Titanium bikes are often the go-to for road cyclists seeking the ultimate status symbol. Renowned for their riding comfort and striking appearance, titanium bikes are in a league of their own.
Having ridden one, I understand the feelings of owning and riding one. With an array of titanium bike brands and manufacturers to choose from, finding the ideal brand can be a daunting task.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the best titanium bike brands and frame manufacturers and discuss the crucial things to know before buying to help you make a well-informed decision.
| Brand | Location | Bike types | Popular models | Price range (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Bicycles | Johnstown, NY, USA | Road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain, Track | Reactor, Drifter X | $5,299 – $10,900 |
| Baum Cycles | Geelong, Victoria, Australia | Road, Gravel | Orbis, Corretto | $10,100 – $13,350 |
| Enigma Bikes | Sussex, United Kingdom | Road, Gravel, Mountain | Escape, Etape | $3,100 – $7,000 |
| Festka | Prague, Czech Republic | Road | Doppler | $6,900 – $7,990 |
| Firefly Bicycles | Boston, MA, USA | Road, All-Road, Cyclocross, Mountain, Utility, E-bikes | Road, All-Road | $5,200 – $10,000 |
| Independent Fabrication | Newmarket, NH, USA | Road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain | Crown Jewel, Gravel Royale | $4,000 – $4,900 |
| Kinesis Bikes | Brighton, United Kingdom | Road, Adventure | GTD V2, ATR V3 | $3,200 (frame kit) |
| Legend by Bertoletti | Milan, Italy | Road, Gravel | Trenta, ELT | Prices disclosed via contact only |
| Litespeed | Chattanooga, TN, USA | Road, Gravel, Mountain, City | Ultimate Disc, Watia | $2,395 – $7,500 |
| Lynskey Titanium Bikes | Chattanooga, TN, USA | Road, Gravel, Mountain | GR Race Gravel, R500 Disc | $1,750 – $3,050 |
| Merlin Bikes | Boulder, Colorado, USA | Road, Gravel, Mountain, Adventure, Cyclocross | Extralight XLR, Sandstone Gravel | $2,800 to $3,200 (frame kits) |
| Moots | Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA | Road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain | Vamoots Disc RSL, Routt RSL | $6,000 (frame kit) to $12,000 (complete bike) |
| Mosaic Cycles | Boulder, Colorado, USA | Road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain, City | RT1, GT-1 | Prices disclosed via contact only |
| Passoni | Milan, Italy | Road, Gravel, Track | XXTi, Cicloprato Disc | $7,700 to $9,500 |
| Ribble Cycles | United Kingdom (various locations) | Road, E-bike, Hybrid, Gravel, Mountain, Cyclocross, TT & Tri | Endurance Ti Disc, CGR Ti | $3,100 to $5,900 |
| Reilly Cycle Works | Brighton, United Kingdom | Road, Gravel | Gradient, Reilly 325 | $4,500 to $7,200 |
| Sage Titanium Bicycles | Beaverton, Oregon, USA | All-road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain | Skyline, Barlow | $3,660 (frame kit) to $11,733 (complete bike) |
| Seven Cycles | Watertown, Massachusetts, USA | Mountain, Gravel, Cyclo-cross, Utility, Road, Tandems | Evergreen XX, Redsky SL | $5,800 to $9,000 |
| Stelbel | Milan, Italy | Road | Ti9 | $4,995 (frame kit) |
| Stinner Frameworks | Santa Barbara, California, USA | Road, Gravel, Mountain | Gibraltar, Refugio | $3,699 to $4,099 (frame kits) |
Best titanium bike brands
22 Bicycles
- Bikes : Road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain, Track
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Reactor, Drifter X
- Price range : $5,299 (frame kit) to $10,900 (complete bike)
Johnstown, NY, is home to 22 Bicycles. All the bike frames are made in-house. 22 Bicycles may be young, but they’re making waves and continue to impress.
22 Bicycles’ production team has over 50 years of combined titanium building experience, something they believe shines through with every build. The company strives to balance performance and ride experience.
Their frame builds are for riders looking for stiffness and low weight combined with a quality titanium feel. Only the highest-grade tubing is used for their bike frames, and the brand is proud to be made in the USA.
More reading : What is the Difference Between Road vs Gravel Bikes?
Baum Cycles
- Location : Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Orbis, Corretto
- Price range : $10,100 to $13,350
Building steel and aluminum bikes since 1966, Australian-based Baum Cycles introduced their first titanium prototype in 2002 and has made some of the world’s best titanium bicycles ever since.
Darren Baum’s success grew his workshop from its humble beginnings into a full-fledged facility that includes in-house paint and an innovative fitting studio. Baum offers personalized fitting and geometry, and tube selection in line with the cyclist’s requirements.
While business is booming, Baum’s principles remain the same; fit, handling, design, and ride.
Enigma Bikes
- Location : Sussex, United Kingdom
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel, Mountain
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Escape, Etape
- Price range : $3,100 (frame) to $7,000 (complete bike)
The UK is rich in quality frame builders, and Enigma Bikes is part of that collective. They opened in 2006 when founder Jim Walker, a member of the bicycle industry as a distributor, sold his business to nourish his love for aesthetically appealing bicycles. He produced his first titanium frame in 2009.
Enigma manufactures handmade titanium performance frames using the stiffer 6AL-4V tubing in their Sussex facilities. To complement their craftsmanship, they offer complete bikes, and custom ti builds under the Signature name, bike fitting services, wheel building, and frame repairs.
More reading : The Best UK-based Bike Brands
Festka
- Location : Prague, Czech Republic
- Titanium bike types : Road
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular model : Doppler
- Price range : $6,900 to $7,990
The Czech company Festka combines titanium tubing with high-tech carbon engineering to create the Doppler, a jewel among bike frames. Every Doppler is highly personalizable, built to order, and not just a pretty frame.
The Doppler exists in two design options, the Core and Spirit. The titanium top, down tubes, and seat stays give the bikes class and comfort, while filament-wound carbon serves for a tapered head tube, bottom bracket, seat tube, and chainstays for its weight-to-function ratio.
Bike brands
Firefly Bicycles
- Location : Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Titanium bike types : Road, All-Road, Cyclocross, Mountain, Utility, E-bikes
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Road, All-Road (no model names)
- Price range : $5,200 (custom frame) to $10,000 for a complete bike
Another custom titanium frame builder from Boston, Firefly Bicycles pays meticulous attention to rider requests, welcoming future owners’ input for a custom fit, ride, and frame design. They document each build with photos to give customers a visual record of the entire process.
Firefly wants their bikes to be a positive change for the rider and the planet. They have developed a carbon-neutral building process with the help of a company called Cooler.
Each frame build’s carbon is calculated, and the bike is charged based on this figure. Money paid goes into finding sustainable ways for businesses to operate.
Independent Fabrication
- Location : Newmarket, New Hampshire, United States
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Crown Jewel, Gravel Royale
- Price range : $4,000 $4,900
Independent Fabrication’s story began when another iconic Boston bike manufacturer closed shop in 1994 after 12 years of making bikes under Fat City Cycles. A few employees weren’t ready to give up and hung out their shingle as Independent Fabrication.
IF’s growing popularity and the need for space compelled them to leave Sommerville for Newmarket, New Hampshire. Here, Independent has everything in-house to convey its creative expression and technical prowess in fabricating precision titanium bicycles.
Kinesis Bikes
- Location : Brighton, United Kingdom
- Titanium bike types : Road, Adventure
- Custom bikes : No
- Popular models : GTD V2, ATR V3
- Price range : $3,200 (frame kit)
Kinesis Bikes creates bikes, wheels, and components for UK’s typically cool and damp riding conditions. Their bikes are well-made, affordable, and designed for year-round dependability and enjoyment through their in-house know-how and pool of talented team members.
The company also makes alloy bikes, but the GTD (Go The Distance) titanium frame is an arrow in the company’s quiver. It’s a versatile, ultra-endurance bike with wide tire clearance for use on the road, gravel, or as a commuter.
Legend by Bertoletti
- Location : Milan, Italy
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Trenta, ELT
- Price range : Prices disclosed via contact only
Marco Bertoletti started his career as a frame builder’s apprentice in 1971 and became the department head and production manager. In 1989, he opened his own company, which added Legend by Bertoletti in 2009, designing and producing premium Italian frames for performance athletes around the globe.
All the bike frames are made in-house to guarantee superior quality control and added flexibility during production. Marco wants to please his customers, down to the smallest detail.
Everything is customizable, from the geometry, material, finish, and cable routing to fenders, racks, and even the seat post clamp. Factory visits are welcome too.
Litespeed
- Location : Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel, Mountain, City
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Ultimate Disc, Watia
- Price range : $2,395 (frame kit) to $7,500 (complete bike)
There are a few titanium bike builders that evoke immediate recognition and respect, and Litespeed is one. Their name is equated with state-of-the-art titanium bikes and a devotion to quality since 1986. They cut no corners during their hand-made production process and source only US cold-forged titanium tubing.
Riders of Lightspeed’s titanium bicycles rave about the quality of the ride and its remarkable craftsmanship. They use no aluminum sleeves or inserts, and even NASA called on their unique skills to help develop the Mars Curiosity Rover’s landing system.
Lynskey Titanium Bikes
- Location : Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel, Mountain
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : GR Race Gravel, R500 Disc
- Price range : $1,750 to $3,050 (frame kits)
As youths, founders and brothers David, Tim, and Chris Lynskey worked in the family business specializing in custom metal fabrication for some of the most prominent industrial names, such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Coca-Cola. They spent summers in the family plant learning the ins and outs of working with metal.
Once an avid racer, David found his bike too heavy, so he used scrap titanium tubes from the family business to build a new one. His efforts’ results caught local riders’ eye, who asked where they could get one.
To refine his craft, David worked for Litespeed to build frames in 1986 before launching Lynskey Titanium Bikes soon after.
Merlin Bikes
- Location : Boulder, Colorado, United States
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel, Mountain, Adventure, Cyclocross
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Extralight XLR, Sandstone Gravel
- Price range : $2,800 to $3,200 (frame kits)
Merlin Cycles is yet another emblematic brand based in Boulder, Colorado. Launched at the titanium craze’s onset, they were among the first to bring a full-production titanium bike frame to market. For them, nothing matches the sophisticated style and ride of titanium.
Their titanium bikes are elegant and built to perform thanks to cold-milled and specially formed tubes that result in a 45% increase in strength. Stiffness added to the bottom bracket delivers a smooth and comfortable ride.
Merlin Cycles sells frame kits and complete bikes.
Moots
- Location : Steamboat Springs, Colorado, United States
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Vamoots Disc RSL, Routt RSL
- Price range : $6,000 (frame kit) to $12,000 (complete bike)
Moots is in the mountain paradise of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, at 6,700 feet of altitude. They have some of the best roads and trail riding outside their back door. Snow or shine, this testing ground enables them to confirm the performance of their products.
Moots’ doors are open to factory tours, but contact them in advance. Moots makes the modern road bike more versatile by using forks with larger tire clearances and rear stays designed to bring out the best in their models.
In-house finishes include etching, engraving, and even complex anodizing to make your Moots an eye-catcher.
Mosaic Cycles
- Location : Boulder, Colorado, United States
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain, City
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : RT1, GT-1
- Price range : Prices disclosed via contact only
Mosaic Cycles is also in the magnificent Boulder in Colorado state. Titanium is their frame material of preference. They combine oversized butted tubing with refined designs to emphasize desired characteristics.
If waiting isn’t your thing, they guarantee a delivery time of 6 weeks or fewer. Choose from a series of stock bikes, or create the ride of your dreams.
Mosaic’s experienced team is proud of their consistent top-notch finishes, attention to detail, and the pleasure of accompanying the client through the entire process.
Passoni
- Location : Milan, Italy
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel, Track
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : XXTi, Cicloprato Disc
- Price range : $7,700 to $9,500
Have you heard of Passoni?
If not, one look at their frames speaks to the lengths this Italian brand goes to produce premium titanium bikes. Few prices are visible on their webpage, but what I saw made me flinch. Even their T-shirts are $95. Their Milan location and 30 years of experience reflect their prices.
The brand’s name describes its passion for building the best titanium bikes, and sales worldwide attest to its philosophy. Each frame is polished over 30 hours, and big down and head tubes reduce torsional forces giving their bikes a lively ride.
Ribble Cycles
- Location : United Kingdom (various locations)
- Titanium bike types : Road, E-bike, Hybrid, Gravel, Mountain, Cyclocross, TT & Tri
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Endurance Ti Disc, CGR Ti
- Price range : $3,100 $ to $5,900
Ribble Cycles is a UK builder forging new roads into the level of customization possible through their online BikeBuilder tool. Options are fewer for titanium bikes, but you have complete control over many aspects of your new bike, down to the color of the handlebar plugs and stem top cap.
If full-on custom isn’t your route, choose one of their popular builds created to match various rider requirements and budgets. Ribble’s buy-direct method makes titanium bikes affordable without compromising personalized service, quality, and performance.
Visit one of their showrooms where you can speak to an expert in-store.
Reilly Cycle Works
- Location : Brighton, United Kingdom
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Gradient, Reilly 325
- Price range : $4,500 to $7,200
UK brand Reilly started as Nerve, but when builder Mark Reilly’s name was added to the frames, Reilly Cycle Works came to life. Reilly and long-time friend and former F1 engineer Neil FitzGerald work together to pair high-quality carbon forks, seat posts, and other components with their beautiful titanium frames.
Reilly uses 6AL-4V grade (6% aluminum and 4% vanadium) ELI (Extra Low Interstitial gas purity) titanium tubes for the main triangle and bottom bracket, which allows Mark to butt and shape the tubes to stricter tolerances.
With over 15,000 bike frames to his name, his knowledge of titanium means ride quality and stiffness are customizable to customer requests.
Sage Titanium Bicycles
- Location : Beaverton, Oregon, USA
- Titanium bike types : All-road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Skyline, Barlow
- Price range : 3,660 (frame kit) to 11,733 (complete bike)
Call David Rosen nostalgic, but he founded Sage Titanium Bicycles in 2012 after burning out on the carbon bike craze. He longed for the days when bicycles were a thing of beauty and reflected the craftsmanship of their maker. David took matters into his own hands, building bikes with a soul, ones you could be proud of and want to keep.
Sage bikes are 100% made in Beaverton, Oregon. Buying US cold-milled titanium provides them with unparalleled quality control during production. Today’s Sage bikes embrace the titanium tradition while integrating state-of-the-art technology and fabrication.
Seven Cycles
- Location : Watertown, Massachusetts, United States
- Titanium bike types : Mountain, Gravel, Cyclo-cross, Utility, Road, Tandems
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Evergreen XX, Redsky SL
- Price range : $5,800 to $9,000
Seven Cycles was established by dedicated employees that worked for another Boston titanium frame manufacturer that was sold and relocated out of state. Forced with the challenge of what to do next, they founded the brand in 1997 and never looked back.
Seven continued to refine their titanium expertise and forged many of today’s industry standards. They know all titanium isn’t the same and have devoted themselves to building bikes that satisfy their customers with minimal wait, an impressive feat considering the quality and skill that goes into every one.
Stelbel
- Location : Milan, Italy
- Titanium bike types : Road
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular model : Ti9
- Price range : $4,995 (frame kit)
Stelbel is an Italian brand with a rich history dating back to the 1970s. The business closed only to reopen in 2013 thanks to a collaboration between Cicli Corsa and Stelio Bellati to offer their quality bicycles to a new generation of cyclists.
Stelbel’s Ti9 bicycles are beautifully crafted TIG-welded art pieces made from double-butted grade 9 titanium. Italian craftsmanship, premium materials, and skill are required to bring these bicycles to fruition. The Ti9 is available in disc and rim brakes.
Stinner Frameworks
- Location : Santa Barbara, California, United States
- Titanium bike types : Road, Gravel, Mountain
- Custom bikes : Yes
- Popular models : Gibraltar, Refugio
- Price range : $3,699 to $4,099 (frame kits)
Stinner Frameworks is in magnificent Santa Barbara, California. They live to ride the coastal region’s open road, climbing and descending the twisting epic road that gives their titanium road bike its name, Stinner Gibraltar.
Stinner bike’s geometry is designed to be responsive, accelerate up steep grades, fly across the flats, and barrel down corkscrew descents. Each Stinner Gibraltar is custom-made and available with disc or rim brakes. Every Stinner tells a story of its rider.
What makes a good titanium bike manufacturer?
Quality of materials
A good titanium bike brand should use high-quality, aerospace-grade titanium in their frames, such as Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) or Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V) titanium.
These materials are known for their excellent strength-to-weight ratios, making them ideal for titanium bike frame construction. This ensures that the bikes produced are strong, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant, offering exceptional ride quality and a long-lasting frame. Pay close attention to the grade of titanium used and any additional materials or treatments employed to enhance the frame’s strength and durability.
For example, some manufacturers might use a mix of titanium and carbon fiber to reduce weight further and increase stiffness. Others might apply surface treatments, such as shot peening or anodizing, to improve fatigue life and corrosion resistance.
- Moots. Known for their premium titanium frames, Moots uses US-made, seamless Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V) titanium tubing. They also incorporate 3D-printed titanium dropouts in some of their models for increased strength and weight savings.
- Seven Cycles. This US-based manufacturer creates custom titanium frames using a mix of Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V) and Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) titanium, depending on the model and intended use. They also offer options for combining titanium with carbon fiber components for enhanced performance characteristics.
- Litespeed. With a history of innovation in titanium bike manufacturing, Litespeed uses aerospace-grade titanium in its frames, including Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V) and Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) materials. They employ advanced techniques, such as cold-working and shape-optimized tubing, to maximize strength and durability while maintaining a lightweight design.
Craftsmanship and frame design
Reputable titanium bike brands and manufacturers are known for their attention to detail and precision craftsmanship, which sets them apart from their competitors. High-quality frame design and construction can significantly impact a bike’s performance, comfort, and durability.
When assessing the craftsmanship of a titanium bike, consider the following aspects:
- Clean welds. Smooth and consistent welds enhance the frame’s aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. Properly executed welds ensure that the frame can withstand the stresses of daily use without developing cracks or other structural issues. For example, Firefly Bicycles, a renowned titanium bike manufacturer, is known for its impeccable TIG (inert tungsten gas) welding, which results in clean, consistent, and durable welds.
- Well-engineered tubing profiles. Different tubing shapes and profiles can affect a bike’s stiffness, weight distribution, and overall ride quality. For instance, Litespeed uses its AeroLogic tube shaping technology in some models, which optimizes the frame’s aerodynamics without sacrificing strength or comfort.
Customization options
A top-tier titanium bike brand should offer various customization options to cater to its customers’ diverse needs and preferences. By providing a variety of choices, these brands can ensure that you get a bike specifically tailored to your unique riding style, measurements, and personal tastes.
Some of the customization options offered include:
- Geometry adjustments. Custom geometry allows a bike to be built to your exact measurements and fit preferences, ensuring optimal comfort, handling, and performance.
- Component selections: Choosing specific components for your bike enables you to fine-tune its performance and functionality to suit your riding style and preferences. Many titanium bike brands offer a range of component options, from drivetrains and wheels to handlebars and saddles, allowing you to build your ideal bike from the ground up.
- Personalized finishes and paint jobs. Aesthetic customization options, such as unique finishes, decals, or paint jobs, can add a personal touch to your bike and set it apart from the crowd.
Warranty and customer support
A reputable titanium bike manufacturer should stand behind their products with a solid warranty, demonstrating their confidence in the quality and durability of their frames. In addition, they should provide responsive and knowledgeable customer support to address any questions or concerns that may arise before, during, or after the purchase.
When researching different titanium bike brands, consider the following aspects of the warranty and customer support:
- Frame warranty. A strong warranty policy typically covers the frame for an extended period or even the original owner’s lifetime. This coverage should protect against manufacturing defects and material failures, giving you confidence in the longevity of your bike.
- Component warranty. In addition to the frame warranty, some manufacturers may also offer warranties for the components used on their bikes. This coverage may vary depending on the specific parts and brands involved, so reviewing the warranty details for each component on your bike is essential.
- Customer support availability. Look for brands that provide responsive and knowledgeable customer support through various channels like email, phone, or live chat.
Reputation and cyclist reviews
Positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers can provide valuable insights into the pros and cons of different titanium bike brands, helping you make a more informed decision when choosing the best brand for your needs.
When evaluating the reputation and reviews of a titanium bike brand, consider the following sources:
- Cyclist reviews and testimonials. Reading reviews and testimonials from other cyclists who have purchased and ridden a particular brand’s bikes can provide insights into the products’ real-world performance, comfort, and durability. User reviews can be found on online forums, social media platforms, or e-commerce websites. Remember that individual experiences may vary, so it’s essential to consider multiple reviews and weigh the pros and cons before deciding.
- Industry opinions. Opinions from industry insiders, such as bike shop owners, mechanics, or bike fitters, can provide valuable insights into the quality, performance, and customer satisfaction of different titanium bike brands. They have firsthand experience with various brands and can offer unbiased advice based on their knowledge and expertise.
Alex Lee is the founder and editor-at-large of Mr. Mamil. Coming from a professional engineering background, he breaks down technical cycling nuances into an easy-to-understand and digestible format here.
He has been riding road bikes actively for the past 12 years and started racing competitively in the senior category during the summer recently.