[Closed] Titus Fireline Ti 29 Evo..

Hello mates,
As promised this is my review of the Titus Fireline Evo. I tested it despite the threatening weather and a state of physical form rather low.

This is my second ride with the FLE and the first with the Revelation RCT3 140mm. In the first ride (with Reba Race 100mm) I really liked the softness of the frame. Really higher than the Niner Air9 I come from. A much more comfortable bike.

I have rode for years DH and FR bike, so I was attracted by the "progressive" geometry of the FLE, because the xc geometry of the Niner Air9, for how good is this bike, it is too restrictive for me.

As you can see, I mounted a 140mm fork along with smoothie mixer on-one lower external cup, even if the bike is designed for a 120mm fork to match with lower external cup.

Before installing a zero stack lower cap I wanted to test this configuration in order to verify if it penalizes the bike. Well, for the steering angles that I'm used (65-66 °) I was fine. The bike is very agile even in the slow. I have not noticed any impediment in the most critical and slower sections where the Air9 was at ease. Frankly I did not expect it! The FLE has a good directionality also in the slow sections.

But FLE emerges on the fast tracks: used to high-performance downhill bikes, I'm impressed by the stability and speed this toy push you! That 's what I was looking for. I'm really happy it has a so high level of performance: I hoped on it, but I did not dare to believe it as I believe now!

Aesthetically speaking, I really love this bike, but this is a subjective think. The frame has beautifully finishing, the welds do not have any burrs and the sinuous and clean forms of the frame, along with the rough finish, enjoy my eyes.

I appreciate the head tube, which allows you to mount both straight 1-1/8 " like reba race was and tapered fork as the Revelation. I also appreciate PM rear brake caliper attack, the old ISGG attack and the holders for continuous sheaths. I would like to find 142x12 rear axle.

The ultra short rear stays are well perceived in terms of traction than what I experienced with Air9. I chose not to mount the front derailleur to feel the thrill of 1x10 gear. Soon I will mount leonardi kit, in order to have 4 more teeth in the cassette, that are always handy, even if today I was able to do everything I did with Air9 and the 22 in the front (with a very little more fatigue).

The final weight of the bike is 25lb as seen in the photos.

If you're not fixated on crosscountry race and look for a front bike to pedal very well, but also a funny and fast machine, this bike with slack steering angle could do for you. Being used with 180mm rear, I felt the lack of a rear shock, but this was not traumatic, indeed. It 's a pleasure to ride this incredibly lightweight, agile, but at the same time soft bike, almost muffled, not at all sharp or nervous. I rode my usual jumps very well, with no worries at all. Bike promoted with 10 and praise for me!

Enjoy some pics:

Titus FireLine 29er Evo at the beginning of the trail
[URL= http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/3629/img2136gf.jp g" target="_blank">http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/3629/img2136gf.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3199/img2137wo.jp g" target="_blank">http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3199/img2137wo.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/3977/img2138xa.jp g" target="_blank">http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/3977/img2138xa.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Titus FireLine 29er Evo just before the game gets hard
[URL= http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/8585/img2140l.jp g" target="_blank">http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/8585/img2140l.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

I apologize for my english...

Flow4Ever
Matrix
(Italy)

Here's my new build. Had it for less than a week now. Only ridden it once since I got it. I must say it climbs pretty well on steep inclines. Great geometry for me. Using a 100mm fork. Haven't tried it on the trails yet just road. Fast and smooth on the flats too!

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Hi kitaquino, your bike looks very nice! 😀
I love the look that CB gives it.
Model and type of maxxis?
Let us know your riding impression on trails.

kitaquino - where do you live ??????? //jealous of your weather//

matrix - thanks! my maxxis are the crossmark 2.10. They roll pretty fast on tarmac. I used these tires on a voodoo canzo also on trails. good on dry trails but not as grippy on the wet. but what tires are right? 🙂 I'll scheduling a trail ride later next week!

the_lecht_rocks - I live in the Philippines! 🙂 "Biking - More fun in the Philippines!" LOL. 🙂

more pics on thre "dry" trails ?

Great review, Matrix. Love your build too. This is one of the few 29er frames that looks genuinely elegant! I'm totally loving my Ti 456 Evo (astonishing bike), but I can see a Fireline frame getting mounted on the studio wall pending future development...

@ kitaquino: here in Italy crossmark are quite appreciated, especially in Lust version, but u are right: no so grippy on the wet and poor grip while braking. What is the right tire? Good question! I'm thinking about schwalbe Hans Dampf on the front, because this bike rocks! 🙂

@ mangatank: thanks mate! Such a suggestion u gave me! A FLE frame on the wall in front of my desk sounds good! Best if in S size, with the TT and DT kissing in the shade of headtube… 😀

Any idea if this headset [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=91596 ]http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=91596[/url] will fit the frame as I got one cheap a while back? The spec is ZS44/EC49. so maybe the top race is fine and the bottom is the wrong size? Just a tad confused as the tapered on the hopre site are different sizes and the same size as what I have got.[url= http://www.hopetech.com/webtop/modules/_repository/documents/HOPEHEADSETS2011Web.pdf ]http://www.hopetech.com/webtop/modules/_repository/documents/HOPEHEADSETS2011Web.pdf[/url]

Hello guys, a quick update on the Titus Fireline 29er:
I participated in the weekly contest "bike of the week" on the mtb-forum.it, Italy. Well ... my FLE won the weekly contest!

This is a big surprise for me, as the assembly is not final and I participated just for fun, before leaving for Africa!

Here are two screenshots of the site:

[URL= http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4333/schermata20130331a22421.pn g" target="_blank">http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4333/schermata20130331a22421.pn g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5194/schermata20130331a22414.pn g" target="_blank">http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5194/schermata20130331a22414.pn g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

This is the article (on mtb-forum.it my nickname is "Dynamite"):
http://www.mtb-forum.it/bici-della-settimana-19-la-titus-fireline-29-evo-di-dynamite/

PAID SPAM:

BTW gentleman,

I have a brand new 20" Fileline (the version there you have to file down the rear brake a bit) for sale. THey are sold out with On-One!
670 Euros. Please send PN if you are interested.

Apologies if inappropriate here!

Looks lovely, very, very tempted, got my heart set on the new Kenesis Maxlight Sync Ti though.

PAID SPAM

£100 more than retail? Bargin!

I've been riding my one properly off road for the past couple of weeks as I recover from an injury.

Even with Revelations at 140mm it's been fine climbing.

In fact, it's been more than fine everywhere.

Other than the seat clamp bolts repeatedly coming undone on the KS Lev until threadlocked I've had no problems with it.

I'm (more than) a bit fickle when it comes to bikes but I can see this being a keeper.

I got one. Unfortunately something went pears up when I did the order and it got sent to my parents in Northumberland instead of Sweden. Doh!

@Scott:
my frame is 70 GBP more than retail - IF the 20" frame were available. (Available ones seem to be the 18"). Not trying to skim off the top - it's what I paid for it, and I was hoping to get out of it even. On-One did drop the price a bit.

Hi johnnypopanz,
I'm interested and can offer you £500 including delivery.
Please let me know. Thanks

GEDA - Member
I got one. Unfortunately something went pears up when I did the order and it got sent to my parents in Northumberland instead of Sweden. Doh!

What a shame.

Whereabouts? I'll have it 😉

Getting my new wheels for mine on Sunday... King hubs laced to arch ex and new nob nics tubeless..... 8)

My tin foil shim packer disintegrated last night, leading to post slippage again. Arses. I really need to find a more robust solution. I think this may involved a lathe, a block of steel and a lot of cutting fluid. Anyone with ideas please do shout.

Perhaps a bolt through the frame and post? 😈

not trying to be funny, but if it's built wrong then send it back to on-one and let them deal with it?

other choice might be to run a 27.2 post with a bigger shim if you don't have a dropper post?

Try Finishline assembly paste coupled to a bolted seat collar and it won't move.

Fishybob, thinking of selling my 20" as just bought a krampus if you are still interested in a frame.

I can't believe people are paying so much for these frames and accepting that they are a shambles. £150 usual On One fair enough but these aren't exactly cheap. 😕

al - Member

Anyone with ideas please do shout.

Return it and get one that's made right

Mine is fine and I got I for 500 quid...........

Hey Bigdugsbaws, thanks for the offer but I somehow managed to get one of the "proper" frames with correct iscg tabs, brake mounts and seat tube diameter! I suspect it might be a pre-run of the new production with slight revisions
Building it as we speak, can't wait!

Anyone with seat tube issues, please get in touch.
We have another batch in production right now, and I've just checked the first samples all over and they are bang on.
We're also going to be able to offer CUSTOM versions from £999, which could include custom geometry, different cable guides, even sliding dropouts.

Can I get in touch even with the restraining order in place? 😉

Sure thing

Here'e my FLE on a cross country, rigid set up. Resolved the seatube and tire clearance by installing a narrow tire. No quality saddle time done yet but I noticed that this baby can do sharper turns compared to my former On*One Scandal frame.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Brant when do you expect the next batch will be available, mid-June?

What a bike. More playful than my ti456 and faster rolling to boot.... True genius.... A fantastic ride !
Can't wait for glenlivet to open now.....

Mid June would seem reasonable.
I visited the factory a week or so ago and went through issues of seat tube wobble and brake mount tolerance with them. We have some good fixes in place and then approved some preproduction samples.
We also discussed a full custom and semi custom process with them, which we will be formally starting shortly, from £999.

Hi everyone, my name is Das.
I am new to this forum, but was following this thread for quite a while now. About 1.5 months ago have decided to build up my first ever MTB and have decided to go with Titus Firefile Evo.
A bit about me. I am not a professional MTBer nor an amateur. I just have never ever ridden a MTB in my life. I used to do road cycling when i was 15 - 17 years old (now 30) and that is it. Since i was 20 something was a gym addict and then decided to go back/start MTBing. And starting with Titus Firefile Evo 😀

Here is the birth of my pride and joy 😀 😀 😀

And this one is after a first serious ride:

And this one is for someone who is concerned about the tyre clearance:

As i am just starting MTBing cant make a proper review, cuz can't compare this bicycle to anything. But it is sweet!!! Good looking and easy to ride uphill or downhill.

I just have never ever ridden a MTB in my life

Can't see your pics Das, but it's good to hear you are enjoying your riding.

Sorry, i dont want to be ignorant or rude, but if i can afford to buy a Ti 29er, why would i need to buy something crap?

How to up;load the photos?

@ dasgrigo - apologies I wasn't implying anything regarding money, a Fireline Ti 29er is quite niche choice, especially for a first bike.

Re: Photos, press the IMG button and paste in image url address.

@rewski - I see what you mean. The choice was based on my body weight. I wanted something strong but light and i just love the Titanium material 😛 I am around 100 kg (not fat) and was planning to ride hard so needed something reliable. Did a lot of research on FS and HT, 26ers and 29ers. Then decided to build my own as couldn't find anything ready made. Hope that does make sense.

Will try to post the photos.

Still cant upload the photos. Here is a link to Flicker. Have a look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95600140@N03

Perfect sense 😀

I'm very tempted myself, currently waiting for the kenesis maxlight sync Ti, due soon. Be interested in any comparisons.

dasgrigo's bike:

[img] [/img]

@paul4stones - How can you upload the photo and i can't? Do i have to have a certain number of posts? 😛

No you need to get the url from where it says 'share' on the flickr page like this:

"<img src="[b] [/b]" width="500" height="374" alt="IMG_2785"> "

BUT you only need the bit I've highlighted. Paste that into the post using the img tab and hey presto 🙂

Nice looking bikes these, I'm very happy with my Yelli Screamy but if I wasn't, one of these would be on the radar for sure.

Can't wait to ride mine... my first singlespeed and first 29er. No idea what it weighs but not a whole lot.

[img] [/img]

I'm interested in how that rigid one up there rides ^^^

Looks like it would be extremely quick steering.

Hey the wanderer, be particulalrly interested to hear about thos Pacenti TL28's and how they ride/feel?

So I finally finished mine, XX1 120mm SID - really impressed, quick handling, lots of fun, have even crammed a Conti 2.2 Race King on the rear...so here's my question, has anyone cut the front mech cable stop off yet...? It's awfully close to the rear tire and i'm liking XX1 so much I don't see me needing a front mech anytime soon...

I just picked up a 20" Fileline and I was wondering if anyone reamed the head tube. I have a cane creek external cup lower that has a 20mm skirt and it looks like I will need to ream the HT to that depth before I can press it in. Thoughts?

Cable stop is miles off on mine with a Purgatory fitted to a Pacenti TL28, just gonna leave it... it ain't hurting anyone!.

Hope headset here, not sure if cups are deep enough to warrant the reaming, sorry.

Brant, any updates on the latest batch arriving? Any notable changes from last time?

No notable changes.
Unsure about arrival date but I don't think they left yet?

Any more updates folks ?

Still very much enjoying mine, recently fitted slightly shorter 55mm stem and Exotic 750mm flatbar so will report back on that shortly.

Gonna try my revs at maybe 130mm (currently at 120mm). Still wondering if 120mm sids would be too flexy over my current revs or if I could get away with them and a potential half lb saving. Anyone else using them?

As good as the Pacenti's are I'm also wondering about carbon wheel build too!

Mine's creaking near the BB 😕 I've taken everything off down there and stuck it all back on and it's still creaking. BB is silky smooth. I've removed the XCG, checked the chainring bolts. Gonna take off the carbon cranks and try alu ones from my FS. If that doesn't work I'll be taking the bike apart and checking every weld to satisfy my paranoia.

Mine's creaking near the BB I've taken everything off down there and stuck it all back on and it's still creaking. BB is silky smooth. I've removed the XCG, checked the chainring bolts. Gonna take off the carbon cranks and try alu ones from my FS. If that doesn't work I'll be taking the bike apart and checking every weld to satisfy my paranoia.

My Soul recently drove me mad with BB creaking. Finally cured by coating the chainring bolts and chainrings (mating surfaces to cranks etc)in antiseize.

Aye, hate. This dry weather its terrible for showing up the creaks, soon be gone tho 😆

Found it! Top hat from the drive side BB cup was stuck on the cranks. Removed it and stuck it back on and the creak is no more. Thank fuff for that 🙂

mine's eventually in full spec mode now I got my XX1 for the Nicolai.

i'm going to give the 800mm carbon havocs and a 50mm havoc stem a bash in a couple of weeks too..

gratuitous piccie :

[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/9167472558_f62ba1cb3b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/9167472558_f62ba1cb3b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/62031621@N06/9167472558/ ]IMAG0264[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/62031621@N06/ ]the_lecht_rocks[/url], on Flickr

Hmm Exotic 750 flatbar and Haven 55mm stem tested and it er works!!!. Albeit a low speed test with the Wee man on his child seat on the back. Will give it a proper run out maybe this Wednesday.

Still wondering if 800mm bars (also considering the Carbon 35 Havocs) are a bit much... especially paired with SIDs if thy're a bit flexy!.#

Nice piccy with Evo back in normal ish config!.

[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/9156898843_526ee4b6fa_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/9156898843_526ee4b6fa_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/60664913@N08/9156898843/ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/60664913@N08/ ]GeT76[/url], on Flickr

some photos of my titus..

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mine's eventually in full spec mode now I got my XX1 for the Nicolai.

Oh man that's nice. This is the only 29er frame that tempts me away from my Ti456evo, and yours is an especially nice build.

Mangatank.... I sold my ti456 once I bought the fireline.

It is a better trail bike...... Rides quick, steers lovely, compliance of 29"

Now fitted the Easton havoc 800 and havoc 50mm stem... Crackers 🙂

Lalala I can't hear you!

I did have a brief vision of the Fireline when descending Shane McGowan today, and weirdly then had an excellent chat to a bloke about his Titus on the Redemption climb.

The t456e was fantastic on the climb and drop throughout though. The only limiting factor was me 🙁

took my Fireline round GT Black in May, wondrous day, dry and fast - it loved Britney, Boundary and Deliverance and the singletrack up to Redemtion - Was the Titus a Fireline Evo ?

On-one will have an aluminium version soon(ish)

Running out of patience with this frame. Issue after issue yet it’s such a great ride … a flawed genius.

Started with the seatpost being mis-specced. Brant did me a deal to relieve the pain of that one. Then I took some good advice onboard and bought some carbon paste to hold the replacement post in the baggy seat tube.

Then the rear clearance issue meant I couldn’t use the new HD I’d bought for it. I also butchered a new SRAM mech to get a 2.1 to fit for my preferred 2x10. I’ve subsequently bought a rather nifty Bling Ring to open it up a bit even tho 1x10 doesn’t really suit the riding around here.

Next up was the ISCG mounts which would only take 2 of the bolts from the XCG I had bought to protect the 2x10 crankset. I did get a partial refund at this point and thought/hoped all would be well. I even managed to finally get a head tube badge.

What I don’t think I reported on here is that I trashed the splines on 2 perfectly good XT cranksets, because nomatter how appropriately torqued they were they unwound early into rides. I should have done something then but gave it the benefit of the doubt and threw money at it … this time a brand new carbon X0 2x10 with a completely different system of bolting together.

After a while this started creaking and I had my fears that the frame had cracked. What I found and reported on here was that the driveside bearing cover (tophat) had unwound from the BB and was lodged against the spider. SRAM very kindly gave me another and after ride 2 since fitting it, the creak is back and the new tophat has lost its retaining lip and is hard against the spider.

If someone has some great idea about what is going wrong here let me know, but as far as I can conclude there is something quite wrong in the BB area … I would guess most likely the shell out of alignment.

I’m probably just about there with the frame which is a great shame because I love riding it, but unfortunately I cannot be arsed with this high maintenance relationship anymore. Any advice, tips or offers would be welcomed.

Any one have any more info on the aluminium version?

http://www.on-one.co.uk/news/products/q/date/2011/06/09/new-titus-29er-prototypes

[img] [/img]

Any one have any more info on the aluminium version?

http://www.on-one.co.uk/news/products/q/date/2011/06/09/new-titus-29er-prototypes

That one's canned. There is a new alloy Fireline being done - see this [url=

post[/url]

Running out of patience with this frame. Issue after issue yet it’s such a great ride … a flawed genius.

Started with the seatpost being mis-specced. Brant did me a deal to relieve the pain of that one. Then I took some good advice onboard and bought some carbon paste to hold the replacement post in the baggy seat tube.

Then the rear clearance issue meant I couldn’t use the new HD I’d bought for it. I also butchered a new SRAM mech to get a 2.1 to fit for my preferred 2x10. I’ve subsequently bought a rather nifty Bling Ring to open it up a bit even tho 1x10 doesn’t really suit the riding around here.

Next up was the ISCG mounts which would only take 2 of the bolts from the XCG I had bought to protect the 2x10 crankset. I did get a partial refund at this point and thought/hoped all would be well. I even managed to finally get a head tube badge.

What I don’t think I reported on here is that I trashed the splines on 2 perfectly good XT cranksets, because nomatter how appropriately torqued they were they unwound early into rides. I should have done something then but gave it the benefit of the doubt and threw money at it … this time a brand new carbon X0 2x10 with a completely different system of bolting together.

After a while this started creaking and I had my fears that the frame had cracked. What I found and reported on here was that the driveside bearing cover (tophat) had unwound from the BB and was lodged against the spider. SRAM very kindly gave me another and after ride 2 since fitting it, the creak is back and the new tophat has lost its retaining lip and is hard against the spider.

If someone has some great idea about what is going wrong here let me know, but as far as I can conclude there is something quite wrong in the BB area … I would guess most likely the shell out of alignment.

I’m probably just about there with the frame which is a great shame because I love riding it, but unfortunately I cannot be arsed with this high maintenance relationship anymore. Any advice, tips or offers would be welcomed.

Sorry to hear all that. The BB issues are quite unlike anything I've ever heard before. I do kind of wonder if you have a BB shell installed in backwards? That's the only way I can understand something unthreading, but surely you would have spotted that at build up?

If you want to send it back we'll have a look.

There's alternatives out there, very impressed with my Kinesis Maxlight Sync Ti 29er, very fast and stiff at the back.

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Double post

That looks spot on, how long till I can buy one?

[img] [/img]

That looks spot on, how long till I can buy one?

October/November. Completes from £649.

Yippee.

By complete you mean built up bike?

Yippee.

By complete you mean built up bike?

Yes.

Brant, the BB doesn't unthread. I had 2 XT cranksets very quickly slacken on me which eventually caused the splines to be ****ed. All bolts were correctly torqued. Then when I went SRAM to avoid this the "force" has caused two driveside BBs to come apart. It's like I'm ever so slightly out with my normal pedalling motion which suggests to me the BB is out of alignment. I've never experienced this before either.

I'll email you.

Yippee.
By complete you mean built up bike?

Yes.

For £649 complete that'll be a pre-order in 16" please! 😀

Now then, managed to have a couple of days riding the Pennine bridleway with an overnighter and the Settle loop to finish off. The fireline was ace and I am very happy with my first build (leaky xt brakes aside) , except the Thompson elite seatpost makes loud clicking noise in the frame. People can hear me coming from miles away. The post is a loose fit despite being a 31.6 with a salsa clamp. what posts are people using, what is the cure, it is driving me nuts. Swayndo same problem that you had? Did carbon paste fix it ?

Regards
James