The good thing about a titanium frame is that it will last for year after year. The bad thing about a titanium frame is that it will last for year after year. UCI officials excluded, not many cyclists can deny they get a buzz from a new piece of technology or gadgetry. So, as the proud owner of a titanium Airborne (now Van Nicholas) Komet for the last few years (and some time to come I'm hope) I am contenting myself with slowly upgrading components and dialling in the position rather than forking out for the thrill of a new steed.
The top image is from 2006 and the bottom one was taken recently. So what's changed?
- Gradual replacements of the groupset components from Campag Daytona to Centaur. Carbon shifters :-), new style brakes etc.
- Replaced the Easton EA70 Fork with a Ritchey Carbon version after a badly fitted FSA headset damaged the steerer on the Easton.
- Move to FSA compact chainset. I am very disappointed with this, the FSA bottom brackets have very poor durability and are a pain to set-up. I will be upgrading to Ultra Torque very shortly.
- Replaced gimmicky slimline Elite bottle cages with normal diameter alloy cages.
- General wear and tear meant a move from the test Flash-Point FP60's to Mavic Ksyrium Elites which have been, and still are, an excellent all-round pair of wheels.
- I have found the most comfortable saddle I have ever used in the form of a Fizik Arione and will stick with this as long as they are still around.
- Finally, the yellow and white US Air Force style decals were looking pretty hideous, so I set upon the frame with a bottle of nail polish remover (purer acetone is best for anyone else thinking of trying this at home). It took a lot of soaking and elbow grease but I managed to completely remove the offending stickers and with a bit of a polish the frame has come up a treat. You'd never know the decals were there, all that is left is a tasteful white Airborne logo on the downtube.
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