BICYCLE GEOMETRY | TRAIL & EFFECTS | TRACK SET-UP | TITANIUM RESPONSIVENESS | FRONT END WOBBLE | COMPACT FRAMES

TITANIUM RESPONSIVENESS

By 1987 (the year I tested the first prototype Titanium frame) I had already built dozens of bikes for my own personal use. Given my training and racing style I had come to what I thought was my ideal frame design. My personal steel frames were built with a 55cm ctr. to top seat tube, a 58 top tube, 73-degree seat angle, 73.5-degree head angle, and a 7cm drop. In working with Merlin on that first Titanium prototype, it seemed logical that I simply build my ideal steel frame only this time in Titanium. I wanted to compare steel and Titanium with a minimum of confusing variables. At the time, I thought the Titanium prototype would ride similarly to my steel frame since the design of the two frames was identical. Boy was I in for a shock.

After only a few seconds on the Titanium bicycle I swore I must have completely redesigned the frame. It seemed to fit the same. I measured it and it had the same wheelbase. The clearances of my steel and the Titanium prototype were also the same. One thing was quite different though. The titanium bike felt considerably quicker handling. Handling responsiveness seemed to be instantaneous on the Ti prototype compared to my trusty steel frame. I still remember how alive that first ride was. In fact, all my rides on Spectrum Titanium bicycles feel as alive as the first.

I soon found out that the handling advances of a well-made Ti frame do not hold for all Ti frames. Only high quality Titanium frames built by knowledgeable and experienced masters are able to enable Titanium to feel so lively. Several factors can lead to a less than ideal titanium feel. For example, Titanium tubes tends to loose the "Ti advantage" when tubes are tapered or use thicker gauge tubing because of smaller diameters. The noticeable handling changes appear to be related to the resiliency of the entire structure. Put simply, Titanium is a very resilient material. If that resiliency isn't designed out of the frame, handling responsiveness is enhanced. The advantage is that a builder with the knowledge and experience can design an even more comfortable and stable Titanium frame while at the same time improving responsiveness.

If you think this is a bit confusing, get out there and ride a Merlin or Spectrum. After looking at the specs, you will see what I mean.