We are likely to joke in my little nook of the biking world: “Sounds such as you’re able to get your titanium bike.” The joke was reserved for our growing old buddies, riders who bonked on a hammer trip, and anybody complaining about getting older. The depth of the joke hinges on a line I heard a few years in the past when chatting about bikes with a titanium body builder: “That is the final bike you’ll ever want, the one they’ll bury you with,” principally your closing trip.
Nevertheless, the ocean of carbon bikes and the dullness of their trip high quality (in comparison with metallic) have some street riders trying again to metal and titanium bikes. Sage Bikes from Beaverton, Oregon, lately up to date their Skyline street machine, making it extra engaging than ever to an all-road and not-so-carbon-crazy viewers.
Re-Imaged Sage Skyline
Sage lately up to date the Skyline, giving it the endurance and all-road remedy. Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply they’ve slowed the dealing with or turned it right into a laidback machine. They managed to maintain the Skyline’s exact really feel and punchiness however with bigger tire clearance (now as much as 32mm) and a extra snug trip.
Why Skyline?
Sage took the Skyline identify from the serpentine Skyline Boulevard that winds alongside the backbone of the West Hills in Portland, Oregon. To grasp the evolution of the bike, it’s a must to know the place it got here from. The Skyline was Sage’s street race machine. The part of the street encompasses the Skyline vibe: Pace, stability, and stiffness while you wish to put the pedal to the metallic.
Skyline Body Particulars
Each Sage bike is handmade and out there in a customized spec. The Skyline isn’t any completely different. It’s crafted from 3/2.5 titanium alloy and evokes the essence of a race bike from the game’s golden period.
The body is barely compact and fashionable, with a sloping prime tube. Every little thing is constructed fashionable, utilizing flat-mount brake disc brakes, an outsized head tube, fender mounts, and 3D-printed titanium dropouts. The most recent function is completely inside cable routing with assist from the Chris King inside routing headset and an entire internally routed ENVE cockpit.
The Sage crew stiffens the body with a 1.75″ down tube and a T47 threaded backside bracket.
Sage Skyline Geometry
The most recent iteration of the Skyline leans extra into the all-road crowd and away from an entire street race machine. This design change isn’t a foul factor in any respect.
The up to date geometry and tire clearance give the Skyline a brand new lease on life with a broader internet of pave’ riders and the light-gravel curious. Our evaluation bike is 54cm and matches me completely at 5’10” with a 31.50″ inseam.
Sage Skyline Construct
Like many customized bikes, the Sky(line) is the restrict for construct choices. My evaluation trip got here decked out in the most effective all-road gear from ENVE. Every half accentuated the body’s trip qualities. The ENVE wheels are a wonderful piece of package that provides the Skyline a spring to its step.
Wheels draw out efficiency in a motorcycle body, and I really feel the ENVE wheels intensify the uncooked energy of the Skyline body. The identical may be stated for the totally internally routed ENVE aero bar and stem combo. Wanting down and seeing a clear body and contours feels good, fashionable, and quick. I personally love the texture of the ENVE aero handlebar and the best way it mates with the brand new Shimano 12-spd shifter design.
Our evaluation trip got here outfitted with a full Shimano Dura-Ace groupset, ENVE wheels, ENVE aero cockpit, seatpost, and tires. The construct didn’t overshadow the body; it helped categorical its intent—velocity, energy, and good instances.
Sage Skyline Construct Breakdown
- Body: Sage Skyline 54cm
- Fork: Enve In-Route Highway Fork
- Bars: Enve Aero 42
- Stem: Enve Aero 110mm
- Seatpost: Enve 27.2
- Seat: Sage / Velo
- Headset: Chris King Aeroset 3
- Seatpost Binder: Sage Titanium
- Shifters/Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace 12-speed R9270 Di2
- Entrance Derailleur: Dura-Ace R9270 Di2
- Rear Derailleur: Dura-Ace R9270 Di2
- Crankset: Dura-Ace 50×34 172.5 – Levels energy meter
- Cassette: Dura-Ace 11-34T
- Wheels: Enve SES 4.5
- Tires: Enve SES 29mm
- Axels: Robert Axel Mission
- Value: $5,500.00* Frameset solely
- Weight: 18lbs
Journey Evaluation – Sage Skyline
My time with the Sage Skyline was quick, however I received plenty of trip time on this beautiful machine. First, let me preface this: I don’t get to trip or evaluation many titanium bikes. I see them hardly ever; after I do, they intrigue me however don’t blow me away. I often trip carbon street bikes, street race-focused, with consolation taking a again seat to effectivity.
After I noticed the Skyline, nevertheless, I used to be very into it. It appeared like a classically styled street bike with outsized tires such as you’d see within the previous days of Paris Roubaix. Plus, I reviewed the Sage Powerline mountain bike just a few years again as a shreddable artwork piece and that impression caught with me.
A Jack of All Drop Bar
My rides on the Skyline various from full-on tarmac to mild gravel and Pittsburgh pave’. After my first outing, one factor was positive: it was a enjoyable bike to trip. The Skyline’s semi-laid-back nature required a much less finicky dial-in, so I had extra time to get pleasure from using.
I’m an enormous fan of the Sage saddles. I do know—they don’t even make them, other than including the cool Sage emblem to them—however man, it’s one thing I keep in mind from the Powerline evaluation. Not having to swap saddles is a pleasant perk; it makes the whole bundle really feel higher. It seems like my Specialised Energy (my go-to) however with somewhat additional cushion – excellent for the Skyline.
Welcome Dwelling
The Skyline is a flexible bike; the specs vastly assist that—particularly the 29mm tires spec’d on my evaluation bike. The body has to accommodate all method of rides, and that’s exactly what it does. The bike can climb, descend, and roll with the most effective. The elemental function of the Skyline is its capability to adapt to completely different terrain and stay highly effective but snug. I hardly ever thought, “That is an excessive amount of for this bike, or I’m uncomfortable.” Keep in mind, that is an all-road bike and never a full-blown gravel rig so we didn’t get too loopy.
When KOM is looking or on a quick weekend trip, the Skyline can transfer and react to assaults like a carbon bike. The body is responsive however not harshly stiff like a carbon body. The trip and the best way the body rolls on the street are satisfying. The body offers off a hum that jogs my memory of my previous metal street bike, however extra elegant. There isn’t a different option to describe it, nevertheless it’s good, nearly like a heat “welcome dwelling” feeling.
Would you Race the Skyline?
I’d 100% race the Skyline, however that stated, it is a titanium body that prices $5,500 alone only for the body. I’d save your alloy bike for the crit races and the Skyline for the pleasurable cruises on the farm roads and reenacting your favourite classics.
That stated, should you’re able to take this machine to the entrance strains of your native race, it can carry out with the most effective of the carbon crowd. It has a slim profile with up to date inside cable routing because of the Chris King Aeroset 3. The steering in all fairness point-and-shoot, and should you get a construct like our evaluation bike, the wheels spin up and maintain velocity like a demon.
Closing Ideas
Am I prepared for my titanium bike? After my time on the Sage Skyline, I’m contemplating it. The bike is a useful piece of artwork; the emblem, the construct, the welds, and the story – all converse to me and encourage a love of using.
The Sage Skyline’s value displays its high quality, and for many, that places it barely out of attain. However I can now see the draw and objective of a motorcycle just like the Skyline greater than ever.
So, should you’re in search of a street bike that may maintain its personal in your favourite terrain, and simply the look of it evokes you to trip – the Sage Skyline ought to be on the prime of your record.
www.Sagetitanium.com
