The Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0 Ti Rings in the New Year

The Flaanimal is Denver-based Rodeo Labs’ “multi-use adventure frameset designed and built around the themes of versatility and adaptability.” At the end of 2019, Rodeo Labs launched the 5th iteration of the steel Flaanimal, featuring some interesting tubing choices, more tire clearance, and the adventure-focused Spork 3.0 carbon fork. Our ears were certainly perked, as were those of our readers, apparently. The Flaanimal 5.0 came in number four in our most interesting new bikes survey we ran a month ago. And now, space metal connoisseurs, the Flaanimal range just got even more intriguing with the release of Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0 Ti. Watch their launch video below, then scroll down for details, photos, and specs.

Rodeo first started prototyping the titanium Flaanimal in 2016. However, being a small company, they chose to focus their time on the release of the revised steel Flaanimal frameset. Five years later, the teams claims to have built their “finest and most versatile” adventure-focused bicycle to date. Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0 Ti has the same geometry and frame design attributes as the FL5 Steel. Of course, the Flaanimal Ti doesn’t have the unique, integrated carbon seat and head tubes; there’s no need to employ those weight saving techniques when working with titanium. According to Rodeo, the FL5 Titanium frames weigh on average 500 grams (just over a pound) less than their steel counterparts. They claim that ride quality of the steel and titanium frames is similar due to careful tuning and butting, although the titanium frameset offers a bit more of that “lively, playful, compliant feeling that Titanium is known for.”

The Flaanimal 5.0 Titanium has many of the same features that impressed us with the Flaanimal 5.0 steel/carbon hybrid frameset, including a sliding rear dropout, T47 bottom bracket, internal dropper post routing (which is nice to see on a 27.2mm seat tube), and a custom yoke to allow internal rear derailleur cable routing through the chainstay. Here’s the full list of specs from Rodeo Labs.

• Frame Material Custom butted 3/2.5 titanium tube set
• Country of manufacture Taiwan
• Design / Tooling 100% proprietary
• Tire clearance 650b Max width: 2.4″ | Min. recommended width: 40mm | Varies by tire / rim / conditions
• Tire clearance 700c Max width: 54mm / 2.1″ | Min. recommended width: 28mm | Varies by tire / rim / conditions
• Frame weight 1890g for 61cm. 1820g for 58cm. 1790g for 56cm. 1750g for 54cm. 1700g for 52cm. 1680g for 49cm.
• Fork Rodeo Spork 3.0 / Full carbon adventure fork
• Fork weight Average 600g
• Cable routing Mechanical, Di2, eTap. Convertible or cappable modular endcaps.
• Dynamo routing Internal fork. Front and rear light, USB stem cap, dynamo hub compatible.
• Brake Standard Flat Mount, 140mm front & rear
• Bottom Bracket T47 threaded, 85.5mm width
• Seat Post 27.2mm post (clamp size 35mm)
• Dropper post Internal, cable routing through BB shell.
• Seat Clamp 35 mm (6066 aluminum clamp included)
• Thru Axles 12 x 142mm rear. 12 x 100mm front. Front optionally convertible to 15 x 100mm.
• Headset 44mm head tube, 1-1/8″ to 1.5″ tapered. EC44/40 lower, ZS44/28.6 upper. Headset not included.
• Chainring compatibility 2x: max 50/34, min 36/24. 1x: max 46t, min 32t (smallest tested). Singlespeed: max 46t, min 42t, half link chain recommended.
• Front derailleur mounting 31.8mm band clamp, requires braze-on FD. Additional housing stop clamp required for FDs without an integrated housing stop (available by request).
• Rear derailleur hanger Aluminum, replaceable
• Fender mounts Frame and fork. Removable seat stay bridge. Max 65mm outer fender width at 700c.
• Bottle cage mounts Three inside main triangle and one on outside lower down tube. 2 on fork, one per leg.
• Rack mounts Frame and fork. Optional offset eyelet kit available for fork, for additional cargo options including low rider racks.
• Fork mounts Two mid-leg eyelets per fork blade, spaced for a water bottle cage (M5 x 0.8mm). Two eyelets near axle per side (M5 x 0.8mm). Optional offset eyelet kit available.
• Fork crown bolt Not included. 75mm length typically needed for lights / racks. Not compatible with recessed brake nuts.
• Fork cargo capacity 27.6 lb / 12.5 kg total cargo weight, evenly distributed
• Frameset rider weight limit 280 lb (127kg)
• Chainstay length range Thru axle slider: 415-435mm | QR/IGH slider: 420–440mm

All in all, the Flaanimal 5.0 Ti has a pretty impressive set of specs from a bikepacking-perspective: rack mounts on the frame and fork, and plenty of bottle mounts. And, Rodeo also provides a set of downloadable frame bag templates, so you can easily send a custom bag maker one of the frame size specific PDF templates linked here. We were certainly excited to see our Bikepacking Collective patch adorning the custom Exile frame bag in these photos.

Flaanimal 5.0 Ti Pricing and Availability

The first production run of Flaanimal 5.0 Titanium frames has already been put into motion. However, due to ultra long industry lead times Rodeo doesn’t expect production to finish up until late July 2021. That means, framesets would be shipping to customers by mid August. According to Rodeo Labs, “Our first production run has a specific number of frames and will no doubt sell out before production concludes.” Of course, if you want a Flaanimal quicker, the steel/carbon Flaanimal 5.0 will begin shipping in March.

Frameset pricing starts at $3,050 with a variety of upgrades available and completes starting at $4,995. In addition, the Flaanimal 5.0 titanium frame is available in a variety of finishes, including the Standard Brushed Finish, Seat Tube Graphics (+$200), Candy Dark Tint + Blasted (+$400), White Cerakote + Blasted (+$400), and full custom. Find all th details and geometry info over at RodeoLabs.com, and be sure to check out the design thoughts behind the Flaanimal 5.0 Steel here.

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