Chinertown
Chinese Carbon MTB => Metal Frames => Topic started by: QuentinLL on April 22, 2021, 07:46:35 AM
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Hello,
Who I am :
Just over 30 yo MTB rider, 177cm tall, 65 kg, I live in the French Alps.
I practiced XC, trial and dirt as a kid. I did practice pure enduro around 25 yo, but now I don't want to ride that hard anymore :o
I mostly ride all mountain and bikepacking MTB trips. I want to climb hard, enjoy views/landscapes, have fun while downhill 8)
Few weeks ago, I had a Specialized Enduro + Orbea Alma + NS Bikes Eccentric + road bike + pumptrack bike + a titanium custom hardtail MTB with Pinion gearbox (commute / travel).
The project
Sell all my bikes except the Pinion bike, and build a new all mountain / bikepacking MTB.
I wanted :
- light bike
- pretty "cheap"
- a bit of rear travel but not as much as the Specialized Enduro
- careless suspension
- aggressive / modern geometry
- enough room to mount DIY bikepacking gears, espacially a framebag
I thought that a "down country" bike would be a solution. Carbonda FM936. :-*
Then i changed my mind for a pure all mountain FM1001.
Then I hesitated for a 160mm FS947.
Then an AM831 (SC hightower like).
Every of them have pros and cons and the cons won every time...
Then I thought a custom titanium hartdail with 180mm front fork (based on Chromag Doctahawk), would probably be amazing.
But still no rear travel...
I finally make a decision and decided to order a custom softail titanium bike.
Asked walty, xacd and titan products. Titan is the one I chose.
Geometry
Here is the geometry.
160mm fork, 80mm rear travel.
Massive 505mm reach and 77° STA 63° HTA 430 chainstay (63° seems crazy but it is almost a hardtail, HTA should be around 64,5 once sagged).
20mm stem (integrated bar)
Compatible max 29x2.5 and 27.5x3.0.
(https://i.ibb.co/9gWwnWW/Sans-titre.png)
Parts
Here is the detail bike check (almost everything is already at home)
Goal : 11,5 kg maximum. Fingers crossed...
(https://i.ibb.co/VTPDk6R/Sans-titre-2.png)
Frame pictures
The frame just left the factory for shipping.
(https://i.ibb.co/prKjRvm/175986884-1175813102832529-4461249302416981096-n.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/QCm8G2D/175652249-458074352112336-8907700881805964413-n.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/YNtBwhB/175110445-1103846746762288-7556124295845011811-n.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/nkjt1kQ/176004399-216705763556432-6853190999839010393-n.png)
Next steps : wait, mount and test-ride 8) ;D
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Wow. It is gorgeous!
For the same weight as a carbon one. Did you request some light tubing ?
Could you explain: The rear shape around the axles, the seat-stay recess, the seatstay attachment to the BB, where is the rear triangle supposed to flex, the cables routing, ...
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Weight : it is an estimation. Expected weight, around 2 and 2.3 kg. Not weighed yet, we'll see.
The rear suspension : the titanium plate flex is the pivot. The seat stays are flattened ton flex as well.
Cable routing : rear derailleur and dropper post = internal. Rear brake = external (easier maintenance etc.)
Other bikes with this "technology" :
Funk Cycles - La Ruta (2.2 kg frame)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c5b8bd_83ee193aeeef4e1fb1dc75065ba1aeb7~mv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1194,h_796,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/c5b8bd_83ee193aeeef4e1fb1dc75065ba1aeb7~mv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.webp)
Leon - Semita (10,5kg) or Montem (12,5 kg)
(https://cycles-leon.com/wp-content/gallery/semita/22657387_10210032967516011_1723535421_n.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/1vkMtNw/Sans-titre.png)
My bike is something between a hardcore hardtail and a trail bike. I hope i will enjoy it :-)
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:D :D :D
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Beautiful, I think my next build after I finish my Ican p9 will be something custom in either steel or Ti. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the frame cost?
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Cool design.
How much travel are you actually seeing in the rear? The plate looks relatively thick, I'm surprised it would flex like that.
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Beautiful, I think my next build after I finish my Ican p9 will be something custom in either steel or Ti. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the frame cost?
1 100 USD
Cool design.
How much travel are you actually seeing in the rear? The plate looks relatively thick, I'm surprised it would flex like that.
The plate is 6mm thick (vs 3mm suggested by Titan). Leon bikes (Semita and Montem), well known here in France are 8mm thick. A rear shock optimization is advised (low friction, low compresion, dynamic rebound).
The Leon Semita gives 85mm with 165x38 rear shock.
I chose 190x40mm shock compatibility => let's say around 90mm of rear travel.
This kind of softails are well known for their incredible grip while climbing.
I wanted something that seats between a real full suspension and a hardtail, with low care.
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Frame received.
2 483g with sliding dropouts. +150g than I expected but it is a detail.
(https://i.ibb.co/GWcpN9R/PHOTO-20210514-171835.jpg)
With 6mm titanium plate, it is flexy and should be strong enough. Let's see it in video :
https://streamable.com/8b3jam (https://streamable.com/8b3jam)
Let's the build start !
(https://i.ibb.co/YtJWNvW/PHOTO-20210516-194908.jpg)
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So cool!
Hows the ordering process? Did they provide you pic if you asked for any? I want to know what cable stops they would use, fittings for internal routing, etc. Not sure if they’d entertain if im being very specific.
Also, once deposit is paid, how long would they come back with first drawings?
Thanks!
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Ordering process :
- I sent a very complete Excel data sheet with a lot of details (full geometry, curved tubes, each bolt that i wanted, what I wanted as reinforced tubing, shock compatibility (I chose 190x40), routing of each cable, sliding dropouts, seat post, tyre clearance, max chainring size, bottom bracket, headset, disc and so on, thickness of flex plate etc. etc. With a lot of pictures to explain)
- they took 2 days to read and validate with the team that they can make it
- deposit payment
- 1 week after (or 10 days) first drawing
- I changed a few little things iteratively
- they did 4 drawings. The 4th was OK
- they build the frame, 8 weeks. They took pictures while producing
- I validated that everything seems OK and I made the final payment
- WXY tax prepaid shipping 2 weeks at home
Currently, it is quicker than ordering a complete bike to big brands :o
I really advice to build a excel or word file with all you specifications and questions.
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Thanks!
Im dealing with Eric. I believe he is the owner of Titan. (Or maybe theres another Eric...)
Anyway - yes i prepared a word doc outlining every details there is. Eric did apply all the details into his first initial drawing and tbh i was quite pleased.
What finish are you getting? Look forward for your update!
Also - do u know if Leon is also made in China by Titan/Waltly/XACD ?
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I am waiting for a rear axle and nipples to mount my rear wheel... The build is standby. I will post a picture once finished and then a review once ridden 100-500km
Leon is made in Asia, in HTTC factory (I can't find any information about them).
I don't know how walty/xacd/titan/HTTC... are organised. Maybe they share (partially ?) or subcontract in same factories.
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Final build. 11,5 kg without pedal and GPS mount, 11,7kg ready to ride.
(https://i.ibb.co/2NL5zjL/final-list.png)
Here is the monster :o
(https://i.ibb.co/7t1ZDxm/DSC03220.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/H2Ts1P8/IMG-20210604-190841-931.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/zH82Pmq/IMG-20210604-192059-589.jpg)
Here are some details
(https://i.ibb.co/Qpcmhx2/DSC03203.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/tMPCNvG/DSC03208.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/xYCTr2b/DSC03232.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/ZWCRxpQ/DSC03234.jpg)
First test ride :
not tested yet on the trails. Tested on road (1st SAG setup). The position is perfect, exactly how i calculated it.
Once suspensions locked, the bike is very responsive. Once oponed, the rear suspension is not as smooth as a "rear" full suspension bike, but not as rigid as a hardtail. It feels like an elastic hardtail ;D
Very looking forward to test it in the mountains.
Before going bikepacking, i need to sew the packs. Something that should look like this (but with very small saddle bag)
(https://i.ibb.co/F4FjCyH/PHOTO-20210603-071306.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/RjstsbL/132461150-1853077601509581-2289062716335864762-n.jpg)
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This is a tank ready for everything !
I look forward for your test ride on trails.
Can you get a full compression of the shock ?
Are you designing/sewing the bags yourself ?
What sewing machine do you have for that ?
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Full compression : yes, when the shock air is "empty". On the trails... let's see
Sewing : yes, homemade. I have a basic Toyota Jeans. It is enough to sew VX21 packs, bivvy, poggies etc.
I don't sew thick corudra for example.
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First ride : not very confident at first, then the smile arrived after the first downhill.
The bike feels amazing with climbing, perfect position, the front wheel keeps stucked on the ground, the bike is stable and easy to place in technical climbs.
While downhill : tThe downhills were 50% noseturns, 50% trial on rocks. The bike is very long and slack, it needs some time to understand when I need to start the nose turns (even flat turns). Once it is OK, the confidence comes and the smile appears ;D
It feels like an "easy hardtail", not as smooth as a big full suspension MTB, not as stiff as a conventional hardtail. It feels like heaven to me.
I need some trial practice / manual / bunny up, to understand where is the "balance point" on this bike.
(https://i.ibb.co/FnSPt3X/Sans-titre.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/QcB8wB4/56.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/v4drHR1/59.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/Y0f3SFp/62.jpg)
I used 80% of front and rear travel, suspension setting seems OK (no big jumps / compression on that ride)
(https://i.ibb.co/6bz8bGD/DSC03258.jpg)
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(https://i.ibb.co/6bz8bGD/DSC03258.jpg)
Looks great!
How is the rear shock mounted? Is it just pinched in there?
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It is mounted like this :
(https://i.ibb.co/CW02ZrM/7c309ceb-bbe0-4271-8017-8324c365f79e.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/0G8GbPs/1113840c-cc5c-4973-811f-717e7011d24b.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/dB14kgk/e04bb316-eaab-4b70-910f-94dd2cb57371.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/1GYYxBh/9c82e1fc-bec7-4e47-8dcd-548c90ab9593-1.jpg)
And on the upper side, I mounted an enduro bearing needle to have something as smooth as possible :
(https://i.ibb.co/SxctFGS/30ce8e35-17f2-4b1e-a31f-bcf9aa2ea0d5.jpg)
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Thanks. That mounts up better than I had thought.
Do you happen to know what the lowest amount of travel they can do with this style? I'm wondering if 30mm-ish is doable as it might play well with a Lauf fork on a gravel bike.
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Very nice. Looking forward to see the bike loaded for bikepacking.
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Thanks. That mounts up better than I had thought.
Do you happen to know what the lowest amount of travel they can do with this style? I'm wondering if 30mm-ish is doable as it might play well with a Lauf fork on a gravel bike.
Very easy to mount indeed and stiff.
You can reduce the travel with short travel shock. I designed the frame around a 190x40mm.
You can design for a 170x27.5mm (sidluxe for example), it will give you around 40mm of travel.
Very nice. Looking forward to see the bike loaded for bikepacking.
Sewing has begun
(https://i.ibb.co/Jk83WwN/PHOTO-20210615-230502.jpg)
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Thanks. That mounts up better than I had thought.
Do you happen to know what the lowest amount of travel they can do with this style? I'm wondering if 30mm-ish is doable as it might play well with a Lauf fork on a gravel bike.
The idea seems great but then I see many used ones for sale and this article: https://gravelbikes.cc/tests/4-forks-comparison-which-is-the-most-compliant-one/
Makes me question its usefulness.
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The idea seems great but then I see many used ones for sale and this article: https://gravelbikes.cc/tests/4-forks-comparison-which-is-the-most-compliant-one/
Makes me question its usefulness.
I've pondered the idea quite a bit for my new gravel bike but in the end, decided to stick with a rigid fork. For my wife though, it's more of a necessity than a novelty. She's been suffering from neck issues for the past couple of years and has pretty much given up on mountain biking at this point. Even riding her Domane on gravel roads is a bit much. I'm hopeful that a drop bar bike with 700c*45mm tires and roughly 40mm of squish would be a great option for her. Just trying to get creative and see what I can come up with.
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Wow! Let me start off by saying that is an amazing looking frame.
I have always loved the feel that soft-tail frames offer, but I did not like their long chainstays. I looked at Dean and Funk Cycles, but their soft-tail frames have chainstays of 445mm and greater. Your frame is 427mm! I find that 430mm is my sweet spot for chainstay length.
I have to ask, with 90mm of travel, does the tire hit the seat tube when the shock is fully compressed?
Also, did the frame come with the lower shock mount that you took pictures of?
I am seriously thinking of contacting Titan to have one of these built. Again, awesome looking frame!
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I've pondered the idea quite a bit for my new gravel bike but in the end, decided to stick with a rigid fork. For my wife though, it's more of a necessity than a novelty. She's been suffering from neck issues for the past couple of years and has pretty much given up on mountain biking at this point. Even riding her Domane on gravel roads is a bit much. I'm hopeful that a drop bar bike with 700c*45mm tires and roughly 40mm of squish would be a great option for her. Just trying to get creative and see what I can come up with.
Yeah I had broken neck and went to 52mm tires to reduce the shocks and vibrations. The front tire can be bigger and softer. It helps a lot, although you still get bounce.
Suspension seatpost could be good to trial out if you want to add it to an existing frame: https://bikepacking.com/index/suspension-seatposts/
For bars there is also stuff like this: https://redshiftsports.com/products/shockstop-suspension-stem although personally I don't think I could use it, I just wrap lots of bar tape for now. That and gel type gloves.
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Wow! Let me start off by saying that is an amazing looking frame.
I have always loved the feel that soft-tail frames offer, but I did not like their long chainstays. I looked at Dean and Funk Cycles, but their soft-tail frames have chainstays of 445mm and greater. Your frame is 427mm! I find that 430mm is my sweet spot for chainstay length.
I have to ask, with 90mm of travel, does the tire hit the seat tube when the shock is fully compressed?
Also, did the frame come with the lower shock mount that you took pictures of?
I am seriously thinking of contacting Titan to have one of these built. Again, awesome looking frame!
I manage to have a short 427mm chainstay because I don't need a large chainring clearance.
I ride 26T chainring. The max chainring is 28-30T. This is a MTB for the mountains :-)
Lower shock mount is included.
The wheel doesn't hit the seat tube when fully compressed.
I sewed the first bags, I need to make top tube bag + saddle bag + handlebar bag and let's go bikepacking 8)
(https://i.ibb.co/98StLHm/206467393-525029871884426-8558173036451591617-n.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/MMD3pXk/205916058-235982805006553-7766907483432364663-n.jpg)
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I live in an area with lots of flats, so 32-34 ring would be essential. Still, if I can get close to 430mm chain stay length, I should be good.
Is this chain ring clearance something that Titan checked for you, or you had to figure out?
Thanks much!
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I live in an area with lots of flats, so 32-34 ring would be essential. Still, if I can get close to 430mm chain stay length, I should be good.
Is this chain ring clearance something that Titan checked for you, or you had to figure out?
Thanks much!
Both : I made de calculation on my side and Titan checked for me as well.
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What is this intriguing bottle ?
Isn't it too hard to pump up water from that low ?
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What is this intriguing bottle ?
Isn't it too hard to pump up water from that low ?
It's a hydration hose with bottle cap adaptor so you can use it on PET bottles & etc. I use to have that too, I remember they even have adaptor caps for wide & narrow mouth Nalgene bottles. You just suck it like a long straw. I believe the length of the hose is (unless modified) pretty much the same lenght as those with hydration bladder placed inside a backpack.
Here's one...
https://sourceoutdoor.com/en/accessories/22-convertube-hydration-system
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There is an air valve that allows to use a rigid bottle (PET, water bottle or metal like mine).
I find it less hard to pump than a bladder in a framebag.
It is a bikepacking setup, I won't use it on day trip.
I also use it while hiking.
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Mini 2 days trip +3 000m elevation in the French Alps
Everything to sleep in a drybag under the downtube.
650 mL of water ( :o )
Food and night clothe in the framebag.
Rain vest in a food pouch of the handlebar.
Rain pant in a ziplock under the saddle.
All the tools in the One Up pump.
(https://i.ibb.co/Jcd1Fty/PHOTO-20210718-073814.jpg)
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Yo,
I mounted a rear 27.5+ wheel.
DT Swiss 180 ceramic hub 12x148
Pillar X-tra 1420 spokes
Chiner 27.5+ carbon rim, without holes in rim bed 8)
(https://i.ibb.co/7pd1X8k/PHOTO-20210714-121701.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/yqwsxjj/PHOTO-20210714-121807.jpg)
Mounted with a Schwalbe Nobby Nic 3.00" => complete rear wheel + 400g
It fits perfectly.
(https://i.ibb.co/j6ZxfQs/PHOTO-20210908-192310.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/1zG8Lxn/PHOTO-20210908-192331.jpg)
It sucks the road when climbing.
But it rides sooooooo good on technical downhill.
Definitely the rear wheel that I will bring most of the time in the mountains trails.
The front tire will be replaced by a Maxxis Assegai => +300g
(https://i.ibb.co/d6Dc64G/PHOTO-20210908-192344.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/znPchFT/PHOTO-20210911-101544.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/bHV2S7G/PHOTO-20210911-101551.jpg)
The 29x2.35 will only be mounted for light bikepacking or fast rolling events.
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Love your frame! Thats basically what l want but with a 130 mill fork
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Hey,
Some news : i built a 27,5 wheel and mounted a chinese 3" mid-fat front tyre (to ride snowy trails).
It fits perfectly, the grip is very good for a cheap tyre. The bike feels amazing in the snow.
This is definitely a good all rounder :D
(https://i.ibb.co/wCGdFF8/PHOTO-20220123-120301.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/48Cpyvp/PHOTO-20220122-112449.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/Kr9h268/PHOTO-20220123-110516.jpg)
Coming soon : a moto handlebar. Tu be continued... 8)
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So is there a website for Titan? I tried Google, but no website.
Anyone have a website?
Thanks!
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They used to have an internet website, but they face webmastering problems for several months and told me that the website can't be back online for the moment.
You can still contact them by email, they do answer and produce.
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Thanks, Plan to contact in the summer with the email I found online.
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the contact is : anita@titanproduct.com
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Okay, I have started to get my frame. Working on the design.
The one thing that is throwing me off is the bottom bracket drop.
I plan for my frame to only have 120mm front travel. I like the amount of rear travel you have on your frame. Is it 80 or 90mm?
Do you have a fairly certain idea of how much travel you are getting in the rear? How much sag are you running on the rear shock?
I ask because I want my bottom bracket drop to give me that "IN the frame feeling". One of the first frames I had made for me had very little bottom bracket drop, and I had the feeling of always being on top of the bike. Never had a pedal strike, but never felt one with the frame.
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Rear travel is hard to measure because of elasticity of ti plate.
I tried to release air from shock, bike upside down, push down the rear wheel and measure the vertical travel.
It is around 60mm.
I made a calculation, considering it is a single pivot, same result 60mm.
(https://i.ibb.co/b5ZxQrk/Sans-titre.png)
If the seat stay angle is low, the travel is bigger.
Some says they have 95mm rear travel with 38mm shock on softails. This is marketing, not truth.
If you opt for a softail, keep in mind that this is not a full suspension bike, but something between a hardtail and FS.
SAG
I ride 25% SAG on shock, and get full travel on jumps. That's perfect to me.
I lock the shock on every uphill, because i like very reactive bike when pedaling.
BB drop
I think you should have a look at hardtail BB drop with same geo, and reduce it by around 20mm.
Mine is 42mm BB drop, whereas Kona ESD hardtail is 62mm (geo quite similar).
I do have pedal strike sometimes on rocks when climbing, but i have the feeling that I am "in" the bike.
I still have the ability to manual when i want.
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bit of a noob question but how do you build/service a wheel without access to the nipples? Thank you :)
Yo,
I mounted a rear 27.5+ wheel.
DT Swiss 180 ceramic hub 12x148
Pillar X-tra 1420 spokes
Chiner 27.5+ carbon rim, without holes in rim bed 8)
(https://i.ibb.co/7pd1X8k/PHOTO-20210714-121701.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/yqwsxjj/PHOTO-20210714-121807.jpg)
Mounted with a Schwalbe Nobby Nic 3.00" => complete rear wheel + 400g
It fits perfectly.
(https://i.ibb.co/j6ZxfQs/PHOTO-20210908-192310.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/1zG8Lxn/PHOTO-20210908-192331.jpg)
It sucks the road when climbing.
But it rides sooooooo good on technical downhill.
Definitely the rear wheel that I will bring most of the time in the mountains trails.
The front tire will be replaced by a Maxxis Assegai => +300g
(https://i.ibb.co/d6Dc64G/PHOTO-20210908-192344.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/znPchFT/PHOTO-20210911-101544.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/bHV2S7G/PHOTO-20210911-101551.jpg)
The 29x2.35 will only be mounted for light bikepacking or fast rolling events.
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Rear travel is hard to measure because of elasticity of ti plate.
I tried to release air from shock, bike upside down, push down the rear wheel and measure the vertical travel.
It is around 60mm.
I made a calculation, considering it is a single pivot, same result 60mm.
(https://i.ibb.co/b5ZxQrk/Sans-titre.png)
If the seat stay angle is low, the travel is bigger.
Some says they have 95mm rear travel with 38mm shock on softails. This is marketing, not truth.
If you opt for a softail, keep in mind that this is not a full suspension bike, but something between a hardtail and FS.
SAG
I ride 25% SAG on shock, and get full travel on jumps. That's perfect to me.
I lock the shock on every uphill, because i like very reactive bike when pedaling.
BB drop
I think you should have a look at hardtail BB drop with same geo, and reduce it by around 20mm.
Mine is 42mm BB drop, whereas Kona ESD hardtail is 62mm (geo quite similar).
I do have pedal strike sometimes on rocks when climbing, but i have the feeling that I am "in" the bike.
I still have the ability to manual when i want.
Thanks for the detailed response!
My backstory:
I do not know if you are familiar with the Salsa Dos Niner, but that is the softail that made me like this type of frame. Seeing your thread, made me want to get back on one. The Dos Niner is one of my all time favorite bikes. Unfortunately, Salsa made these out of "scandium" which was some kind of enhanced aluminum. They only had three model year productions of the frame. Green color, orange and finally silver. This scandium metal they used cracked around where the stays met. When Salsa reinforced this area, cracks started to happen around the shock mount. I had an orange model that cracked after just over a year of usage, but that frame rode great for an XC bike, and I have always wanted to be on a bike that took the edge off the ride, but didn't make me feel like I was riding on a sofa as full suspensions feel like for me. Plus full suspension has the hassle of having to change the pivots. Now that I am well into my 50's, I am confident that a softail of this type is the frame will let me ride hard, feel in tune with the trail, have minimal maintenance, and not beat me up so much so I have quicker recovery time. One other aspect to note, I like about your frame design, is the rear tire clearance, having a large rear tire, takes off some of the harshness, too.
I have been doing a lot of geometry research, and as I mentioned the rear travel, bottom bracket drop is the one area where I am a bit unsure on.
A difference that I have seen in many Funk frames versus the Leon frames is the dimples at the end of seat-stays. I believe this allows for additional upward flex / travel, maybe 5 to 10mm. Do you think it is accurate to make this assumption?
Also, your model is showing 35mm of stroke on the shock = 60mm of travel. I plan to use a shock with 40mm stroke. Would this equal about 70mm?
Thanks again for your insights!
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The shock is 40mm stroke on my model. With 30° angle. Once compressed, it equals 35mm horizontal movement, what gives 60mm vertical travel.
If the dimples are at the end of seat stays or a little bit higher, will not change a lot the vertical travel. Having the dimples higher will add maybe 1mm vertical travel, not a lot more.
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bit of a noob question but how do you build/service a wheel without access to the nipples? Thank you :)
First, cut the thread of an old spoke.
Screw it to a nipple.
Put them in the rim by the valve hole.
Use a magnet to drive them through the spoke hole, and get the spoke bit out.
Squeeze the nipple with your thumb.
Unscrew the spoke bit.
Screw the spoke.
Repeat this between 19 and 31 times per wheel ;)
It is easier than it looks, after a couple of wheels it is very fast.
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I tried with a cut spoke. Not magnetic enough.
I bought a "campagnolo magnet" (https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/fr/campagnolo-bull-bora-ultra-bora-one/138017833/p?utm_source=google_products&utm_medium=merchant&id_producte=12736231&country=fr&gclid=CjwKCAjw7vuUBhBUEiwAEdu2pGyhAH6MmyL44m1rF3X9uYwVZ7XXd2L-bzAwTwpa016AW8LYumGHnRoC_xYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
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I tried with a cut spoke. Not magnetic enough.
Or buy a stronger magnet ;)
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My order is officially in! Now the wait .....
I will post pictures and info on a new thread when I receive any.
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I finally make a decision and decided to order a custom softail titanium bike.
Asked walty, xacd and titan products. Titan is the one I chose.
Hi, I'm currently at the point where I need to choose a manufacturer as well. Is there a specific reason you chose Titan?
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I chose Titan because they seemed much more attentive to my build questions and requests. I spoke with Walty, I have had two frames built by them previously, but this time their responses seemed really dismissive. I know they’re busy with small batch orders, for that reason they may not be so interested in individual frames.
Titan seems to be busy too, as the have an 8 week build que from drawing approval, but still offered great up front service. I did not deal with XACD.
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I chose Titan because they seemed much more attentive to my build questions and requests. I spoke with Walty, I have had two frames built by them previously, but this time their responses seemed really dismissive. I know they’re busy with small batch orders, for that reason they may not be so interested in individual frames.
Titan seems to be busy too, as the have an 8 week build que from drawing approval, but still offered great up front service. I did not deal with XACD.
Have you received your frame yet? I'm really interested to see another bike of this style built up.
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My frame came in ... I have been riding it close to two months. Rides spot on!
I will be starting another thread shortly with pictures. Thanks for reminding me.
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Are you still liking it, ok also getting one made with slightly altered geo.
Whats the actual rear travel youre seeing?
Do you do any jumps/drop offs with it ?
I was almost considering 8mm thick plate
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Yes, i still like the bike.
In rocky / roots trails with a lot of speed, the suspension doesn't work well. The titanium flex is slower than a bearing pivot => on several high speed bumps, it feels more like a hardtail than a fully.
But it works well on jumps / drops, the suspension is OK in this situation because there is only 1 hit to absorb.
On slope trails, i can feel the rear triangle lack of rigidity.
If i had to do it again :
- shorter reach
- no sliding dropouts
- UDH
- ZS56 / ZS56 to make internal routing
For the measured travel, i forgot, i will do it again
I bought a propain spindrift (180/180) in sept 2022, this is the bike I mainly ride now because of its versatility and performance.
The softail rides on the snow ;D and mud conditions
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Awesome! mines set to ne completed sometime next week.
I already have a couple Minor regrets.
Should of requested straight Seat tube
32T chain ring instead of the 28t
Should of did UDH
Thinking I should of did 83mm BB to give me the option swap in fat tires/50mm wheels
I did 480mm reach, wit 31mm stem, still hope its not too long of a reach
I did 80°STA and 61° HTA
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Question about the rear shock ...
Is there a trick or way to remove and install it?
I have been riding the snot out of my frame, and my rear shock needs service. When I installed it on the frame it was such a pain in the arse to get it in. I ended up putting a little scratch at the bottom of the stancion.
Here is what I did the first time.
When I installed my rear shock I removed all the air and placed it on the lowest compression and rebound. Then I compressed it. Followed by installing it, but even doing this took two or three tries! As I mentioned, I ended up making a light scratch because the shock would start to rebound before I had it set in place.
Would appreciate if there are any pointers.
Thanks!
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To install the shock, I recommend that you use an expander on the front shock mount on the frame to make it a bit wider.
You can manipulate your shock easily and don't scratch it.
I mounted the shock several time for servicing, all good.
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Okay,
To be clear, you mean to expand this part?
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yes.
you need to mount the lower part first, then the upper part (with the help of a little piece of wood or a tool to expand so that you can insert the upper part of the shock easily)
When i read the you scratch the bottom of stanchion, i guess you put in the upper part first (front of bike) ?
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Thanks, I will be servicing my rear shock within the next couple of weeks. I appreciate your information.