Submitted by
Evil Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX, Republic of Texas
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2003
Strengths: Secret weapon.
Weaknesses: Early pivot design rides on plastic bushings. This was before the advent of sealed bearings for the pivots. There was an attempt to provide a retro-kit, which I did install. The problem was that the original design didn't allow enough room to install sealed bearings and a 'beefy' enough pivot bolt. As a result, I broke 3 pivot bolts before giving up and just putting the original assy back in place.
Head tube angle doesn't accomodate taller, longer travel forks -- nothing bigger than a 5 incher. Even some 5 inchers, such as the 03 Zokes are a tad too tall (I have one). I'm getting ready to fab some custom rear links to rectify this shortcoming. Now, this really isn't a product weakness in that the bike wasn't designed when longer travel, freeride forks were available. But a little forward thinking would have provided multiple shock mounting points to make just such adjustments.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. Come on out and freeride with me some time. Then, guess my age!
When I'm finally ready to buy another bike, it'll be another Titus.
Similar Products Used: No. Several other full suspension designs, but no 4-bar.
Bike Setup: Fox 100 (converted to 125) or 03 Z1 SL (depending on my mood), King headset and hubs, 28h Mustang rear, 32h Sun front, Avid mech front disc, rear XTR V-brakes, XT cassette/cranks/deraileurs (much more disposable than XTR), custom pedals (similar to Frogs), WTB MutanoRaptors, Flight, Titec bar, Thompson stem, XTR seatpost, Avid Ultimate levers, XT pods, Titec bar-ends (barkbusters).
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Submitted by
gabe sweet
from lexington, Mass
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2001
Strengths: Plush, stiff, pretty efficient....sweet handeling! White Bros. fork is nasty! It's stiff, super plush, and not to heavy at all. Wheels are super light! This is the best trail bike to grace this earth!!!!!
Weaknesses: This is my first dual suspension, so I've got to get used to it. So far, the only problem I've found is when I'm trying to hammer out of the saddle: I feel like I'm riding through deep mud on a two wheeled pogostick.
Bottom Line:
This truely is a work of art. Perfectly ballenced suspension, excellent components, beautiful welds, light weight, plush, adjustable, and anything else good that one could say about a bike. I haven't even owned it one month, and I've only ridden it around on very mild off road, but it has impressed me so much. If you get it new, you'll probably be afraid to ride it off road. (It's too sweet looking to get dirty or scratched) Anyone who is light weight like me (130lbs) and wants a beautiful, custom spec'd, trail, freeride bike, definitely give this bike a look.
If you have any questions, email me at gsweet@solidsol.com
This rig really deserves more than five stars, but, regrettfully, mtbr won't let me.
Similar Products Used: I rode a locomoto in Moab, but its desine was intended to immitate the motolite...Therefor: nothing
Bike Setup: Icon cockpit, white bros. dc118, sram halfpipe shifters/ 9.0 rear, bontrager wheels w/ xt hubs, fox float rear shock, avid 2.0 brakes/levers, raceface cranks/rings, and sweet shimano 636 pedals
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Submitted by
Eric Doswell
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa OK
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2000
Strengths: It's very responsive, and very stiff laterally. The pivots move effortlessly, and there is no unwanted suspension movement. It's an impressive ride and very good craftsmanship. This bike will make you very brave! I have the 2000 model which is available in a 4.5" travel with a steeper head angle and higher bb. The linkage is the only difference, and Titus will ship it with either one. It handles very quick, but it's not squirrely. It goes wherever you point it downhill. It climbs very well, despite mine weighing almost 28 lbs. I weigh 185 and tend to catch air and ride off of stuff, so light is not the best thing for me.
Weaknesses: I caught Titus in between production schedules, so I had to wait 3 months for it. Everyone and their brother wants to ride it. There's one other one in town, the same color, too.
Bottom Line:
This is a fabulous bike. I'm so impressed, I'm trying to get a job at Titus. If you have to wait like I did, don't get impatient, this bike is worth the wait! Alan at Titus is super cool, even though I called three times a week for three months.This bike goes anywhere, and does anything. This bike just kicks ass!
Similar Products Used: I've worked in a bike shop for several years, so I've tried almost everything. Y bikes, Dbr V-link, 4banger, rocket 88 super v, jeckyl, Trek vrx, Rocky pipeline, GT i drive,LTS, RTS, FSR, Santa Cruz Superlite, Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup: X-Vert Super, Sram 9.0, King/ sun 0deg XC wheels, Panaracer fire xc tires, Time pedals
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Submitted by
Jeremiah
a Downhiller
from Westminster, CO
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000
Strengths: Very nice looking bike, it's like an FSR on steroids.
Weaknesses: If your a gram freak it is a little hefty, but for all you logic based riders, this bike has no weakness'.
Bottom Line:
Lots of travel, lots of control, lots of goodness. This bike rocks, and thats the bottom line. Okay seriously, very plush but at the same time very responsive. Some people think that the suspension absorbs the force while accelerating. Well it does, until you learn how to work with the suspension. But this is an issue with any long travel rear suspension bike. I was very impressed, and the weight is just amazing. It isn't a lite bike by any means, but for all you get, it is amazing. Just remember the wise words of our friends at Marzocchi, it's not the weight that is an issue, it is the performance.(or something along those lines) Enjoy
This is my first FS after many years on a Lightspeed so I'm afraid I can't tell you how much better it is than every other brand. It is great though and I'm riding with confidence that I never had before. Still exploring the limits - it's bailed me out of stuff that I never thought I'd get through. The only thing that I had to get used to is the change in geometry going from uphill to downhill but that's probably the same for any FS with 5" travel in the rear. Traction in techncal climbing is super - sitting or standing. Downhill is fantastic (and I'm a wimp on the maniac scale) it just tracks true through everything.
Ordering was great, they take the time to work through what you want and don't try to push high end stuff that doesn't really add to the ride. Nice people, super bike. Life is good.
Submitted by
Peter Saloom
a Cross Country Rider
from Gardner MA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2000
Strengths: The main thing with this bike is how good the suspension works - fully active 5" suspension rear and 4" up front with the marzzocchi Z1X fly. Fully active suspension even when braking hard. The overall quality of engineering and manufacturing/craftamanship. I have visited the factory and it is a very impressive place. It is very clean and organized and meticulous attention is paid to every detail of fabrication. You really get the feeling of committment to the product from the people there. They also have a very positive customer service mentality. The bike is strong, beefy parts with beautiful CNC work, solid pivots. adjustable bushings at pivots. replacable dropouts
Weaknesses: Does not excellerate when you stand and hammer. Not a super light bike. This stuff doesn't matter because the great suspension, climbing, and major fun factor more than make up for it.
Bottom Line:
I'm having more fun riding. I'm going faster biffing less and I'm more comfortable after a four hour ride. I really want to stress the fun factor. I've never reviewed anything I ever bought before, but this bike is so good and the people behind it are so committed that I feltI should comment.
Similar Products Used: proflex full suspension, Moots YBB
Bike Setup: ultimate - Bontrager racelite wheel set, Avid brakes, monkey lite bars, XTR and grip shift, Marzzocchi Z1x fly 100MM
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Submitted by
MotoLite Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Indy,In
Date Reviewed: November 19, 1999
Strengths: The bike is AWESOME. It climbs, brakes, and corners like no other floater I have ever ridden. Did you notice that every review is five chili's... it's five chili's for a reason... the bike is a really incredible F.S. ride.
Weaknesses: None.
Bottom Line:
The best riding all purpose F.S. trailbike on the market.
Bike Setup: White Bros SC92UL Fox Vanilla R Crossland wheels Thomson seatpost SDG S-7000 saddle Shimano XT cranks/RaceFace BB other assorted chi chi....
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Submitted by
Bob Brunton
a Cross-Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: August 1, 1999
Strengths: air shock, frame construction
Bottom Line:
This is my first full suspension bike. I have been riding for 11 years on various hartails. The last one being a DBR Axis TT since 1993. I put a suspension seatpost on it and it helped but my butt was still sore. I was getting to be kind of a hack on the technical riding anymore and that concerned me...especially on the uphill. I found my self not riding stuff I used to ride. A few of my friends recommended this bike so I finally got it together and picked up a frame and built it up. Took it our for the first ride up something I have had problems with in the past. This bike rocks! I was climbing over stuff I bashed into and couldn't make 3 weeks prior. My riding has come up several notches since I put this baby out on the trails. Getting used to the ride will take a little while but I am so impressed with this bike's riding characteristics, I would recommend it to anyone. I was worried about the weight increase but to be honest, I haven't even noticed it until I have to pick the bike up over something I am too chicken to ride. I still climb in the same gears I climbed on my lightweight Ti racer bike and I am finding it much easier to do. I never really liked the steering and cornering on the DBR. I noticed right away that this bike did a better job for me on switchbacks and high speed cornering. I cannot say enough good things about this bike. Get one, you'll love yours too. Chris and the gang at Titus are great too. Call them or visit their website. It's the best website around for learning about suspension designs. Oh, I have an 18 DBR Ti bike for sale if you know of anyone that is interested. I do not plan on riding that one anymore...even in 2 races I am doing this fall.
Before I start my review I'd like to establish a several facts. 1. I'm not an engineer so my comments will be from the field, i.e., real world perspective. 2. I've ridden three different full suspension bikes over the last three years so I'm not blinded by the light meaning not overwhelmed by my first FS experience. OK enough of a preface! I also own a cantilever design FS bike and am lucky enough to have trails on my property so comparisons are frequent and easy to conduct. The most noticeable difference is that the Motolite is virtually free of both biopacing and brake induced suspension lock-out. You really don't notice how prevalent these traits are until you ride a frame that does not exhibit them. This may be true for all well designed four bar linkage systems, but I can definitely state that the Motolite activates the suspension only when you need it. I was initially not particularly excited over the interrupted seat tube design but having ridden it for a while, I'm quite pleased with the increased standover -- particularly when having to dab or even bail. Of course what separates this frame from the pack is the FIVE inches of travel in the rear without any weight penalty over many other frames. Speaking of this rear travel, I also have to state that I've been compelled by this frame and the Fox Vanilla Air to reverse my opinion on air shocks. This puppy is very supple over the small hits, e.g., gravel, stutter bumps, etc., and the rebound adjustment actually has an extended usuable range. And, of course, we come to weight -- well, with a Z1 and, I have to admit, a fair amount of ti and carbon and other chi chi, e.g., King hubs, ti Frogs, Carbon bars, ti BB, etc., I've brought it in at 25.34 pounds. To me this bike has it all -- long enough travel to down hill seriously and plenty light enough to pedal back up. Get one! Or at least order the catalog and drool.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Keenan Baker
a cross-country rider
from Fountain Hills, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1998
Bottom Line:
What a bit**in frame. I just picked up my Motolite about two months ago. I have my bike equiped with a full XTR drive, King wheel set, and '98 Bomber Z-1. It rolls in at 26.5 lbs. I think that is very impressive for a bike with that much travel. 5 in. in the rear and 4 up front, and I ride a large frame. Great riding characteristics, a great climber, and rips up the downhill. You could get away with racing cross country and downhill on the same frame in one day. It is just an amazing bike. I would suggest that you go with the Kawasaki green, I did! Chris the owner of Titus is the nicest guy, talk to him and he will let you take one of his bikes for a spin if you are in Tempe, AZ. Plus they are running a promo right now where you get a free shock pump, a free jersey, a free t-shirt, and a free hat. What great guys!
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Submitted by
Charles Coker
a cross-country rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: November 4, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have my Motolite built up with a 99 Z1 BAM, XTR shifters/derailluers, Cane Creek WAM wheels, etc.. full sized knobbies, no stupid light parts, and it weighs 27 lbs dead even. 2 buddies built theirs up similiary and 27 lbs. ea. The build quality is absolute top notch as is the customer service at Titus. I am _extremely_ pleased with both. I had a Rocky Mtn/ Element TO with an Atom Bomb and same parts kits, weight was 26 lbs. so, I gained 1/2 on the frame (5.5 to 6) and about 1/2 on the Atom Bomb to 99 Z1 BAM. I gained 1 lb went from 3.5 to 5 of rear travel and 2.5 to 5 of front travel, and got a signifigantly stiffer frame that's a lot more plush and with a company whose customer service is a lot better than Rocky I am truly amazed by this frame. It is equipped with an Air Vanilla and it's very plush and very tunable. I can go from utlraplush downhill mode to cross country stiff in seconds. or, find a very happy medium between the two (which is what I use) it is truyly amazing that a bike with this much travel can be very responsive and climb and accelerate as quickly as the Rocky did and then point it downhill and let it bomb down rocky technical decents..I highly recommend this frame. feel free to contact me.
