With the advent of all-mountain 29er hardtails like the Kona Honzo and the Canfield Nimble Nine, the Ti 420 represents the culmination of the short-chainstay frame style. Ti softens the blows and drops the weight, while 420mm chainstays ensure snappy handling. Anodized black or bare sliding aluminum dropout inserts are available in either geared (with derailleur hanger) or singlespeed versions with 74mm Post Mount disc tabs. A 12x142 option is available now, as well.
Normally, chainstays this short force a bend in the seattube, eliminating the ability to use a clamp-on front derailleur. They also reduce crank and tire clearance, a big no-no for all-mountain riding. With the use of a CNC'd plate on the chainstay, the 420 can afford the crank clearance for a triple crank, and the frame will accept a direct mount front derailleur. With room for a high-volume 29x2.35'' tire on a 23mm rim, you won't have to hear the buzz when cornering at 20mph. A tapered 1-1/8'' to 1.5'' headtube allows the use of your tapered fork, and with a 44mm/56mm ID, you can run zero-stack headset cups on both the top and bottom.
We're offering a full size run of the Ti 420, including 14'', 16'', 17'', 18'', 19'', 20'', and 22'' offerings. Frame weights without sliders are as follows: 13'' = 3.32 pounds; 14'' = 3.44 pounds; 16'' = 3.46 pounds; 17'' 3.68 pounds; 18'' 3.74 pounds; 19'' = 3.78 pounds; 20'' = 3.9 pounds; 22'' = 4.1 pounds.