They say titanium is a forever material. Immortal even. Nathan’s 2011 Marin Team Ti isn’t the most modern bike, but it’s still a completely capable one. Read on for how he built up a perfect mixed-terrain bicycle!
When I first spotted the 2011(ish) Marin Team Ti frame listed for sale online, I knew it had potential to be my dream bike. The seller was offering it as a rolling chassis, which suited me perfectly, having not much disposable income at the time but an overflowing parts bin to tap into. After texting with the seller to set up the meeting, I learned he was the owner of Cowichan Cycles, a local purveyor of excellent bike stuff! After a quick look over the frame at our gas station meetup location, I knew I had stumbled into something special.
The bike started its life with me as a pure parts-bin build: single speed, drop bars, and gravel tires. It was simple, fast, a little weird, and surprisingly fun. From there, it’s taken all kinds of forms, from a proper fast gravel bike to a 27.5+ rock crawler.
Now it has more or less settled into its final form as a 29er all-rounder built for bikepacking, mixed terrain rides, and everyday duty.
Anyone who has bought a used bike knows how rare it is to find a frame that fits perfectly and ticks all the boxes on your wishlist. I’m generally not too sentimental about my stuff and have passed on more than one “forever bike” from my stable, but this one may very well be the exception.
Part of this bike’s staying power with me lies in Marin’s humble brand identity and my affinity for the simple origins of mountain biking in Marin County. I love riding simple bikes, and they didn’t get much simpler than those early klunkers careening down Mt. Tam.
My partner grew up in the Bay Area, and I’ve had the pleasure of exploring some of the beautiful trails the region has to offer over the years – now on a bike with ties back to those early klunking days!
Shout out to Grant from Cowichan Cycles for hooking this one up and for running a top-tier shop here on Vancouver Island. If you’re on the island, do yourself a favour and check them out!
Happy trails,
Nate
(Current) Build Spec:
- Frame: 2011 Marin Team Ti
- Fork: Surly Ogre
- Hubs: Chris King
- Rims: Chromag Phase 30
- Tires: Schwalbe Johnny Watts 29 x 2.35
- Rotors: XT
- Brake Calipers: Juin Tech
- Shifter: Microshift Friction Thumbie / Advent X
- Cassette: XT 11 Speed
- Crankset: XT 165mm
- Pedals: Velo Orange Sabot
- Headset: Wolftooth
- Stem: Unknown
- Bars: Hunter Smooth Move
- Levers: Vintage Tektro
- Grips: Lizardskins
- Seatpost: Thomson
- Seat: Bassi
- Rear Rack: Unknown
- Front Rack: Memento Cycles
- Basket: Wald (duh)
We’d like to thank all of you who submitted Readers Rides builds to be shared here at The Radavist. The response has been incredible and we have so many to share over the next few months. Feel free to submit your bike, listing details, components, and other information. You can also include a portrait of yourself with your bike and your Instagram account! Please, shoot landscape-orientation photos, not portrait. Thanks!