Number 22 Great Divide Disc Review: Titanium Craftsmanship for Long Days in the Saddle

Introduction

The Number 22 Great Divide Disc is a titanium endurance road bike from a small builder that has focused on the material since 2012, when the company was founded by Mike Smith and Bryce Gracie. It is the do-everything model in the range, designed around long days in the saddle, relaxed handling, and enough tire clearance to keep riding when the road surface turns rough.

What separates it from most titanium frames is the level of detail. The dropouts are 3D printed. So is the stem, an unusual choice that gives the front end a cleaner, more integrated look. Add full internal routing, an in-house carbon fork, and welds among the smallest and smoothest you will find on a metal frame, and the Great Divide Disc reads less like a standard production bike and more like rolling craftsmanship.

It is also reassuringly expensive. A frameset starts at around $6,000, and the finished bike is configured to order, which is part of why these builds stay rare.

Who the Number 22 Great Divide Disc Is For

This is a bike for riders who prioritize comfort and composure over race-day sharpness. The geometry is endurance oriented, with a taller stack and a shorter reach than a race bike, which puts the rider in a position that is easier to hold for hours. It is a natural fit for century rides, long training blocks, and all-day adventures where the goal is to arrive fresher rather than faster.

The frame accepts tires up to 35mm wide, and fender mounts are available as an option, so the same bike can cover summer road miles and wet winter training. On the build tested, 30mm tires on a wide rim measured closer to 31 or 32mm, which suits the character of the frame well.

It is not a budget route into titanium. This is a bike for riders who want a single, versatile machine built to a very high standard, and who value design and finish as much as the numbers on a spec sheet. It is also a bike that draws attention in a way carbon frames rarely do, which matters if the pleasure of owning something distinctive is part of the appeal.

Main Strengths

Ride Quality and Comfort

The defining quality here is smoothness. Over broken tarmac, patches, and coarse chip seal, the frame and the wider tires work together to take the edge off the road. The ride is supple and composed rather than nervous, and the steering is calm through corners without feeling slow. It is the kind of bike that quietly looks after the rider, which is exactly what you want when a ride stretches past four or five hours.

Light gravel and dirt are within reach too, provided the surface stays reasonable. That versatility is a big part of the appeal for riders who do not want to choose between a road bike and a rough-road bike.

The frame also stays quiet and settled over rough surfaces, which reduces fatigue in the shoulders and back over long distances. There is no low, hunched position to fight against, so the miles pass with less accumulated strain than they would on a race platform.

Stiffness and Power Transfer

Comfort does not come at the cost of responsiveness. Push hard on a climb or in a fast group and the frame transfers power cleanly, with a taut feel rather than the springy flex that older titanium frames were known for. It will not match a dedicated race bike for outright weight or stiffness, and it is not trying to. What it does is stay eager and responsive when the pace lifts, so it never holds a strong rider back.

That balance is the point. The Great Divide Disc is designed for riders who want a silky smooth, comfort-focused bike for big days and long adventures, with enough stiffness to answer the pedals when the ride turns competitive.

Craftsmanship and Frame Details

Frame quality is where the Great Divide Disc makes its strongest impression. The welds are exceptionally fine and consistent, the head tube badge is polished, and the mix of polished logos on the top tube with raw titanium and a brushed down tube creates a contrast that reads as deliberate rather than decorative. The oversized head tube, down tube, and stout rear stays give the frame a purposeful stance, while the classic horizontal top tube and non-drop rear stays keep the silhouette traditional.

The 3D printed dropouts have a slightly rougher texture than the rest of the frame, but they blend into the chainstays well. Internal routing is executed neatly, and the in-house carbon fork includes small details such as a cutout that add to the overall sense of care. Finish options include polished, brushed, and coated colors, so the frame can be specified to taste.

Geometry and Tire Clearance

The fit is endurance oriented and sits between a relaxed all-road bike and a race platform. Riders who already know they prefer a taller front end and a shorter reach will feel at home immediately. There are stock sizes, including 56cm, and custom geometry is available for anyone who needs a different fit.

Tire clearance up to 35mm covers most of what a road rider needs, and the optional fender mounts extend the bike’s usable season. The build tested weighed around 8kg without pedals, which is light for a metal frame and only about a kilogram more than a comparable carbon aero road bike.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Price is the obvious one. At roughly $6,000 for a frameset before you choose a build, this sits firmly in premium territory, and there are far cheaper ways to get a comfortable endurance bike. The Great Divide Disc is not priced for value. It is priced for craftsmanship, rarity, and the experience of owning a frame built to this standard by a small team.

Because the bikes are produced in small numbers and configured to order, availability and lead times are worth confirming before committing. Handlebars, saddles, and finishes are all specified at the point of order, so the final cost depends heavily on the build you choose. On the build tested, the handlebar and saddle were the two things most likely to be swapped, though both can simply be specified differently from the start.

It is also worth being honest about what the bike is not. It is not a race bike, and riders chasing every gram or the sharpest possible handling will find more suitable options elsewhere. The Great Divide Disc is at its best when comfort, durability, and long-distance composure are the priorities.

Buying Advice

Approach this as a long-term purchase rather than a spec-sheet comparison. Decide first whether you want a stock size or custom geometry, then choose the build around the riding you actually do. If winter miles matter, add the fender mounts and consider a coated finish. If the bike will mostly see dry roads, a polished or brushed finish shows off the titanium and the frame details best.

Riders who want one bike for everything from fast group rides to all-day adventures will get the most out of it. Because the frame is built to be ridden hard as well as long, there is no real penalty for choosing comfort here. As a bike to keep for years rather than seasons, the case for it is straightforward.

Conclusion

The Number 22 Great Divide Disc is a titanium endurance bike built with unusual attention to detail, from its 3D printed dropouts and stem to its internal routing and exceptional welds. It rides smoothly, stays stiff under power, and handles long distances with a composure that suits century rides, training blocks, and mixed-surface detours. The frameset price puts it out of reach for many riders, and it is not the right choice for anyone shopping purely on value or race performance. For riders who want a versatile, beautifully made titanium bike to keep for the long term, it deserves a place on the shortlist.