Titanium light tourer guidance wanted

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helmbarrie

New Member
Hello, this is my first post to this informative forum. I have been looking to treat myself to a new light touring bike. My 25 year old British Eagle has served me very well but think I deserve a new posh bike that will cover day rides and light tours ( no need for front pannier mounts). I have read the Spa titanium reviews and this fits the bill. However it is rather dull looking. It has the one must have for me - no toe overlap with mudguards. Does anyone have a titanium framed audax/ light tourer bike that is similar i.e. no toe overlap? I understand the Van Nic for example does have toe overlap.

Regards
 

ACS

Legendary Member
I have Spa titanium it’s not dull its 'understated', rides like a dream without being twitchy or uncertain. If you live anywhere close to Spa give them a ring and take a test ride then make up your mind.
 

jowwy

Not here offten enough to argue
the sabbath september is the bike
you want , i have the aspire and its an awsome bike
 

PK99

Legendary Member
Location
SW19
Hello, this is my first post to this informative forum. I have been looking to treat myself to a new light touring bike. My 25 year old British Eagle has served me very well but think I deserve a new posh bike that will cover day rides and light tours ( no need for front pannier mounts). I have read the Spa titanium reviews and this fits the bill. However it is rather dull looking. It has the one must have for me - no toe overlap with mudguards. Does anyone have a titanium framed audax/ light tourer bike that is similar i.e. no toe overlap? I understand the Van Nic for example does have toe overlap.

Regards

Why the concern wrt toe overlap?

I have it on my Van nic Yukon and Tricross (both with mudguards and spds) and never find it an issue
 
Surely toe overlap is dictated (partly) by shoe size, crank length and guard size as much as anything else? I have a VN Amazon with no toe overlap with guards (well, maybe 5mm) - this increases when I switch to larger winter boots, spd pedals. In 10000 miles I can honestly say its never been an issue or that my shoes have even touched the guards whilst riding.
For light tourers there is the VN Yukon or slightly heavier Amazon (I fitted Yukon forks to mine)
Also consider the Kinesis Granfondon Ti V2 (which I am considering myself), Enigma, Lynskey, September, Burls.
 

BigGee

Senior Member
Why the concern wrt toe overlap?

I have it on my Van nic Yukon and Tricross (both with mudguards and spds) and never find it an issue

I had toe overlap on my previous tourer and rode it for 12 years without ever finding it an issue. Then one day I overcorrected on a corner, caught my foot on the front wheel, stopped the bike dead in its tracks and went sailing over the front handlebars. Badly smashed my elbow to bits and was off bike for 9 months. I never even realised i had toe overlap until the guy in my LBS showed me when I took the bike into him to try and work out what had happend!

I would not ride a bike with toe overlap again!
 

PK99

Legendary Member
Location
SW19
I had toe overlap on my previous tourer and rode it for 12 years without ever finding it an issue. Then one day I overcorrected on a corner, caught my foot on the front wheel, stopped the bike dead in its tracks and went sailing over the front handlebars. Badly smashed my elbow to bits and was off bike for 9 months. I never even realised i had toe overlap until the guy in my LBS showed me when I took the bike into him to try and work out what had happend!

I would not ride a bike with toe overlap again!

The only time I experience the toe overlap is when steering by turning the wheel ie at slow speed, at high speed it cannot occur, but i know it is there so muscle memory takes over and even at slow speed i never have a problem
 

eml1909

Active Member
I absolutely LOVE my Condor Gran Fondo - I use it for commuting, sportives and light touring. Truth is that I have almost nothing to compare it to other than my Specialized hybrid, but what I can say is that it makes me happy EVERY time I get on it. Best £3,500 I have EVER spent but, as I say, I don't have anything to compare it to. Never had any problems with toe overlap.
 
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