[Closed] Titus Fireline Ti 29 Evo..

Sorry, but I still think my quarterhorse looks better and has far more tyre clearance

The QH costs more and is quite a bit porkier; you pays your money and take your choice.

Good looking builds - they look just right.

First ride impressions are that the bike is an absolute hoot to ride and is more capable than I'll ever be. I absolutely do need easier gears tho. It climbs fine but I ran out at 32:36 and had to push.

Gonna investigate my options further but tbh the front HD was buzzing the Reba so I reckon it makes most sense to ditch the tyres and get something less voluminous.

Looking forward to hearing what definitely works with a front mech, but would also appreciate recommendations for a slightly smaller but equally durable front which can handle a variety of conditions.

I have a Mud X and ACX in the garage but it's pointless sticking them on unless I stick to fireroads 🙄

Was out in the garage fiddling and decided to see if the 2 * 10 setup I had fits, the answer is no problem. No clearance issues in large or small rings.

Spesh Purgatory 2.3 (57mm wide) on Stans Arch EX rim. For reference an HD is 3mm wider and 2mm taller on the same rim.

SLX 2 * 10 38/26 tooth chainset with modified (see above) XT M786 derailleur.

[img] http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8310259361_9e9be7f094_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8310259361_9e9be7f094_b.jp g"/> [/img]

That's dead helpful bigdugsbaws. I'm seeing a 2.2 Purgatory online, so may just get one of those. I'm using Flows, so that will make a difference but hopefully that will be to width not height.

It would be a shame if I had to compromise the rubber on this bike to much. It feels like it should be ridden with big sturdy treads 😉 Any suggestions for a front?

Never felt slack when climbing or turning, but pointed down it was like a juggernaut. I've probably never descended the scree filled Peat Track from Fyrish as quickly. I couldn't have done that with puny tyres on. Bedmaker had 2 punctures on the same with Maxxis Beavers on his full susser.

Swayndo, I have Flows too and the tyres come up the same size as the Arch EX due to the much lower sidewall. I'm using a Hans Damph up front but will be swapping back to a Purgatory. Nobby Nic snakeskin 2.35s are great too.

[url= http://www.freeborn.co.uk/specialized-purgatory-control-tyre-pair-2013 ]Linky to cheap Purgatory[/url]

Cheers again. Any idea if the stays exactly the same length on the 18 and 20?

I'll have a think and scour web resources to see the other options. Smorgasbords are dead cheap, but they seem quite tall for the size. Ardents are that way too. Purgatorys look the best option ATM.

Stays are same on all sizes I believe.

Finished today! 20"
Need a longer stem + 20mm
Points to note-

Post mount was slightly short hole to hole, had to use a mount and drill out the mount holes, to get the bolts in. Anyone else had the same issue?

If the rear mech cable stop had been mounted to the side it would enable bigger tyre use, in the clag the cable will be shaving mud.

Only using 2.2 Ralphs

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Looking good Big Pete. No issues with the post mount on my 18".

That's still really close with relatively skinny tyres with little tread.

Switched the rear tyre today to a Mud X and changed to 2x10. Plenty room with the cyclocross tyre in 😉 and I was able to climb the hill behind the village. Tightened the front Hope hoop and the tyre no longer buzzes the fork.

Thinking of getting an X9 2 ring crank which will give me the option of a Bling Ring (cheers Gordymac) in as low as 28t if I want to go 1x10 with big rubber in the mountains next year.

Things looking up.

Hi all I really like the look of these any good deals on forks?
I would like something with a axle.

Can you fit something small up front if I wanted to make us of a 1 x 9 set up I have ?

What is the right gear up front if you use a 34 at the rear, to match a 26inch wheel with a 36 cassette

A 29er is about 2t harder (roughly!) so on a 32 front ring for the 26 you'd need a 28 front which ain't happening easily...

I run 1x9 12-34 block with a 32 front on my 29er and it"s fine...all depends on fitness tho, i feel it if I'm off the bike much!

So I don't think you can get 28 teeth.
So I could run a double but would have issues with the mec, its also very muddy where I do most of my riding.

Or go ten speed

Finished mine today, took it for a quick ride too.

Feels like I've just got a big boys bike after outgrowing my 26er! Not sure if that's a good thing or not at this stage? It certainly feels fun if a little slow steering. I need to drop the front a bit, so flat bars will be a must.

I will put gears on, but it's just not worth it right now as it's more about bog snorkeling then MTBing.

I also had trouble with the rear post mount for the caliper, it seems to be about 1-0.5mm too long, I didn't need to drill anything but the bolts were a bit tight. Also the seat tube is a bit slack, I've got three 31.6 seatposts and all had a bit of play round them. I've had to really tighten the seatpost clamp to stop slipping.

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And some more pics of the tyre clearance with a 2.3.

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Looks nice chuffnuts.

Same issue here's with the seatpost. No friction, just slides straight down when the clamp bolt is undone.

I'm using an X4 50mm which has zero rise with a 20mm rise Nukeproof Warhead 760 bar. Suits the bike very well and no problems climbing. I'm 6' on an 18".

A direct from China jobby....

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Nice builds guys!

Racing Ralph 2.25 aint no skinny tyre and there is only about 4mm between that and the massive 2.4 version.

If you have feeble hams 😉 and feel the need to drop to a 28T front ring these guys do really nice custom aluminium and titanium spiderless numbers for SRAM chainsets:

[url= http://www.homebrewedcomponents.com/store.php/categories/all-products ]Home Brewed Components[/url]

If you have feeble hams

Or ride mountains 😉

Home brewed one would be nice if he would actually send them out...

Tyre clearance looks very problematic, especially with snow or mud build up..........???

Tyre clearance looks very problematic, especially with snow or mud build up..........???

🙄

Dan at Homebrewed had a breakdown of the personal type, really very ill by all accounts, he's up and running again, but only selling what he has in stock and doing smaller runs of evrything else

I'd take that with a pinch of salt. The guy is a chancer of the highest order!

Bling ring is the way to go. Just fitted a 28T to my XO cranks on my Camber 29er.

Bigdugsbaws ... any reason to buy the 2.3 over the 2.2 Purgatory? I hear they're actually the same size. EBC are doing the outgoing model for £20. I'd be interested to hear if you noticed any difference between the two.

I'm going to go Purgatory on the front for just now with Mud X rear. Hope to take this over the 5 Spot to Morocco in April so will get something better on the rear before then. Looking at 2.25 Snakeskin Ralphs, a Ground Control or maybe Purgatory. Still probably keep the Trailstar HD, but the Pacestar is surplus.

Also got an X7 chainset through from CRC which is Bling Ring compatible, but not convinced I'll get a single ring that suits my needs so may send it back. I also see people using XX1 Chainsets in 1x10, so maybe that's a better option if I do go single ring.

ChunkyMTB, nice looking bike, how did you go about ordering/speccing your direct from China jobby?

Was ogling Bigdug's Titus today. No matter what he says I was definitely ogling the Titus. It's absolutely lovely- no mess, no fuss. Jealous 🙁

Swayndo, they are same size but newer version rolls better (all
egedly)

Cheers Andy and apologies, i was in cheeky barsteward mode this morming....too many mince pies and sherry 😳

FWIW thats around 12 hours riding now and it never fails to please, it excelled on the tight twisty tech at Inners today.

Right have ordered a 2.3 Purgatory, which will be my winter front tyre. May drop it back onto the rear in the spring. Cheers again.

Anyone need a Pacestar HD?

ChunkyMTB - apologies found it: [url= http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/what-has-16-2-chain-stays-titanium-can-make-me-smile-90min-828064.html ]Chinese Jobby[/url]

Aaaaggh just discovered that it isn't ISCG05 as stated on the website. Ripped the packaging on my chain guide too 👿

Glad I didn't spend £200 on a bling ring and Micro G2 now 🙄

Just been out on some pretty step and very muddy singletrack and mine was ace. Think I'm feeling a slight click from the seat post inside the seat tube. Could just be paranoid tho.

This is so near to perfect, but the small issues are just taking a little of the edge off the experience.

small issues

Seem to be quite a few 'issues'? How can a trail/am 29er hardtail not fit a range of common 2.35 rear tyres?!? 😯

Hmmm Chunkymtbs direct from China jobby has a nice kink in the seat tube which seems to give a bit more clearance

To be fair a HD on a Flow is pretty huge. An extra half inch on the stays might have done it but how would that have affected handling? I don't know but I know the bike handles beautifully as it is.

Having a straight seat tube gives long post dropability, but in this time of droppers it's maybe less necessary.

It's great but flawed. Many first editions are. Love/Hates without front mech cable stops, Inbred 29ers without seat tube rack mounts ... it happens. Maybe a mk2 will be in the pipeline before long.

To be fair a HD on a Flow is pretty huge. An extra half inch on the stays might have done it but how would that have affected handling? I don't know but I know the bike handles beautifully as it is.

It may be but it fits of several other similar 29ers which have been out a while (Yelli Screamy, Nimble 9, Honzo) - they also manage shorter chainstays at the same time.

It's great but flawed. Many first editions are. Love/Hates without front mech cable stops, Inbred 29ers without seat tube rack mounts ... it happens. Maybe a mk2 will be in the pipeline before long.

Overtall headtube.
Limited clearance.
Short tt.
Some qc problems.
I'm quite relieved tbh....now if only my yelli was slacker and had reverb stealth capability 8)

I've zero issues with the head tube length and the TT on the 18" is perfect for me at 6'. I'm using a 50mm stem and 760 bar with 20 rise and I reckon my riding position is the best I've had on any mountain bike. We're all different tho. This build suits the riding where I am.

Again true - but Yelli Screamys have been out for what, over 2 years, and overcome these issues. A quick look at existing frames would surely overcome these initial teething problems?

Yelli Screamys aren't titanium and I wouldn't want to replicate that BB area in Ti.

I wouldn't want a bent seat tube as it would FORCE you to use a dropper post to drop the saddle on a bike that needs its saddle dropping.

just discovered that it isn't ISCG05 as stated on the website. Ripped the packaging on my chain guide too

Which chainguide? I have an ISCG headache and a beer open. Will buy your chainguide off you for my new build if you get stuck with it.

Clink, a Hans Damph and Ralph 2.4 both fit on the back of mine (ARCH EX and tubeless) no problems, dont know where you got the idea they didnt?!?

The YS had teething issues with brake mounts, dodgy welding and cassette clearance to name a few so its by no means perfect either.

Thanks for the offer Brant, but some nifty sticky taping has rendered the packaging "returnable" 😉

Clink, a Hans Damph and Ralph 2.4 both fit on the back of mine (ARCH EX and tubeless) no problems, dont know where you got the idea they didnt?!?

It looks a fab frame - I'm probably being over critical. YS isn't perfect, you're quite right. Certainly for the price it looks a bloody bargain.

How can a trail/am 29er hardtail not fit a range of common 2.35 rear tyres?!?

Admittedly the clearance is tight at the seattube but they do fit, so your statement is false 😉

" bigdugsbaws

Aaaaggh just discovered that it isn't ISCG05 as stated on the website. Ripped the packaging on my chain guide too"

it's just getting better... 🙄

"Swayndo - Think I'm feeling a slight click from the seat post inside the seat tube. Could just be paranoid tho.

This is so near to perfect, but the small issues are just taking a little of the edge off the experience."

...and better... 🙁
i'm outside the UK so still waiting for the frame to arrive having ordered almost a month ago. It shipped before Xmas so this week I reckon it should be here but..., jeez, the building catalogue of issues you guys have highlighted... It's taking the edge of my initial excitement at what I will get to unpack and build.

So Bigdug and Brant, what ISCG mount is it then as I am about to order the final build items I don't have to hand? Thanks.

And anyone, ref. the difference between the Flow (622 x 22.6), and the Arch EX (622 x 19), how does that change or impact the choice of tyres and/or pressure that you can run and get away with when it comes to clearance issues?

Thanks in advance.

For me the "build issues" have only been due to incorrect information and were a minor inconvenience, nothing to put me off ownership. Ride the frame and you will soon forgive all 🙂

Those are the specs for the old Arch rim so tyres will come up narrower and possibly taller than mounted on the Flow. On Arch EX tyres are very similar to flow size.

"Ride the frame and you will soon forgive all"

Thanks for that and yes, that's what I am hoping will happen (along with no build issues mentioned by a few owners in the last 10 days or so.

So is the ISCG05 actually an ISCG?

The 622x19 was actually for the Arch Ex, (on the CRC website info about the rim), but your simple explanation makes sense now that you have explained it simply (narrower seating so possibly taller profile, thanks.

I'm new to discs having ridden old bikes up until now that allowed me to continue with canti's then v-brakes, so I have no idea what disc size's to go for and whether I will need any adaptors to run bigger than 160mm XT 180 or 200's). What are you running front and back and are there any adaptors I need to run XT/Saint RT86 discs?

Riding I tend to try everything on the trail (without a dab if possible!) both up and down, so my riding is not fast and furious, but I like to try everything I think there might be a way to ride, so would 160mm discs be the ticket? Again, new to discs, (in fact all the stuff that's taken place in the last five to ten years, I just ride), so any light on the subject is real helpful and appreciated.

Thanks again for your time and good info.

😀

Diablo ... I'm using Flows. An HD 2.35 monster fits in the frame but you won't get a conventional front mesh solution with it. I had one in for one ride and the bike felt fabulous, but I need the gears. There are solutions to that shown in this thread.

I'm using as Mud X with a front mech just now and there is loads of space. It's working for me, given that the ground is almost fluid at the moment. Others have shown that a Purgatory 2.3 and RaRa 2.25 works with the back end and a conventional much.

The frame is a joy to ride ... I've already decided to sell my Ragley and the 5 spot is next on the hit list.

I've got to say that I too have no issues with my bike either. Granted I'm running singlespeed at the mo, but I'm quite happy to buy a new front mech as recommended earlier in this thread when I put my gears on. My Geax tyre is a 2.3 and I'm using Crest rims so it is does seem very tall, I've only got 26in tyres to compare.

I'm getting used to the handling, this is my first 29er and I still need to decide whether it's for me or whether I keep my 456ti? I need to decide as I will have to sell one of these but, I'd say that the Titus is winning at the moment. I would really like a dry day to really give it some stick though!

Swayndo, chuffnuts, I appreciate the info, thanks for sharing.

It really sounds as though the frame has hit the mark with you guys and bigdug and others who have bought, built, and ridden it, so that's confidence inspiring that I made the right choice.

A choice that came about due to cracks getting worse on the headtube, bb, and finally the chainstay on my old faithful 26er, and getting a chance to ride my first 29er, a Yelli.

Thanks again for reinforcing the decision I made to go for the titus that factored in geometry, ti as a frame material, price and importantly, delivery cost.

Rather nice X0 crank set arrived this morning. Before I start damaging the rings, I think I'll put one of those XCG bash things on. Anyone know for a fact what ISCG mount I need to buy?

ISCG OLD (not 05)

Any sign of those decals and headtube badges yet Brant?

Yep, still waiting for the same answer to the same question, as how i read and then asked about bigdugs post, he found that the ISCG05 wouldn't fit, not that he ordered the wrong one i think...?

[i]"bigdugsbaws - Aaaaggh just discovered that it isn't ISCG05 as stated on the website."[/i]

And then Brant confirmed that was the latest problem to be discovered by new owners i thought...
[i]
"brant - I have an ISCG headache and a beer open."[/i]

Thanks for the heads up Brant. Any idea when you might be offering the complete build package you alluded too?

Coolio Brant. Sorry if that was a silly question but I'm not up on these things 🙂

Thanks for the heads up Brant. Any idea when you might be offering the complete build package you alluded too?

We're getting a parts order together right now with components which will be shared across this, the El Guapo 29 and the Titus Rockstar Carbon. As such we're probably looking at mid Feb.

Thanks Brant, appreciate that.

Have a good year ahead.

Bumping to see if any more ride reports. Considering either this or a Yelli Screamy......

More ride reports would be a terrible thing... for my old bike 😉

Just been out on mine today, rides really well. The best 29er I've ridden...not sure if I'm keeping it though, I still like my 26er 456ti?

Is 29er for me?

Can I live without the easy rolling nature of 29ers?

Decisions, decisions???

Can I live without the easy rolling nature of 29ers?

If you can, drop me an email and I'll take it off yer hands 😉

I still like my 26er 456ti?

not good news Gee76 🙁

I still like my 26er 456ti?

not good news Gee76

Well for balance, I owned a Ti456 for over a year and the Fireline is head and shoulders better.

Oh dear:S

How agile is the fireline compared to the 456?

Beats my Ragley Ti by a long way, which beats any 456 (IMO).

18" Ragley anyone?

From my experience I'd say that the 456 is soooo much more agile. It's more ridged and easier to throw into a corner then the Evo, which to me feels just too noodley. I'm not sure if maybe my wheels are to blame a little, they are the same as on my 456, Stans crest rims only the 29er wheels were built by Superstar and do seem a little bit loose in the spoke department on the rear. I don't know if this is right though?

Head angle is slacker on my 456 too, which surprised me.

For where I ride, which is Surrey hills singletrack and similar trails I'd say the 456 seems to be better so far, but I'm going to give it more time and see.

Sounds like the wheels. I'm using Flows on Hope Hoops and there is nothing noodley about it. A medium sized pal who was out with me last weekend had 26er Hoops with Crests and you could easily flex them from side to side with little pressure. Fine for small, light riders I guess 😉

Crests are noodly not helped by SS builds. What fork are you running as thats probably contriburing to it. I switched the Sid 120 on mine for a Revelation as you could really feel the flex in the lightweighr fork.

Is there riding in the Surrey hills that justifies an Evo? 😉

Should have waited for the "fileline". 😉

Just ordered one 🙂

Getting my files out now.

Bigdug, I'm running a reba...and it's not about the size of those hills, it's what you do with them that matters! ;-(

Hmmmm soooo theoretically then at 6' 2" with 32-33" legs what size is good. Currently on 456ti in 18" its of the compact agile type of fit but with Lotta post showing. On the other hand my asr5 is a large 20" due to yeti's geo. Handling again is great n playful but a bit more stretched.

I note the fireline has a slightly shorter toptube than a 456 so erring towards a 20" I think???.

Bigdug, swayndo, chuff how tall are we?

6'3" 33 leg on a 20 here. Loads of stand over but I am using a 90 stem to sort the short top tube.

Hmmm interesting, that's v close to me. Short top tube eh, still getting to grips with the 29er geo thing and only really ridden a sultan but I thought that'd be pretty long with a 90!. Was thinking 60mm but then after a bit more playful ride!

Gee, Im 6ft with 33in inside leg and short arms! My 456ti is a little long in the toptube for me, I prefer a shorter toptube. The 18in Evo feels a better fit for me. On both there is a fair amount of seatpost showing.

hi, first of all all i think that the chance to talk directly with brad is amazing, i,m really interested on a titus fireli e in 16 size, has anyone builded one? can measure the standover??... photos??
i think i could build a ultimate trail machine with this frame .....
if anyone is interested on use a 140 mm fork fsa has a headset that could be used with tapered fork on 49 without external bearings.... so the geometry is respected....

I'd check that the crown doesn't hit the downtube if you dispense with the external cup on the headset.

I wonder if brad would have concerns about warranty with a 140mm fork even if the overall length of the front end wasn't drastically increased?

I am reading this thread in interest thinking the frame bike sounds interesting and a bargain but on reflection it does seem a bit of an oxymoron. The thing that is the inspiration for my mountain biking is the speeder chase in Return of the Jedi. Nipping in and out of the trees, pumping every dip and root, doing hops and generally having a big BMX. Now I ride a Dialled Alpine which could be seen as a 26er equivalent of the Fireline but I can't see how the Fireline would be more fun? Anyone care to enlighten me how a 29er can be more fun?