REVIEW: Sage Titanium Flow Motion Hardtail 4

When we think about frame material for hardtail mountain bikes, a few usual suspects come to mind. Aluminum offers an attainable price point and a solid strength-to-weight ratio. Carbon fiber is light, stiff and excellent for cross-country or light trail bikes. Heading in the more exotic direction, steel can deliver a damp and comfortable ride, resists fatigue, and the tubing is easily manipulated to achieve the desired ride characteristics. As a result, steel tends to be the material of choice for many popular hardcore hardtails. 

Enter titanium. Titanium is a mythical material that provides some of the best qualities of carbon and steel. "Ti" frames blend carbon fiber's light and stiff properties with the damp and compliant feel of steel. If it sounds too good to be true, you are not wrong. The raw material is pricey, and frames are far more expensive to weld than steel or aluminum. The high price tag of titanium frames only furthers the mystery of this premium metal that is unobtainable for most riders. It's a serious roll of the dice to gamble a few thousand dollars on a frame material you are unfamiliar with when steel, aluminum, or even carbon frames cost significantly less.

Lucky for us, we've had the opportunity to spend a few months on Sage Titanium's Flow Motion hardtail. Sage Titanium is a small manufacturer based out of Beaverton, Oregon, that produces, as the name suggests, titanium frames with a focus on drop bar bikes. They offer three mountain bike frames, and the Flow Motion is their hardcore hardtail for enduro and all-mountain riding.

Highlights

• 29-inch wheels
• Titanium frame made from U.S.-sourced 3/2.5 titanium tubing
• Designed around a 150mm (5.9-inches) fork 
• Made in the U.S.A
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Internally routed shifter cable, externally routed rear brake, and dropper post
• 12x148mm Boost rear hub spacing
• 1x specific 
• 2.4-inch max tire size
• 31.6mm Seatpost
• Measured weight (size large, no pedals): 27 pounds, 5 ounces (12.39 kg)
• MSRP: $5,000 USD (highly customizable builds start around $8,900 USD)

Flow Motion Overview

The Sage Flow Motion is nothing short of stunning. Visually, the quality of the welds and craftsmanship is immediately apparent. The frame uses 3/2.5 titanium tubing sourced from the U.S. of A. in varying diameters to blend stiffness and compliance, as well as forming in the chainstays. Sage Titanium owner and designer David Rosen did not offer details about butting and the wall thickness of the tubing. 

Titanium is a notoriously difficult material to work with, and according to Rosen, there is a small margin for error that requires tremendous skill to achieve clean welds. Titanium also requires an oxygen-free weld. Welders need to pump gasses through the tubing to purge it of oxygen. Rosen estimates a Sage Titanium frame takes an average of 20 hours to produce compared to an estimated 5-10 hours for a steel frame. The high cost of raw materials, paired with a longer production time, helps justify the $5,000 price tag for the frame alone. 

Rosen believes the target customer for this bike is someone who wants a high-quality hardtail in their quiver and plans to keep the bike for 10-20 years. He is confident that Sage frames will stand the test of time. Hardtail geometry has normalized in recent years. Of course, the risk would be purchasing a high-end frame with angles that could be deemed archaic in a decade. The Flow Motion has decisively modern geometry; luckily for Sage, it feels like the long and low trend is beginning to stabilize.

Geometry

We tested a size large Flow Motion with a 64-degree head angle, 636mm effective top tube, 491mm reach, and 432mm chainstays. These numbers work to create a 1251mm wheelbase that delivers a stable-enough ride while prioritizing the nimble and agile attitude that we love about hardtails.

The seat tube angle is 76 degrees, which at first glance, may not sound like a steep seat tube angle by modern standards. However, it is important to remember that when a full-suspension bike sags, the seat tube angle slackens. On a hardtail, the seat tube angle actually steepens a hair as your fork sags, and the rear end remains static. When perched atop the Flow Motion, you are in an excellent and direct pedaling position. Our 6' 2" tester typically straddles the fence between large and extra-large bikes. The large Flow Motion was slightly cramped in the top tube with a 35mm stem. If we were to purchase this frame, we would consider going with an extra-large frame. 

Setup

For many riders, the most appealing aspect of a hardtail is its simplicity. A frame without bearings and linkage results in less maintenance, and the lack of a rear shock to endlessly tinker with can be a breath of fresh air. Bike setup is also far less complicated. After setting seat height and bar position, we put 90 psi in the Fox 36 with a GRIP 2 damper. We have had plenty of experience with this fork, and after our initial test ride, we dropped to 85 psi and added a bit more compression damping. 

Tire pressure is absolutely critical on a hardtail. No matter how compliant and damp your frame is, finding the appropriate tire pressure adds comfort, traction, and predictability. Throughout testing, were double-checked tire pressure constantly with an Accu-Gauge and a digital Topeak gauge. We settled on 24 psi in the 2.4-inch Schwalbe Magic Mary in the Super Trail casing front tire. While not the burliest casing, it is a reasonable choice for the front wheel of an enduro/all-mountain hardtail. We attempted to drop an additional pound or two of pressure on a couple of rides. However, we found handling began to feel sluggish and vague, two characteristics that are the antithesis of what the Flow Motion is all about. 

Our rear wheel was home to a 2.25-inch Schwalbe Nobby Nic in the Super Ground casing. This was problematic as it pertains to maximizing the ride quality. The Super Ground casing is a lighter-duty casing that significantly limited the range of pressure we could safely run in the rear. Yes, this tire is light and fast, but bumping up to a Super Trail casing would allow for some much-needed wiggle room regarding air pressure. One could easily argue for running a Super Gravity casing, as the rear wheel on a hardtail receives severe abuse without a rear shock to soften the blow.

We started at 27 psi in the rear and eventually settled on 26 psi. On mellower rides without significant amounts of rock or bomb holes, we flirted with 25 psi to find a bit more comfort. We will delve into this topic in more detail later in our review.  

On The Trail

We spent two months ripping the Flow Motion around the mountains of Central Washington near Leavenworth and Wenatchee. The trails in the area offer a fantastic blend of steep and burly pirate trails, modern flow trails, and remote backcountry riding. This proved to be a great testing ground for the Flow Motion as we could push the bike to its limit and then some. Testing occurred during the tail end of summer, and conditions could be described as dry, drier, and terminal dryness. 

When aimed downhill, the Flow Motion is a razor blade that delivers a highly-engaging ride. The titanium shredder makes its money with incredibly direct handling and agility. It thrashes corners, pumps rollers, and rewards aggressive riding with a superb return on energy. Indeed, fun is the name of the game, and while the modern geometry makes it capable on truly aggressive terrain, it is the happiest ripping blues and smoother blacks. 

Our first test ride featured an hour-long climb to the top of a naturally flowy and swoopy descent. After dropping in and dipping a shoulder into the first corner, we were instantly impressed by the Flow Motion's crisp, sharp, and direct handling. Over the past five years, we have ridden approximately eighteen steel, aluminum, and carbon hardtails. The ti-framed Flow Motion delivered similar responsiveness to carbon fiber while retaining a compliant ride. Titanium frames are often described as having a "snap" to them, which became immediately apparent after getting slingshotted out of a few berms. Diving into hard corners was rewarded with a lively feel, and slicing and dicing our way down moderate to reasonably aggressive terrain was a blast. The Flow Motion was delighted to use its snappy handling and maneuverability to attack trails with precision instead of simply plowing through obstacles. 

The Flow Motion is an easy bike to vibe with; the low weight, crisp handling, and sharp cornering abilities don't necessarily require an aggressive rider. Although we found it incredibly fun to pump every roller and push the bike's limits in each corner, it can easily be ridden by a less active pilot so long as you provide enough finesse through technical sections. 

When trails became steeper, the Flow Motion had a can-do attitude. The 64-degree head tube angle created a reasonably confidence-inspiring feeling when diving into steep chutes or rock rolls. The 1251mm wheelbase is on the shorter side of the spectrum as it relates to large-framed enduro or all-mountain bikes. We wouldn't have minded a touch more length and stability at times in challenging terrain. Conversely, additional length could detract from the lively and precise ride we loved so much. All-in-all, the Flow Motion was happy to make its way down just about any trail as long as we were ready to let the bike dance around when needed. It might not be the fastest or most comfortable choice for steep, natural terrain, but it is certainly capable.

Faster and chunkier sections did highlight the frames' compliance and comfort. Finessing down a steep chute is one thing, but charging through braking bumps, holes, or rock gardens really magnifies how a frame manages compressions. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Flow Motion was how it remained stiff under pedaling forces and forgiving through trail chatter. When ripping down gnarly trails, you know you're riding a hardtail, but the frame absolutely takes the edge off impacts.

That brings us to an important question: on the descent, how does titanium compare to steel? After all, steel frames are significantly less expensive than titanium. In fact, you could buy four to six steel frames for the price of the Flow Motion frame. We have ridden multiple steel-framed hardtails in recent years, including popular models like the Kona Honzo ST, Stanton Switchback, Canfield Nimble 9, and a Marin Pine Mountain. As a disclaimer, we know that these bikes all feature significantly different geometry, intended applications, and steel quality. Still, we do think we can loosely compare and contrast the two materials.

We found the amount of compliance with the titanium Flow Motion frame was on par with steel frames. Again, we acknowledge that many factors are at play here, but the important takeaway is that the Flow Motion did not blow more affordable steel frames out of the water in terms of comfort. Power transfer and handling are a different story, and we feel titanium has a leg up on steel. But comfort and compliance are a toss-up.

One of the benefits of riding a hardtail is remembering what you take for granted on full-suspension bikes. After riding the Flow Motion on some really steep and reasonably rocky trails, we were instantly reminded of the importance of rear suspension regarding braking. When riding down a rocky chute, keeping your rear wheel in contact with the ground over bumps is nearly impossible, no matter how soft you are with your legs. 

The Flow Motion's rigid and stiff frame excelled on climbs, hustling uphill with impressive maneuverability and top-notch power transfer. Whether grinding up fire roads or navigating tight climbs, the Flow Motion felt fantastic. As soon as you get on the gas, the bike maximizes your energy, and we were racking up PRs on climbs without putting in much effort. The bike is beautifully suited for epic rides with lots of vertical gain or meandering terrain with rolling, punchy trails. Our tester weighed 205-pounds when fully geared up, and we were impressed with the frame's lack of flex or power loss under hard pedaling. This is one area where titanium had a clear advantage compared to steel and aluminum. When standing up and hammering, aluminum and steel can feel sluggish. The power transfer of the Flow Motion titanium frame felt more in line with carbon fiber. 

On technical climbs, the Flow Motion relied on its quick-witted attitude to scoot up tricky sections of trail. The average wheelbase made it easy to change directions and seek out smooth lines, but the relatively short rear end did tend to get hung up on square-edge rocks or roots. On steep and loose climbs, the 2.25-inch Schwalbe Nobby Nic required us to be mindful of our weight distribution over the rear wheel to avoid spinning out. Choosing a rear tire for a hardtail is tricky. Given the lightweight and zippy attitude of the Flow Motion, we can understand wanting to retain that efficiency by choosing a light and fast tire. However, something with just a bit more bite would also fair well, especially for riders in damp climates.

Build Kit

The build kit on our Flow Motion test bike was fantastic and hit the scales at a feathery 27 pounds 5 ounces without pedals. Sage offers complete customizable build kits. Configuring the exact build kit we tested wasn't possible on Sage's website, but a rough estimate puts our test bike at around $10,900. At that price, the build kit better be stellar!

FOX 36 Factory Fork

FOX's 36 fork is a usual suspect when it comes to all-mountain duties. Having ridden the GRIP2 damper on countless bikes, we are quite familiar with its abilities, and the performance was rock-solid during testing. A high-end frame deserves a high-end fork, and we achieved a balance of support and plushness with the GRIP2 damper. 

Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.4 and Nobby Nic 2.25 Tires

The front wheel sported a 2.4-inch Schwalbe Magic Mary in their Super Trail casing and Addix Soft compound. When mounted to the ENVE M6 rim with a 35mm inner diameter, it measured 2.46-inches at the tread. A ripping front tire often overshadowed by other popular options, the Mary performed predictably and reliably, delivering plenty of cornering bite and respectable rolling speed. The middle-of-the-road Super Trail casing was appropriate, and for most riders, there will be little reason to change to a burlier casing option. 

The rear wheel was home to a Schwalbe 2.25-inch Nobby Nic in their Super Ground casing and Addix Speedgrip compound that measured 2.29-inches on our ENVE M6 rim. The Nobby Nic is a solid tire that delivers excellent rolling speed and will be loved by riders who prioritize efficiency and maintaining momentum. Riders who frequent steep or wet trails should seek a more aggressive tire with better braking bite. We found the Nobby Nic lacked enough grip and control on steep terrain and broke loose more often than we would like. 

The bigger issue was the ultra-light Super Ground casing. Weighing only 810 grams, the Super Ground casing was designed for aggressive cross-country or light trail riding. We understand wanting to retain rolling speed and keep the weight down, but the rear tire limited the Flow Motion. We were afraid to drop air pressure below 25 psi at the risk of pinch-flatting the tire and would have preferred the Super Trail or Super Gravity casing. A Maxxis EXO+ or DoubleDown would be a suitable option as well. Even though riders would be sacrificing quite a bit of weight, the ability to run less pressure would improve comfort, damping, and braking. 

ENVE M6 rims with Industry Nine Hydra hubs

Our test bike was outfitted with ENVE M6 rims laced to Industry Nine Hydra hubs. The wheelset certainly added to the bling factor of our test bike and performed well on the trail. The light rims and instant engagement of the rear hub created a lively ride that encouraged hammering out of corners and sneaking in pedal strokes whenever possible. The wheels felt stiff while remaining compliant and remained true throughout our testing period.

On one of our last test rides, we did get bounced offline in a rock garden, and our rear rim took a healthy whack. A notable chip in the carbon fringed on the edge of being just cosmetic or structural. Regardless, we would have liked to see narrower rims on the Flow Motion. The maximum tire width the frame can accept is 2.4-inches. Our test bike ran a 2.25-inch rear tire, exposing the rim to side impacts. Switching to a 30mm internal diameter rim with a 2.4-inch tire would help minimize the chance of such an incident occurring. Sage stated that if a customer damages or destroys a carbon rim, they are happy to facilitate the warranty. 

TRP E2.3 Brakes 

TRP brakes have been the subject of a lot of hype over the past few years. We previously installed TRP brakes in a shop setting but had never had the chance to use them on the trail. We were very, very impressed by the power they delivered. Even on long, steep, 10-15 minute descents, the lever feel, and power were consistent with an acceptable amount of modulation. If we are nitpicking, the large lever looks a little clunky, and it doesn't have all of the adjustments found on high-end SRAM brakes.

Long Term Durability

Given the structural integrity of titanium and its resistance to fatigue compared to other materials, we expect the Flow Motion to have a long and healthy life. If logging miles and carving down fast and flowy trails is your idea of fun, the bike should provide you with years of shredding. 

What's The Bottom Line?

The million-dollar question surrounding Sage Titanium's Flow Motion hardtail is whether or not the $4,600 frame is worth it. If you were building the bike from scratch and pinching pennies, you are still looking at $6,500-$7,000 for a complete build, and that is not chump change. For riders in a tight economic situation, a steel hardcore hardtail is likely a better choice than selling a kidney to bump up to titanium. But for riders with disposable income seeking a premium, domestically produced hardtail with beautiful craftsmanship, the Flow Motion is absolutely worth the money. The frame is a rolling piece of art, and the on-trail performance is simply fantastic. 

For more information on the Flow Motion, please visit sagetitanium.com

About The Reviewer

Pat Donahue - Age: 34 // Years Riding MTB: 19 // Height: 6’2” (1.88m) // Weight: 197-pounds (89.36kg)

Pat grew up sliding around on the wet roots and slimy rocks of New England. He got hooked on mountain biking in 2003 and has been seen on a mind-bending amount of bikes from DH sleds to ultra-efficient short-travel bikes. He worked in the bike industry for over a decade holding a wide range of positions from “the guy who breaks down cardboard” all the way to shop owner. He loves big rides and difficult trails and has no problem grinding up the nastiest of climbs to access a worthy downhill. Weighing in at over 200-pounds with riding gear, he prides himself on his ability to give bicycles and components a proper durability test. Off the bike, he can be seen skiing in the backcountry or wielding a hockey stick.