Chinertown
Chinese Carbon MTB => Metal Frames => Topic started by: trendsfriend on July 04, 2024, 01:38:03 AM
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I'm trying to build a custom Ti gravel frame. Waltly seems to be the most popular one. But I'm also curious about the other ones. I'm also in contact with xcad and Titan, both of which have been more responsive and detailed with their responses. I can't find much reviews on the other 2. How do they compare with each other in all aspects ranging from build quality, design options, warranty, customer support, or anything else that comes to mind? Please share your experiences and findings
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I have only used Walty and Titan.
I have had two Walty builds and one Titan build. Both were super easy to deal with and pretty straightforward.
Walty built my two 29 hardtails. I am currently riding one, going on three years or so. The other one I sold sometime ago. I am happy with the Vassago Moose Knuckle style frame they built. It is my go to hardtail.
Titan built me a 29 soft-tail that I am still riding, going on just over a year.
I have not had to deal with a warranty issue with either, and both frames built up super easily.
I plan to get another build in another year, another soft-tail, and will most likely go with Titan as they did such a spot on job with my current soft-tail.
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have had two bikes with waltly... no issues.
ive just received a bike by XCAD, the bottle cage screw holes are too low so cannot hang a FD unless i get a custom hanger. also i wanted it to fit 35MM tyres which it does but sit very close to rubbbing, if my wheels dont run true ill be in trouble.
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have had two bikes with waltly... no issues.
ive just received a bike by XCAD, the bottle cage screw holes are too low so cannot hang a FD unless i get a custom hanger. also i wanted it to fit 35MM tyres which it does but sit very close to rubbbing, if my wheels dont run true ill be in trouble.
Is your frame out of spec? Or were things just not caught in the drawings?
Problem solvers makes a FD hanger that is slotted to give you more range. On my bike, the hanger is between the ST bottle bosses by design; but its something that I needed to check as FD mounting height isnt universal between brands and between road and gravel groups
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I have only had a frame Titan and chose them based on price mainly but was reassured by their fast replies and helpfulness. Changing frame design with them was easy and nothing was too much trouble. My frame took about 8 weeks to produce from ordering.
I have had it coming up to 4 months now so not enough time to comment on things conclusively. I can say that the build quality was excellent. Welds are beautiful and all threaded parts of the frame are very clean. So far I have had no issues and really love my bike from them. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them and hopefully my relationship with them extends in good terms if a warranty claim is required in the future. I have been regularly checking the welds because I had a Ti frame crack previously but no signs of issues right now. Hopeful to have this frame for many years to come!
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I have a Waltly frame. Very nice build ... Until two days when my rear axle (very soft aluminum) got terribly stuck, despite not putting too much pressure on it and having some copper grease. I haven't been able to fix it yet unfortunately... :(
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I have 3 titanium bikes all done by Waltly.
Nov 2018 - Gravel Bike
Primarily built as a flatbar gravel bike and initially built as a 1x11 and eventually converted to a Single Speed. I'm still riding it as an SS.
Notable rides : Audax 400, 300 & 200
Jul 2020 - MTB 29er
Built and setup as a full-rigid mtb as that's what suited the trails I do.
Notable rides : various overnight bikepacking, light trails
Aug 2022 - Gravel Bike
Having converted my gravel bike to SS, I built this one to serve my touring, geared gravel bike and long distance rides needs. It is set it up as a 2x11 flatbar gravel bike.
Notable rides : Audax 600, 400 & 300, various light touring
All 3 bikes are still in service and in great shape. Never had any manufacturing issues. All agreed upon specifications have been met by Waltly to my satisfaction. Dates are when the bikes were built not when it was commissioned with Waltly.
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Almost all of the titanium factories are situated in the China Titanium Corridor: Baoji, Shaanxi Province. This is also the aerospace industry manufacturing base. Many of the mentioned ti frameset are made from here. I got my Ti gravel frameset from a Baoji based company called KWIT (King Whales Infor Technology). I'm happy with the workmanship and the quality of the frameset, but not with the company sales team (not very professional nor knowledgeable). Got my frameset in ~3 months or so like most of the posters here.
I'm looking forward for them to refine the products.. e.g. double/tripped butted tubing's, lighter weight, 3D printing etc etc...
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Waltly already joined the 3d printing game.
Ordered a frame about a month back and waiting for my "pre xmas" present :D
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I only have experience with Titan, Anita offer very good presale and after sale support.
Here's my Soft-tail I got 2 august ago
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Waltly already joined the 3d printing game.
Ordered a frame about a month back and waiting for my "pre xmas" present :D
Interesting. Do post a review or even your journey of planning to execution of the deal. I would like to know the details.
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Interesting. Do post a review or even your journey of planning to execution of the deal. I would like to know the details.
Journey is short, as they offer yet just an off the shelf geometry.
But I will start thread as soon as I receive the frame with pictures and specs.
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I’d just like to report my experience with XACD as this seems to be the forum that had the most recent queries about their work. I have had two custom full suspension titanium frames built by them in the last year. The first for myself, the second for my wife. I did the design work on Solidworks based on the tube diameters and wall thicknesses provided by Porter early on. I chose them over Titan and Waltly partly because there were more reports of better quality with XACD, and partly because in early conversations with each, XACD was more forthcoming on tubing choices and their fabrication experience and process.
My contact, as mentioned was Porter, who gets a bad rap on various forums. While I admit how he communicates can be viewed as brusque, I think for the most part it’s an artifact of English being his second language. Full disclosure, I am American born Chinese so some of the communication style and cultural differences are normal to me. It is interesting to note that at several points his writing style seemed to switch to that of a native English speaker, though he swore it was still him. I think the difference was the use of translation software vs not. Overall, I give Porter high marks for taking care of my bike projects and delivering a great product. He was always quick to respond with very complete answers, and I can be painfully detail oriented. These two bikes are a joy to ride, are light and stiff in the right places, all parts fit as intended, and the suspension works fluidly as envisioned.
My frame took 3 months to fabricate and arrive at my door after approving the final design. Since it was my first go around, finalizing took about 1 month. That frame was nearly perfect to my drawing, so it encouraged me to design another. My wife’s frame, though it was actually more complex due to trying to shave some weight, took 2 weeks to finalize and 2 months to arrive.
The second frame did arrive with a pretty major alignment issue resulting from shipping damage. Porter handled it professionally by arranging for shipping back to China and making repairs at his cost. This process took two additional months, with 5 weeks due to transit time back to their factory over Chinese New Year. I paid for shipping back to help defray the cost, though it wasn’t proposed by Porter. (You need to take care of your supplier where you can.) When it got back, it was perfect, and my wife has been ecstatic about how it rides.
My frame came out to 7lbs, without shock, just as predicted by my Solidworks model. It’s a 165mm travel bike for my 5’9” height built for rocky and steep descents. My wife’s frame weighs 5.9lbs#, again as predicted. It’s a 150mm travel trail bike for her 5’4” height that has already helped her blow away her PR’s on every climb and descent after only 3 months of ownership. Geometry is within tolerance and finish is gorgeous. Could I have designed them to be lighter? Probably, but I was more interested in stiff, durable platforms for long travel suspension.
XACD reportedly has more than 35 years of frame fabrication in its history and has made lots of private label bikes for well-known companies. It shows in the workmanship. And at a price less than a top brand carbon frame, with the strength, corrosion resistance, and fatigue life of titanium, this was a no-brainer. If you have the ability to design what you want, and desire something different from what’s available, I can’t recommend them enough. Just be patient, communicate clearly, and ask lots of questions. Porter is more than willing to educate his customers. Be prepared to scrutinize every dimension on their line drawings as you approach approval. It is a lot of work and attention to detail, but the results are totally worth it, at least to me. There’s an indescribable satisfaction to riding a bespoke, unique, frame that does everything you wanted.
If you have any specific questions regarding the experience I had with them, please feel free to ask.