Waltly already joined the 3d printing game.
Ordered a frame about a month back and waiting for my "pre xmas" present

Interesting. Do post a review or even your journey of planning to execution of the deal. I would like to know the details.

I'm no expert but here are some things you get you going.

Belt drive is great but the initial budget can be pretty steep. You'll need a frame with either a break on the seatstay or an elevated chainstay. And there aren't that many off-the-shelf model to choose from with those options. But you can go Chinese custom built titanium frames. There are several discussions about that in the Metal Frames cathegory. Internal gear hubs (IGH) are recommended for belt drive and the good ones are pretty expensive.

Depending on the kind of touring you have in mind... I mean how heavy you want to carry. Frame & fork material will matter. If your stuff are heavy (you bring your shelter, bedroom, kitchen and fridge), you might want to go with steel or titanium but if it's a credit card tour (sleep in hotel and eat in restaurants) a carbon fiber frame can make your rides faster and more comfty. Depending on your choice here, you have the option of using frame bags or panniers or combination of both. So make sure you have gear boses on your frame and fork.

If you really want to go with belt drive, Rohloff IGH is the most reliable, you can check out Shimano's line too.

Most people like to have dropbars on their touring bike but if you're not one of them, you might want to check out alternative handlebars aside from straight and riser bars.

For Chinese parts, I can recommend Rockbros and Zitto, they're relatively cheap and more than decent in quality. And they got lots of bike parts and products for bikepacking and bike touring.

If it's not too late, I would suggest a third water bottle mount under the down tube. It might come in handy, and it's not a bother if you don't use it.

Here's what I used with mine, a tool cannister...

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.

Shimano NX01, some people calls it Olive chain. For single speed or fixed gear only.

Sorry if this has been asked but i was not able to find it.   what does a basic Ti frame from Waltly cost?  i know this is a loaded question as there is a lot of customizing that can be done but just a run of the mill gravel frame or road frame?  I would really like to go this route but i kind of want to have a ball park before i get going.  Thank you in advance.

My 3rd one, commissioned on 2022 was US$1300. Excluding shipping & duties. My frame costs more as I had ovalize top tube.

I've seen a number of Tsunami Seaboard builds locally. Like almost dozen had cropped up on the local FB bike groups during the COVID Lockdown alone. Most were built as gravel bikes. And almost always, they went with the chrome finish. They look really good to be honest. Yours is the first black built I've seen... very sexy built. As far as durability is concerned, I haven't heard/read of anyone reporting and any failures yet... and that's at least a couple of years already.