looks good value, components ok

what does it weigh?

So they're saying that all their previous bikes, and the rest of their current range. are unaffordable? That's quite the admission.

At £1,249 that looks too cheap - what's the catch?

The catch? In my case it would be the engine.

This is no doubt a bicycle assembled from plain-gauge tubes imported from China. Why buy an entry-level Titanium bike offering few if any of the real benefits of a properly made Ti bicycle, say a Litespeed or Merlin? Van Nicholas welds are fairly ugly at best, so goodness knows what this one looks like. Yuk.

I ordered a complete Airborne Lancer ( 105 throughout plus Reynolds Ouzo Pro) at the Cycle Show 3yrs ago for £1090 (ex pedals) including a show discount. It may be Chinese made from plain gauge tubes, but i have racked up thousands of comfortable and enjoyable miles on it. Upgraded with a set of Harry Rowland-built Poshbike Team wheels it rides and handles beautifully. I have thought of buying a lighter ti frame, but until I shed some of my 93kg what would be the point of saving a few hundred grams off the frame? Plus plain gauge tubing is supposedly better for heavier riders - less whippy than double or triple butted ti tubes. I've ridden carbon bikes and find them efficient but lacking any soul, and much prefer ti and steel despite the extra weight. In any case it's better to lose rotating weight first, wheels, cranks, pedals: lighter frame last.

I wonder if Robin Hague has ever actually seen or ridden a Van Nic. They have the neatest Ti welds around. Prices beat most Ti frames - this one looks a winner.

Hi Careful

I have seen a lot of VN bikes at Bike in Bristol and have ridden a couple. I ride a 2007 Litespeed Siena and there is no comparison in the quality of the welds, the Litespeed's are much neater, not to mention the much more involving and precise ride Fair enough on price, the US bikes are obviously much more expensive. I would observe you get a significantly better product and proper Titanium experience. It's the same with carbon - cheap carbon frames get you a carbon bike, not one that gives all that carbon can offer. That said, for me, it's got to be Titanium.