Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner

Problems with new Titus

1104 Views 22 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  sanjuro
Bought a Titus Racer X in xx small size because I'm very short and have short inseam. When I went to pick up the bike I got on it and noticed that I had no standover clearance. The frame I ordered was supposed to give me two inches of standover, but this bike gives me none.

I brought the bike home and measured the standover on a level floor (I used a level), and saw that the standover is two and half inches over what it's supposed to be.

Please Help Anyone!:confused:
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
Wrong size ? Is the suspension sagged ? Have you discussed this with Titus ? 1-800-85-TITUS
I've called and emailed Chris at Titus and he's investigating. I've measured the top tube and the seat tube, and they appear to be the right size for the xx small Racer X.

Richard's Bikes, the bike store I bought the frame and build put a 100mm fork on the frame, even though Titus recommends an 80mm fork.

The standover is supposed to be 24.65, but I don't have that standover anywhere on the frame, measuring from the top tube.
climb3r said:
Richard's Bikes, the bike store I bought the frame and build put a 100mm fork on the frame, even though Titus recommends an 80mm fork.
Think that has anything to do with it ?
Ummm....

climb3r said:
I've called and emailed Chris at Titus and he's investigating. I've measured the top tube and the seat tube, and they appear to be the right size for the xx small Racer X.

Richard's Bikes, the bike store I bought the frame and build put a 100mm fork on the frame, even though Titus recommends an 80mm fork.

The standover is supposed to be 24.65, but I don't have that standover anywhere on the frame, measuring from the top tube.
1. You can't use standover height as a valid measurement.
2. You put a fork on the frame that's 20mm larger than what Titus recommends for the frame and then you're saying that the standover isn't 24.56mm like it's supposed to be? Are you really suprised by this?
3. What size tires do you have on the bike vs. what it's spec'd with for a "standover height" measurement?
4. Standover height doesn't matter in sizing a bike. What matters if effective top tube length and perhaps the seatstay length/angle. Standover height is impacted by too many things to be valid: Tire size, fork size, shock adjustment/sag, etc.

What matters the most: That the bike fits you when you're on it, on the saddle.
AZ.MTNS said:
Think that has anything to do with it ?
Umpossible!!!! nm
The reason I want standover clearance is because I'm a complete beginner and would like ton be able to get off the bike quickly if there's a problem. The bike has 26" tires, and Richard's Bikes told me they put a 100mm fork because the Titus specifies that the bike has to have 100mm travel. Richard's also told me that the difference between an 80mm fork and a 100mm fork is less than an inch.

I not only have no standover, the top tube is pressing against my crotch, so I'm not sure what to do.
Return for credit , get something that fits .
climb3r said:
The reason I want standover clearance is because I'm a complete beginner and would like ton be able to get off the bike quickly if there's a problem. The bike has 26" tires, and Richard's Bikes told me they put a 100mm fork because the Titus specifies that the bike has to have 100mm travel. Richard's also told me that the difference between an 80mm fork and a 100mm fork is less than an inch.

I not only have no standover, the top tube is pressing against my crotch, so I'm not sure what to do.
1. standover is overrated (as Ken pointed out)
2. RX's come in 80mm or 100mm flavors....they are not interchangeable...it effects BB height and HT angle...and standover
3. a XXS RX standover is 24.96...not 24.65 (from their site)

soooo....if you are 1/3 inches off on initial measurement....and an inch or so by popping on the wrong length travel fork....right out of the gate you are around 1.3 inches higher than you originally thought.....add some high profile tires and you may now easily have close to 2 inches higher top tube

what is your inseam?.....did you measure correctly by standing against wall and cramming a clipboard into your crotch until you wince and measure from there (barefoot) :


also.....i raced an 80mm RX for 2 seasons....they are really not a 'beginner' bike (very, very nice bikes)...handle kinda like a Ferrari would IMHO...

have you looked at the MotoLites?...variable travel...slightly slacker HA.....climb well...descend better....my wife rides an XS MotoLite...weighs in at 23 lbs....not bad for a 5" travel rig.....
See less See more
Yep, I I went to bike shop and my inseam was measured just like shown on your image. My inseam is 25" and 26" with regular run of the mill sneakers.

I bought Racer X because all bike shops recommended it for me (Pivot didn't exist yet).

24.96 is the xx small measurement for the Titus X. The xx small standover for the Titus Racer X is 24.65 (http://www.titusti.com/racerx_le.html#geometry).

When I measure standover according to picture on titus website, I get 28" standover; that's 2" over my inseam.

I agree, I think it's the 100mm fork, so I'll have to get 80 mm fork.
climb3r said:
Yep, I I went to bike shop and my inseam was measured just like shown on your image. My inseam is 25" and 26" with regular run of the mill sneakers.

I bought Racer X because all bike shops recommended it for me (Pivot didn't exist yet).

24.96 is the xx small measurement for the Titus X. The xx small standover for the Titus Racer X is 24.65 (http://www.titusti.com/racerx_le.html#geometry).

When I measure standover according to picture on titus website, I get 28" standover; that's 2" over my inseam.

I agree, I think it's the 100mm fork, so I'll have to get 80 mm fork.
well son-of-a-gun....didn't know the RX turned into the X :eek:

what fork do you have?...can you 'wind' it down (like a TALAS RLC)?
Just ride it and be mindful of dismounts. I've rode some zero clearance standover bikes and you usually fall to one side when you come off. It's at least worth trying before you go and buy a fork. Also, depending on the fork, it can be lowered. The Racer X is not a beginner's bike, so take your time learning how it responds and you'll be paid back by a fantastic bike as your skills improve.
I'm not quite seeing where the problem with the Titus is. I think there's a problem with the owner.
Thanks for the advice and help. I will ride the bike, although I'm afraid because I have no standover. I'll set the fork down to 80mm and give it a go.

When I have some money saved, I'll buy a 80mm fork.
climb3r said:
When I have some money saved, I'll buy a 80mm fork.
You can just have the travel reduced, I can't think of any mainstream fork that you wouldn't be able to. :thumbsup:
Or.....you could get some stripper shoes. I've seen some chuck taylor lookalikes that have like 5 inch soles....:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
...

climb3r said:
Thanks for the advice and help. I will ride the bike, although I'm afraid because I have no standover. I'll set the fork down to 80mm and give it a go.

When I have some money saved, I'll buy a 80mm fork.
How tall are you?
mudlover71 said:
Or.....you could get some stripper shoes. I've seen some chuck taylor lookalikes that have like 5 inch soles....:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Surprised it took this many replies before someone suggested platforms.....:p
I ride a Small Racer X and have the same problem when I have both feet on the ground. I've been riding this bike over a year now and I've never felt like it was too large for me.

It sounds to me like you can still get both of your feet on the ground when you are standing over the bike, you just don't have any daylight between the "boys" and the top tube. I wouldn't worry about it, just ride your bike, you'll be surprised how quickly you get used to the size. The hanlding of this bike is amazing, just be glad you're getting to learn on one of the best bikes around.
climb3r said:
Thanks for the advice and help. I will ride the bike, although I'm afraid because I have no standover. I'll set the fork down to 80mm and give it a go.

When I have some money saved, I'll buy a 80mm fork.
If you can set the fork to 80, whether through spacers or some sort of external travel adjust features, you now have an 80mm fork, no need to go get a different fork. It will affect the AC length and should give you more standover.

Once you get more comfortable with the lack of standover, you may well want to go back to the 100mm setting.

David B.
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top