Submitted by
33MTB
a Weekend Warrior
from East Coast, USA Date Reviewed: November 18, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Biker Bob (online)
Strengths:
Excellent geometry for aggressive trail riding, very comfortable cockpit.
Weaknesses:
REAR TRIANGLE IS A WET NOODLE
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain ETSX, Trek Fuel EX 7, Giant Anthem.
Bike Setup:
Large Aluminum FTM with; Full XT, No Tubes Flow rims, and Kenda Nevegal tires.
Bottom Line:
The geometry on this bike couldn't be better. It is comfortable and perfect for trail riding. BUT, the rear triangle has a tremendous amount of lateral flex. When the chain is on the smaller cogs of the cassette, I can actually make the tire hit the chainstay when pedaling. The tire clearence is also an issue, which shouldn't be a problem since I'm using the tires that they sell with the bike. The space between the tire and the chainstay is not equal on both sides, which seems to compound the aforementioned issue.
And yes, I'm sure after this post, someone will post a glowing review to get the average back up. But I honestly wouldn't buy this bike again unless they fix this major design/quality control problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alistair G
a Racer
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: September 27, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Mt Stromlo
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
Incline Sports
Strengths:
Light weight, sweet suspension, all round performance
Weaknesses:
Rear tire room a little tight at chainstay yoke, cable routing
Similar Products Used:
Titus X-Carbon, Turner Flux, Santa Cruz Blur
Bike Setup:
2010 Fox Talas RLC QR15, 2010 RP23, XT/XTR groupset/wheels, Chris King, Easton EC70 lo-rise 685mm bars, Thomson 80mm stem & Masterpiece post
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks! I bought this to complement my X-Carbon race bike and for playing around with my DH mates on rougher XC rides. The bike is a 2009.5 with 2009 frame and 2010 Fox suspension. TALAS feature is great for long climbs especially with short 80mm stem and 685mm bars. Descending is too much fun but bike will also do some planned epic rides at Mt Buller this summer. MBAction write that this is one of their favourite trail bikes and I can see why. Just don't go toocrazy on rear tyre size. I'm running Maxxis 2.25 Advantage F and 2.25 Crossmark R which seems to be a good combination.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rickterrusty
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara CA USA Date Reviewed: August 25, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Downeville Downhill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
Velo Pro, Santa Barb
Strengths:
This is a great 5" Trail Bike that is super light and pretty stiff. With the Horst link and the Fox RP23 this thing can do anything, from almost locked out to super plush. The Carbon Triangle really adds some damping to the over all ride as well. Also the powder coat paint job is super durable.
Weaknesses:
There was some problems with the rear carbon seat stays, they had made them not heavy duty enough. I talked to Titus and they new about the problem and had made a new seat stay that fixed all the problems, even the tire rub that the first reviewer talked about.
Similar Products Used:
Giant, Trek, KHS, Jamis
Bike Setup:
2009 Titus FTM White, Rock Shox Revelation U-turn, Fox RP23, Easton carbon hand bars and seat post, and Havoc wheelset, SLX front and rear derailleurs, LX cranks and shifters, Thompson stem, and Hayes Stroker Ryde disc brakes, WTB Pro Gel saddle, Chris King headset and BB, Sram 990 chain and cassette.
Bottom Line:
This is a great do everything bike. I am also i preety big guy at 225 without gear and this bike handles it no problem. I have done long XC rides as well as some light DH and it does it all in stride. It pedals like a champ and is plush. It is so light and stiff that it is almost perfect!!! I have been riding for 15 years and this is the do it all bike I have been looking for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kartman
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines Date Reviewed: July 7, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Taloy Sur
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
Sabak Sports
Strengths:
Plush.
Great anodized black/gloss decal treatment
Compared to the ML2, climbs as well, descends even better!
Pretty light! Got my trail bike down to 26 lbs.
Weaknesses:
Cable routing for rear derailleur (housing goes through swing link and this causes the housing to rub against the link and the seat tube).
Similar Products Used:
Intense 5.5 VPP
Titus Motolite 1
Titus Motolite 2
Bike Setup:
Fox RLC, Shimano XT/SRAM Rocket drivetrain, Avid Juicy 7, Mavic Crossmax, Thomson stem/post, FSA XC riser bar, ODI grips, Jagwire hoses/cable housings, Specialized Enduro S-works/Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires
Bottom Line:
Another great frame design from Titus.
The Horst link is a proven design that works, period! Nuf said.
I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a do-it-all bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
'T'
a Weekend Warrior
from San Fran Date Reviewed: July 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Roaring Mouse
Strengths:
Lightweight for a 5in bike, badass blackano with glossy TITUS AND FTM. Climbs well decends even better.
Weaknesses:
none except had a problem with chain rub on the rear stays, shop added a shim supplied by Titus to correct problem.
Similar Products Used:
GT ZASKAR X, Trek Liquid
Bike Setup:
Small, complete custom build, with XT drivetrain, Hayes strokertrail, Wtb laserdisctrail with Kenda Nevegals, Thomson post and stem, Ritchey bar and lockon grips, Fox talas rlc and rp23, selle italia slk and sram chain.
Bottom Line:
If you're looking for a trailbike put this on you short list along with the SantaCruz Blur LT. A great bike that does everything well. If looks could kill! Made in America want else could you ask for. The rider from Maui sounds like he had problems with the parts package not the bike itself or the frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Maui Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from Kula, Maui, Hawaii Date Reviewed: June 12, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Makawao Forest Reserve
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4800.00
Purchased At:
Huber Cycles
Strengths:
Light weight, Horst Link, crawls though the tight stuff, riders cockpit is a nice fit, Fox Talas 32 fork is very ridgid with the 15QR axle, Crank Bros. rims were a nice free up grade
Weaknesses:
Titus support - had component problems and Titus taking care of them. New light rail rear end is flexy
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Blur, Titus Racer X
Bike Setup:
Medium sized frame with #2 parts package. Came with free "bling-bling" blue accent upgrade with Crank Bros wheels
Bottom Line:
I bought the FTM because I was very impressed with a Racer X that I bought for my wife several years ago. I had bought the Racer X originally because it was one of the only bikes that came in a XXS size to fit my 5' tall wife, but I found that it was a great little bike with a Horst Link that was easy to maintain. When I ordered the new FTM, they said it would come in 2 to 3 weeks; it came in 4. When it did come, the front hub was set up for a regular quick release, not for the 15QR Fox fork. Also, the rear brake mount for the Magura disc was missing. Titus did promptly send out the new hub parts and brake mount.
The next problem was with the FSA cranks. The chain would not stay on the middle front chainring when in the big back cog. The chainring teeth appeared to be machined wrong and the teeth were much fatter than teeth on other chainrings. When my dealer, Chris Huber at Huber Cycles called Titus, they told him to call FSA. After a go around with FSA, they finally agreed to send a new chainring. Also I found that the blue "bling-bling" chainring bolts were cheap and sloppy. I lost one after putting on a different chairing until the new FSA chainring comes. I had to put in my own chainring bolts.
The next problem I have is that the hose on the Magura Marta front brake leaks fluid at the crimped on the aluminum hose end. Titus also told Chris Huber to contact Magura to fix the problem. I feel Titus is just passing on the problem, rather then taking care of it; still waiting for chainring bolts and brake hose.
I now have about 14 rides on the bike. The rear rim was dished a little to the left of center in the swingarm. When I torqued up steep up hills, I could make the rear-end flex to where the tire hit the swingarm. I re-dished the rim and it no longer hits the swingarm, but I know that the new Light Rail suspension design is flexy, not built like my wife's old trusty Racer X.
Even though the bike has some good points, I don't think I would buy another Titus again. Too many problems with Titus support and a whimpy rear end.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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