Titanium Process
TITANIUM PROCESS
Hand-welded titanium frames built to your geometry, your standards, your finish. Double-butted aerospace-grade tubing, TIG-welded by specialists, designed to last decades.
Why Titanium
Titanium is the only frame material that combines light weight, natural vibration damping, complete corrosion immunity, and the ability to be repaired. A well-built titanium frame will outlast its owner. There is no fatigue limit in practical cycling loads — unlike aluminum, which accumulates fatigue damage with every ride.
The ride quality of titanium is often described as "alive" — smooth without being dead. It absorbs high-frequency vibration from roots, rocks, and rough terrain while remaining responsive under power. Carbon can be tuned to match this characteristic in specific zones, but titanium delivers it naturally across the entire frame.
Material Properties
Corrosion Proof
Titanium forms a self-healing oxide layer. No paint needed. No rust. No degradation from sweat, mud, salt, or UV exposure. Raw titanium looks better with age.
Vibration Damping
Natural damping characteristics absorb trail chatter without sacrificing stiffness under power. Less arm fatigue on long rides compared to aluminum or carbon.
No Fatigue Limit
Below yield stress, titanium can withstand infinite load cycles. Aluminum fatigues progressively. Carbon has a finite lifespan. Titanium doesn't.
Alloy Selection
We offer two titanium alloys, each with distinct ride characteristics. The choice depends on the bike's intended use and rider preference.
3Al-2.5V (Grade 9)
The classic choice for frames that prioritize ride quality and comfort.
- Tensile Strength 620 MPa
- Density 4.48 g/cm³
- Ride Character Compliant, smooth
- Weldability Excellent
- Best For Gravel, all-day trail
6Al-4V (Grade 5)
Stiffer and lighter. For riders who want titanium durability with a more aggressive feel.
- Tensile Strength 950 MPa
- Density 4.43 g/cm³
- Ride Character Stiffer, direct
- Weldability Requires more skill
- Best For Enduro, racing
All tubing is double-butted — thicker at the ends where stress concentrates at welds and interfaces, thinner in the middle where material can be saved. This reduces weight by 15–20% compared to straight-gauge tubing while maintaining or improving strength at critical joints.
Fabrication Process
Each Dirtlab titanium frame is hand-built by titanium welding specialists. The entire process — from tube cutting to final alignment check — takes over 20 hours of skilled labor.
Tube Selection & Cutting
Tubes are selected based on the rider's geometry specification and intended use. Double-butted tubing is cut to length on precision saws. For custom geometry, tubes may be drawn to specific diameters and butting profiles.
Mitering
Tube ends are CNC-mitered to exact angles matching the geometry spec. Miter fit must be precise — any gap creates a weak weld. Tolerances are held under 0.1mm. For custom angles, miters are calculated fresh for each frame.
Fixturing
Tubes are assembled in a precision jig that holds every tube at the exact angles and dimensions specified. The jig ensures alignment across all planes — even 0.5mm of misalignment will show in the ride. Fixtures are adjusted per frame for custom geometry orders.
TIG Welding
Tungsten Inert Gas welding in a full argon atmosphere. Titanium reacts with oxygen above 500°C — exposed titanium turns blue, purple, then grey as it absorbs oxygen, becoming brittle. A pure argon shield on both sides of the weld prevents contamination. Welders are certified specifically for titanium — it requires different technique, timing, and heat management than steel or aluminum.
Post-Weld Machining
Head tube faces are precision-faced for headset fit. Bottom bracket is chased/faced to specification (T47, BSA, PF30, or BB92 depending on order). Dropout faces are machined parallel. All threads are cut clean.
Alignment Check
The complete frame is mounted on a surface table and checked for alignment in all planes. Dropout spacing, head tube alignment, and rear triangle symmetry are measured and verified against the geometry spec. Build photos are documented at every stage.
Finishing
The frame receives its chosen finish — raw brushed (our favourite), bead-blasted matte, or custom Cerakote colour. Engraved graphics, personalized serial numbers, and rider name on the top tube are available. The frame ships with headset, thru-axle, and derailleur hanger included.
Weld Quality — How to Read Ti Welds
A good titanium weld is bright silver with even, stacked dimes (overlapping circular weld pools). The heat-affected zone should show a light gold colour at most — gold indicates minimal atmospheric contamination.
Blue or purple discolouration indicates the argon shield was insufficient and oxygen entered the weld zone. Light blue is cosmetic. Deep blue or grey means the weld absorbed oxygen and is structurally compromised. Every Dirtlab frame is inspected for weld colour and penetration before shipping.
Geometry Customization
Every titanium frame can be built to custom geometry — fitted to your body, your riding style, and your terrain. Stock geometry is available for all models, but custom is where titanium truly shines.
Titanium Frame Models
Haipis BP
All-road gravel frame. Clearance for 700x50c or 650bx2.1. Internal routing. T47 BB standard. Available in 3Al-2.5V or 6Al-4V.
Haipis Gravel Plus
Extended clearance gravel platform for wider tires and rougher terrain. Rack and fender mounts for bikepacking.
Haipis Gravel Pinion
Pinion gearbox-ready gravel frame. Clean drivetrain, low maintenance, ideal for expedition and bikepacking use.
Ti Custom Framebuilder
Fully bespoke frame to your specification. Any geometry, any standard, any finish. Use our online configurator to spec your dream frame.
Titanium vs Carbon
Neither material is objectively "better" — they serve different riders and different goals. Here's an honest comparison.
| Property | Titanium | Carbon |
|---|---|---|
| Frame weight (typical) | 1,800–2,100 g | 1,900–2,200 g |
| Vibration damping | Excellent (natural) | Tunable per zone |
| Stiffness tuning | Limited by tube shape | Full directional control |
| Crash damage | Dents (repairable) | Cracks (harder to repair) |
| Corrosion | Immune | Immune |
| Fatigue life | Infinite (below yield) | Finite (very long) |
| Custom geometry | Easy (new tubes) | Expensive (new mold) |
| Aesthetics | Raw metal, ages beautifully | Painted, designed graphics |
| Lead time | 8–12 weeks (custom) | Available from stock |
| Best for | Forever frames, custom fit, gravel/touring | Racing, weight priority, eMTB |
See It in Action
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade of titanium is used?
Grade 9 titanium (Ti-3Al-2.5V). This is the optimal grade for bicycle frames — stronger than commercially pure titanium (Grade 2) but more workable than aerospace Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5). Grade 9 offers the best balance of strength, fatigue resistance, and formability for thin-wall tubing.
Will a titanium frame last forever?
Titanium has no fatigue limit — unlike aluminium or steel, which will eventually fail from cyclic loading regardless of stress level. A properly manufactured titanium frame will not fatigue-crack from normal riding, ever. This is why we call it a lifetime frame material. The frame will outlast every other component on the bike multiple times over.
Is titanium heavier than carbon?
Yes, slightly. A comparable titanium frame typically weighs 200-400g more than its carbon equivalent. However, titanium offers compliance (natural vibration damping), repairability, and lifetime durability that carbon cannot match. Many riders prefer the ride quality of titanium over carbon — it is smoother over rough terrain without being numb.
Can I get a custom geometry titanium frame?
Yes. Because titanium frames are TIG welded from individual tubes (not moulded like carbon), we can adjust reach, stack, head tube angle, seat tube angle, and chainstay length within engineering limits. Custom geometry is available on all titanium models. Use our Custom Frame Builder to specify your dimensions.
What finish options are available?
Three standard finishes: raw brushed (the classic Ti look — no paint, maintenance-free), bead-blasted matte (uniform texture), or custom painted (any colour via powder coat or wet paint). Raw titanium never needs repainting and develops a subtle patina over time.