Kingdom Vendetta X2 - A Limited Edition Hardcore Titanium Hardtail
KINGDOM Bike Vendetta X2 available now in limited quantities
The Vendetta X2 – Our dream
One of Kingdom Bike’s original visions 10 years ago was to make a no compromise, affordable hardcore hardtail in Titanium.
With every progression of our flagship Vendetta hardtail over its decade of development, we’ve added features and innovations drawn from our own experiences as riders, designers, and engineers. And with each evolution, we have edged closer to perfection, but all at a literal price.
Every advance in the Vendetta’s DNA adds to its production costs, which is why we really aren’t laughing when we say the price on our frames is as low as we can go.
However, as a celebration of 10 years of the Vendetta, we decided to drop the Ti-Bomb and finally fulfill our dream – breaking the triangle of durability vs cost vs weight.
This past July 1st we were proud to announce the addition of the groundbreaking new Vendetta X2. It was released online through our social media feeds with little fanfare (our typical marketing style – let the bikes speak for themselves). We produced a small run of frames that almost immediately sold out. Given the positive reception and since we love you guys so much, we decided to squeeze in one last end of the 2017 year production run to give you all another chance at our Vendetta X2. This second production run of the Vendetta X2 will have a total of 12 frames manufactured (that's 12 total between sizes small to x-large). So dive in below for the details. (Scroll to the bottom if you want to get right to the pricing information.)
Features
• Handmade from certified aerospace grade Ti3AL2.5V
• Frame weight between 1.98kgs and 2.3kgs depending on size
• Complete bike: 11kgs+
• Forks: 130-150mm
• Replaceable dropout
• Rear: 148x12 (axle included with frame)
• External cable routing for Gears & Brakes
• External/Internal hose routing for dropper post
• Bottom bracket: 73mm BSA
• Seatpost: 31.6 alloy seat clamp included
• Max rear tyre: 27.5 x 2.8" or 29 x 2.35"
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Crash/repair warranty
http://kingdombike.com
Geometry
The Vendetta X2 has geometry figures that follow the new school ethos of a long, low, slack. If you like charging hard downhill, slapping berms, whipping the that rear and just all around hardtail hooning, this whips for you. Might we also mention that this rig climbs with aplomb given our specified seat tube angle of 74 degrees.
What is it?
The Vendetta X2 is a balls-out, tough as nails hardcore hardtail in the tradition of all our Vendettas. In fact, it’s a mirror image of its siblings in terms of geometry, only it is simplified with a few of the costly CNC details removed.
So what’s so groundbreaking about simplifying an existing frame? Put simply, the price.
The Vendetta X2 finally makes lightweight, durable, beautiful Titanium affordable.
What’s different on the Vendetta X2?
The Vendetta X2 uses the same Ti-3Al-2.5V aircraft grade Titanium tubing and is fabricated by the same welders that make all our Vendettas, we just simplified the frame and removed some of the expensive CNC details.
Headtube
The CNC tapered Ti head tube is one of the biggest costs on our frames, so by using a straight 44 head tube we have removed a huge manufacturing expense. The 44 head tube means you can still use tapered forks with an external cup lower headset.
Small details
The Vendetta X2 uses tab brake mounts instead of post mounts and the dropouts are rounded Breezer style with a replaceable rear hanger rather than our custom CNC Kingdom dropouts.
Routing
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The Vendetta X2 has external cable routing rather than internal routing, although we still have stealth routing on the seat tube for a dropper post.
ISCG
We decided to re-introduce the ISCG05 mount, as a lot of our customers have asked us for this on their frames so we figured why not?
Customisation
The X2 is an off the shelf titanium frame, this means we are unable to offer any customisation if you need geometry and frame specification changes then the other Vendettas are for you.
Finish
We're offering the X2 in one finish, raw. Our most popular finish is a cleaned raw titanium with exposed welds for that au-naturale look. cue audio from ol dirty bastard: "Ooh, baby, I like it raw "
Wheel sizing
The Vendetta X2 can be anything you want: 27.5, 27.5+ or 29er, this outstanding hardtail will accept all wheel options.
Extra sizes
We've added a small X2 frame to the range. This frame is designed for 24 and 26" wheel/tyres it's exactly like a Vendetta X2 but designed to fit riders aged 8 years upwards.
Pricing (will increase by £100 after the month of October)
Frame only price in October €999 (£899) $1,200
Frame / Fork - Cane Creek Helm / Headset deal in October €1,949 (£1,749) $2,326
Rolling Chassis options are also available upon requests – we believe in the quality and craftsmanship of our partner brands Sixth Element and Industry Nine, so those are the wheelsets available with our rolling chassis options (pricing TBD – email us for inquiries)
Shipping available worldwide (price does not include shipping).
Inquiries:
EU (international) inquiries: info@kingdombike.com
North America inquiries: anthony@kingdombike.com
instagram:
@kingdombike
@kingdombikeusa
@house_of.leaves
Author Info:
Member since May 9, 2010
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Our custom geometry Vendettas are 1799 euros (as a basis for comparison).
This is the second edition of 12 frames. First edition was in July when we made 25. We planned on doing the second production in February but we realised we had enough material/time to slip in another small production this year hence 12 frames. So 'Masses' means we will make 3 to 4 productions a year, offering the X2 to customers who have long wanted one of our frames (or any ti frame of this type) but due to the cost couldn't afford one.
If I could ride one, or buy one it isn't now. With only 12 of them, it's likely that I'll never get that privilege. Which just doesn't lend itself to the term masses. Privileged and masses. Two very different sentiments. That is all.
Actually, 999 Euro is pretty good for a Ti frame. That's $1180usd. Typically, Ti frames start around $1450 usd for established geometries and no frills. The Honzo Ti is $1600. Maybe one really wants a Litespeed Ti HT frame, they start at $2,799.00.
So... Other than only 12 frames a batch("for the masses", lol), $1180usd for a Ti AM/DH HT is really good!
It means the material was over heated and the welds are weak.
For about USD 800 you can have your personal frame design, made in china (like this frame).
But there is a reason why Potts, Eriksen, Nevi etc. ti frames cost a fair amount... not many people know how to weld it right.
"On titanium the story is kind of the same, but with a big difference. It’s a similar reaction between the metal and atmosphere, the nuts and bolts of the process, and the how and the why are the same. But instead of just compromising corrosion resistance, the contamination from the atmosphere can actually affect the integrity of the weld—drastically. Titanium is a strong, ductile material, but at elevated temperatures it likes to suck in hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, and if allowed to do so it becomes brittle. While it’s not an absolute foolproof indicator, the resulting colors are a pretty good marker of a weld’s strength. Again, it depends somewhat on the industry and use, but typically you'd like the weld and HAZ to come out a bright silver/chrome color. Often a light gold color is acceptable (and sometimes beyond that, depending on the application or code). But the less color in titanium, the less chance that it is contaminated or compromised. The caveat here is also similar to stainless: it looks amazing when allowed to react. A lot of hot rod and motorcycle guys will take their chances with material integrity on exposed piping and exhausts because it looks so dang cool when it turns blue and purple."
www.thefabricator.com/blog/colors-in-welds-and-what-they-mean
Bonus material: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPZ00jFDuxY&list=UUZaRLyNJXl6zk23IWHbbWQQ&index=1&feature=plcp
Love,
An actual welder that welds ti
Not trying to start an argument, but the Honzo has an adjustable chainstay length, and bb height would be about the same with a 160mm fork.
Do you guys ever look at your welds with X-ray?