Titanium bikes...

They do look great but really blowing the budget. Enigma is pushing it too. Need to be able to afford a SRAM AXS group also. Could just hang them on the wall I guess!

And you casually throw that out without posting pics? 😔

The Gradient definitely is one of the better value options but it still coming out at just over €3000 with Irish VAT. At €2430 for the Litespeed I'm already stretching vs €1640 for the Lynskey. It's nearly 50% more for a bike while better isn't that much of an upgrade. Though the geometry of the Litespeed will make a better it for the road and I'm slightly more drawn to the brand.

For 800 quid you're overthinking it @Ryath - as you say, it's a lifetime purchase that will pay back with smiles from day one.

I do like the Lynskey also though. In way I prefer the utilitarian rugged looks and it is a more durable bike. Family company also and they did start Litespeed. But as you said it's a once in life time purchase. Only mid 40s so I'd hope I at least have 30 more years cycling! So some of this is future proofing I do think it's worth paying the extra if needs be.

Might be only 800 and over the lifetime of the bike it's not much but I still have to pay it now. That 800 nearly pays for a group set. I'm getting to the point though for another 500 or so I could get the Litespeed flint which does seem a decent upgrade over the Watia. Lot of extras to add thought even the mudguard mounts are an add on. Has SRAM UDH which I really do think is a good option for future proofing.

Anyone any opinions on if it's worth paying for the T47. PF30 shouldn't be an issue with any high-end manufacturer and there is thread together PF30 bottom brackets if I do have issues but I really want the most durable low maintenance option.

Yea had looked at them they had good sales before Christmas that were tempting me but at full RRP I think there are better value options.

Which model did you get?

I have a Van Nicholas Ventus. Brilliant bike and for a shade under €2,800 is worth every cent.

Rothar in Phibsborough

A recent addition to the stable - Dolan ADX disc Di2 12 speed.

I bought it 'nearly new' from a bike shop here. Happened to be in the right place at the right time. (I know the previous owner).

It begins!

Had them hold the order for longer than planned, came very close to going for the Fi version but think I made the right decision. They had the frame ready in just a few days. Very pleased with the Blue Torch fade anodising. Shipping took 6 days. It was in Dublin in 5. Litespeed took care of customs payment so no nasty surprises or courier admin charges!

Have most of a Force 1x AXS Group, shifter, brakes, crank and rear mech, going to buy last few bits now. Need finishing kit and saddle which I've pretty much decided upon. Just need to run over a few more figures to decide on best sites to buy from.

Undecided are wheels, planning on two sets of wheels eventually, pair of alloy Dt Swiss 1600 for gravel and Zipp 303s for road. Budget means I'll probably only get one at the moment though. Can't quite decide, tempted to get the bling carbon first but the sensible option is the alloys.

Whole Zipp hookless debacle has me wondering if they are the best option! Value wise thought they are hard bet €870 online though LBS might be worth the extra with Zipps lifetime warranty if I ever need use it. Swiss Side Hadron2 all roads do seem a very decent option though I really can't find much reviews of them. They do aerodynamics for DT Swiss and the wheels are basically rebranded DT Swiss ERC 1400 for a few 100 less with plainer graphics. They are also offering a free set of alloy wheels that are the equivalent of DT GR1800 also at the moment which makes them even more tempting.

I'd prefer the DT Swiss branded wheels but they have updated a lot of the models in last few months so supply and good deals on them are hard find. GR1600 were available for less then €400 but €570 is as cheap as I can find the wheelset now. I can get then for about €520 if I buy front and rear from two different sites. Depends on the prices of other bits and pieces in need from which site though if it's worth paying shipping to split the orders.

Other undecided option is the BB, save money short term and go with disposable Sram BB or go all out and get the Chris King to match headset! Hope is the in-between option. They really seem to be the only 3 doing Sram Dub BB properly with a standard 30mm internal bearing and plastic shims. There's a lot of figuring out though on sized spacers and kits required though! Lot of sites don't have stock of all the bits required either.

CK Headset wasn't that much dearer of an upgrade over the Cane Creek from Litespeed. I probably should have just got the CK T through Litespeed even with customs it was a little cheaper. I was a bit confused about the options though at the time. They listed a T47 30i on their site and I've figured out now the bike should have a T47 30x for a 68mm shell bb. It was probably actually just a mistake.

Has anybody heard of Pilot frames? They're made in Holland. Never seen one but I'd love to get another titanium.

This has probably been asked to death but..

Why titanium?

And does it really have buttery smooth ride quality compared to carbon?

Finally finished building it up last week and had it's maiden voyage at weekend. Forgot to take pics outside then so had to do a few on this evening. Should have taken the lights off for pics!

Really pleased with it, extremely comfortable but still responsive. Was slightly afraid with the slack head angle it wouldn't handle as well as I'd like. It does feel a little different but still corners very well. Absolutely perfect bike for sh!t back roads. I'm sold on tubeless I think and Sram eTap is class. Will see how it goes on gravel soon once I decide on a set of wheels. Will get a 10-33 or 10-36 cassette for the Shamals then. Probably will switch the chainring to a 44 or 46 also.

Nearly the finished product, need titanium bottle cages and out front mount for the Garmin and light. Thinking maybe a few bling Wolf Tooth Blue anodised bits. Seat post clamp definitely, the Lite Speed one is a bit agricultural! Stem will be lowered more also. Was going to slam it to start but was nervous of going all in on my first fork steerer cut! Even slammed it's much more relaxed than my road bikes. Will probably leave 1 5mm spacer underneath the stem, think it looks better with 1. Slightly undecided if the brown tape is right. It's gravel tape so quite thick. I have a roll of Supacaz Black with oilslick stars that would look good also.

18oz capacity and weighing 240g. Another company mixing imperial and metric for one product! WTF?