Sabbath September AR-1

 
If you aren’t looking for the ultimate in weight savings, titanium is still the wonder metal for long, hard rides. Even better, its impervious to water, almost impossible to scratch, and extremely hard to bend. There may be no better material for a cycling segment exposed to brutal weather, uncertain road conditions, and long distances.
 

 
The frame and fork are a good match on smooth surfaces: The Whisky fork is designed for cyclocross: The massive tyre clearance and beefy fork blades suggest nothing else. Under pressure, the fork stays true with no wheel flop. It tracks surely and confidently on fast downhills.
 

 
The TRP cable/hydraulic hybrid disc brakes on our bike didn’t phase the frame or the fork. They rely on a standard brake cable running all the way to the brake caliper: The cable is mounted to a lever that operates a full hydraulic system within the caliper. The feel is light, enough for plenty of stopping power (even a playful nose wheelie) with one or two fingers on the levers.
 

 
Although the brakes offer whopping stopping power, neither the frame nor fork twisted or behaved differently under pressure. The fork’s beefy legs and the frame’s sturdy bracing between chainstay and seatstay did their jobs.
 

 
All positive on the road then, but how did the combination do in tougher conditions?

Continued overleaf…
 
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