PRESS RELEASE/BIKE PORN
Introducing the Titanium Chromag Surface
There's no doubt in our minds that Chromag makes some absolutely beautiful bikes, but their new Titanium Surface might just take the cake. Crafted from an entirely custom Ti tube set, it's the epitome of Chromag's design philosophy. There's only one build, a top-shelf selection of SRAM and Chromag's own components, and it will set you back an eye-watering $7,500 CAD / $6,450 USD (or as a frameset only for $3,600/ $3,100 USD), but we hear the black market on organs is a pretty safe bet these days. Get all the details and some gorgeous pictures after the break.
New for 2018 is the Surface Ti. Chromag’s first ever Titanium hardtail. The Surface Ti mirrors the geometry of our highly evolved Surface model featuring our most updated geometry, tuned for all mountain capabilities with rugged trail riding as the priority.
As per the evolution of all our trail bikes the Surface Ti features long front end geometry, slacker head angle, steep seat tube angle, short chainstays, and low BB height, all tuned for longer travel (150mm). This frame is designed with 148 Boost rear axle spacing and a new yoke, CNC machined from solid titanium for increased tire clearance.
Technical Specs
29 x 2.5” or 27.5 x 2.8” tire clearance
• Head Angle – 66 degrees – 150mm fork
• Seat Angle – 75 degrees
• 3AL-2.5V Titanium Tubing
• Chromag's trail honed geometry
• Chainstay length optimized at 16.7" / 425mm
• Custom CNC machined dropouts for 12mm Maxle with replaceable hanger
• Rear hub spacing – 12 x 148mm
• CNC Machined Headtube Tapered 44-56mm
• Seatpost size – 31.6mm with Stealth routing
• Design optimized for a 150mm fork
• 31.6mm diameter seat tube with Stealth routing
• 35mm seat collar
• Frame weight – 4.25lbs
GEOMETRY
Chainstay - 16.7" / 425mm
Headtube - 4" / 105mm
Head Angle - 66° w/150mm fork
Seattube Angle - 75°
BB Height - 12.6" 320mm
Seatpost Size - 31.6mm with Stealth Routing
Headset Size - 44mm-56mm tapered
BB Shell - 73mm threaded
*measured with a 150mm fork.
Check out the landing page over at Chromag HQ for build kits, pricing and availability.
Comments
whatyouthink
6 years, 6 months ago
it's soooo pretty.
made in canada?
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UFO
6 years, 6 months ago
Made in Taiwan unfortunately. I have nothing against Taiwanese workmanship, in many cases it's better than NA workmanship in my opinion. But at this pricepoint I would have expected a Dekerf/similar builder.
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Dave Tolnai
6 years, 6 months ago
This is really interesting. If you look at full suspension carbon, the onshore/offshore discussion is pretty much over. It's just accepted that even the most expensive bike may be sourced from "over there". But once you're talking about a hardtail...I mean the whole argument, back in the day, for the added expense for a really sweet frame was that it was handbuilt "over here" with some sort of attention to detail. An offshore bike had none of that cachet and none of the pricetag. So we're conditioned to not even really ask that question on a full suspension bike, but once you start looking at hardtails...some kind of base instinct rears up and says "wait a second..." I mean, even Chromag plays this game with onshore and offshore versions of the same frame (more or less).
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Endur-Bro
6 years, 6 months ago
As a current Surface owner this is/was a let down. Being an offshore built frame means that any type of customization is likely a no go. There are a few local builders around that will take on projects for around this price point. The downside is the lack of crotch-grabbing bears prestige. The upside is not having Chromag based convos with trailside randoms. I really like their made in BC CNC'ed products but those might be disappearing in favour of product line expansions. Anyone know if the Ranger V2 is made in Canada? I know the Ranger was made by NSB, and the BZA states "Made in Canada" while the Ranger V2 just says "Machined from premium alloy."
And what's with carbon frames being the be all end all of cycling technology? Read in Seinfeld voice
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Dave Tolnai
6 years, 6 months ago
Interesting. I'd be surprised if they went away from NSB, but stranger things have happened. There can't be that much cost saved by machining off shore...but maybe?
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AndrewR
6 years, 5 months ago
@Endur-Bro I think all Ranger line is machined by NSB for Chromag. I know that NSB recently bought another CNC machine to keep up with demand and allow capacity to try out new ideas.
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UFO
6 years, 6 months ago
At some point though one does need to consider value, regardless of your tax bracket. You can buy some of these top line uber wonder off-shore carbon frames for the MSRP of this Ti Surface or less.
A Ti Honzo is $600 less and has the added complication of sliding drops, though admittedly not as pretty as this Surface's 'Yokel'.
I just noticed the Canadian built steel frames seem to have inflated in pricing a couple hundred bucks this year vs last as well.
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Peter Leeds
6 years, 4 months ago
I have mine on order. Dekerf could not make the downtube at any cost, to say nothing of the fact the tube set is specific. Moreover, the cost of this bike, if done by a boutique, one-off-builder, would be so high as to not be feasible.
To work Ti, you have to have experience, size and the facilities to do so. My Knolly Podium was made in Taiwan; do I have any trouble on that? No. Design, engineering and thought are what counts. Welding can be done by anyone skilled as such. And it is not like Chromag is going to ask the top bike they have ever made to be shitty.
I suspect if a local (NA) builder were to make this frame it would be $5000CDN at least, assuming they could make the build in the first place. The last point is the most obvious, since, if you can't make the tubes, then certainly, you can't make the bike, at any price.
Personally, I am not worried. I doubt Chromag would stake their reputation on this otherwise.
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Riley
6 years, 6 months ago
Why does the ti surface have a curved top tube and the steel frame has a straight TT? Is there any other benefit to the curved TT other than standover clearance? Personally I like the look of a straight tube.
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Merwinn
6 years, 6 months ago
Standover clearance.
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