Titanium bicycle frames had been launched within the late Fifties and on the time, the unique materials was utilized by just some framebuilders. By the late Nineteen Sixties and early Seventies, titanium was extra often used for bikes, however not till the Nineteen Eighties did the steel begin to acquire attraction amongst boutique bicycle framebuilders.
Whereas there are a couple of bike manufacturers producing massive manufacturing runs of titanium bikes, there are a lot of framebuilders creating practical and quick artistic endeavors and velocity from titanium. In comparison with metal or aluminum, titanium bikes price extra as a result of the uncooked materials is dearer, is tougher to weld—requiring the welding space to be bathed in argon fuel—and wishes totally different cleansing and ending processes than metal or aluminum, which requires totally different machining instruments and methods.
However titanium bikes are not unobtainable and may be had and not using a 12 months’s-long wait listing or steep, five-figure worth tags. Truckee, California-based Blackheart Bike Co presents 9 inventory body sizes, a slew of construct choices, and takes customization additional than most with cerakote coloration choices for some private flare.
Whereas some high-end customized titanium bike builds can exceed $15,000, Blackheart bikes —manufactured in Taiwan and China and assembled in California— begin at $3,149 for a titanium body and Enve fork. Our 8.11kg check bike as delivered with SRAM Drive and Hunt elements got here in at $7,424—which incorporates an improve to a Crimson cassette and rainbow-finish chain. Whereas actually not for many who have a tendency towards price range bikes, the value and weight is similar to inventory carbon bikes by Trek, Specialised and Big fitted with the identical elements.
The Blackheart web site signifies obtainable inventory frames and approximate supply occasions with out customized ending, which provides about three weeks for achievement. Blackheart signifies a body and fork may be delivered in as little as per week, whereas full builds may be shipped in as little as 4 weeks.
Welds on the backside bracket look constant and clear on the Blackheart Highway Ti.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
Dropped seatstays on the Blackheart Highway Ti? You betcha.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
The Blackheart brand, which seems solely as soon as on either side of the toptube, is moderately refined.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
With internally routed cables, Kamm-tail aerodynamic tube parts, and built-in cockpit, Blackheart titanium bikes look each bit as aero as a wind-tunnel and CFD- designed carbon bike.
The bike’s spec
Totally inner routing, Kamm-tail tube shapes, and a minimalist and clear look give the Blackheart Highway Ti a recent look
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
Out of the field, the SRAM Drive group and Hunt wheels carry out flawlessly, as anticipated. The tubeless wheel and tire setup on this check bike is sort of similar to my very own bike: Hunt 44 Aerodynamicist wheels wrapped with 28mm Conti 5000 TR tires, so I used to be instantly snug on this predictable configuration.
I’m assured that this body may settle for 34mm tires, as indicated, with loads of room to spare. Different obtainable drivetrain choices embrace Shimano 105, Ultegra, and Dura-Ace, SRAM Rival, Drive or Crimson. The SRAM builds can be found with the all-road/gravel XPLR possibility. Two Blackburn carbon cages full the duotone look, and safe bottles effectively even whereas ripping atop dust roads.
The rainbow end on the SRAM drivetrain was nearly bling sufficient to distract from the minimal, clear welds on the rear dropouts.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
One minor challenge I encountered throughout meeting had been the small cinch bolts within the stem that safe it to the steerer tube pushed via the threads within the stem when tightened with the included 5nm torque key earlier than the clutch in the important thing engaged. Whereas at first a minor quibble, this annoyed me when the cockpit wouldn’t keep aligned with the entrance wheel. I resorted to utilizing the compression bolt within the stem interface with the fork to assist safe the cockpit. Assured that this was not going to be a problem, I put this bike via 90kph descents, and onerous cornering.
Founder Zach Lambert says Blackheart spent “years and tens of hundreds of {dollars} of sampling and impartial testing” when deciding on a carbon provider. Lambert added this was not beforehand a problem, and was joyful “to dive in additional, if wanted.”
Blackheart built-in cockpits include a carbon fiber mount that may accommodate a Garmin or Wahoo bike pc.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
Sizing
The Blackheart Highway Ti sports activities a 135mm tall head tube set at 73° with some refined branding.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
Blackheart doesn’t reinvent the wheel close to race bike geometry. Whereas there are slight nuanced variations between the Highway Ti and different titanium or carbon racers like Litespeed or Trek, Blackheart shouldn’t be doing something uncommon.
My very own Wisconsin-bred, inventory carbon bike has related size chainstays, 5mm longer wheelbase, 4mm shorter head tube with comparable 73° angle when in comparison with the Blackheart. However not like my carbon bike, the Blackheart presents a journey high quality that’s barely extra energetic and in addition calming, with out noticeable give when asking for accelerations or out-of-the-saddle climbs.
There’s ample clearance for as much as 32mm broad tires between barely swooping seatstays.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
The Enve fork on the Blackheart has a 43mm offset with 57mm path in comparison with the 45mm offset and 56mm path on my common journey.
Wanting on the titanium providing from a premium Colorado-based titanium bike producer, a equally sized 54cm body additionally has 410mm chainstays, 130mm size headtube at a 72.5° angle, and an similar Enve fork. Each ti bikes have 74° seat tube angles.
Experience really feel
The Blackheard Highway Ti responds rapidly and presents a agency, steady, and supportive really feel when climbing out-of-the-saddle.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
I liken the sensation of using a titanium to the distinction when listening to headphones with noise-canceling disabled—you hear your tunes, in addition to a little bit of your environment—as an alternative of muting background noise and getting solely what you pay for coming via a headset. Instantly noticeable when using the Blackheart is the way it ever-so-slightly calms the journey in comparison with my carbon racer, and is extra energetic than different titanium bikes I’ve ridden. The Blackheart permits some really feel to creep in for a sense of connection to the street, which is extra refined than the tough really feel of aluminum, or overly compliant really feel of metal. One of many enjoyable elements about using a titanium bike is the agency resiliency of the body, and Blackheart tunes the journey really feel to let this come via.
Even after I dive the bike right into a nook, or bounce out of the saddle for a punchy climb, the Blackheart smooths the transition from punchy using to easy and regular. Prior to now, this high quality of titanium bikes may need been described as laggy or springy, however not so with the Blackheart. Can this bike be used as a crit racer? Certain, however the feeling this bike imparts is nearer to a classics racer than a thrash-about cornering king. However to make sure, there isn’t a indication of any forgiving spring-back really feel that I anticipated earlier than my first few rides
Driving on easy roads and multi-use paths, the Blackheart feels so easy, whereas not isolating the rider or muting the journey.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
Though Blackheart additionally presents the All Highway titanium bike, which might accommodate wider (32mm and larger) tires, the Highway Ti rides mild gravel and hardpack dust roads so effectively with 28mm tires. After all 30mm or 32mm could be much more plush. Not like using a carbon bike on unpaved roads when flying bits of stones that might ding or crack the body, there’s by no means any fear about this when using a titanium bike. The Highway Ti is simply as enjoyable and presents the identical confidence and management off-road as on asphalt, with much less concern about chipped carbon.
Worth & Verdict
Aero continues to be every little thing and the Blackheart Highway Ti has all of the low-drag shapes, hidden hoses, and an built-in entrance finish for a clear look that appears each bit as quick as you’d count on from a race bike.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
The Blackheart Highway Ti is a agency, responsive and energetic journey, providing a relaxed and refined really feel for a fraction of the price of different titanium racing bikes. For these in search of the final bike they could purchase, or one bike to do all of it, or just so as to add yet another bike to their scuderia, the Blackheart Highway Ti will get our approval.
The Highway Ti is price-competitive with many inventory carbon racers, and just some different titanium bikes, with a lower cost tag. For individuals who need a bike that stands out in a gaggle journey, the understated styling of the Blackheart actually will get observed.
