Titanium bicycle frames have been launched within the late Nineteen Fifties and on the time, the unique materials was utilized by just some framebuilders. By the late Sixties and early Nineteen Seventies, titanium was extra regularly used for bikes, however not till the Nineteen Eighties did the metallic begin to acquire enchantment amongst boutique bicycle framebuilders.
Whereas there are a number of bike manufacturers producing giant manufacturing runs of titanium bikes, there are a lot of framebuilders creating useful 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 costlier, is tougher to weld—requiring the welding space to be bathed in argon gasoline—and desires completely different cleansing and ending processes than metal or aluminum, which requires completely different machining instruments and strategies.
However titanium bikes are not unobtainable and could be had with no yr’s-long wait record or steep, five-figure value tags. Truckee, California-based Blackheart Bike Co affords 9 inventory body sizes, a slew of construct choices, and takes customization additional than most with cerakote colour 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 take a look at bike as delivered with SRAM Power and Hunt parts got here in at $7,424—which incorporates an improve to a Crimson cassette and rainbow-finish chain. Whereas definitely not for individuals who have a tendency towards finances bikes, the value and weight is similar to inventory carbon bikes by Trek, Specialised and Large fitted with the identical parts.
The Blackheart web site signifies accessible inventory frames and approximate supply instances with out customized ending, which provides about three weeks for success. Blackheart signifies a body and fork could be delivered in as little as per week, whereas full builds could 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 emblem, which seems solely as soon as on both sides of the toptube, is somewhat 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
Absolutely inside routing, Kamm-tail tube shapes, and a minimalist and clear look give the Blackheart Highway Ti a up to date look
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
Out of the field, the SRAM Power group and Hunt wheels carry out flawlessly, as anticipated. The tubeless wheel and tire setup on this take a look at bike is almost 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 might settle for 34mm tires, as indicated, with loads of room to spare. Different accessible drivetrain choices embody Shimano 105, Ultegra, and Dura-Ace, SRAM Rival, Power or Crimson. The SRAM builds can be found with the all-road/gravel XPLR choice. Two Blackburn carbon cages full the duotone look, and safe bottles effectively even whereas ripping atop grime 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 subject I encountered throughout meeting have 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 pissed off 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 difficulty, I put this bike via 90kph descents, and laborious cornering.
Founder Zach Lambert says Blackheart spent “years and tens of hundreds of {dollars} of sampling and unbiased testing” when choosing a carbon provider. Lambert added this was not beforehand a difficulty, and was blissful “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 as regards 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 in contrast to my carbon bike, the Blackheart affords a trip high quality that’s barely extra full of life and likewise 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 trip.
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.
Trip really feel
The Blackheard Highway Ti responds shortly and affords a agency, steady, and supportive really feel when climbing out-of-the-saddle.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
I liken the sensation of driving 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 driving the Blackheart is the way it ever-so-slightly calms the trip in comparison with my carbon racer, and is extra full of life 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 driving a titanium bike is the agency resiliency of the body, and Blackheart tunes the trip really feel to let this come via.
Even after I dive the bike right into a nook, or leap out of the saddle for a punchy climb, the Blackheart smooths the transition from punchy driving to easy and regular. Previously, 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 certain, there is no such thing as a indication of any forgiving spring-back really feel that I anticipated earlier than my first few rides
Using on easy roads and multi-use paths, the Blackheart feels so easy, whereas not isolating the rider or muting the trip.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
Though Blackheart additionally affords the All Highway titanium bike, which might accommodate wider (32mm and larger) tires, the Highway Ti rides gentle gravel and hardpack grime roads so effectively with 28mm tires. In fact 30mm or 32mm can be much more plush. In contrast to driving 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 driving a titanium bike. The Highway Ti is simply as enjoyable and affords the identical confidence and management off-road as on asphalt, with much less concern about chipped carbon.
Worth & Verdict
Aero remains to be every part 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 anticipate from a race bike.
(Picture credit score: Greg Kaplan)
The Blackheart Highway Ti is a agency, responsive and full of life trip, providing a peaceful and refined really feel for a fraction of the price of different titanium racing bikes. For these on the lookout for the final bike they could purchase, or one bike to do all of it, or just so as to add 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 many who need a bike that stands out in a gaggle trip, the understated styling of the Blackheart definitely will get observed.
