Colorado bicycle adventure specialists, Rodeo Labs, just released a new addition to their super-versatile Flaanimal line. Today we meet the new Flaanimal 6 Ti, and it’s ready for whatever you want to throw at it. Don’t forget, the Flaanimal won the 2021 Tour Divide, so yeah, the platform is a goer.
I’m kinda excited about this one, so let’s get right to it.
Flaanimal 6 Ti Frame Features
Headtube
Rodeo Labs loves its new headtube on this frame, saying that it “sets the tone for the overall design philosophy”. It uses 44mm press-in headset cups, is machined out of titanium into an hourglass shape, and supports integrated routing. Rodeo Labs won’t promise that it’s aero, but the fact that it looks more aero is a-ok with them.
Distinctive Silhouette
The 6 Ti has some frame features that help it stand out on its own. It uses a custom-profiled, full-length top tube, that has an elegant taper as it gets to the seat tube. It then “hugs” the seat tube for a clean blended seat tube cluster, with nicely sculpted seat stays.
Keg Bottom Bracket
Rodeo Labs calls the 6 Ti’s improved T47 bottom bracket shell, The Keg. It kinda looks like a keg, with its increased diameter compared to the standard-size bearing seat. This CNC-machined titanium BB shell is designed to create space for internal routing while not interfering with the crankset spindle. Plus it uses a “bowtie-shaped passthrough” to aid in dropper routing.
No Yoke
Unlike the Flaanimal 5 Ti, the 6 Ti doesn’t feature a CNC-machined dropped yoke design. Rodeo Labs decided to keep a more “classicly-shaped chainstay cluster”. They incorporated a 3d printed “no-yoke” design, with seamless tube shaping, expert hand finishing, and fully internal shift/brake routing.
Lock Jaw 2
Moving on from the Flaanimal 5 slider dropout system, Rodeo Labs created a new slider for the 6 Ti. With the invention of the UDH, it was time to design an updated and improved slider. The 6 Ti slider removes unwanted mass as well as makes it ready for new rear derailleur tech. The Lock-Jaw 2 pulls inspiration from the pioneering slider concepts of the TD4. Some of the features of the new Lock-Jaw 2 are:
- Native UDH Compatibility
- Standard hanger Compatibility
- Singlespeed Compatibility
- 30mm of slider range
- Future Proof
Routing Choices
If you read some of the comments on Bikerumor, you’ll see that integrated routing is not for everyone. So, with that in mind, Rodeo Labs made sure that the new 6 Ti had three choices for cable/hose routing. They are fully integrated, semi-integrated, and traditional routing.
Tire Clearance
The Flaanimal 5 Ti could just fit a 29 x 2.1″ which is commendable in the tire clearance dept. With the 6 Ti’s removal of the dropped yoke, the redesigned sliders, and the re-shaped stays, it can comfortably match the 5 Ti’s tire clearance. The new 6 Ti frame, with the sliders in the very rear position, can fit a 29 x 2.1″, and a 650b x 2.4″ with no need for a “wide” crankset. Depending on your tire casing choice and rim selection, you may be able to push that a bit.
Dynamo Ports for the Win
This feature is for all of you commuters, ultra-racers, or anyone who enjoys the worry-free lighting experience that a dynamo system offers. The new 6 Ti frame includes two non-drive side seat stay ports with the upper port near the set tube cluster The lower port is down by the rear drop out. There is a similar port up under the top tube.
The Flaanimal 6 Ti Geometry
The 6 Ti has two geometry options for riders with different fit priorities. Rodeo Labs are calling them Standard Geometry and Extended Geometry. They said, “We will allow people to order either version of the geometry, and we will keep an eye on what is popular ongoing”.
Standard Geo
Our standard geometry is the Flaanimal geometry that everyone who owns one knows and loves. The geometry is largely shared across every bike we make and has proven itself versatile and predictable across genres. This is true quiver-killer geometry, ideal for using the bike from road to gravel, to fast-paced ultra riding.
| Frame size | 49 cm | 52 cm | 54 cm | 56 cm | 58 cm | 61 cm |
| Seat tube (C-T) | 445 | 488 | 508 | 528 | 548 | 578 |
| Top tube length (effective) | 515 | 528 | 540 | 563 | 580 | 605 |
| Chain stay length | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) |
| Seat tube angle | 74.5° | 74° | 74° | 73° | 73° | 73° |
| Bottom bracket drop | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Head tube length | 95 | 112 | 142 | 157 | 172 | 202 |
| Head tube angle | 69.5° | 70° | 71° | 72° | 72° | 72° |
| Reach | 372 | 375 | 378 | 384 | 396 | 413 |
| Stack | 516 | 534 | 566 | 586 | 600 | 629 |
| Fork length | 395 | 395 | 395 | 395 | 395 | 395 |
| Fork rake | 50 | 50 | 50 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Front center | 597 | 602 | 607 | 604 | 621 | 647 |
| Wheelbase | 1024 (variable) | 1029 (variable) | 1033 (variable) | 1031 (variable) | 1048 (variable) | 1073 (variable) |
| Standover height at center of top tube, 700 x 40mm | 740 | 769 | 795 | 814 | 831 | 859 |
| Dimensions listed in millimeters and degrees unless otherwise indicated. | ||||||
Extended Geo
Our extended geometry is a new option and increases the stack on each frame size for a more upright riding position. We also slackened the head tube angle slightly for more relaxed handling. The handling changes will be very subtle on this version but are more suited for a rider who is touring or riding ultra-distance events with their bike.
| Frame size | 49 cm | 52 cm | 54 cm | 56 cm | 58 cm | 61 cm |
| Seat tube (C-T) | 445 | 488 | 508 | 528 | 548 | 578 |
| Top tube length (effective) | 515 | 528 | 540 | 563 | 580 | 605 |
| Chain stay length | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) |
| Seat tube angle | 74.5° | 74° | 74° | 73° | 73° | 73° |
| Bottom bracket drop | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Head tube length | 115 | 132 | 162 | 177 | 192 | 222 |
| Head tube angle | 69° | 69° | 70° | 71° | 71° | 71° |
| Reach | 367 | 371 | 373 | 379 | 392 | 408 |
| Stack | 532 | 548 | 581 | 601 | 615 | 644 |
| Fork length | 395 | 395 | 395 | 395 | 395 | 395 |
| Fork rake | 50 | 50 | 50 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Front center | 604 | 613 | 618 | 614 | 632 | 658 |
| Wheelbase | 1030 (variable) | 1040 (variable) | 1044 (variable) | 1042 (variable) | 1059 (variable) | 1085 (variable) |
| Standover height at center of top tube, 700 x 40mm | 748 | 777 | 803 | 821 | 838 | 867 |
| Dimensions listed in millimeters and degrees unless otherwise indicated. | ||||||
I Built my Own 6 Ti For a Price
Being that the new Flaanimal 6 Ti has so many choices to choose from there is no basic retail price for the frameset (that I could see on their site). So, I thought it would be fun to “build my own” and see what I would spend.
You can build yours here.
I kept it simple and tried to keep from choosing all of the options in an attempt to keep the price reasonable. Here’s what I picked…
- Frame size: 58cm
- Geometry choice: Extended
- Build choice: Shimano GRX 820 1x
- Add-ons: Dynamo Hub and headlight
- Price: $8,185.20
To get all the details and to get your own Flaanimal 6 Ti, go to the link below!
