Modern Metals
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 4:00AM 6 Comments 
I'm pretty sure that titanium doesn't qualify as a modern metal. Maybe for some it does. I really don't care all that much. Titanium is an amazing material for a bicycle. Some might argue that there is a placebo effect going on with a new bike. Others might argue that of course I'm going to say that titanium rules to justify the cost. Others might say I'm just trying to promote it to support the ti bikes my employer sells.
I don't really care. Ti is different and provides something unique and undeniably distinctive to a bicycle. I love the "feel" of ti and my bike with no name is no exception. The more I ride my bike with no name, the more I love it. I'm really settling into my bike. I've got it pretty much dialed for the DK200. I still have to install my tubeless wheels. I also plan to experiment with a 1 cm longer stem. However, it's 95% perfect for me and I'm having so much fun riding it I can't take the time to swap that stuff out.
Did I say ride? Well....I am headed out shortly for a long day in the saddle. I'm taking some of my hard earned vacation time to put in some serious miles. I'm meeting a good friend for breakfast and then heading to the country with my bike and my camera. Looking for 80-100 miles today! Starting out cool in the mid 30's and ending up in the mid 50's. Sounds like a perfect day.
Titanium rules!
Ps. I started my updates today. It is starting with bigger pictures. Lot's more updates coming as time permits.
Titanium in A bike with no name
Reader Comments (6)
I like the larger images!
I think most experience the Placebo effect on a new bike. We of course want it to feel great after we obsess over the build and fret with fit. The true test is whether or not the bike ends up on the hook or being ridden. The darn Fargo has put too many bikes on the hook when I used to rotate my rides quite often.
63 and sunny here so I am staying with steel for my ride and please avoid tempting me with the TI. My neighbors are calling me in to the Zoning Commission, something about running a bike shop.
Well, I don't care what they say either. Titanium certainly is a great material for a bike, and you know, like anything else, it has to be used "right" to become a great frame for a bicycle. I think the Lynskey folks have it figured out pretty well.
Enjoying the bigger pics. I'll be interested to see what else you have for updates too.
the larger pictures are nice. I've never owned a ti or carbon bike, so I'm no expert. if the coins fell into my lap, I'd snap one up though. titanium is beautiful and everyone likes a pretty bike, right? I bet it rides well too. enjoy the ride today, looking forward to some more photos.
It was a great start to my morning, Jason. I appreciate you taking the time to gather and hope that your ride today clears the senses and invigorates. Happy trails!
I've actually played around with titanium for some time. I'm fortunate to have a friend thats a "Master of Metals" and he intro'ed me to it a long time ago teaching me to weld it (not pretty), bend it and shape it. I've used it in my motorcycle track and racing days along with other super light and strong metals. Like GT says, when you know how to use the metal correctly, any metal can become so much better than even hoped for. But you can also mess things up and the metal will wind up taking the blame. Goes back to the saying about having the right tool for the job. Using the right metal correctly is no different.
After a long day in the saddle, I am even more convinced that ti done right is hard to beat.
Justanoldhobo - My Fargo sent all my other bikes packing last year. I rode my Fargo 95% of the time in 2009. I plan to finish my Fargo off tomorrow and will be riding that Friday. I hope it doesn't get made at me for my short affair with a titanium beauty!