Which titanium bike brands holds its value the best?

[Ken Robb]

A Legend ti was just listed in the classifieds that might work if you ride a 57cm.

[jeffreng58]

Originally Posted by BobC

I think some folks should re-read what OP stated,
"to stretch my purchasing dollar"
Firefly, Moots, No22, etc. are fantastic bikes, but at a huge premium.

Lynskeys are good. I would recommend at least take a look at Dean as well. Personally I think that is more what you are after.

Originally Posted by Dino Suegiù

This thread is so obsessed-cyclist-heavy (which is of course 100% normal considering the forum we are on).
But come on...Baum, 22, Firefly, Mosaic, etc???
Those and others are all great brands, but mainly for the cognoscenti.
The general or "not as expert" public, which I would think would play heavily into "hold its value best", know nothing about those brands.

A used Moots cannot be beat, imo.
Even in Europe Moots are considered exquisite, with a very special cachet.
NB: also agree w/BobC just above. The title is important.

I read BobC and Dino S. replies and it made me smile because they really understand my sentiments with my original post. I was originally considering a ti frame that didn't come with a huge premium - a cost that covers the unique decals, certain finishes, and custom geometry. I'd like to personally but it seems difficult to resell a any bike at a premium nowadays. But as the thread expanded with many good insights from everyone, the discussion has evolved and gave me a new perspective in what to look for when buying a titanium frame. My spending limit was way lower in the beginning than it is now.

Originally Posted by bob heinatz

Moots seem to hold their value the best. As already mentioned in numerous posts get a bike that fits and enjoy it.

But if I can get the bike in my size from all brands, is Moots the choice to choose? So far it seems like it is.

Originally Posted by sw3759

Tom Kellogg is retiring and not taking any new orders as of 8/1/19

Good for Tom. Well deserved.

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

A Legend ti was just listed in the classifieds that might work if you ride a 57cm.

Yeah it's a beauty. I ride a unfortunate 53...

Originally Posted by Hilltopperny

I just did a little research and it further proves my point. Go to adrenaline bikes and have a look at No22 frame and frameset prices. They are literally half of a comparable Mosaic, 2/3 of a comparable Moots.
I don't see them losing too much value comparably if they hit the used market since the company has only been producing bikes for around 5 years. I know I seem biased since I own a couple of them, but dollar for dollar they are the best deal going for high end titanium bikes IMHO.

Dean and No22 are now on my radar. Thank you.

Does anyone else know much about Dean and No22? It's hard to get a read on the pricing with such a small sample size on the internet. I'm surprised not many people mention LITESPEED at all.

[tuscanyswe]

Originally Posted by jeffreng58

Dean and No22 are now on my radar. Thank you.

Does anyone else know much about Dean and No22? It's hard to get a read on the pricing with such a small sample size on the internet. I'm surprised not many people mention LITESPEED at all.

Are we still talking best resale value?

Dont think dean is one of those brands. No 22 perhaps not either imo. Maybe a recent model on this forum will have ok value but to the large masses many dont know what no22 is imo.

If value is highest on your list id go with moots. Then again its also one of the best in all categories .)

Mosaic also seem to have reasonable resale value of late.

[Dino Suegiù]

Originally Posted by jeffreng58

Dean and No22 are now on my radar. Thank you.

Does anyone else know much about Dean and No22? It's hard to get a read on the pricing with such a small sample size on the internet. I'm surprised not many people mention LITESPEED at all.

I agree with tuscanyswe on both 22 and Dean. I do not really know much about either brand though.

What I do know is that when I was doing research on titanium builders, Dean had an abominable, really bad, reputation for very slow/late/frustrating delivery and truly terrible communication, from multiple sources. So, I wrote them off the list, as I cannot stand dealing with that kind of baloney from people.

Of course they may have improved their customer service, delivery, communication, etc., in the meantime but the reputation seemed very well earned, and the frames nothing really special, so I would definitely recommend that one do their due diligence on them (on any small builder for that matter).

Really good small (one- or two-person shops) great and very experienced ti builders that I personally "know" (ie have bought from or at least communicated seriously with) who are also really good people, good businessmen, real pros, honest, direct, and easy to communicate with are, in no particular order, Carl Strong, Steve Potts, Jim Kish, Kent Eriksen/Brad Bingham, Bill Holland, Mike De Salvo, Bill Davidson (if still active), Max Kullaway....

Prices vary between those guys and I am sure I am forgetting some really excellent others, but those ti builders are all excellent imo. Not an advert for any one of them, just more names for the op's list.


Buy the frameset/builder you really love, not some possible r-o-i which is going to be iffy at best going forward.
Or, again, a used Moots for availability, decent prices, great customer service, OK resale.

[Blue Jays]

Originally Posted by sw3759

"...Tom Kellogg is retiring and not taking any new orders as of 8/1/19..."

I thought the dancing bananas indicated the joke...
Glad to have my fleet of titanium Spectrum bicycles.

[doomridesout]

I agree that this diverted into different questions than OP asked.

I agree that Moots have the best overall resale value and broadest base of high cachet, which drives long term values up. They also produced essentially the same few models out year after year, with very minimal variance in spec. When you buy a Moots Compact or Vamoots from the straight HT era, you know exactly what you're getting.

I would argue that Moots has diluted this by making more substantive spec changes year to year since the rim-brake era.

[merlinmurph]

Resale? Moot point.
If you buy a new Firefly, No. 22, Seven, Moots, Mosaic, etc., you're not going to sell it. ;-)

(Said partially in jest)

[enr1co]

Somewhat OT but sharing a magazine article of one's Ti bike purchase story and value requirements.