I've WAITED 30 Years for THIS! | BEARCLAW Thunderhawk TITANIUM All-Road Bike Build

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Check out my first impressions on the Thunderhawk HERE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJq6hJljgpmFY5o

[@hondas562]

I’ve had a bearclaw for 5 years now and I still love it as much as the day it showed up. I’m lining up to the unbound xl this summer with it. Love this bike

[@TheDustyDutchman]

That’s awesome! That will be an epic ride, good luck!!

[@iamlyam79]

I first saw the OG titanium Kona Hei Hei back in 1993 when I was in HS and always wanted one. I got my ‘93 Hei Hei in the mid ‘00s and was hooked. Now I also own a Litesoeed Watia and can die a happy man with my two dream bikes. #TIisFly

[@TheDustyDutchman]

That’s so cool. I remember wanting that same Kona back n the day! Thanks for watching 🤙

[@pretzelhunt]

I remember those Hei Hei's at the top of the wall poster as a yout. Way sick, but so were most of 'em on that thing

[@TheDustyDutchman]

So true 👍

[@fennec13]

Cool build, as a MTB guy from the 90s I had the same sort of evolution to the Gravel (and oft-times endurance road riding) I do today. I had actually thought about getting the RLT9 some years back, but I did end up with a Ti frame myself. A 2018 WHY Cycles R+; after a few years and close to 7,000miles on it - your build is a lot like mine! So, I am hoping you've had many a great mile on your Thunderhawk !

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks so much and thanks for watching! 🤙🤙

[@CarlinTran]

Very Nice! I definitely agree that the bike is a mechanical expression of one's self.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks so much! Yeah it’s certainly a cool form of expression, I’m glad you agree 👍

[@jenniferg2488]

Awesome! Can’t wait to see your next adventures with it! 🤩

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks! It should be a very good adventure partner 👍

[@B1KER]

Sweet build! I have a Ti BlackHeart that I bought under almost identical circumstances.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Oh I’ve seen it! lol I just saw it on Instagram, super cool ride 👏. I sent ya a DM on IG too… 🤔

[@ibanezgj1]

Great build JT..... Very inspirational, thanks for sharing....

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks Greg! It was a fun build. Looking forward to the ride 👍

[@nl3712]

Congratulations 🎉

[@TheDustyDutchman]

I really appreciate it! 🙌

[@JacobJar]

That’s a nice looking bike🚲

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks Jacob!

[@ForGlory1]

OK that intro was nice

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Haha thanks! It was a fun one to make 👍

[@iverhey]

Good thinking getting your Iceman bike built a little earlier this year

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Haha! That’s actually a really interesting point you bring up 🤔

[@iverhey]

@@TheDustyDutchman That'll really bring your Bearclaw story full circle

[@TheDustyDutchman]

You’re absolutely right

[@weiwei1808]

Nice

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@RyanAguiar3]

How tall are you? I’m 5’10 trying to figure out to get the 55.5 or the 57.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

I’m 6 feet exactly

[@chrisjong8412]

Great video, you channel deserves more viewers as you put a lot of time in the video and there fun. For the bike, why now 27.2 seatpost=more comfort. I like the channels name, as im dutch, are you also ? Cheers from Amsterdam

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thank you! 🙌 My Dad immigrated here from the Netherlands when he was young so I am Dutch as well 👍 I like the larger seat posts mainly because there are more options if I want to put a dropper post on it.

[@tomb5465]

Heel mooi gebouwd.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thank you very much! 🙌

[@nickp13131313]

What are you doing with that old niner frame? how tall are you? I'm always between 54-56 at 5'10-ish. You probably saved on a new Moots, eh?

[@TheDustyDutchman]

A friend of mine is building up the niner for himself. I’m 6’ and 190lbs. I actually thought I bought a 56cm niner but it definitely doesn’t measure out that way. I never priced out a moots so I’m not sure 🤷‍♂️

[@GlobalTrailGuide]

Dibs on this one when I visit 😏

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Lol it’s all yours my dude 🙌

[@lynskeyti9940]

Other than that ulgy fork its a beautiful bike

[@TheDustyDutchman]

lol thanks 😂

[@gren509]

Oh dear, you didn't do your research into what percentage of Ti frames crack did you !? 😞

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Looks like I’ll have to settle for real world research now 🤷‍♂️

[@gm9559]

I ride my 24 year old Litespeed Tuscany daily. It' s outfitted with new DuraAce, and full carbon parts. I've done everything with it. Still rides like new. In winter I mount Race Blade on it as i ride all year. Enjoy your Ti!

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Sounds like a rad setup! Thank you! 🤘🤘

[@TechStryker]

Brother. Its really best bicycle Of world.. i am form Bangladesh... My countries like the excellent work Of Quality cycle master framework building performance....

[@TheDustyDutchman]

👍👍

[@lukecico5155]

That intro was amazing. Clever.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Haha thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 🙌

[@mancello]

Nice build. I'd build it with a flat bar myself. Titanium has a ride quality close to steel. Been riding a titanium Seven MTB for 20 years and it rides as good as day one. It also has a titanium seatpost for comfort.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

That’s great to hear. I’m really excited to start riding and tinkering with it. Thanks for watching!

[@kovie9162]

First time I ever rode a Ti bike was on the one I built up just as you did, over 20 years ago. Such a sweet ride, vastly better than my previous steel bike (admittedly not a high end one). Nothing like building up your own bike to your specific specs and then riding it. All the better if it's Ti.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Absolutely! I’m so glad I finally pulled the trigger on this build. I’m very happy with it 👍

[@richardstone351]

Nice...for a chinese made bike...something they don't like to tell their customers. Lynskey, Seven, Litespeed, Moots, Firefly were all too far away? If you don't mind chinese made bike, you could have bought a Habanero of a half of the cost. BTW - Quiring Cycles built in Michigan would have built you a custom Titanium bike for $800 more.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

I just saw these bikes at iceman a few years ago and liked the brand. Cool people, good vibe, rad bikes…. Sign me up 🤷‍♂️

[@laillosidgar]

I also got a custom gravel from ROBone bike with similar circumtance. The difference I am transfering from my steel gravel (marin nicasio 2) component to this new bike. Ride little bit different, but i suspect it's more about geo rather than the material.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Very cool. Certainly could be

bạn xứng đáng có 1 nút bạc trước tiên cho video này

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Wow thank you!

[@robertpreato3891]

Carbon wheels do not increase comfort over alloy wheels. Carbon wheels are actually stiffer and less compliant so why you would mention carbon wheels when discussing comfort is curious.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

They feel better to me 🤷‍♂️

[@robertpreato3891]

@@TheDustyDutchman Maybe better but not if you define better as more comfortable. Generally, comfort is directly proportional to compliance and carbon wheels are lighter and stiffer and thus LESS compliant than alloy wheels. This improves performance but they are definitely not going to be the wheel of choice if you are looking for comfort. From the video it sounded like you expected your Niner to be more comfortable due to the carbon wheels and that is a false expectation.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

@robertpreato3891 I’ve upgraded 5 of my bikes with carbon wheels and on each I’ve noticed less small vibrations and more damping on hard hits. But that’s just my opinion, could just be a coincidence

[@robertpreato3891]

@@TheDustyDutchman When it comes to big hits you are absolutely not going to notice a difference between the two, if you do its your imagination. It is on the small surface imperfections where carbon will always be noticeably more harsh because they are LESS compliant. That is not an opinion it is a fact. I assure you that there are benefits to carbon wheels, comfort is NOT one of those benefits. If you like the feel better then great, if you think they are more comfortable you are either experiencing the placebo effect or you are conflating comfort with performance.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

@robertpreato3891 cool thank you 👍

[@JesucristodivinoyjustoJuez]

Cuánto cuesta la bicicleta mtb montaña rodada 29 para México de titanio???

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Hard to say, there are a lot of variables. I would start by doing some research until you find a brand you like, then reach out to them for prices on your specific build.

[@Mikemalone7873]

oooooh titanium! I feel it!

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Haha I can’t wait to “feel” it for myself!

[@onemorepereira]

Shouldn't you have used copper grease/paste on the bottom bracket & seatpost?

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Maybe 🤷‍♂️

[@f1hotrod527]

I prefer “I cut it 3 times and it’s still too short!!!!”

[@TheDustyDutchman]

lol I’ve done that one a time or two 😆

[@gerardricchio1364]

She IS glorious!!!

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Haha hell yeah, thanks Jerry! You’ll have to come check it out! 👍

[@gerardricchio1364]

JT has built me two bikes. You are an amazing bike mechanic. My Santa Cruz and Framed Fat Tire have both been trouble free bikes . Neither bikes have ever needed adjustments ! I am the lucky recipient of the fat tire Christmas bike folks👍

[@TheDustyDutchman]

I feel the love! I’m honored to have been able to work on the bikes that get ridden by a local legend!

[@TyStyckify]

This is your brain on hallucinogens.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

AND way too many 🍹🍺🥂

[@TheMediocreMountainBiker]

Ooo, I'm still bikepacking curious. 🤔

[@TheDustyDutchman]

A little curiosity is very normal Jason 😆

[@jonathanwithecombe557]

I've been lusting after one of these for a few years now... good work!

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks! I was eyeing these up for years myself. Stoked to finally pull the trigger. Hope you get yours soon too!

[@jonathanwithecombe557]

@@TheDustyDutchman I'm not gonna hold my breath! Only had my BMC for about 8 months so a Bearclaw is a distant dream right now

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Nothing wrong with a BMC tho, still out there pedaling 🤘

[@jonathanwithecombe557]

@@TheDustyDutchman best bike yet... the wonders of having a bike fit as well!!!!

[@justinjewell11]

Yes, you can race this at Iceman. 😉 Raced my Thunderhawk last year at it with 2.25/2.1 Racing Ray tires. Absolutely riot.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Haha it’s definitely crossed my mind 🤔

[@jasonhicks3323]

Dusty, welcome to the club. I have a Thunderhawk like yours and it is on its 5th season. I ride that thing EVERYWHERE; bike paths, road rides, single track and the pump track. There are times when I come away from the ride after abusing the heck out of it thinking that SOMETHING with crack or shake loose, but NOPE. Not a rattle to be had. Good for you. Remember, they didn’t make the SR-71 spy plane out of carbon or aluminum.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Hahaha hell yeah that’s badass bro! So good to hear you love yours. I’m super stoked about it 🤘🤘. Thanks for watching 🙌

[@johnbodenchuk514]

Congratulations! Awesome bike. I looked at that same bike but just finished building my Binary Havok, clearance for 29x3.0” and 100mm suspension fork. A real Monster Gravel since I do both gravel and singletrack here in AZ. Also Binary is based in AZ. Enjoy your new bike. It’s absolutely beautiful and raw titanium is my weakness (I have 3). 7:26

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Outstanding. Thanks so much! That Binary sounds Rad!

[@FadeToBlackLLC]

Awesome video!! Killin it!

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks Wayne!! 🙌🙌

[@kevinbuja8105]

When Rotor re-imagined Shimano’s Biopace chainrings I installed them (Rotor) and I was never happier.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

👍👍

[@kennyness8881]

Beauty. You are either brave or foolish to cut the steerer tube before building it and seeing how things fit you.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thank you! I actually test fit everything first, Marked and then cut it. But after the first go around I decided I wanted it a little shorter.

[@williamlebron9873]

🎉CONGRATS on new bike day.🎉 The bike looks so SWEET. 😍 LOVE IT! 😍

[@TheDustyDutchman]

I really appreciate that and thanks for watching! 🙌🤘🙏

[@anthonyharris483]

😍

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thank you! 🙌

[@MarkLarson]

Absolutely gorgeous!!!!

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks Mark! Hopefully I’ll get er out this weekend 🙌

[@rob_cd]

Cool video! Fun and informative.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it 🤙🤙

[@elmccor6298]

Where has this channel been all my life?

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Hahaha I don’t know but I’m glad you’re here 👍🤙

[@jamesherd9132]

Well done the bike looks Awesome.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thank you! Thanks for watching 🤘🤘

[@IronHorsey3]

Love your project. I’ll buy you a titanium Litespeed, Dusty. 😎

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Haha thank you! I’m stoked about it 👊

[@IronHorsey3]

@@TheDustyDutchman - Hope you enjoy many miles on your new steed.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Really appreciate that! I’ll have a video up about my first miles on it in a few weeks 👍

[@dougnevitt2257]

Beautiful!!

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thank you very much 🙌

[@KrisYahner]

Congrats on the new bike. Looks great!

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Thanks so much Kris! Stoked to get it out this weekend 🤘🤘

[@slivingston117]

I had a Thunderhawk built by Bearclaw, went all in with custom anodizing, SRAM Red/XX1 AXS mullet drivetrain, Industry Nine carbon hoops…It’s dreamy! Bearclaw is awesome to deal with!

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Wow that’s a sick build.. congrats! I have nothing but great things to say about bearclaw!

[@mattsev9134]

Zero interest in a bike company that doesn't manufacture their own frames. And made in China? No thanks. If I'm buying a "lifetime" titanium frame, I'll save up and go with a company like Moots or Seven or Lynskey - American frame builders with a long history in the ti game.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

👍

[@cosinus_square]

All that ti and they slap a carbon fork on it, tststs

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Haha so true. I’ll be trying out their matching titanium fork later this year. 👍

[@IronHorsey3]

Love that badass carbon fork.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

I do too. I went back and forth between their carbon and titanium fork. I’m hoping to get my hands on the titanium fork this summer for some testing.

[@IronHorsey3]

@@TheDustyDutchman - Last year, my LBS recommended I replace the carbon on my ole 1996 Trek 5200. Wasn't enthused but got one from a guy in Texas, a Ritchey Comp. He said it'll be very good when he put it on. He was right and no more concern about an old carbon fork blowing up. Happy trails on this project and looking forward to more.

[@TheDustyDutchman]

Awesome. Thank you! More to come soon 👍