Readers’ Rigs: David’s Mosaic RT-2

We don’t see titanium bikes very often and I’m sure this is the first sight of a Mosaic built frame we’ve had on Readers’ Rigs. Dave Green in Nashville has sent us his stunning and finely crafted titanium jewel for our perusal.

Name: David Green
Location: Nashville, TN
Bike: Mosaic RT-2
Groupset: Ultegra R8020
Wheels: Dura Ace C40
Pedals: Ultegra SPD-SL or XTR SPD when trekking through dirt trails
Saddle: Brooks C13 Cambium
Other: King headset and BB, Thomson carbon bars, stem, and Masterpeice seatpost, 700×30 Schwalbe Pro One Evolution tires for go-anywhere confidence
Weight: 18.5 lbs

When did you buy it?
Fall 2018.

What made you choose this bike?
I’m a believer in the “10 year rule” (i.e., if you’ve ridden a piece of kit for 10 years, you get a pass to upgrade to the nicest quality replacement, guilt free, regardless of cost). After retiring my previous bike of over 10 years, a full carbon race machine, I wanted something bespoke that was better suited towards long adventures in the countryside where roads might not be paved. The titanium craftsmanship of Mosaic is stunning, and getting to spec the paint was also a fun experience. Colors were inspired by 50’s era Jaguar D-Type racers.

Have you done any modifications/additions to it?
Switched to a Pioneer dual-sided power meter crank and went tubeless.

How many miles/kilometers do you do a year?
2000 miles.

What do you love about this bike?
It’s so versatile. I love weaving mixed surfaces into a ride and am motivated by routes where stream crossings, gravel, or getting the bike caked in mud, are all a possibility.

Favorite riding area?
The roads surrounding the Natchez Trace, west of Nashville offer a lifetime of adventure. First, the trace itself: 444 mi of buttery pavement without so much as a stop sign or traffic light over the entire stretch (let that sink in). However, what I’ve grown to enjoy most are the adjacent backroads through communities like Leipers Fork, Primm Springs, and Fernvale. The land is still very wild and it’s easy to feel like you’ve gone back in time.

Favorite riding experience on your bike?
I’ve got a tight-knit crew of riding buddies; any ride with them is great. Favorite moments are those impromptu decisions to take an unknown road, grab a mid-ride biscuit from a country store, or jump in a stream to cool off on a hot day.

Future upgrades?
I might opt for a new paint job once I hit the 10 year mark, since I don’t plan on replacing the bike that early.

Last words?
Let me take a moment to advocate for the pre-dawn bike ride: it’s a game-changer. Watching the sunrise on a ride increases the “magic” substantially!

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Thanks to Dave for sharing his ride with us. Got a bike that you’re proud of? Well, how about sharing it with fellow PEZ fans and getting it featured in Readers’ Rigs so we can all stare at it! Send us a Readers’ Rigs submission direct to [email protected] and your bike could be featured in all its glory here on the pages of PEZ.