#sagetitanium

I’ve been the floor manager at West End Bikes for only a short time, and even in those few weeks, the Sage titanium bicycles we sell have taken too much of my attention. They are beautiful to look at. The damn bikes just call my name, and I didn’t like it. For, you see, I’m a carbon weight weenie through and through. I like my steeds light and stiff, I’m a climber after all. It’s important to me. Those ti machines aren’t my style (jump to the bottom for my  pros and cons for the ultra-fast ending). When us roadies crawl away from climbing hills to die, when we finally admit defeat, we learn to play golf, tell bad stories, and chose to ride smoother, heavier, much more sensible bicycles. Ya know, steel ones. I’m not ready to die just yet and I don’t like golf. Dave of Sage has come in to talk with customers about the titanium beasts that he produces, and I listened. To prove how much I’m still too young and still too wild to ride anything but the most plasticish of whips, I dared Dave to let me ride one of his monstrosities for a full day. He bet me $1000 that I would like the ride quality of his “Skyline” road bike, and since I’m freakin’ loaded (and, admittedly, ridiculous), I took the bet. We spit, pinkie swore and a date was set.

I took the day off, on the only grey (but not rainy) afternoon of the whole week to test out Dave’s metal horse. My favorite 50-mile route with over 6000 feet of climbing takes me past vineyards, surrounded by farmland, canopied in trees as leaves of amazing color fall and crunch under tires. It really is that good, about five hours of pure bliss. The ride starts, right out my door, climbing for four straight miles. No time to warm up or prepare… But let me back up a sec: as a joke Dave had set up the bike with a mid-compact gearing, tougher than my normal compact setup. He also swapped my saddle with one that I had never ridden before. What a prankster.

…but that wouldn’t change my Day. Minor setbacks.

I’m not going to lie, those first four miles of climbing weren’t my easiest. I’m used to sitting on most climbs, riding slowly unless on super steep pitches where out of the saddle dancing takes place. But, as I stood on the pedals, in a tougher gear, out of the seat, swaying back and forth, I found myself in a wondrous and graceful rhythm. And I smiled. A lot. I never smile, it's a known fact. Though the bike was less stiff and not quite as responsive as my carbon one (and, perhaps it shouldn’t be), I didn’t mind. In fact, I don’t remember a time the whole ride that I felt I fought the machine at all. The rear triangle is tight enough, the chain stays short enough, that climbing was very enjoyable and with a great snap. Now, this review could last forever, and though I know you already love my story telling and incredible wit, I’ll spare you from wasting a full hour of your precious time with this. Besides, instead reading about riding bikes, you should be out riding them (jump to the bottom for my  pros and cons). And that’s exactly what I did, for five hours. Steep climbs were only tougher because of the tougher gears, not because the bicycle wasn’t stiff enough. On longer straightaways and rolling runs, the bike operated at a smoothness that I had never experienced. And, when it was time to fly down winding descents at top speeds, the Skyline titanium bicycle did not disappoint. I took corners as fast as I could and leaned the Sage over hard without fear of, well, without any fear at all. I felt totally safe, and not for lack of white-knuckled speed (sorry Mom, I like to ride fast). 

Okay nerds, here are the specs for the day: Dura-Ace mid-compact, 11-25 cassette, Mavic Ksyrium clinchers, Specialized Romin saddle (my new favorite saddle, no really), Thomson seatpost/stem/bar, Enve fork, Chris King bits, Lizard Skin tape… all under 17 pounds with Speedplay pedals and carbon cages. Very, very respectable. I could make the bike a little stiffer for climbing (though unnecessary) and lighter with my 1170 gram Zipp 303 tubulars. And, that’s what I’d change on this build. Ok, I’d also like my easier compact set up too. With this tested bike, I found the perfect blend of stiffness and compliance, punchy on climbs while smoothing out tough patches on the tarmac. Sage bicycles are designed in Oregon and manufactured at the Tennessee-based Lynskey factory… American through and through. And that is very, very important to me as I have cross and track frames being built for me this winter via Moth Attack, also in the US.

Oh yeah, Di2 lovers (like myself) rejoice (!!!):

“The Skyline is compatible with mechanical and electronic shifting systems. For the cleanest routing possible, the Sage Skyline is equipped with our patent pending Cable Clip System (CCS). When mounted, the clip cleanly routes the cables under the down tube, complete with barrel adjusters for on-the-fly derailleur adjustments. For bikes equipped with electric shifting systems, the clip detaches from the frame, providing a wire port for internal routing of the shifter wires.”

Well done Dave, well done. You have made a fantastic, non-carbon (well, the Enve fork is carbon, and quite awesome), racy two-wheeled knife of a bicycle. Oh, and as far as the bet that I wouldn’t like riding a titanium road bike? He didn’t even make me pay up the $1000 for losing. That’s how nice he is. I’m glad I lost; I was proven wrong and had an incredible adventure.

Pros: • Designed and manufactured in the states. • Lightweight and strong. • Smooth where ya want it, stiff where ya need it. • A logo and decals that don't bum out the art director side of me. • Dave is incredibly approachable and agreeable, I find him quite delightful. Cons: • I don’t own one, that’s a problem. That’s a con.

Uncompensated review and photos by Aaron Edge @man_of_multnomah 

Killer Sunday Ride. 100 miles out to the Bridge of the Gods and back. Everybody was on top form, there’s going to be some serious new talent (and interpretive dancing) hitting OBRA soon.