Custom MTB Advice

[brownhound]

Last year I put down a deposit for a custom titanium gravel frame, and then promptly found a steel frame that does 80% of what I wanted from the ti frame. Together with my other all-road bike, seems like overkill.

The maker is fine with me transferring the deposit to make something different, so I'm thinking of diving into a MTB. The maker mostly does race CX bikes, which you'd expect, but I'll have them do a all-mountain or trail-version for me - i.e., slacker geometry, not a racer, etc.

My last MTB was a steel 26er, to give you some sense of how long ago it was. Since my knowledge is so old, wondering what advice you'd give someone in my position, i.e., someone whose first MTB frame in, well, decades, is a custom titanium full suss. What should I know about geometry, fit, suspension, preferences, going in? Resources I should scout out?

[joosttx]

I would get fitted. Probably worth the money spent since it’s been awhile. Then, assuming you trust the builder let him build you the bike. My feeling if you never experienced a modern MTB all you can do is screw up the design process by trying and learn through reading and not experience.

This is exactly what I did with my 44 MTB and I couldn’t be more happy. I did choose the color.

[Ken Robb]

Does the builder have much experience building mtn. bikes?

[JAGI410]

Honestly I wouldn't put that challenge on that builder. If it's not their specialty, they might not tick all the boxes.

It's like going to a mexican restaurant and ordering a burger. Sure it can be done, but it won't be as good as their signature items.

There's a lot that goes into these modern MTB bikes, especially with boost, super boost, thru axles, suspension kinematics, etc. I'm sure the builder wants the paycheck, but their stress level would be relieved if they didn't have to do it.

There are so many good MTBs out there, you'd have to go ride a bunch to figure out what to clone. Do you want/need 29er wheels? What travel? Coil or air shock? Do you like the trend du jour of a steep STA?

[brownhound]

It's a big maker with lots of road and MTB experience.

[FlashUNC]

Trust them, get a fit, and let them guide the process.

[AngryScientist]

in addition i would see if there is a local mtb forum or something for your area.

seems to me that the type of bike you want can be very different from location to location, so it might be best to have a bike built not only for you, but for the trails your bike will see the most action.

talking to the regulars would be a good place to start,.

[macaroon]

Go for a road bike instead. Titanium is a stupid material for an MTB frame.

[crownjewelwl]

hmm....not a lot of custom builders doing ti full suss...if your guy doesn't do a lot of mtb, first question i would ask is about the rear triangle

alliance does a lot of mtb and he uses alloy for rear triangle (ventana design)

moots used to do one, but no longer

seven dropped one recently and it is super spendy (probably for a reason)...i don't believe the linkages are ti

[jtbadge]

Full sus? Buy carbon with a warranty from your LBS. Santa Cruz, Kona, Specialized, whatever.

[fmradio516]

Go grab a rental or demo bike from somewhere to get the feel for what you like. Then if you find something that fits, take the measurements down. But I agree with the rest of the crew. Road bikes are one thing, mountain bikes are a whooole nother thing.

[JLQ]

If I'm reading OP correctly, you're beholden to the current builder for the sake of retaining your deposit, no?

[ColonelJLloyd]

Is there nothing you would change about the steel frame you bought? If there is, why not take this an opportunity to really refine and nail your perfect gravel frame in Ti, move the parts over and sell the steel frame?

I'd give a lot more thought (and test riding) to the MTB as others above have mentioned.

[Jaybee]

Is there nothing you would change about the steel frame you bought? If there is, why not take this an opportunity to really refine and nail your perfect gravel frame in Ti, move the parts over and sell the steel frame?

I'd give a lot more thought (and test riding) to the MTB as others above have mentioned.

This is what I would do here, mostly because this:

Full sus? Buy carbon with a warranty from your LBS. Santa Cruz, Kona, Specialized, whatever.

Is spot on. The major MTB manufacturers really have full sus trail bikes dialed now. I don’t think you get bang for the buck by going custom here, and I haven’t really loved either of the Ti full sus bikes I’ve been able to get a ride on.

[kingpin75s]

Titanium is a stupid material for an MTB frame.

How so? Some of the advantages of Ti may be lost with FS, but for rigid and hardtails, decreased weight, along with excellent elongation, tensile strength and fatigue strength characteristics make for comfortable and long lasting ride. Titanium is generally a great material for a MTB frame.

[chiasticon]

How so? Some of the advantages of Ti may be lost with FS, but for rigid and hardtails, decreased weight, along with excellent elongation, tensile strength and fatigue strength characteristics make for comfortable and long lasting ride. Titanium is generally a great material for a MTB frame.yeah all my off road bikes are Ti and I love 'em. two CX bikes and a hardtail MTB. would buy a gravel frame made of it as well, if I rode gravel enough. I think it's great for off road purposes.

to the OP: I don't know that I would invest the money that a custom full-suspension Ti MTB will cost, if I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted and that I would ride it often enough to justify the cost. if you don't end up riding it and want to sell, you're going to take a bigger hit on resale than if you'd gone another route; because MTB's change so fast and are so specific, but also because bikes just don't return a whole lot on the investment, custom especially. maybe better to get a road bike or replace your gravel bike, or sell your place in the queue perhaps? fwiw, I paid half price or less for all three of my Ti frames, because they were used.

[HenryA]

Go for a road bike instead. Titanium is a stupid material for an MTB frame.

Trolling much?

I’ll throw in with the group that says Ti is a great material for MTBs.

[pdmtong]

FS designs are really advanced and the layout possibilities that carbon provides to optimize linkage placement cannot be replicated with metal tubes.

As others have noted, I too don't think a custom ti FS is the best place to put your hard earned dollars. The forgiving sizing of modern mtbs allows sizes to fit more people, and while there are so many design options, any of the major players will deliver a really fun ride, and probably more cheaply than your custom builder.

[Jaybee]

Ti is a fantastic choice for a hardtail. Unless I misunderstand the OP, we're talking full sus here. Much of what makes Ti awesome in a hardtail becomes less awesome or maybe just muted under 4+" of travel front and rear. Also, you want to be sure your builder really understands suspension kinematics. Add in the amount of time and money that Trek/Speshy/Santa Cruz/Ibis/Transition/whoever have spent refining their suspension platforms, and I think modern production carbon is the sweet spot here. Not that you can't get a great Ti FS trail bike, just that I think your bang for the buck, even if you're spending up near $10k or more, is in carbon.

[Dave B]

Trolling much?

I’ll throw in with the group that says Ti is a great material for MTBs.

Agreed

Seems that: Moots, IF, SEVEN, Kent E/Brad B, Strong, etc seem to make ok bikes out of Ti. :rolleyes:

Regardless, I have had Ti hard tails, softails, and full sussers all great bikes.

But I am just one guy.

[colker]

Trolling much?

I’ll throw in with the group that says Ti is a great material for MTBs.

Hmmm... titanium is an everlasting material. MTBs otoh change their tech and standards(hubs, brakes, BB, angles, geo) so fast a bike is obsolete before decals are even scratched.

[joosttx]

Hmmm... titanium is an everlasting material. MTBs otoh change their tech and standards(hubs, brakes, BB, angles, geo) so fast a bike is obsolete before decals are even scratched.

Standards will change regardless frame material. Not sure why A titanium frame would be more apt for obsolescence than another frame material.

[colker]

Standards will change regardless frame material. Not sure why A titanium frame would be more apt for obsolescence than another frame material.

On mtbs standards have changed faster so a bike that lasts longer make less sense as an mtb. Mtbs also have big rubber, fat wheels and the subtleties of titanium are less perceived than on a road bike.

[colker]

Standards will change regardless frame material. Not sure why A titanium frame would be more apt for obsolescence than another frame material.
I would like a serotta legend but don´t care much for a serotta 26in ti max hardtail.. even though the mtb may be the best 26in hardtail ever made.

[joosttx]

I would like a serotta legend but don´t care much for a serotta 26in ti max hardtail.. even though the mtb may be the best 26in hardtail ever made.

Huh? I know this will not help you understand your logic is flawed but...., a 26er steel bike is just as obsolete as a 26er carbon bike as obsolete as a 26er titanium bike. It’s not the material that made it obsolete.

[colker]

Huh? I know this will not help you understand your logic is flawed but...., a 26er steel bike is just as obsolete as a 26er carbon bike as obsolete as a 26er titanium bike. It’s not the material that made it obsolete.

It´s you who could not understand a very simple math which i have carefully explained : titanium is not worth the extra cost for an mtb.
It´s a material made to last immune to corrosion. An mtb is fleeting tech that makes any frame obsolete quick time.
Otoh ti have subtle ride qualities best perceived on a road bike which does not have susp forks and fat heavy rubber.
It´s crystal clear what i am saying.
If i am building an mtb i will use steel, aluminum or carbon.

[kiwisimon]

OP, trust the builder. If you can't do that, move on and don't waste your money on something you won't smile about when you ride it.

[joosttx]

It´s you who could not understand a very simple math which i have carefully explained : titanium is not worth the extra cost for an mtb.
It´s a material made to last immune to corrosion. An mtb is fleeting tech that makes any frame obsolete quick time.
Otoh ti have subtle ride qualities best perceived on a road bike which does not have susp forks and fat heavy rubber.
It´s crystal clear what i am saying.
If i am building an mtb i will use steel, aluminum or carbon.

Crystal meth clear

[colker]

Crystal meth clear

You are better and won the internet.

[Mikej]

Trolling much?

I’ll throw in with the group that says Ti is a great material for MTBs.

I’m with this group as well.

[Mikej]

Hmmm... titanium is an everlasting material. MTBs otoh change their tech and standards(hubs, brakes, BB, angles, geo) so fast a bike is obsolete before decals are even scratched.

You can still get parts, they may not be mind controlled 15s, but you can keep them going. A hard tail Trek 9.8 frame retails at 2700$