The titanium mountain bike frame is always the middleman between carbon and aluminum. One feature that people love the most from it is its durability. If you’re planning to change your frame into a titanium MTB frame, see the brief information below:
- Part 1: What Is a Titanium Frame
- Part 2: Picking The Proper Frame
- Part 3: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- Part 4: Conclusion
Part 1: What Is a Titanium Frame
Titanium is a silver-colored light metal and is very active. The amount of density is less than iron but triples in terms of strength. Designs built using properties provided by titanium often result in reliable, economic, and more durable systems and components that exceed life expectancy at lower overall costs in the long run. That’s why it’s the perfect material for creating a titanium MTB frame.
In recent years, titanium and its alloys have had a very wide range of applications in bicycle manufacture, not only in the frame. It can be said that almost every bicycle part can basically have parts made of titanium alloy materials, such as titanium alloys, vertical, horizontal titanium alloy, and other parts. You can say that titanium is a high-end material that requires a more complex way of processing.
Compared to other metals used in bicycle frames, titanium has a higher ability to overcome road surface defects and deformations. This means that the carefully designed titanium frame handles bumpy surfaces better, providing a more comfortable driving experience.
The titanium frame is usually paired with carbon forks to increase the aspect of comfort. The bikes that are made of titanium usually have different proportions from other metals, depending on the physical properties required, which increases the durability and physical properties of the pure metal.
Another advantage of ti MTB frame is that they do not corrode like steel. So, in general, titanium frames often exhibit a distinctive metallic gray sheen.
Part 2: Similarities with Other Materials
Similar to aluminum, titanium tubing kits can be cold drawn and hydraulically shaped, so while a titanium frame may have a coiled main pipe with external wiring cables, the tubing kit may have other shapes and also allow for internal wiring. An extreme example is the Helix Lynskey frame circuit, which uses a spirally twisted tube to help resist torsional forces.
As with other metal frames, the length and slope of the frame pipe are cut before welding. Due to the reaction with oxygen, welding titanium sheath is more complicated than making an alloy frame, and it can take up to five man-hours to complete the weld. The fitting must then be tapped to match the parts bolted to the frame and the final finish and marking added.
While most titanium MTB frame bikes are welded, there are other options. Caminade, a custom-made auto frame maker from France, has just unveiled its Allroad frame components, which use titanium tubes mounted on carbon lugs to make them less expensive than an all-titanium frame.
Part 3: Picking the Proper Frame
The bicycle frame is the heart of the bicycle itself. And it is recommended that the size of the bicycle frame must match the cyclist’s body posture.
The right bicycle frame has a size that is balanced with the bicycle user, which will balance the height and length of the bicycle, as well as response and cycling comfort.
On the market, there are various variations of bicycle frames from various trademarks with varying prices. And bicycle users have the advantage of choosing which frame is right for themselves and fits in their pocket.
Aside from choosing the correct material (in this case, titanium), it’s also important to think about the frame’s size.
Checking The Frame
Before you buy the frame MTB titanium. It’s better if you check each frame by yourself at the nearest bike store. The determinant of cycling comfort and efficiency lies in the size of the bicycle frame. Not in the sophistication of technology or the high price.
The right titanium mountain bike frame is generally obtained from calculating the height and length of the cyclist’s leg; for the length of the leg, it is measured from the groin to the tip of the foot without a base.
Simply put, when a cyclist stands with two legs without a base clamping the bicycle frame (standover height), leave a few centimeters of space between the top tube / the top of the frame and the groin.
After that, see the distance between the saddle and the handlebar (cockpit length), and make sure there is enough room for the knees and elbows in the pedaling position. Make sure the movement of the legs (leg extension) when pedaling is not too bent or too stretched because it will cause leg muscle injury and loss of cycling efficiency.
Part 4: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Now, after we’ve gained some information about the ti MTB frame itself. We want to answer some of the commonly asked questions about it. Without further ado, let us go to the first one.
Why Is The Frame Usually Not Painted
It’s not impossible to paint a titanium frame. Of course, it’s possible, but most manufacturers don’t do it. Because the main goal is to show that this frame is made of titanium by showing its original color. Besides, the paint will also increase the cost and increase the weight of the frame itself, even though it’s only a few grams.
At a glance, if a frame manufacturer makes frames with shapes and color finishes, we can easily tell which one is titanium from just a glance. The original titanium silver color is shiny but not mirror-like and shows a pattern when exposed to light.
The results of titanium welds are also neater than other metals because the welding method for this type of metal is also different.
Is Titanium Durable
If we look at the comparison of titanium MTB bike frame and alloy, which are both made of metal, tubing alloy frames can vary in shape and even resemble molded carbon frames, but why are titanium frames mostly similar in shape to ordinary tubes?
This is because titanium is a super hard metal that is very difficult to shape. In addition to being very strong, titanium is also more durable even for a lifetime and is highly corrosion resistant than steel.
Which One Is More Lightweight? Titanium or Carbon
It is undeniable that for the product lineup/flagship, various bicycle brands are always using carbon fiber material; the main advantage of this material is its stiffness and flexibility. Carbon fiber is also significantly lighter than aluminum, steel, or titanium. Another advantage of carbon fiber is the material that’s easy to shape into various sizes.
But don’t get us wrong, titanium can be very lightweight. For example, there’s the Litespeed T1SL that weighs less than a kilogram (995 grams, to be exact.)
Part 5: Conclusion
Now, are you perfectly sure to pick titanium MTB frame? If the answer is yes, then simply go for it. Titanium is an undeniable strong material that could make your bike stronger. Don’t worry about the myth that says titanium is always burdening in terms of weight. With the currently developed technology, many vendors are able to create titanium-framed bikes that have very minimal weight.
