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Titus Rockstar. Any good?
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi All
After 6mths owning my first 29er, (a fast ali hard tail ) I'm now looking at stepping up to a full bouncer.
I'm only after the frame as I already have some good wheels, Reba 15mm 120 taper forks, brakes, crank bars & stem so I'm only really after the frame.
I would love a Pivot 429 or Tallboy but the budget isn't there at the moment.
Within my current budget I have recently seen a Turner Sultan frame for $1300 & a Titus Rockstar for $1100.
Any thoughts on these frames for mainly trail riding with the occasion race wearing faster, lighter wheels.
Cheers
T
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Tony, I was thinking similar to you but check reviews of the Rockstar. Early ones had a few "issues" with geometry and I've read reviews on the later ones about cracking rear triangles... seems they may have a wide dropout spacing. I haven't been able to find anyone for first hand reviews or test rides. Also confirm what shock is spec'd on the Titus frame at the price, there were some shock free frames listed on one site when I looked.
My first choice in the budget dually 29er frame is the Santa Cruz superlight 29er. There were some awesome deals on frames recently but size/colour combinations were limited.
4-bar rear end ticks a lot of boxes for me.
Can't wait for that Specialized patent to expire
Ohh DW link of the Sultan. Sure it might not be the lightest 29er rolling around but it will be a lot of fun.
Devinci Atlas shortest chain stays in a 29er dually. Even shorter than my 29er hard tail. DW link as well.
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Split-Pivot-Devinci...
Just picked up one of these new in your price range. Currently getting the parts together for the build.
Full XT group set, No tube Arch wheel set/ maxxis icons, and a Sid RCT3, hopely equals single track shredder. Frame got delievered today Hand built in Canada looks good.
Thanks for that guys, I'm still open minded to suggestions but wanted to add what I've found out so far:
Rockstar: Real four bar "Horst" link, pretty low cost and at 6.1lb it's not a bad weight. The frame I'm looking at comes with a RS Monarch 3 shock which seems to get reasonable reviews. I'm always a bit suspicious about "Swingarm cracked" stories as, just like many stories of race light wheels failing it tends to be when extreme riding is being done. I'm not too daring myself & tend to chicken out at less than 1M. Early Yetis did have this problem with their carbon swingarms & so did Scott Sparks but I've nothing on the Titus yet. Generally owners give it a 4 star plus review (Although it has been around for a while).
Sultan: A DW link is definitely good but there are a few critics saying that the frame at 7lb is porky and doesn't track as well as Dave Turners other frames. That said most owners seem to love this frame and rave about it's all-round ability. Much as everyone loves their own bike I've read the reviews & have found them on the whole written in an expressive & analytical way. Most describe a very capable trail bike with no glaring faults. I'm inclined to think that in the limited time the reviewers have to give a write up they've missed this "Dutiful workhorse" quality.
I've been warned to watch which year I'm buying as apparently geometry changed year on year.
Devinci Atlas: I've just taken a look at the link. It's a nice looking frame but looks more geared towards extreme trail/freeriding.
I'm not convinced of the essentially single pivot suspension design aiding pedalling efficiency but the stay mounted brake may improve braking over stutter bumps.
Let me know how you find yours, it's a lot of kit if it's around the price that you say.
Superlight....... Yeah, I looked at that as well. Reliable, cheap, straight forward but it just doesn't grab me I'm afraid. I've been told that it looks great in the flesh though so will hold out on a final decision at the moment.
T
Looks and reviews can be deceptive. Been through the process of finding a new frame myself recently.
After weeks of reading reviews and talking to people I thought i had finally found the right frame. However after a testride with the favourite and the runner up all that research went straight out the window.
my point is if you're spending a thousand dollars on a bike component i think it's worthwhile to take it for a spin first.
having said that I happen to know that there's a superlight sitting at leSpit in mosman waiting to be taken out for a spin. You'd be surprised how much it feels like the tallboy. I was. Love that bike, although after all that test riding I ended up buying a 26er Blur XC.
Interesting that you went for a 26er after test riding a 29er. Do tell
scott spark 26 and 29
s-works epic 26 and specialized epic 29
Santa TallBoy carbon 29, Superlight 29 and Blur XC Carbon 26
Felt Edict 26
while most of these are brilliant bikes (there was only one that i really didn't like) there was one particular fast and technical downhill run on the 26er Blur that i just could not get out of my head.
I have built that bike to 9.8kg and it is an absolute rocket. up and downhill and it just suits my riding style perfectly. (I used to race BMX in an earlier life)
mind you, if I was allowed another bike (n+1 limitations) I would probably get mid range spec Superlight for easy rides with the boys.
Hi All
Have just seen a few 2013 bikes & will probably now hold back for the moment as some look very interesting, especially as the cutting edge technology & angles trickle down into the mainstream.
Re try before buying: I agree but would also say that it takes the right set up to get the most out of any frame.
My current rides are a Yeti,ASR a Cotic Soda (Ti), a Spesh Enduro & an On One Scandal 29" Ht. They were all built frame up & all took a good few rides to get "sorted" although the newer ones took far less tweaks.
I feel that you can only get a rough feel for a frame from a brief test ride.
Impressive recent rides have been:
2012 Spark 29" carbon
Trek Remedy 9.9 26"
Spesh Stumpy 29" carbon HT
I haven't seen a built up Superlight here on WA but will take a Tallboy & Pivot 429 out soon.
Thanks for the opinions.
T