Already well known as a frame-builder for COLNAGO, Vidmantas “Vitas” Zukauskas has been building best-selling frames from the mid-90s, going by the names Monotitan, Ovaltitan, Ovalmaster, Master BiTitan, CT1, etc. These works of master craftsmanship are broadly recognized and their quality speaks for itself. As COLNAGO moved on to Asia and carbon frame production, Vitas continued to specialize in ti frame building for other brands, including ARGON18, RED BULL, VAN TUYL etc. Over time, Vitas has become more and more well known as a master in ti frame building with worldwide orders from cyclists that value craftsmanship. His son has become involved in ti frame building and they have embarked on a new journey with WITTSON. These are bespoke tailor-made frames built to last a lifetime.
Q. How did your passion for cycling start?
Q. How did you get into frame building?
Far East. I involved my son Mindaugas in frame building and now we are getting back to basics in building one of a kind bespoke tailor made frames.
Q. What types of frames do you produce?
Q. Other materials you work with?
Q.
Q. Your “raw materials”?
VZ. All of the frames are made of European Grade 9 Ti supplied by a Swedish company called VSMPO Titan Scandinavia. This is one of the world’s number-one titanium suppliers. It’s the same titanium that BOEING and AIRBUS use. The key difference to Chinese suppliers is that VSMPO don’t use recycled titanium, so that means better alloy characteristics.
Our stock tubes vary and are handpicked to suit the specific frame that’s been ordered:
o.d. 16, 18, 22, 29, 30, 32, 35, 38, 40, 45mm
Conical tube o.d. 25 > 16mm, 50 > 40mm
Aero tube 50 x 25, 55 x 33mm
Wall thickness is 0.9mm and custom-butted.
All tubes are seamless cold-worked, stress-relieved.
Q. 3/2.5 vs. 6/4 & straight vs. butted?
VZ. 6/4 tubes are not seamless; they are rolled from a sheet and welded at the joint. What does that mean? It means that there is a potential failure point at the welded seam. Therefore we don’t recommend using this type of tubing.
6/4 titanium has a greater tensile strength but it’s very hard to weld. It can take more force than 3/2.5, but the welds will break before the tube. Therefore we use 6/4 titanium only for dropouts, bottom bracket shells and other small parts such as brake mounts, cable stoppers, zip-tie guides etc. 3/2.5 is the best choice for frame building as it has an excellent strength to weight and stiffness to weight ratio.
Titanium butting affects the molecular structure of the tube, therefore there are limits and they are unique from frame to frame depending on the frame type, frame size, tube place, tube diameter etc. This is one of the best points where a frame builder can display his experience and skills. Don’t forget, a frame can be externally or internally butted, flattened, bended, ovalized, etc.
Q. Your take on bicycle design future?
V