Higher spec 2nd hand or lower spec new

[Clinton1]

Hi guys,

 

A long time lurker on this forum but a first time poster. I look forward to many fruitful discussions in the future.

 

I currently ride an old Giant Boulder SE that I inherited. It has served me well but the problem is that it is too small for me. It is a medium and I am more suited to a large or even extra large. I am 1.85m tall with an inside leg of 87cm and weigh around 78kg, so feel free to comment on your recommendations on the best size suited for me. I am currently a purely social rider but would not mind starting to do some races. I am currently not confident in the bike and I also find myself getting a sore back etc when riding any distance (which may be a consequence of the small bike?).

 

So I am now considering a new bike. It was never my intention to spend too much but, as is the norm, as you start looking your budget seems to increase as you desire better and better. I initially considered second hand until I saw the Titan bikes mentioned in the title. So I am happy to accept advise on other bikes to look at but I was also hoping for feedback on which of these I should go for. Budget around R4k.

 

Titan Elite 2011 spec

 

TITAN 6061 DB DISC

Size 21.5

Color MATTBLACK/RED/WHT

Fork SUNTOUR XCR R/L

BB Set SHIMANO

B-Lever TEKTRO DRACO

Brake-F TEKTRO DRACO 180MM

Brake-R TEKTRO DRACO 160MM

B-Cable attached

Chain SHIMANO HG-53

Chainwheel SHIMANO M430 44-32-22T

DERA-F SHIMANO FD-M430

DERA-R SHIMANO RD-M430

Freewheel SHIMANO HG-50-9

Grip TITAN PRO

H-Bar TITAN TRAILBAR 31.8

H-B Stem TITAN ALLOY 31.8

Head Set VP

Hub-F SHIMANO M475

Hub-R SHIMANO M475

Pedal VP ALLOY

Rim ALEX TD-17

 

 

Titan Sport 2012 spec

 

Frame TITAN 6061 DISC

Fork SR SF11-XCM-V3 MLO 100MM (BRONZE Stantions)

BB Set FEIMAN

B-Lever DRACO WHITE

Brake-F DRACO WHITE

Brake-R DRACO WHITE

B-Cable BLACK

Chain KMC Z7

Chainwheel SHIMANO M171 42-34-24T

DERA-F SHIMANO M190

DERA-R SHIMANO RD-M410

Freewheel SHIMANO HG-30-8

Grip TITAN PRO (WHITE)

H-Bar TITAN water decals

H-B Stem TITAN (WHITE) water decal

Head Set CONE (white)

Spacer 10mm WHITE w/ printing

Hub-F TITAN DISC Q/R (KT-WHITE)

Hub-R TITAN DISC Q/R (KT-WHITE)

Pedal STEEL

Rim DS-21, EYELETS (WHITE)

Saddle TITAN COMP

Seat Clamp TITAN PRO with Q/R

Seat Post TITAN water decal

Shifter-F SHIMANO SL-M360

Shifter-R SHIMANO SL-M360

Spoke BLACK STAINLESS

Tire-F Schwalbe Rapid Rob 2.25 Wire

Tire-R Schwalbe Rapid Rob 2.25 Wire

 

 

Anything in either of those specs that makes the one a definite choice over the other. I'll let you know the price difference after a little bit of feedback

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited November 8, 2011 by Clint_ZA

[W@nna-BE]

hey Clint,

 

i have the Elite, identical to the one in your pic!

i bought it from Wendal and Maya at the cycle hub, chat to them for the best price around

i sent my mate there and he bought a medium about 3 weeks back and also loves the Elite

 

Wendal or Maya would give you proper feedback on these bikes, but if i remember correctly the Elite was better than the Sport

[Breezer]

Go for the Elite. I have a comp that is basically the same as the sport.The sport is 8 speed and the elite is 9 speed. The fork on the sport is no good. If you plan to buy it, save some money for a new fork. You have to remember these are entry level bikes and it might be heavier than your v-brake Boulder.

[W@nna-BE]

Titan has remote lock out shock which comes in handy and hydraulic brakes!

[Clinton1]

Thanks for the response thus far, guys, much appreciated.

 

@W@nna-BE : Excuse my ignorance but is the cycle hub an online store? I am Durban based. Would be interested to hear what price you got your elite for. I have been offered it new at R4200 while the Sport would be R3900.

 

@Breezer : Yeah, I have read a few complaints about the Suntour fork on the Sport but not certain how much better the Elite one is. Apparently Suntour do not have a great rep. As stated by W@anna-BE it does have the remote lock out which is a nice gadget but I reckon with my type of riding it will hardly be used.

 

PS I am terrible when it comes to buying things and have done some research on the actual components but it is rather difficult with the naming conventions to find everything you need to know on the different parts.

Edited November 8, 2011 by Clint_ZA

[W@nna-BE]

nope not the cycle hub i am referring too! i got mine here

http://cyclehub.webs.com/

 

i paid around R4500 but call them for a proper quote

[Breezer]

@Breezer : Yeah, I have read a few complaints about the Suntour fork on the Sport but not certain how much better the Elite one is. Apparently Suntour do not have a great rep. As stated by W@anna-BE it does have the remote lock out which is a nice gadget but I reckon with my type of riding it will hardly be used.

 

I bought and rockshox recon gold. It changed the bike's handling and ride completely. I think the elite do have a better fork, but that v3 shock is rubbish. Have a look here for good prices on Titans.

www.recyclehobbyplanes.net/

[Clinton1]

@Breezer, yip, that is exactly where I got the pricing. Thanks. The only big spanner in the works is the fact that they only have the Elite 2011 in XL. Most websites seem to indicate that I am near the cusp of large and XL but fall more into L. My "ape index" (ie length of outstretched arms) is about 5cm longer than my height which some sites say means I could well go a size up.

 

I am lead to believe that the stand over height of the Titan bikes is less than other makes though. Perhaps I could get away with an XL? Any comments on this from anyone?

[Breezer]

@Breezer, yip, that is exactly where I got the pricing. Thanks. The only big spanner in the works is the fact that they only have the Elite 2011 in XL. Most websites seem to indicate that I am near the cusp of large and XL but fall more into L. My "ape index" (ie length of outstretched arms) is about 5cm longer than my height which some sites say means I could well go a size up.

 

I am lead to believe that the stand over height of the Titan bikes is less than other makes though. Perhaps I could get away with an XL? Any comments on this from anyone?

Maybe you should look at the titan comp 29'er.

[Slowbee]

Hey welcome to the hub! Hope you have many enjoyable hours on here and your boss doesnt shout to much.

 

why are you wanting to buy new ? Currently some great deals on second hand bikes at the moment in your price bracket and size.

 

 

and you can always ask for help.

[Clinton1]

why are you wanting to buy new ? Currently some great deals on second hand bikes at the moment in your price bracket and size.

 

and you can always ask for help.

 

My first thought was second hand but I just found that nothing was coming along that suited my needs and wants. Or maybe I was just being too fussy and not looking hard enough. I also have to factor in previous use and abuse. I then considered going down the path of buying this year's models seeing as though the 2012 are now being released and it has thrown up some decent prices.

 

If a second hand model jumps out at me that suits my needs I'll be more than happy to consider it. I suppose it is a bit like anything though... getting something shiny and new always gives you that extra little thrill

 

 

W@nna-BE, don't even go there! I already took a peek at the 29'ers on offer. But again I am not fussed with having the latest and in doing so I would be paying a few grand extra for the same components.

[Slowbee]

I doubt there are any real differences between the upcoming models, this years models, and last years. The differences will be minor in consideration for what you want to do with the bike.

 

what is your budget ?

[Tankman]

Good luck in choosing your bike.

 

See you have asked a couple of times regarding the size. Stick to Large or not bigger than 21"

[Clinton1]

Good luck in choosing your bike.

 

See you have asked a couple of times regarding the size. Stick to Large or not bigger than 21"

 

Hi, thanks. Interestingly I popped into Concept Cyclery today and they put me on an XL Titan Sport and said it was a good fit. The Titan XL is a 21.5". It seems I am the height that sits on the cusp and there are different opinions regarding what is the best fit for me. Personally, after having ridden a M for so long, they both feel good! There was only about 2 inches free when I stood over the XL. I've heard some people advising a little more than this.

 

I'm personally thinking that for the extra R130 I should go for the Elite due to the better components. But it is an XL. Damn, this is confusing. Also concerns me that it may be more difficult to sell an XL later on whereas L seems to be more common and desired.

 

I have seen talk elsewhere that Titan do not have a website but it appears they now do. Strangely enough it doesn't seem to show up on Google when searching for Titan. The site is : http://titanracingbikes.com

Edited November 9, 2011 by Clint_ZA

[Clinton1]

I doubt there are any real differences between the upcoming models, this years models, and last years. The differences will be minor in consideration for what you want to do with the bike.

 

what is your budget ?

 

The budget was originally R3k, it is now R4k... hoping it stops there!

 

The Elite seems to be changing quite a lot in 2012. It currently has Alivio components but next year will be getting Deore. Apparently the price for the 2012 model will be over R7k. Not certain whether this is a good thing or a bad thing if I were to get the 2011 model in terms of resale.

Edited November 9, 2011 by Clint_ZA

[Breezer]

Those Carbon 29ers look very nice.