Another 32-Inch Bike Arrives: The Twin Six Standard Ti 3X2

Minneapolis brand Twin Six is throwing its hat into the 32-inch ring, and right now there’s a discount to be had. The discount is for a pre-order because the bike doesn’t currently exist as a production product, but the apparel brand isn’t new to making frames.

For years, Twin Six has offered a range of bikes that fits with the personality of the brand. Named the Standard frameset, everything is external and round tube. There is a road-focused steel frameset, but the bulk of the frames on offer get the rando tag and come with tire clearance up to the mid-40s, depending on your choice of steel or titanium tubing.

The new offering is the Twin Six Standard Ti 3X2 Frame, and this one actually takes the basic formula a little farther. I’d call this bike an all-terrain style bike. It’s not a mountain bike, but it is based, at least partially, on the 29-inch mountain bike that Twin Six has offered in the past. It is likely considered a gravel bike, and it is also based partially on the Twin Six Standard Ti Rando, but the max tire clearance is 2.4-inch on 32-inch wheels.

To make everything fit, the bike uses a 3D-printed titanium chainstay yoke as it exits the bottom bracket and sticks to 1x only. That setup leaves room for up to a 38T chainring while utilizing a 46mm x 68mm PF30 bottom bracket. To handle the unique forces and clearance requirements of the platform, the rear end is built around 148 mm boost hub spacing with 3D-printed titanium thru-axle dropouts, flat-mount disc brakes, and a modern UDH derailleur hanger.

The frame itself is welded from T6 Standard 3.25 titanium tubing and features classic wishbone seatstays. Up front, a 44mm collared headtube allows you to build it with either flat or drop bars. True to the rest of the lineup, it uses fully external cable housing routed through low-profile clips, though there is internal routing for a 31.6mm dropper post with a 34.9 mm clamp.

Cargo capacity changes depending on the size you choose. The 17-inch and 19-inch frames feature two main triangle water bottle mounts, while the 21-inch and 23-inch frames get three. Regardless of size, every frame includes an undercarriage water bottle mount for extra storage.

Why care about this one?

As I wrote this article, I sent off an email to Brent Gale, designer and co-owner of Twin Six, with a couple of simple questions. What is drawing Twin Six into this product category, and why should consumers choose Twin Six? The answer I got was:

For the last twenty two years, we’ve been making the gear we want to wear and the bikes we want to ride. The Standard Ti 3X2 is no exception. 

 

In 2007 at Guitar Ted’s 29er Fest in Iowa we got the chance to ride one of Ben Witt’s 36ers. It floated across corn fields like a magic carpet ride. Since that time we’ve dreamed of building a bike with bigger wheels. While the 36″ wheel was fun it didn’t seem practical as it was just too big. When Maxxis introduced their 32″ tire and BMC started testing 32″ XC frames, big-wheel bikes seemed more realistic and achievable.

 

We’ve combined the best aspects of the Twin Six Standard Ti 29/FSU singletrack slayer and our gravel machine, the Standard Ti Rando. The Standard Ti 3X2 is a 32 inch beast that can be set up for gravel or mountain, using either drop or flat bars. You can’t help but smile as you float over chunky gravel, washboard, roots and rocks. This beautiful titanium frame is both snappy and compliant. It grips on the uphills, soars on the downhills and carves corners like your favorite XC rig. We are very excited to add the Standard Ti 3X2 to the Twin Six fleet.

Pricing and availability

The Standard Ti 3X2 Frame is available in frame sizes from 17-inches through 23-inches, with extra purchase options for Berd or Velocity wheels and a carbon fork. Pricing for the frameset is set at $2,350, but early buyers can take advantage of a $200 pre-order discount available through July 6, bringing the price down to $2,150. For more information, visit the Twin Six website.