Custom Titanium Options

[Kontact]

I would be appalled if custom builder's agreed to build every which way and had no opinions on how some things should be done. That kind of ambivalence to design is what Chinese weld shops are for.

[tigoat]

If one builder does not offer what you want then go to another one, as life is too short not to get what you want with your money. With that said, some builders are more flexible to work with than others so you just have to shop around for more options. Erik Rolf from Alliance was very flexible to work with when I had him work on some of my projects (I am as picky as it gets) a while back, as he would do things that some of his builder friends would not do. Not only that, I would rate Erik a top-notch Ti builder, as I would bet him against some of the well known names in the business. Unlike some others so called "custom" builders, Erik would come as close to a true custom builder in my book.

[Jeff N.]

I'm talking TITANIUM here. If the seat tube OD for most builders is 34.9 and a 31.6 seat post option is only available for a select few, what is the limiting factor of the other builders who only offer 27.2? Are they using a tubing with thicker walls or something? Do they not want to use tubing that'd allow for a 31.6 seat post? If so, why not? Just wondering why some can and some can't.
I remember asking SEVEN why they didn't have internal rear brake cable routing as an option. "We don't think it has any practical advantage" was their answer, pretty much. Others have said, "We think the holes create unnecessary stress risers", which seems like a cop out. Also, I see MOOTS now offers it...they didn't before.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by Kontact

I would be appalled if custom builder's agreed to build every which way and had no opinions on how some things should be done. That kind of ambivalence to design is what Chinese weld shops are for.

I think we’re talking two different things here. A Holland will have a different design than a Potts, but both are going to be expertly done.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by Jeff N.

I remember asking SEVEN why they didn't have internal rear brake cable routing as an option. "We don't think it has any practical advantage" was their answer, pretty much. Also, I see MOOTS now offers it...they didn't before.

Moots is probably just doing it for hydro disc brakes, not regular caliper brakes.

And I have to agree with Seven in general...though the setup on my Ellis is pretty dang sweet from an artistic standpoint.

[tigoat]

For a Ti frame, the seatpost diameter is determined by the insert that is welded to the seat tube. Paragon makes these Ti inserts. There is no reason why a Ti builder is not able to do one in either of the three sizes.

Internal cable/hose routing usually requires inserting a tube into a tube and welding it in place, which could be a challenge for some builders.

Originally Posted by Jeff N.

I'm talking TITANIUM here. If the seat tube OD is 34.9 and a 31.6 seat post option is only available for a select few, what is the limiting factor of the other builders who only offer 27.2? Are they using a tubing with thicker walls or something? Do they not want to use tubing that'd allow for a 31.6 seat post? If so, why not? Just wondering why some can and some can't.
I remember asking SEVEN why they didn't have internal rear brake cable routing as an option. "We don't think it has any practical advantage" was their answer, pretty much. Also, I see MOOTS now offers it...they didn't before.

[myette10]

How many seat post size options do you need? It's a GD seat post. Budget in the cost for a new one while you're plunking down $5k for a ti frameset if your current one doesn't fit. Donate the old one to the homeless and go ahead and treat yourself to something nice. You're worth it.

[Jeff N.]

Originally Posted by tigoat

For a Ti frame, the seatpost diameter is determined by the insert that is welded to the seat tube. Paragon makes these Ti inserts. There is no reason why a Ti builder is not able to do one in either of the three sizes.

Internal cable/hose routing usually requires inserting a tube into a tube and welding it in place, which could be a challenge for some builders.

Exactly! And yes, internal rear cable routing is extra work but...as with most builders that offer this...they can present a bill for such services.

[Jeff N.]

Originally Posted by myette10

How many seat post size options do you need? It's a GD seat post. Budget in the cost for a new one while you're plunking down $5k for a ti frameset if your current one doesn't fit. Donate the old one to the homeless and go ahead and treat yourself to something nice. You're worth it.

Just two... 27.2 and 31.6.

[tigoat]

Originally Posted by Kontact

I would be appalled if custom builder's agreed to build every which way and had no opinions on how some things should be done. That kind of ambivalence to design is what Chinese weld shops are for.

Oh no a builder should never listen to a customer in regards to how a frame is built in terms of construction techniques, as that is not the same thing as offering all the desirable features that a customer wants.

[myette10]

Originally Posted by Jeff N.

Just two... 27.2 and 31.6.

Sorry man I feel for you.

[old fat man]

Originally Posted by Jeff N.

I'm talking TITANIUM here. If the seat tube OD for most builders is 34.9 and a 31.6 seat post option is only available for a select few, what is the limiting factor of the other builders who only offer 27.2? Are they using a tubing with thicker walls or something? Do they not want to use tubing that'd allow for a 31.6 seat post? If so, why not? Just wondering why some can and some can't.
I remember asking SEVEN why they didn't have internal rear brake cable routing as an option. "We don't think it has any practical advantage" was their answer, pretty much. Others have said, "We think the holes create unnecessary stress risers", which seems like a cop out. Also, I see MOOTS now offers it...they didn't before.

Did you even read the response that Mike provided to you?

[old fat man]

Originally Posted by tigoat

For a Ti frame, the seatpost diameter is determined by the insert that is welded to the seat tube. Paragon makes these Ti inserts. There is no reason why a Ti builder is not able to do one in either of the three sizes.

Internal cable/hose routing usually requires inserting a tube into a tube and welding it in place, which could be a challenge for some builders.

Please show me the ti insert that Paragon sells to bring a 34.9 tube down to 27.2.





It's okay to not know everything

[Kontact]

Originally Posted by old fat man

Please show me the ti insert that Paragon sells to bring a 34.9 tube down to 27.2.





It's okay to not know everything

Why would they? There's no reason to combine a flexible seat post with an ultra stiff seat tube. If someone wants a 31.6 seat post it is going to be paired with a reasonably matched seat tube diameter.

[Kontact]

Originally Posted by tigoat

Oh no a builder should never listen to a customer in regards to how a frame is built in terms of construction techniques, as that is not the same thing as offering all the desirable features that a customer wants.

It isn't the same, but it is brand differentiation. Seven, for instance, refuses to do quite a range of things because they believe it adversely affects the ride and long term durability of the frame. Other companies have their own philosophies that limit what they will or won't do.

We should like that these companies have created their own sets of rules through long experience, rather than getting peeved that every custom maker is like every other.


Does anyone actually complain that Colnago won't supply them with a curved fork or that Spectrum won't TIG a steel frame? Let's get real, here.