Currently running a rigid Gary Fisher Paragon.....I love it.....was up in the Lake District last weekend and was thinking.....how could this be any better???......if it didn't beat up so muxh, (wrists and rest of my body), that would be nice.

"Titanium!"

Now I have had very little experiance untill this week with Ti frames.....and am slightly worried by the failure rate of this metal....I have ridden a Jones.....which was very nice to ride, but the shape of the frame dictates little luggage can be carried.... I rode a seven this week.....which was utterly brilliant!!! the one from this months singletrack and have borrowed a Lynskey pro 29er.....it has to be a 29er.....has to be a diamond shape with enough room for a frame bag or tangle bag.....3 bottle mounts would be nice... I am taken by the softness of the ride.......I think it will help with the fatighue....
So what, ladies and gentlemen are you thoughts and reconmendations......

Look forward to your replies......

If you have the money then go for it.

If you have to scrimp and save for it, then don't bother, it's not the wonder metal that it's price and the manufacturers would have you believe IME.

As far as rider feel goes, I can't tell the difference between it and steel. Tyres, geometry, trail conditions etc make far more difference as to how the bike feels than what it's made from. It's not going to be significantly lighter than the Fisher you have already.

I do really enjoy my Lynskey though (and yes see here- http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... ?f=7&t=466) but TBH I think thats more down to the fact I love the raw unpainted finish that only ti can offer. After 3 years of abuse it looked very shabby where the satin finsh was rubbed smooth here, scratched to hell there, but it was even the better for it.

It's not a frame a would ever sell without some serious heart-break.

Yorkshire Andy on Sat Mar 17, 2012 8:20 am
Currently running a rigid Gary Fisher Paragon.....I love it.....was up in the Lake District last weekend and was thinking.....how could this be any better???......if it didn't beat up so much, (wrists and rest of my body), that would be nice.

Hi,
I live in the Lakes and bought myself a Ti hardtail last year...I still find it can beat me up quite a bit! This is with a 120mm suspension fork too. I think my problem is that I'm used to riding a 140mm full-sus most of the time. Could part of your problem just be down to fact you're using a rigid fork though? I wouldn't ride fully rigid if you paid me, at least not off-road.
Anyway, I've decided hardtails are not for me and have bought a soft-tail with 40mm travel. I'm going to see how I get on with it...I'll be selling it too if I'm not happy and buying something with more travel.
Another thought for you, what size frame do you ride? One of the reasons I got my hardtail was so I could fit a frame bag, I have short legs though so can't really use a frame bigger than 18"...by the time I've got two bottles mounted inside the frame it wouldn't be worth fitting any kind of frame bag in the available space. I use a seat bag and bar bag, these would more or less fit on just about any bike.

Hi Andy
My single speed is one of the lynskey built on-one ti29ers and I love it, I run it rigid and find I end up sitting down most of the time it is so comfy. Mine has been back under warranty after the downtube cracked though so I'm not too convinced it is the wonder material that the manufacturers and the MTB press would have you believe...

The only one I can think of that has 3 bottle mounts is the fargo, the Ti ones are pretty fugly though compared to the steel ones with a weird kink in the down tube. I love my steel one and they are brilliant on and off road, loaded and empty. For bikepacking don't think the weight advantages of ti over steel are that important. The fargo would need to either have drop bars or a longer stem though as it is set up with a slightly shorter top tube than a normal mountain bike.
Mark

All of you make good points.....thanks for your input.....
For me the weight is of little importance. Its about the feel and the absobtion of the trail buzz. I could quite happilly carry on using my Paragon. I have all sorts of bikes including full sus 29ers but I just love the simplicity of a fully rigid cycle. By the way. i ride large frame sizes now.....although manufactures would say i should ride medium....like to be a little stretched out. 3 bottles mounts is a nice to have and not a be all and end all.
Those of you who have them.......its the softness I'm after.......do you know what I mean... you can still get out of the saddle and smash the climbs without it feeling flexi......thats the magic.....the Seven i rode the other night had all of those traits.....drop handlebars (not that i want those.) niner carbon fork and a sublime ride.....just amazing........climbed up a pack horse trail like it had just a little suspension ........ thing is I don't think I could spend £2500!!!!!!!!!!!! so what else is any good......and hopefully won't snap or crack......