Why are titanium bikes so desirable?

When considering bike frame materials, there is only one that is considered more luxurious than carbon fibre: titanium. Bikes made from titanium have a reputation for lasting a lifetime but what is it that makes titanium such a wonder material?

Titanium bikes are largely regarded as a blend of modern technology and classical design. The often simple and understated finish appeals to a distinguished type of rider who appreciates the craftsmanship that goes into the creation of a titanium bike.

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Although it's a sought-after material that comes with an associated price tag, the amount known about titanium is relatively low. In order to shine some light on the topic, Alex Paton spoke to titanium specialist Tom Sturdy about some need-to-know questions, as well as getting a scientific run down on this material that is the reserve of premium bikes.

Who is Tom Sturdy?

Tom Sturdy is the founder and owner of Sturdy Cycles. He has been making custom titanium bikes since 2014. The process uses a combination of round tube profiles and 3D-printed sections using a process known as additive layer manufacturing (ALM). Sturdy also has qualifications in both aerospace engineering and sports biomechanics, just in case he needed to bolster his credentials further…

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3D printing titanium allows for complex designs to be created that would otherwise not be possible

Along with the bespoke bikes, Sturdy also machines and 3D prints components such as chainrings and even mudguards. What he doesn’t know about titanium isn’t really worth knowing.

What is titanium?

Titanium is a naturally occurring element that sits at number 22 on the periodic table. Although we commonly think that frames are made purely from titanium, this is not the case. Typically with anything structural, whether a bike frame or a Formula 1 car, we're talking about an alloy form. This means that it is mixed with other elements to alter its properties. In bike frames, the two main metals that are mixed with titanium are aluminium and vanadium in different measures, depending on the application.

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Titanium is an element that is commonly mixed with other metals to tune its characteristics

Combining titanium with other metals allows the qualities of the material to be tuned to best suit what it is going to be used for. Pure titanium actually doesn’t lend itself all that well to bike design. Although it is highly resistant to corrosion, it also suffers from fatigue and can be relatively easy to bend. When you combine pure titanium with other metals, you are still left with the corrosion resistance but also with a higher fatigue resistance and greater strength.

For the full interview, where Alex gets to ask some in-depth technical questions, make sure you watch the video at the top of the article and leave your comments down below.

Alex Paton

GCN Tech Presenter

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