The allure of a custom-built titanium touring bike is undeniable, especially for cyclists who crave both performance and durability on long-haul adventures. Today, we delve into an in-depth review of the Sklar Bikes PBJ titanium touring bike, a machine meticulously crafted for demanding expeditions. This review comes after its inaugural tour through the rugged Long Valley Caldera, providing real-world insights into its capabilities.
This Sklar Bikes creation is not born in a vacuum. It’s the culmination of extensive experience, evolving from previous touring bikes like the reviewer’s 44 Bikes touring model and the Moots Baxter. Time spent on the Moots Baxter, both heavily loaded and in expedition mode, solidified the reviewer’s preferences: 29+ tires for bikepacking and the exceptional ride quality of titanium, particularly in desert environments. These preferences crystallized into a vision after discussions with Adam Sklar of Sklar Bikes in Bozeman.
Sklar Bikes has carved a niche in crafting custom titanium frames, and the conversations revolved around the unique properties of titanium. The inherent flex of titanium frames is a significant advantage, especially when carrying substantial loads. Recalling a fully loaded tour from Steamboat to Fort Collins on the Moots Baxter, the reviewer noted how titanium mitigated the harshness felt with carbon or even robust steel frames, especially during long days at high elevation. The weight savings offered by titanium are also a tangible benefit. The reviewer mused that the Moots Baxter’s performance would be further enhanced with a steel fork, hinting at a desire for a blend of titanium’s resilience and steel’s robustness in specific areas.
As a photographer specializing in capturing the dramatic hues of desert landscapes, the reviewer carries a considerable amount of camera gear – a consistent 10-15lbs. Unlike fluctuating water weight, this gear is a fixed burden, yet one the reviewer willingly shoulders for the photographic rewards.
The Sklar Bikes PBJ, stripped of bags but including pedals, tips the scales at 27lbs. Notably, this weight includes robust handlebars that aren’t featherlight, highlighting the frame’s lightweight nature.
Through collaborative discussions, Adam Sklar and the reviewer refined a geometry tailored for desert touring preferences. This included a spacious front triangle, a slightly relaxed head tube angle for stability, and a more upright riding posture facilitated by the innovative Tumbleweed Persuader Bars.
Tumbleweed Persuader Bars: Wide and in Charge
The Tumbleweed Persuader Bars immediately stand out due to their width. During the maiden tour, fellow travelers even mistook them for motorcycle handlebars grafted onto a bicycle. Measuring a substantial 845mm from end to end (outside of the grips), these bars are indeed expansive. However, this width is purposeful. Combined with the frame’s short steering axis, the wide bars contribute to enhanced control and reduced rider fatigue. Even when battling headwinds, the riding position remained comfortable, avoiding an overly upright and exposed feel.
The wider grip profoundly impacts handling. Steering becomes easier, even with heavy bikepacking bags, particularly in challenging conditions like deep sand. Cornering benefits from the increased leverage, and climbing, especially on steep doubletrack, allows for powerful, hulking efforts. In windy conditions, the bars offer a unique advantage – resting forearms on the expansive surface provides an alternative, aerodynamic riding position. Addressing potential concerns about the width, the reviewer highlights that a wider grip is advantageous when managing weight, drawing an analogy to the wider grip preferred in bench pressing for stability. Furthermore, the flat section adjacent to the stem clamp provides ample space for strapping bags on either side of the stem, minimizing limitations to turning radius when fully loaded.
In essence, these Tumbleweed Persuader Bars are not just an accessory; they are integral to the bike’s overall design and performance, truly tying the room together for this Sklar Bikes touring machine.
Geometry Tailored for Comfort and Control
Achieving optimal bike fit is crucial, and for riders with unique proportions, like the reviewer with a 36″ inseam, a shorter 11.5″ torso, and a 6’5″ wingspan, it becomes even more critical. The Sklar Bikes PBJ’s geometry addresses these specific needs. The slacker seat tube angle accommodates longer legs, allowing for hip opening during pedaling, enhancing comfort on long rides. For riders with shorter torsos, even slight bends in flat-bar bike setups can induce fatigue over extended periods. However, overly extended reach can also be problematic for long arms, leading to a hunched-over feeling.
One of the initial adjustments for the reviewer was adapting to the bike’s reach. While appearing long on paper, conversations with frame builders Jeremy Sycip of Sycip Bikes and Max of 333Fab provided reassurance that the riding position remained comfortably upright. This highlights the subjective nature of bike fit and the importance of experienced perspectives. Often, adapting to a new custom bike involves overcoming ingrained habits developed from riding improperly sized bikes.
The reviewer notes that selling off several flat bar bikes partially funded this Sklar Bikes PBJ and streamlined their bike collection, underscoring the significance of this upgrade.
Baggage System: Innovation in Load Carriage
For this tour, the reviewer experimented with a different baggage configuration, utilizing two Fabio’s Chests front bags from Ron’s Bikes and a Porcelain Rocket frame bag. The Porcelain Rocket frame bag, originally custom-made for a slightly smaller Hunter Cycles frame, resulted in a 2″ gap at the front. Switching from a traditional long saddle pack, the reviewer was curious about the impact of positioning weight higher in the rear, facilitated by Kevin of Golden Pliers’ bag support system. This rear setup housed the bedroll, stove, and camp provisions. The size large Fabio’s Chests upfront proved remarkably effective, accommodating a Canon 5D camera with 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses, along with layers of clothing and snacks. This front-loading approach marked a significant shift, representing the first tour without a dedicated camera backpack.
Smaller essentials were managed with an Andrew the Maker Little Hatch magnetic closure bag and a Cedaero Tank Top bag, supplemented by an Outer Shell Stem Caddy for readily accessible items.
Water management was addressed with a 10L capacity system, comprising two water bladders, two Nalgene bottles, and two Purist bottles. One Purist bottle was positioned in the cockpit for easy access, with the other stored in the frame bag. A rotation system was employed: consuming the cockpit bottle, replacing it with the frame Purist bottle, and refilling both from a bladder. This process was repeated until the Nalgene bottles were emptied. An MSR filter was carried for the latter part of the trip, which included routes along rivers and springs. While 10L of water might seem excessive for this specific route, carrying surplus water is prudent for desert touring, particularly considering a 30-mile climb that could rapidly deplete water reserves under harsh conditions. Despite overcast skies, the reviewer consumed 9L of water over 6 hours, underscoring the importance of ample hydration.
Component Selection: Performance and Reliability
The component choices on the Sklar Bikes PBJ reflect a focus on performance and reliability for demanding touring. The reviewer’s preferred MTB touring drivetrain is SRAM Eagle 10-50t with a 1x setup and a 28t chainring. This combination provides ample low-end gearing for climbs while still offering sufficient top-end for descents, especially crucial with larger 29×3″ tires. As the bike was showcased at the Chris King Open House, it was outfitted with matching Bourbon color components, including a Super Boost (157mm) rear hub.
The adoption of Super Boost spacing addresses chainline issues often encountered with plus bikes featuring short chainstays. Super Boost pushes the cassette further outboard, optimizing chain alignment for smoother and more efficient shifting, especially in the crucial 50t cog. The reviewer confirms a noticeable improvement, with the 50t cog operating more quietly, even when contaminated with abrasive volcanic silt and sand. Chris King hubs are paired with ENVE M630 rims, chosen for their balance of strength and lightweight, mitigating the rotational inertia of the WTB Tough Ranger tires.
A short 35mm PAUL stem positions the Persuader bars optimally relative to the steering axis. PAUL Klamper brakes and levers, known for their powerful and consistent modulation, clamp down on large rotors, providing confident stopping power for this “Sand Worm” in all conditions. Adam Sklar further enhanced the ride quality with a custom 0mm offset titanium seatpost, contributing to the frame’s inherent smoothness. For non-touring use, the bike is designed to accommodate an AXS Reverb dropper post, increasing its versatility for trail riding.
Finishing Touches: Aesthetics and Durability
The Sklar Bikes PBJ’s finish is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. The reviewer opted for a ceramic coating from Black Magic Paint, applying a coyote color that was painstakingly masked to preserve the raw titanium logos with razor-sharp precision. The vision was for the bike to develop a patina over time, with the raw titanium gradually revealed through wear from pumice dust and bag straps. The Chris King Open House photos capture the bike in its pristine, showroom condition, a state that will evolve with use and adventure.
Ride Quality: Surfing the Terrain
Acknowledging the significant investment in this bicycle, the reviewer emphasizes that the frame alone cost $4200, with components and finish further adding to the overall expense. The justification for this investment came from selling off less essential bikes, recognizing titanium as a substantial upgrade. The initial sensation of riding a loaded titanium bike, even with a large downtube, requires some acclimation. Future testing will explore its handling with traditional bikepacking bags and front panniers. However, the standout performance emerged during descents on washboard and sandy roads. The Sklar Bikes PBJ excels at “surfing corners and gobbling up the washboard.” With tire pressures at 15psi and the frame’s inherent compliance, it moved “like a snake across the alluvium,” a sensation described as anything but harsh.
Making the decision to consolidate bike ownership and invest in a high-end machine like the Sklar Bikes PBJ was a bold move that yielded the desired outcome. The reviewer eagerly anticipates adding a dropper post for enhanced trail riding and embarking on planned desert bikepacking trips, promising extensive future use for this versatile machine.
Gratitude is extended to Adam Sklar of Sklar Bikes, Rudi and Ben at Black Magic Paint, the brands supporting the Chris King Open House, and Jay Sycip for the custom anodization of the Super Boost hub.
For any questions or feedback, readers are encouraged to engage in the comments section below.
