In our Tech Q&A series, we tackle readers’ cycling questions – from component upgrades to riding after injury – with help from the BikeRadar team and trusted industry experts. In this instalment, a reader is looking for a British-brand titanium Rohloff-equipped bike to do it all.
After years of following the lightweight route, I’ve come to the realisation that what I really need is a commuter or hardtail mountain bike for the daily ride and occasional light trails/canal paths, particularly as the roads in Edinburgh are very poor.
I’m thinking around a titanium frame and a Rohloff enclosed gear system with a Gates belt drive (I've had it with chains). I don’t know whether I’d need a suspension fork, but reckon I could get away with a suspension seatpost and wide tyres. Full mudguards and panniers are a must.
I’ve looked at the Van Nicholas Pioneer, but that company seem in a state of flux because they have just been sold. I’d sooner buy British and build it up with, say, Hope / SON / DT Swiss wheels, but there don't seem to be any offerings.
I see Thorn and Stanforth build something close, but not in titanium.
Ian Daglish
If you’re looking for a titanium, Rohloff-equipped do-it-all bike from a British brand, you’re largely looking at custom or semi-custom options – but there are some excellent builders out there.
BikeRadar’s senior technical editor, Warren Rossiter, suggests Olsen Bikes as a strong starting point.
The brand offers titanium models such as the Lamb and Eight Bells, and can build them up with Rohloff hub gears or even Pinion gearbox systems paired with Gates belt drives.
If you want to go further down the custom route, Warren points to Enigma as another option, with the Sussex-based builder well known for its titanium frames and ability to tailor a bike to specific requirements.
He also highlights Sturdy Cycles as a potential choice, particularly if you’re after something bespoke and built around your exact needs.
While not titanium, Rossiter adds that steel builders are also worth considering if you’re open to alternatives. “If steel was an option for you, then I’d recommend Darron at Sven Cycles,” he says. “He built me a fantastic, rugged commuter a few years back that I still use almost daily.”
As with many niche builds, going custom opens the most possibilities, enabling you to specify everything from geometry to mounting points and the drivetrain.
Off-the-shelf options exist – as you note, brands such as Van Nicholas have offered titanium Rohloff-compatible bikes in the past – but availability can be patchy, and many riders in your position end up going bespoke to get exactly what they want.
- Read more: Carbon fibre is cycling’s wonder material, but titanium is having a renaissance – here's why
Editor's note 21 April 2026: Whoops! An earlier version of this article showed a titanium gravel bike from Colorado-based brand, Moots.
