New Titan Switch Gravel bike?

[Grease_Monkey]

I wouldn't be too concerned with mechanical stoppers on a gravel bike, it's not like the tyres are going to give you a ton of braking traction anyway.

[Damocles]

The mechanical braking isn’t awful, but an upgrade in braking would be to hydraulic braking, which actually isn’t that easy with this setup. You would need new hydraulic STI levers as well as new hydraulic calipers. A Shimano 105 set can cost at least R5k-R6k and upwards. Just FYI. That bike looks like good value as is though

 

Ah, I see, that's good advice thanks. I Think that mechanical will be good enough, I am used to a roadbike with rim brakes, and quite frankly, I basically just want a roadbike that can handle tougher terrain, I'm not going to go falling down the side of a mountain. 

[ChrisF]

Hydraulic brakes can cost from R1 100-00 for entry level, and R 6 000 for mid level brakes ....

 

https://www.evobikes.co.za/components/brakes/shimano-br-mt400-disc-brake-set.html

 

 

Would like to believe Titan did their homework, as they only save a few hundred rand going for cable brakes vs entry level hydraulic brakes ....

 

 

 

PS - I am NOT familiar with gravel-grinders, so wont hazard a guess as to the suitability of various components.  

[Knersboy]

I also thought Titan was an "entry level" bike .... but over the last year I have SEEN how these bikes perform in the various junior MTB races ! These things are worked HARD, and just keeps going and going and going .....

Yeah I also dissed titan initially, and look the grown up bikes were a bit porno a few years back, with their white brake calipers.

 

BUT

 

My laaitie is on his second titan. He treated the first one like a typical 4-6 year old, dumping it on the ground, leaving it in the mud and rain. All i ever had to do was fix some punctures. That’s why his new bike is also a titan.

 

If they can survive kids, they can survive anything.

[Underachiever]

Ah, I see, that's good advice thanks. I Think that mechanical will be good enough, I am used to a roadbike with rim brakes, and quite frankly, I basically just want a roadbike that can handle tougher terrain, I'm not going to go falling down the side of a mountain. 

I run mechanical discs on my Niner gravel bike. 140mm rotor front, 160mm back.  Not the most powerful, but no issues after 3 years.

[wildwindfr]

Cable discs should be good enough as a gravel bike. I was also sceptical coming from mtb.

I have mechanical on my commuter.

It is a Fuji cx frame bought from Pikey here on the hub.

Had very little cash to build the bike up but been commuting on it for almost a year now. Just did 50km on it today between morning and evening commute.

If I had the money I would look at it. Other options may be the Momsen gravel range or a Farr steel frame built up.

Whatever you choose, enjoy!

[Patchelicious]

Cable discs should be good enough as a gravel bike. I was also sceptical coming from mtb.

I have mechanical on my commuter.

It is a Fuji cx frame bought from Pikey here on the hub.

Had very little cash to build the bike up but been commuting on it for almost a year now. Just did 50km on it today between morning and evening commute.

If I had the money I would look at it. Other options may be the Momsen gravel range or a Farr steel frame built up.

Whatever you choose, enjoy!

That guy buys and sells more bikes than CWC

[PhilipV]

Hydraulic brakes can cost from R1 100-00 for entry level, and R 6 000 for mid level brakes ....

 

https://www.evobikes.co.za/components/brakes/shimano-br-mt400-disc-brake-set.html

 

 

Would like to believe Titan did their homework, as they only save a few hundred rand going for cable brakes vs entry level hydraulic brakes ....

 

 

 

PS - I am NOT familiar with gravel-grinders, so wont hazard a guess as to the suitability of various components.

Those are mountain bike brakes.

Won't work for the gravel bikes (unless they put a flat bar on it.)

 

Gravel bikes are essentially beefed up road bikes with tweaked components and geometry, so you need to look at road STI hydraulic brakes if you want to upgrade.

[StokedAboutSpokes]

Has anyone bought one of these titan switch models that can give us a review?

[Jewbacca]

I know Nick (the BikeHub content guy) is busy riding one. Did the Swartberg Cheese Fondue on it. So I am guessing there is an official review due soon.

 

I got these https://www.ebay.com/itm/JUIN-TECH-R1-Hydraulic-Road-CX-Disc-Brake-set-160mm-w-Rotor-Front-Rear-Gray/132831219947?hash=item1eed5b90eb:g:TgIAAOSwy2Ncf1f4

 

They are a WAY better option than the cable calipers.

 

Braking is modulated, the pull is super easy and adjustable and the are low maintenance. They also set up 55000 times easier and don't need constant fiddling.

 

I would seriouslt recommend these to anyone running cable calipers and isn't ready to shell out for a whole hydro goupset.

 

I initially though 'how much better can they be?' but am/was absolutely blown away.

 

(I have no vested interested in Juin Tech. Just sharing some awesome, reasonably priced products)

Edited May 5, 2019 by Jewbacca

[smerds]

Has anyone bought one of these titan switch models that can give us a review?

 

Placed my order on the Switch Pro. Will probably collect the week after Sani2C.

 

Can't wait to ride it 

[StokedAboutSpokes]

Placed my order on the Switch Pro. Will probably collect the week after Sani2C.

 

Can't wait to ride it 

Awesome! Keep us posted 

[Ashchest]

Placed my order on the Switch Pro. Will probably collect the week after Sani2C.

 

Can't wait to ride it 

And ....?   Did you get it? 

[Grease_Monkey]

Placed my order on the Switch Pro. Will probably collect the week after Sani2C.

 

Can't wait to ride it

Just giving the bike fund a bit of time to recover, but I will hopefully be ordering one before the end of the year too. No other bike comes close in terms of value - Ultegra and full carbon for 30k - bargain!

[StokedAboutSpokes]

Just giving the bike fund a bit of time to recover, but I will hopefully be ordering one before the end of the year too. No other bike comes close in terms of value - Ultegra and full carbon for 30k - bargain!

 

Such a bargin! I wish they did the black frame with the Ultegra components though.

[Grease_Monkey]

Such a bargin! I wish they did the black frame with the Ultegra components though.

Same here, not a fan of the red at all. Maybe they introduce some new colours for 2020, just in time for when I want to buy

 

Maybe maybe if enough of us request it they can build a couple of the Ultegra build kits on the black frames? I'm sure they arrive in SA unbuilt anyway, and the frames are the same...