Titus showed us their latest Carbon/Titanium frame - The Vuelo - to us at Eurobike a week or so ago and they explained some of the technology behind it.
The Exogrid manufacturing technique is very much exclusive to them and it looks fantastic - it was easily a Eurobike highlight for us. A titanium tube has shapes cut out of it, and a ready laid up 'wet tube' of carbon fibre is placed inside. It's then expanded via an inflatable device and the result (after much faffing with mandrels and finishing tools) is this rather bling looking tube.
The technique has also been applied to golf clubs and baseball bats, in golf clubs it (apparently) prevents the club face from twisting as much, so is more accurate and easier to control the ball yet still allows the club to flex to provide the power. They are really expensive.
On bikes it can therefore provide some comfortable flex without sacrificing weight or rigidity (at least that's what they say). OK you can be cynical about such claims, but it sure looks pretty and is exquisitely made.
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The Ligero - uses Isogrid tubing |
The Solera also has Isogrid carbon pipes |
Really very nicely worked titanium |
The Exogrid in section |
Even the decal is 'cut-out' |
If Golf is you thing... |
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