Chandi (pronounced “candy”) Titanium Bicycles is the latest boutique titanium bicycle brand from Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volunteer State has been a center for titanium ore mining and metal production for some time now, and with carbon fiber composite materials also being produced in the state, Tennessee is becoming for bicycles what Michigan is to the auto industry.
Despite the legacy of titanium bicycle construction in Chattanooga, Chandi proprietor Eric Tittsworth actually sees green fields of opportunity in the mountains and rolling hills that cover the Southeastern U.S. “Being located in the Southeast is a unique advantage and will allow Chandi Bicycles to grow their regional market share through grassroots marketing, as most competitors are located in the Western States. Chandi will target outdoor cycling enthusiasts who seek a high-end, quality bicycle with exquisite attention to detail,” says Tittsworth.
Chandi is named after the eponymous Hindu goddess who manifested herself to destroy evil. Recalling German novelist Hermann Hesse’s famous quote referring to another deity, the Gnostic god Abraxas hatching from his egg – who would be born must first destroy a world – Chandi is choosing this year’s Philly Bike Expo as the location for officially launching the brand to the media. But it’s not Chandi’s evil or Abraxas’ egg shell that Chandi Titanium Bicycles is seeking to “destroy” by its genesis, it’s the preconceived notions that surround many smaller, custom bicycle brands: long wait times and inconsistent delivery on what the customer wants.
“Chandi Bicycles will fill a gap in the “boutique bicycle” market caused by inflated demand and lack of manufacturers to meet that demand,” says Tittsworth. “The combined industry experience of the co-owners will allow Chandi Bicycles to enter the market and fill this gap. Chandi Bicycles will be able to meet customer demands faster than competitors and quickly build a reputation for quality and on-time delivery.”
Tittsworth and his business partner Richie Moore have over 40 years of combined experience in the bicycle industry, and they offer frames for road, MTB, gravel/cyclocross, and city/commuter uses. Chandi Titanium Bicycles’ stated mission is to build the highest quality bicycle frames – frames that will inspire a bond between the rider and their bike. And what often cements that bond? Fun rides and experiences that only a quality bicycle can provide. The fun that surrounds that connection between rider and bike is also reflected in Chandi’s homophonic brand name and its lollipop-shaped logo.
“Who doesn’t like candy?” asks Tittsworth.
