I recently asked about a new titanium frame which was way cheaper than any others I had ever seen (China made "ATCN titan frame"). Comment were the usual so and so. You can find the frame here.
I bought it anyway and here's my update:
Geometry is even and symmetrical, threads are right size and well cut. Weight isn't super light (~1.7kg). Sitting tube bottle holder screw-holes are way too high, one of these cable-nipples (no clue what it is in english) for the cable housing was welded on 180°, which was solvable. All welds look very good, except one, which is my only concern. But even there, it is probably 1mm where they undercut the tube while welding (rear axle connection from flat to tubes).

My goal was to make a solid bike-packing rig, which doesn't financially ruin me, as I find the price of bikes to absolutely spiral out of control. At least here in Europe..
This now cost a fifth of a an off-the-shelf complete titanium bike and rides really smooth! The difference from steel and much more from aluminium frames is clearly notable. The geometry is relaxing and definitely works for long trips. Purple details for x-bikiness.

  • The frame was 399€.
  • Drivetrain is an older Deore 1×12 mtb set, I re-used and added a 34t chainring to
  • fork is from a factory sale of a cargo-bike manufacturer (49€), much too heavy, but meh (1.3kg)
  • bars are fake Jones bars from M-Wave ("Double Bar", 29€), even found a cheap bag for the empty space in them, which fits perfectly. I might replace them with fake Corner-Bars (Zniino), for a more sporty ride and since this is a China-build already, might as well go all the way.. not sure yet.
  • front rack is off Ali-E, as are the super-light brake-levers. Promised myself to only order once from them and then never again, so this joker is now gone.
  • wheelset is a custom build which has disc-mounts but also works for rim-brakes (since I keep switching things around). Tires are second hand Schwalbe G-One RS pro 28×2.0, which were like new for half the price.
  • Attachable fenders for bad weather commutes.
  • Lights are an (ugly) must have, as most of the year is dark and rechargeable lights are just a PITA.
  • Total costs probably around 1100€

Hit me with opinions! Cheers!

by PsychologicalPeak293

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3 Comments

  1. koalarobert974 on

    That looks pretty amazing!
    How long was the delivery and where are you based?
    Which size did you pick up, and how does it fit you?
    Looks very fun as a build! I got my 26 bikepacking ring who would be fun to upgrade!

  2. Even the Aliexpress stuff adds up. But hey, you got a good looking bike, and still have enough money to tinker around from all the savings by going east. Titanium fork and handlebar maybe?

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