In addition to many technical advantages, the use of titanium on the bike also brings a distinctive look into play: the fine, matt lustre of a carefully machined surface makes titanium unmistakable. Thanks to its low density and high elasticity, the precious metal in its common alloys can easily withstand the vibrations and shocks of a bicycle frame.
A well-made titanium frame rides just as comfortably as a steel frame.
Added to this is the high strength and the oxide layer of the surface, which therefore defies dents, scratches, rust and corrosion confidently and permanently. This is why titanium frames are almost always sold and used unpainted. However, the material and its processing are very complex and only something for proven specialists. This makes titanium frame construction very expensive and titanium bikes a luxury item.
The frames of the Boettcher Titanium series with four different models come from true masters of this craft: Werner Pichler and the Santa brothers have been welding the finest bicycle frames from titanium tubing under the name Rewel since 1986. As they have known each other personally for years, Böttcher Managing Director Harry Brlek from Heide, north of Itzehoe, and the South Tyroleans from Bolzano agreed on a north-south deal: Rewel will build titanium frames as soon as a customer order arrives from northern Germany. You have to wait around 6 weeks before you can call a superbly crafted frame your own. Our test object is the gravel bike that Harry Brlek had built for himself. Although it was a little too big and long for the tester, we can attest to the bike's outstanding stability and riding dynamics - and not just thanks to the beautiful Rewel frame.
It is its wheels in particular that make the Boettcher bike so versatile: Schwalbe's soft studded G-One does its rounds here and allows the randonneur to perform as quickly and safely on tarmac as it does on rough forest tracks. It's fair to say that the G-One in all its variants has shaken up the entire bike industry and inspired some new approaches. It also turns the slim titanium randonneur into an all-round vehicle. An exemplary bike for work, sport and play.
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 1/2018. You can download the issue in the MYBIKE app (iTunes and Google Play ) or in the DK-Shop order.
