Anyone had any experience with Planet X Titanium frames?
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- Joined: 09 Sep 2008, 01:43
- Location: Marrickville
james and john are ur 2 guys for this question. They have both owned one for a while.
My current carbon bike sometimes get a shimmy that scares the s..t out of me on high speed descents. I want a bike that descends like its on rails yet comfortable enough to ride all day for long Audax rides.
The Planet X site has a sportive version of the frame that also looks interesting.
The Planet X site has a sportive version of the frame that also looks interesting.
We had a rider in recently who was a gun rider in his day (olympics klio rep) who's dad gave him a lightspeed (made when they were good- don't buy a new one!) Ti frame nearly 20yrs ago. The parts have just been upgraded to 10sp chorus that much richer mate had given him and someone is scouting for a decent carbon fork at the right price so he can use an Ahead stem and a modern handlebar. When this is done the bike will be as new again and be good for at least another 20yrs apart from consumables.
Anthony Challinor at Velofix at Rozelle is gearing up to sell titanium bikes he's had custom built. I haven't been on one myself (I'm a steel man - my 'nago Master never shimmies) but they've been tested heavily by Anthony and his offsider Jose and are apparently awesome.
Yeah, at these prices they'd want to be!Apparently these are good: Lynskey range from Tennessee USA.
http://www.lynskeyperformance.com
PRO BUILD CUSTOM MSRP FORK
Level 1 frame only $3,595 N/A
Level 2 frame only $3,995 N/A
Level 3 frame only $4,295 N/A
Level 4 frame only $5,295 N/A
Im considering going the Planet X ti frame. I think the frame weighs about 1400 grams - all tho correct me if im wrong. It depends on size of the frame as well. by what ive seen and heard they look excellent quality for money.i might go that way ahead of carbon. Not an easy dicision to make.
The decision between carbon and titanium is easy. Do you want a bike that will last 10+ years or 3 - 5 years (or less if you crash it). A good carbon frame is going to be stiffer and lighter the titanium, but a good carbon frame will cost more then $1200.
Nothing is easy in bike equipment choice, and durability is but one parameter in the decision tree if one cares to be truly objective.The decision between carbon and titanium is easy.
1) CF does not degrade over 3-5 years. There's plenty that hangs around for much longer than that. No, CF does not explode on contact with water, and are certainly going to hang around given the number of commercial airliners using CF parts. And no, CF frames do not fail with any crash. Pro-tour riders show us plenty of that and just ride on.
2) Ti the material may be relatively inert and remain stable for 1000+ years, but that does not mean a Ti bike frame may last that long. There's plenty of reports and photos of Ti frame failures on the net, with cracks going through the weld and into the tube/s. And to re-weld Ti is no simple home job, one that led to people dispose the whole frame. So on this account, many are weary of less reputable Ti frame manufacturers. And given the relatively limited quality variations in the tubing stock out there, weld quality is the key.
I guess I didn't explain my point very well. The thread is about the planet-x frame, which is about $1200. I'd consider a $1200 carbon frame to be cheap and would be pretty happy if it lasted 5 years. Of course you are going to expect a high end carbon frame to last longer. I ride a cheap carbon frame ($820 for frame and fork) and when I purchased it I figured that if I got more then 12 months out of it I'd be happy, its now 18 months old. In saying all this I actually want to get a carbon mountain bike, but I'm not expecting it to last more then 5 years.
I agree that the welds are very important, I've cracked the weld on a aluminium bike. The planet-x frames come from the Lynsky factory, so the welds are going to be pretty good.
I agree that the welds are very important, I've cracked the weld on a aluminium bike. The planet-x frames come from the Lynsky factory, so the welds are going to be pretty good.
Don't worry, be happy!
I wouldn't worry too much about a "cheap" CF frame these days. To my understanding, many of these "cheap" CF frames are built by well establish or even big name CF frame factories in East Asia. And the reason they are cheap is primarily because they don't have a big premium on brand name, not using the most talked about CF fibre in the latest cycling rag or have a shape that certain Pro-team star rides. So I doubt your CF would fall apart or start to under-perform in 5 years unless it's being abused or being crashed in an unfavourable way, it's but in a similar relationship as Planet-X, but CF. Ti material still costs more than "plastic" and PBK attracts a bigger premium than an eBay shop in Taiwan. And $850 amortised over 5 years or however long is but a personal choice.
Otherwise yes, I agree the Planet-X Ti frame is a definite short list candidate for anyone interested in Ti.
I wouldn't worry too much about a "cheap" CF frame these days. To my understanding, many of these "cheap" CF frames are built by well establish or even big name CF frame factories in East Asia. And the reason they are cheap is primarily because they don't have a big premium on brand name, not using the most talked about CF fibre in the latest cycling rag or have a shape that certain Pro-team star rides. So I doubt your CF would fall apart or start to under-perform in 5 years unless it's being abused or being crashed in an unfavourable way, it's but in a similar relationship as Planet-X, but CF. Ti material still costs more than "plastic" and PBK attracts a bigger premium than an eBay shop in Taiwan. And $850 amortised over 5 years or however long is but a personal choice.
Otherwise yes, I agree the Planet-X Ti frame is a definite short list candidate for anyone interested in Ti.
I'm also keen on a new frame (possibly Ti) and noticed on the Planet X site that "the new versions of the Ti Pro Road will be produced by Van Nicholas" instead of Lynskey.The planet-x frames come from the Lynsky factory
see review section of this page..http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRP ... road-frame
Don't know if this is a good or bad thing.
From memory, my large size frame weighed around 1350g, can't remember exactly.
Van Nicholas make some very nice frames, so there'll be no reduction in quality, but you'll probably have to wait for them to come in, as there's only a couple of large Ti frames in stock at the moment.
Other things to remember are that you will have to buy forks, headset, etc.
Van Nicholas make some very nice frames, so there'll be no reduction in quality, but you'll probably have to wait for them to come in, as there's only a couple of large Ti frames in stock at the moment.
Other things to remember are that you will have to buy forks, headset, etc.
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