£££s or ££££££s

[Nebulous]

I found myself in a similar position to you just over a year ago and bought a Reilly Spectre, as detailed here. https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/scratching-a-titanium-itch.277258/

Reilly are selling some high spec bikes with carbon wheels that look very good. Mine was compromised somewhat in that respect, in that I wanted a dynamo. One of the reasons I went for the Reilly was a shorter wait than some of the others. I've no regrets about buying the bike.

 

[YellowV2]

I'd make sure it's double butted. Some of the cheaper titanium frames aren't.

I'm not sure where this comes from as "double butting" does not of itself constitute a good frame.
A fair number of good Ti bikes are not made with double butted but straight gauge tubing, Van Nicholas are one such, as far as I am aware. I have one of their frames (Euros) which is very nice and in the 10 years I have owned it have been very pleased with it and still am.
I am though in a similar situation as the OP in that I am looking for a 'Special bike' for my retirement years and it will possibly be my final bike purchase unless I opt for an E bike at some distant (hopefully) point.
I have decided on an Enigma Excel.

 

[T4tomo]

I'm not sure where this comes from as "double butting" does not of itself constitute a good frame.

From steel frame building, as butted tubes make up a lighter frame for similar strength etc.

Obs Ti is lighter / stronger so the weight saving from butting is less, but still a factor.

I think you are saying there are a lot of factors that make a good frame, which is true.

 

[YellowV2]

Yes, that is my point.
Double butting itself does not constitute a good frame, it still has to be built. True higher end building normally normally uses butted tubes but it doesn't mean there aren't decent single gauge tube frames out there. I believe Van Nicholas and others are case in point?

 

[Sallar55]

Airborne and its European offshoot Van Nic did butted frames. Have the Airborne Torch and its sister from Van Nic as a custom tourer with all the bosses. Th

ey used to do specials to order. That was when you could buy 6-4 frames at a reasonable price. 😁

 

[Alex321]

Yes, that is my point.
Double butting itself does not constitute a good frame, it still has to be built. True higher end building normally normally uses butted tubes but it doesn't mean there aren't decent single gauge tube frames out there. I believe Van Nicholas and others are case in point?

Double butting doesn't make the frame better, but it makes it lighter without any real compromise on strength or stiffness.

 

[craigwend]

I'm not sure where this comes from as "double butting" does not of itself constitute a good frame.
A fair number of good Ti bikes are not made with double butted but straight gauge tubing, Van Nicholas are one such, as far as I am aware. I have one of their frames (Euros) which is very nice and in the 10 years I have owned it have been very pleased with it and still am.
I am though in a similar situation as the OP in that I am looking for a 'Special bike' for my retirement years and it will possibly be my final bike purchase unless I opt for an E bike at some distant (hopefully) point.
I have decided on an Enigma Excel.

Ooh I've got a 16 year old Euros (with plain Gauge tubes) and I have been incredibly happy with it

My new(er) Planet X Hurricane which was my (on a budget) specialish / do it all bike before - next bike or ebike if needed is butted and heavier
Different bikes for different terrains and rides...