Scratching a titanium itch

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Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler
I'm enjoying this thread.

I've got a big birthday coming up, and I sadly came into some money recently (a bequest) so I've been pondering a fancy bike, and it would likely be Ti.

Sometimes I'm really enthusiastic about the idea, and have spent considerable time on the Spa and Enigma and other websites.

But at other times the question of what's actually wrong with my Spa Steel Audax pours cold water on these ideas. Because the answer is ... not much really. And it's taken me so long tweaking it to getting it how I want. OK I'd like to experiment with fatter tyres but that's about it. Oh yeah, and I'd be curious to learn if disc brakes are all they are cracked up to be.

Still, a bit of window shopping - or window licking as the French put it - never does any harm.
 
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StuAff

Silencing his legs regularly
Location
Portsmouth
I'm enjoying this thread.

I've got a big birthday coming up, and I sadly came into some money recently (a bequest) so I've been pondering a fancy bike, and it would likely be Ti.

Sometimes I'm really enthusiastic about the idea, and have spent considerable time on the Spa and Enigma and other websites.

But at other times the question of what's actually wrong with my Spa Steel Audax pours cold water on these ideas. Because the answer is ... not much really. And it's taken me so long tweaking it to getting it how I want. OK I'd like to experiment with fatter tyres but that's about it. Oh yeah, and I'd be curious to learn if disc brakes are all they are cracked up to be.

Still, a bit of window shopping - or window licking as the French put it - never does any harm.
Yes, you want one. The Spa won't get jealous.
 

Twizit

CS8 lead out specialist
Location
Surrey
I've finally got it. It didn't arrive until Monday - and I was working Tuesday / Wednesday so didn't manage to put it together until Thursday. I've just taken it to a local car park to take some photos. I know black finishings aren't to everyone's taste, but I like it. There is an understated economy about it. I got a better dynamo than I expected, and it came set up with tubeless tyres.

The courier said to my wife:- "I'm curious about what's in the box. I've delivered a lot of bikes, and its a box for an adults bike, but it isn't heavy enough. Is it a child's bike? "

Only just seen this thread but good shout and lovely looking bike. I have a Spectre as my go-to do it all bike. It covers everything from winter bike, commuting duties (when I actually commuted) to long distance summer rides. Full mudguards, bomb-proof hand-built wheels and 4 seasons in winter. Striped back with carbon wheels and gp 5000s in summer. Ultegra di2 build. Been running it for 2 1/2 years and love it. My forever bike.

Let us know how you're finding yours.
 

Twizit

CS8 lead out specialist
Location
Surrey
Does the OP's bike take mudguards?

There doesn't appear to be any bosses around the rear drop outs.

I thought he wanted mudguards for LEL and similar events.
Good spot - the bosses are a bit further up the seat stay, maybe 3 inches above the drop outs - slightly odd positioning for them but they definitely take full guards. Also makes for a super clean looking rear drop out section!
 
OP
OP
N

Nebulous

Guru
Location
Aberdeen
Does the OP's bike take mudguards?

There doesn't appear to be any bosses around the rear drop outs.

I thought he wanted mudguards for LEL and similar events.

It does - they describe it as 'hidden mounts' and I definitely will fit some, but I'm not sure what to buy. I've always used SKS chromoplastic ones, but might try something else.
 

Twizit

CS8 lead out specialist
Location
Surrey
It does - they describe it as 'hidden mounts' and I definitely will fit some, but I'm not sure what to buy. I've always used SKS chromoplastic ones, but might try something else.
Likewise currently have SKS on mine. Never had an issue with them before but confess given the position of the secret mounts they felt more wobbly than usual - I think the mount position means a longer length metal stay. I’m also currently operating with half a rear guard as it cracked around the seat stay bridge - probably user error over tightening when I drilled through and secured it!

currently have a Bontrager set on order in the hope they will be more sturdy due to design of wrap around metal stays.
 

Paul_Smith SRCC

www.plsmith.co.uk
Location
Surrey UK
....currently have a Bontrager set on order in the hope they will be more sturdy due to design of wrap around metal stays.
The Bontrager NCS Mudguard Set have an adjustable stay that effectively doubles at the join which results in good stability; the integrated rear Blendr light mount for use with Bontrager Flare lights is a useful feature; note they have a brighter model as well. Slightly off topic but I personally use the cheaper smaller led as a daylight running light in the summer fitted to the handlebars and in the winter I fit that to my helmet that also has a Blendr magnetic mount system, I then attach the brighter version to the bike.

The Spectre that Nebulous has just bought looks to have evolved from that listed on their site, looking at his pictures up thread you can see the eyelets on the outside of the seat stays, for sure you do need to take time working out where to drill the hole for the bridge fitting but if done correctly it will be very neat on that bike. Although the Spectre will not take a pannier rack (to quote 'Reilly' "No pannier fittings. If these are necessary then we say Gradient.") for those who also want a similar styled bike that can fit a rear pannier rack there are models from other brands that may appeal; the Enigma Etape, Van Nicholas Yukon, Mason Aspect, Kinesis GTD and Spa Elan to name just five
 
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OP
OP
N

Nebulous

Guru
Location
Aberdeen
The Bontrager NCS Mudguard Set have an adjustable stay that effectively doubles at the join which results in good stability; the integrated rear Blendr light mount for use with Bontrager Flare lights is a useful feature; note they have a brighter model as well. Slightly off topic but I personally use the cheaper smaller led as a daylight running light in the summer fitted to the handlebars and in the winter I fit that to my helmet that also has a Blendr magnetic mount system, I then attach the brighter version to the bike.

The Spectre that Nebulous has just bought looks to have evolved from that listed on their site, looking at his pictures up thread you can see the eyelets on the outside of the seat stays, for sure you do need to take time working out where to drill the hole for the bridge fitting but if done correctly it will be very neat on that bike. Although the Spectre will not take a pannier rack (to quote 'Reilly' "No pannier fittings. If these are necessary then we say Gradient.") for those who also want a similar styled bike that can fit a rear pannier rack there are models from other brands that may appeal; the Enigma Etape, Van Nicholas Yukon, Mason Aspect, Kinesis GTD and Spa Elan to name just five

Well it took me a few days, work and weather got in the way, but I've bought a set of the Bontrager guards. Fitting them was easier than I expected, with a couple of bodges. I had to fit the stays on one of the fittings further up the fork, as I couldn't get the bolts to go through the hole at the bottom of the fork. I had to drill a hole in the rear guard to fit the top mount. Mindful of the issue reported above of the guard cracking where the bolt goes through it, I've cut a couple of small patches from an inner tube and put the bolt through them at each side of the guard to act as a shock-absorber.

I bought a cheap Bontrager flare 1 and fitted it to the Blendr mount on the rear guard. The advantage is it uses 2 AAA batteries and lasts 50 hours on the random flash. If I'm on LEL, despite having a dynamo on the front I'll have a lot of kit to charge. An additional rear light might be one too many. Switching out batteries will be more straightforward. https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/...ts/bontrager-flare-1-rear-bike-light/p/11367/

A modest 40 k on it today, and I really like it. It's light, comfortable and the Di2 is growing on me, particularly with winter gloves.
 

Twizit

CS8 lead out specialist
Location
Surrey
Well it took me a few days, work and weather got in the way, but I've bought a set of the Bontrager guards. Fitting them was easier than I expected, with a couple of bodges. I had to fit the stays on one of the fittings further up the fork, as I couldn't get the bolts to go through the hole at the bottom of the fork. I had to drill a hole in the rear guard to fit the top mount. Mindful of the issue reported above of the guard cracking where the bolt goes through it, I've cut a couple of small patches from an inner tube and put the bolt through them at each side of the guard to act as a shock-absorber.

I bought a cheap Bontrager flare 1 and fitted it to the Blendr mount on the rear guard. The advantage is it uses 2 AAA batteries and lasts 50 hours on the random flash. If I'm on LEL, despite having a dynamo on the front I'll have a lot of kit to charge. An additional rear light might be one too many. Switching out batteries will be more straightforward. https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/...ts/bontrager-flare-1-rear-bike-light/p/11367/

A modest 40 k on it today, and I really like it. It's light, comfortable and the Di2 is growing on me, particularly with winter gloves.
Definite vote for the Bontrager guards. So much easier and quicker to fit than SKS. No silly stays to cut, they remain adjustable and seem more sturdy. Good shout on the inner tube patches around the drill hole. Glad you’re enjoying the bike!
 

IaninSheffield

Veteran
Location
Sheffield, UK
Had a mosey up to Spa Cycles for a Ti test ride today. Since I'm after a rim brake bike (don't judge me!), that ruled out the Spa Elan range. The Spa Audax was a possibility, but not for long - a bit too ... 'robust' for my needs. Having looked over the Sabbath range, settled on taking an Aspire for a spin. My first ride on a 'light' bike. Crikey! It's like floating on air! Couple of hours later I arrived back at Spa grinning from ear to ear and desperate to offer up my credit card ... or a kidney.
Upped the spec a bit, provided a deposit, and now faced with a 16 week wait. Just in time for summer :wahhey:
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