800 iirc). That's actually more than what I paid Carbon Speed (includes shipping fee but less local tax/duties) 2 years ago for a whole gravel bike frame.
Btw, the screen shots are their FaceBook account. Both had joined a local Ti bike group I'm a member of. You might want to check them out. Again, I've no experience dealing with either and I don't know much about them too.
Edit: Was reading some of the post made by Lily Liu, she mentioned price is around US$750. Not sure if that's for a custom built or pre-built model.
@tripleDot, what is the website URL for Carbon Speed? A quick Google search leads me to two: carbonspeedcycle.com and xmcarbonspeed.com. Both of these websites are for companies based in China. However, I got the impression from your post that the Carbon Speed you used was domestic and thereby provided better/quicker/easier customer service. Did I misunderstand? Did you use one of the above companies? Or, is there a third Carbon Speed that I haven't found yet?
Thanks!
Chad
-
@chadrandom, it was xmcarbonspeed.com. Peter was the owner and provided excellent customer service and communication to a majority of the people on this site. He as since moved away from carbon products and is no longer in the bicycle business. To answer your question, he was based in China.
The service and communication I've received from Waltly so far has been great. I'd shot them an email and see what you think. If you have any questions, post them up here and we should be able to help.
What are you looking to have built?
-
@chadrandom, it is as bxcc mentioned. I sounded like the company is locally based probably because most members here are familiar with Peter and the company. Also "local" might be misleading as this is an international forum. Lots of Americans & European members, I myself am Asian.
You will have to speak directly with Waltly if you are planning a custom titanium frame.
-
Thank you both for the quick responses and info about the forum. My apologies for assuming the forum was US based; I'll be more mindful in the future.
I have been checking out a variety of Ti builders in China over the past few days as I'm looking for an endurance road bike or frame. The geometry specs that I'm seeking are quite upright (positive bar height over saddle), and pretty rare it seems. The only US builder's ready-made frame that I've found which I think would work is Lynskey's Backroad by virtue of a massive 220mm headtube. However, even as a cheaper option in the US by comparison to the likes of Moots. Seven, Firefly, etc, it's still pricey, and it is only available with external cable routing and a carbon fork. I'm hoping for internal routing and a titanium fork.
One Chinese builder that appears to have it all (ti forks, multiple types of engraving, etching, anodizing, etc.) is Hi-Light (tibicycle.com). Does anyone here have experience working with them?
Many thanks all!
-
@chadrandom, I don't have the Hi-Lite fork but I have inquired about it back then but they seemed to be interested dealing with whole-sale customers only. At least that was my impression. Our conversation was just cut when they simply stop responding. I never got the exact price or a final answer to my inquiry. See picture below, that is from Hi-Lite, my inquiry was if they have one with at least 40mm tire clearance for 700c & gear attachment boses. Suffice to say, I've no experience dealing with them nor have any of their products.
On the other hand, Waltly do have &/or built custom titanium forks. I did inquire about it although I didn't go into details. They also have other Ti parts like stem, seat post, flat bars & bottle cages. The thing with Waltly is you need to ask. They're not in the habit of active selling.
-
@tripleDot, I sent an email via their website a couple weeks ago but haven't received a response. Is there a particular person that you are dealing with at Waltly that I could reach out to?
-
@chadrandom, try amy@waltlyti.com
Amy was the Waltly rep who worked with me on my project. I believe she also worked with bxcc too.
Or contact them here.
https://waltly.m.en.alibaba.com/
-
Yes, I am dealing with Amy as well. She has been great to work with and always responds to my emails within a day. There is a 12 hour difference between her and I so that doesn't help.
-
I was emailing with Sumi. My experience was really positive and all of my questions were answered and addressed. I just hope I asked the right questions as I have never designed a bike or had to think about all the little details. This will be a fun experiment and I will hopefully get a nice bike to ride. Buying parts is the expensive part. Where do you guys all get wheels and the other parts?
-
Where do you guys all get wheels and the other parts?
For rims, I generally get generic Chinese carbon ones. My latest ones came from Elite Carbon on AliExpress. Most of my other parts come from my LBS as they give me great deals and I'm comfortable paying a little extra to support them. Other times when they can't come close to online prices, I'll get them from whatever supplier has great overstock deals.
-
Where do you guys all get wheels and the other parts?
For specific brands, I get them from the local bike shops. For bargain stuffs, AliExpress, eBay, Laxada (like AliExpress but localize) and local Facebook bike groups.
-
Anyone done a full suspension frame with waltly? Be interested in doing a custom geo (long slack modern) titanium full sus
-
I don't know but I would be interested in what you are talking about also. I am super happy with my ti gravel frame I just got from Waltly.
-
I emailed Sumi at Waltly and he said they do not do full suspension frames now. I know marino bikes will make a full suspension frame. I am not sure if it is fully custom or partially custom, but that might be another option.
-
@chadrandom, I don't have the Hi-Lite fork but I have inquired about it back then but they seemed to be interested dealing with whole-sale customers only. At least that was my impression. Our conversation was just cut when they simply stop responding. I never got the exact price or a final answer to my inquiry. See picture below, that is from Hi-Lite, my inquiry was if they have one with at least 40mm tire clearance for 700c & gear attachment boses. Suffice to say, I've no experience dealing with them nor have any of their products.
That hilite looks amazing, similar to this, super expensive: https://www.7hundred.co.uk/41086/products/nevi-titanium-road-fork-15-inch-tapered.aspx
Others here as well:
https://tibicycles.com/collections/titanium-fork (with prices)
http://www.tk-bike.com/service/56
-
Does anyone know what is the website or email for Titan? There is titancycles.com but from AliExpress seller, the pictures come with watermark titanproduct.com but this weblink yields nothing.
Appreciate some help from whoever have dealt with Titan before. Thank you.
-
Does anyone know what is the website or email for Titan? There is titancycles.com but from AliExpress seller, the pictures come with watermark titanproduct.com but this weblink yields nothing.
Appreciate some help from whoever have dealt with Titan before. Thank you.
You can try these titanproducts[...]163.com or
Sophie[...]titanproduct.com
-
@carbonazza thanks!
I msg Xi’an Titan Product in Aliexpress and they replied with an email address for contact. TitanProduct and TitanCycles.com are indeed the same.
-
I ordered with anita at titanproduct.com
-
I emailed Sumi at Waltly and he said they do not do full suspension frames now. I know marino bikes will make a full suspension frame. I am not sure if it is fully custom or partially custom, but that might be another option.
ive also dealt with Sumi, all went super smooth. bike turned out great, considering a second frame with them now.
has anyone had any luck ordering from Hi-light?
-
ive also dealt with Sumi, all went super smooth. bike turned out great, considering a second frame with them now.
has anyone had any luck ordering from Hi-light?
Also tried to get one from hi light. Reply was for oem only. Asked a friend in bike industry to get in contact, also no luck. Response was „working on 2023 models“.
-
Waltly replied to my emails fairly quick when I was looking for a Ti frame build earlier this year. wish I went with that route instead of the Ti frame I have now, only went another way due to time. Waltly would've taken 10-12 week and the frame I got was supposed to be in stock but took 16 weeks to get lol. may look into a single speed TI frame build next year
-
Waltly replied to my emails fairly quick when I was looking for a Ti frame build earlier this year. wish I went with that route instead of the Ti frame I have now, only went another way due to time. Waltly would've taken 10-12 week and the frame I got was supposed to be in stock but took 16 weeks to get lol. may look into a single speed TI frame build next year
Who did you go with for your frame that took that long?
-
Nordest
-
Just put my down payment on a road frame with carbon fork from Waltly. Prices have gone up quite a bit (they quoted me 8120RMB total for frame, fork, and domestic Chinese shipping) but it's still cheaper than the aluminum Specialized Allez Sprint frame I was looking at. Going with basically Cannondale Synapse design / geometry. They said it'll be done in about 2 months after drawings are finalized. Can't wait to start the process.
-
i paid 790USD with fork so its def gone up a bit. i'm trying another supplier ATM and theyre quoting me 1800USD.
-
You could consider Tito or Titan still. Both are not badly priced and I have found both customer service responses to be prompt. Titan is about £950-1000 for a custom Ti frame. I am going to go down that route soon.
-
Just received my gravel frame from Waltly. I went with their standard gravel frame instead of custom, funnily their standard frame was incredibly similar to another Ti brand on the market.
I paid USD $1,150 plus shipping (inc frame, carbon forks, FSA headset and Ti seatpost). I've had it for a couple of months and very happy. The frame, services, etc was all very good, recommended based on my experience and what I heard from others.
Only two design options I would change. I'd request a setback seatpost because my bike setup means my seat is quite far back. Also, I should have gone with their T47 BB (their standard design), I opted for BSA because I already had a BB to fit, however, I think the T47 would have given more space for a dropper post cable and wireless if I go that way in future.
-
Only two design options I would change. I'd request a setback seatpost because my bike setup means my seat is quite far back. Also, I should have gone with their T47 BB (their standard design), I opted for BSA because I already had a BB to fit, however, I think the T47 would have given more space for a dropper post cable and wireless if I go that way in future.
Do you think you'll still have enough room for an internal dropper cable with the BSA?
-
Do you think you'll still have enough room for an internal dropper cable with the BSA?
No, not enough room to get the cable through, I took it to a shop and they couldn't do it. I have the dropper post from Wiggle, I just can't fit it.
There is a very slim chance it will fit, I may try again, but it's extremely tight and unlikely. The last time I spent an hour just trying to get the cable through before giving up.
-
Did you try installing the cable before the cranks? Also, a thinner derailleur cable might be a little more flexible than a brake cable.
What size spindle are you running? Waht re you doing to keep the cable off of the spindle?
I'm hoping this works out for you as I want to do something similar with a Ti frame.
-
... Ti seatpost...
Do you feel it flexing a little?
To give you more comfort like a carbon one.
Is it 27.2mm ?
-
Do you feel it flexing a little?
To give you more comfort like a carbon one.
Is it 27.2mm ?
No idea because I've only ridden it with this seatpost.
-
Just received my gravel frame from Waltly. I went with their standard gravel frame instead of custom, funnily their standard frame was incredibly similar to another Ti brand on the market.
I paid USD $1,150 plus shipping (inc frame, carbon forks, FSA headset and Ti seatpost). I've had it for a couple of months and very happy. The frame, services, etc was all very good, recommended based on my experience and what I heard from others.
Only two design options I would change. I'd request a setback seatpost because my bike setup means my seat is quite far back. Also, I should have gone with their T47 BB (their standard design), I opted for BSA because I already had a BB to fit, however, I think the T47 would have given more space for a dropper post cable and wireless if I go that way in future.
If you are up for posting some photos of this build, I'd be grateful. I'm considering Waltly for a gravel build and I'm currently looking at one of their standard frames. Not sure if it's the same one you have.
-
:'( I have about 2500 miles on my custom Waltly 29er frame. On my most recent adventure, I noticed that a crack has developed in one of the top rear triangle tube where it is welded to the seat post tube. I just wrote Sumi at Waltly, and asked what to do about this.
-
Wow that looks quite dangerous! I'm curious to see what will happen.
-
Wow that looks quite dangerous! I'm curious to see what will happen.
I don't think it is dangerous leading to a catastrophic failure. It appears to be a stress crack right at the edge of the weld in the heat effected zone of the seat post tube. These types of cracks next to a weld are often due to improper purging of the area during welding where oxygen reacts with the metal causing it to become brittle. Sometimes this type of crack can be due to too much hydrogen in the area as well.
-
If you are up for posting some photos of this build, I'd be grateful. I'm considering Waltly for a gravel build and I'm currently looking at one of their standard frames. Not sure if it's the same one you have.
Sorry, hadn't seen this post Photos (https://photos.app.goo.gl/XPXZRqtHnZ3QHq3y6)
-
My Waltly going 3 years strong, I’ve used it for road & Gravel, no dramas….. I’ll be ordering a second in a week or two
-
My 3 Waltly titanium bikes...
Nov 2018 - custom geo Gravel Bike
setup - flatbar, single speed (was setup as 1x11 & 2x11 before)
mileage - 14,000km (approx)
notable rides - Audax 200km, 300km & 400km
rides on - 70% paved roads, 30% gravel roads
July 2020 - custom geo MTB
setup - full-rigid 29er, 1x11
mileage - 7,500km (approx)
notable rides - 300+km overnight bikepacking
rides on - 70% trails & gravel, 30% paved roads
Aug 2022 - custom geo Gravel Bike
setup - flatbar, 2x11 touring bike
mileage - 3,000km (approx)
notable rides - Audax 300km & 600km
rides on - 90% paved roads, 10% gravel roads
All 3 are currently in service and still in very good condition.
* Dates are when bikes are built not when frame were received.
-
Nice builds !
-
I'm going to buy a titanium from from titanproduct. They've been responsive and helpful with the alterations to a frame I'd like. I'm waiting to hear back on final details but I'll make a post in the future when I have ordered it and then ongoing after receiving it and building it up.
And then an update if i ever remember, likley not if the frame is going strong but definitely if it cracks!