Custom Ti Frame, Upgraded to carbon swingarm, 08 Fox F100RLT, XT, SRAM 9.0, Hope Minis, Fox RP3 Push'ed, Easton carbon components, Custom wheels with DT 240 hubs, WTB rims Stan's, Nevegal tires
Bottom Line:
I had this bike custom built in late 2004 on a grassroots sponsorship program. It's basically a small with a longer top tube. Custom is nice, I can run a shorter stem.
The Ti mainframe makes it heavier, but the durability is worth it. I've got a couple of small dings in the downtube from Moab trips, but having had several Ti, steel and aluminum bikes over the years I know what the damage would have done to the other materials.
I honestly did not like the Racer-X for the first couple of years I had it. I rued the day I sold my Santa Cruz Superlight, I would have traded it for one of my old Litespeeds or my Ionic Steelhead! But I knew something had to be wrong because the reviews told me I should love the Racer-X. It was twitchy and hard to steer. Climbing was tough, the front end wandered a lot. Just an unpleasant ride.
In mid-2006 I replaced my 2.0 Explorer Pro tires with much larger 2.1 Nevegals and Stan's No Tubes and found the swingarm was too narrow. But I found the bike's handling settled down with the fatter front tires.
In 2007 I upgraded to the new carbon swingarm (not cheap) to run the fat tires without clearance issues. While talking to Titus' customer service guys, I told them that I didn't really like the bike much and was thinking about a Moto-Lite. They suggested getting rid of the Manitou Minute 2. This proved to make ALL the difference with this bike.
This spring I put a Fox F100RLT on and my Racer-X has become the best ride I've ever had. I liked the bike so much I sent the RP3 to PUSH for their full service, and if I decide to keep the bike for a couple more years will send the fork to them also.
The bike is now much more stable, fast handling and comfortable. Climbing is almost dreamy, standing or sitting. I finally feel like I am getting my moneys worth. I now neglect my road bike because I'd rather ride my Racer-X.
If I could do it again, the only thing I'd change would be to kick the head angle back to 70° instead of 71° just to give it a little more stability.
I keep wanting a new bike because I'm like that. But I can't imagine what would be better. Maybe a custom Ti Moto-Lite?
Bottom line: If you want a good value on a top-performing XC bike. Keep the Racer-X in your sights. there is a reason it is still around, it works and works well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fernando Po
a Weekend Warrior
from Nor Cal Date Reviewed: April 17, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
mtbr.com
Strengths:
its pretty plush for what its design, good climber, light frame, looks awesomely sweet ti..
Weaknesses:
Have to get use to standing up when hammering uphill. I'm used to sitting down, specially when its a wall I'm climbing, and this bike makes you want to get up.
Similar Products Used:
had a racer x80 aluminum..
Bottom Line:
Let me make a comment with they're in person service.. it "sucks".. just because I bought the bike used, they gave me a cold shoulder.. This is in person at Sea Otter Classic. I paid good amount of money for this thing and actually excited to ride it, show it.. and by trying to get some advice through them was a disappointment. As I noted before somewhere, good thing they make real good bikes. They just have to work on they're customer service... 4 chills value for being a good solid bike. 2 chills over all ratings for the need to work on customer service.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chickrider
a Racer
from santa barbara Date Reviewed: February 4, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$4200.00
Purchased At:
Hazzards
Strengths:
It's plush, smooth riding. Handles well in techinical singletrack as long as your going slow. Likes medium downhill speeds.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't have the "feel" of an aluminum or steel bike. At higher speeds doesn't connect with the trail as well as it should. Just not stiff enough.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized S-works Epic
Bike Setup:
Titus Ti racerX, manitou skareb super, DT swiss wheels and hub, Chris King headset, XT shifters, crank, Avid brakes-mechanical
Bottom Line:
I paid alot of money for this. I wasn't comfortable from the getgo riding this bike and called Titus and didn't get any response. The shock is terrible and the main reason I'm giving my bike two chili's is that it wieghs in at 26.5 lbs. I weigh 105 and I simply can't race this thing. There's nothing I can do to make the bike lighter. It slips climbing because the back end is too much weight. After testing the S-works for 3 blissfull days at 23 lbs...I thought I was spider woman. It's alright on techincal slow downhill and for some steep short climbs but I was disappointed in my purchase and the custom process. I thought when I called I would get more follow through. I would have been better off buying the aluminum bike..it would have been much lighter and it would have worked. No more custom for me...and no more tituanium-it just weighs more than it's worth.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sam
a Cross Country Rider
from Perth, WA, Australia Date Reviewed: May 2, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Langford Park or Little Ovens
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$5500.00
Purchased At:
Roaring Mouse Cycles, SFO
Strengths:
Having a long torso and arms but short legs justified my decision to fork out an extra US$500 to have a custom build in Ti. I'm sure glad I did. I now realise that every MTB I have ever owned has been a compromise. Even my riding buddies have mentioned how much more comfortable I look on this bike. As for handling, it hammers like it's on rails, and seems to thrive in the tightest of single-track - freaky.
Dealing with none other than the Titus Founder/President during the blue-print creation was also pretty cool.
The workmanship is second to none (the welds look smooth and fluid). All up, I was told the build would take 8 weeks and sure enough, it did (even over the Christmas holidays).
Weaknesses:
None noted so far. Although I'm running UST Hutchison Spiders (2.1's), I was relieved to see that they come with an actual measurement of 2.3 (otherwise I would have been pretty concerned with so little tyre clearance with a 2.1 inch tyre!)
Similar Products Used:
None (previous bike was a Giant NRS1)
Bike Setup:
Fox RP3 Rear shock, Fox F100X fork, XTR crank & hollow-tech bb, XTR front, SRAM X.0 rear, SRAM X.9 shifters, Magura Marta SL's, Easton EC70 bar, Salsa scandium stem, Thompson seat post, Chris King Head set and Hubs, Mavic XM819 rims, DT Areo-lite spokes, WTB Stealth Ti saddle. I was stoked to have a robust trail bike come in at a frugal 26.2 lbs.
Bottom Line:
Handling and overall geometry are great - like I said, everything I have previously owned was a compromise (with my build, it was like hammering a square peg into a round hole).
This is the last bike I will ever need to own. Sure, parts might come and parts might go, but this frame suits me to a 'T' and is destined to stay.
Thanks to Chris at Titus & Chris at Roaring Mouse for the excellent service - you'll both be happy to know that my grin keeps getting bigger with every ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fredrick
a Weekend Warrior
from rhodes mi usa Date Reviewed: April 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
the one i'm on
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4300.00
Purchased At:
trails-edge.com
Strengths:
custom sizing means it fits like a glove. the bike has gotten great press because it works. solid design. I was told 6 to 8 weeks delivery and it was 8 weeks to the day that I received my bike after I paid the first half as a deposit. It is worth the wait to get what you want and something that fits you
Weaknesses:
There is only about 3mm of clearance between the swingarm and the tire. My complaints on the bike are few, the clearance of the rear tire being the only one of consequence. The bike has no serial no. engraved in it. With crime being what it is, and since it is a rather expensive frame and custom made, it would be nice if they welded a little plate with your name laser cut into it. It would serve as proof of ownership, and be a source of pride
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Custom titanium Titus RACER X, 05’ FOX float shock, FOX vanilla RLC fork. XT cranks, hollow tech bb, rear cassette, disc brakes, integrated shifters. XTR derailleurs. Chris king hubs & headset. Thompson stem & seatpost. Riser bar w/cane creek bar ends. 32 hole Mavic 819 tubeless rims. Setta Italia flite saddle. The bike weighs just under 29 lbs with some very heavy large 2.2” Kenda tubeless tires.
Bottom Line:
I have had the bike six months now and I realy enjoy it. I highly recomend the custom route if you have an odd shaped body. The rave reviews are true. If you can afford it , go for it. Mike at trails-edge.com took care of me.
$
Overall Rating:
