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Thanks for the warning, it's early to pick sides now. But I will proceed with caution.

The time has come to build a really nice bike, and i'd like to document it here. Obviously the reasonable choice is a custom frame from china. The idea is to build a bike that is reasonably fast on road, has big clearances, good mounts, good standards, and geometry that suits me.

Currently I ride a Cube which semi ticks some of these boxes, but this is an attempt to perfect it. It's also an attempt to make a really cool bike.

"Is that a full set of Wit Slingers bags made by @Tijmen ?" you may ask. Yes it is. He also basically designed the entire new frame. Can you believe this guy?

Almost all parts of the Cube will transfer to the new bike. Since the Cube fits me reasonably well, a lot of the geo of the new frame is based on this, but with more stack and less reach and some other tweaks. Also it's titanium

The frame was ordered at Titan cycles a couple of months back. Pending the results, i've been very happy with them. Extremely responsive and quick, and they obviously have a lot of experience. They turned out the drawings very quickly and accurately and were really pleasant about revisions.

The frame has since been finished and shipped, it's currently awaiting customs in Belgium, which means it will arrive in some random amount of time. Titan cycles were kind enough to send some photos to tide me over. I must say i'm pretty stoked.

Various bits and bobs to finish the frame have been ordered. I'm going to attempt to do it all myself, we'll see how that goes. Steps are roughly the following

1. Receive frame
   
2. Check straightness, facing, tolerances, attach seatpost to clamp on.
   
3. Stare lovingly at frame not knowing the perils ahead
   
4. Press headset cups using 3d printed press
   
5. Disassemble rear brake and derailleurs from the Cube
   
6. Install fork, stem, bars on the new bike
   
7. Cable routing, going to try the shop-vac approach
   
8. Assemble derailleurs and brakes
   
9. Bleed rear brake
   
10. Take rest of the Groupset and wheels from the Cube
    
11. Change out the rotors and assemble rest of the bike (bartape and
    such)
    
12. Ride biek
    
13. Get a new framebag