Advice on new Titan Racing Valerian road bike

[DMH]

Hiya

Really keen on their new Valerian. Touted as an aero & climbing/race bike all in one. 

Seems to be superb value. Especially the one on Cyclelabs recent sale. The Elite. Disc, Sram rival, carbon wheels. Retails at r53k. On sale at 35 grand. 18k off. 

I called Titan. They based in Stellies.  They're making their own moulds now. Claims this model should be around 4 years at least. 

Bike looks awesome.  And I'd like to support local. 

Just no solid reviews yet. And worried that it may look fast but without the R&D budget of the big guns, it may not be all that good on the road. 

I'm just a medium level rider, not a racer. 45 y.o. but getting more serious and wanting to get into the peloton riding in the races (the relatively slower ones for now - sub 330)

Would really appreciate any comments/insights. 

Edited May 27, 2023 by DMH
Removed a bit

[Dexter-morgan]

I think its good value for money, entry level Sram gears otherwise good.

[shaper]

A review here 

 

[Titan Racing Bikes]

Hi,

There is the Bike Hub review (linked above) and Bike Network also had one on review:
https://bikenetwork.co.za/review-titan-racing-valerian-carbon-comp-best-carbon-disc-road-bike-under-r35k/

If you have any more questions for us, please feel free to post them here.

 

[Eugene]

3 hours ago, dasilvarsa said:

Go and check it out.

Take an Experienced Cyclist with you.

They should let you ride it.

I don't like BRAKES | TEKTRO C510 Mechanical DISC due to Stopping Power.

and the Wheels.

 

He mentioned that was the Elite that he was looking at. That has Sram Rival hydraulic brakes and carbon wheels

https://titanracingbikes.com/bikes/valerian-carbon-elite/

[Eugene]

9 hours ago, DMH said:

Hiya

Really keen on their new Valerian. Touted as an aero & climbing/race bike all in one. 

Seems to be superb value. Especially the one on Cyclelabs recent sale. The Elite. Disc, Sram rival, carbon wheels. Retails at r53k. On sale at 35 grand. 18k off. 

 

I called Titan. They based in Stellies.  They're making their own moulds now. Claims this model should be around 4 years at least. 

Bike looks awesome.  And I'd like to support local. 

Just no solid reviews yet. And worried that it may look fast but without the R&D budget of the big guns, it may not be all that good on the road. 

I'm just a medium level rider, not a racer. 45 y.o. but getting more serious and wanting to get into the peloton riding in the races (the relatively slower ones for now - sub 330. Aiming for sub 3 oneday on the Gran fondos )

Would really appreciate any comments/insights

I wouldn't even hesitate. You won't get that much bike for that amount of money anywhere else

[Jewbacca]

19 minutes ago, Eugene said:

He mentioned that was the Elite that he was looking at. That has Sram Rival hydraulic brakes and carbon wheels

https://titanracingbikes.com/bikes/valerian-carbon-elite/

hahahaha dasilvarsa just hates Titan 😝

Any thread which discusses them will have a bunch of negative posts from him. It's one of those things

[DMH]

16 hours ago, Titan Racing Bikes said:

Hi,

There is the Bike Hub review (linked above) and Bike Network also had one on review:
https://bikenetwork.co.za/review-titan-racing-valerian-carbon-comp-best-carbon-disc-road-bike-under-r35k/

If you have any more questions for us, please feel free to post them here.

 

Thanks

I read both those off your site. And they were glowing reviews indeed.  Just had no idea whether these were 'sponsored' reviews or not. 

Have called both your Jhb and Cpt offices a couple of times now and had great chats with pleasant sales managers.  

Last chat, I was told that you made podium with the bike in the CT Cycle tour and SA Champs (iirc) and that tells me that your bike doesn't just look fast, it goes it too. 

I went into Solomons here in Durbs and was told that they had practically no warranty returns with any Titans over the years.  And that it's owned by Cytek (distributor of Merida too) and that they're good, solid guys - happy to make a plan to help keep bikes on the road.

Cyclelab said they've been very happy too and recommend without hesitation. 

So looking forward to picking one up soon. Cheers. 

Edited May 27, 2023 by DMH
Update

[DMH]

20 hours ago, Dexter-morgan said:

I think its good value for money, entry level Sram gears otherwise good.

Sram Rival - 105 equivalent. So I'm happy with that!  Current bike is tiagra and had no issues with that so a step up. And this has the double tap which I prefer. Thanks for the comment

[dasilvarsa]

H

Edited May 27, 2023 by dasilvarsa

[DMH]

55 minutes ago, dasilvarsa said:

I followed the link that was supplied by the Manufacturer and gave an opinion based on the bike listed on that link.

I told the op to go and look at the bike and test drive it.

I don't like Tektro cable brakes. (Or any other cable brakes for that matter.)

I don't like Titan Wheels, Alu or Carbon.

Titan has the Best Warranty in South Africa https://titanracingbikes.com/5-year-multi-user-warranty/

Thanks for weighing in bud. 

Yeah I know nothing about Titan carbon wheels. I see the hub is Titan too.   Could you share any insight on why you don't like them? 

 

Of course I'm not expecting them to be in the league of the name brand carbon. But just like many are more than happy with Chinese carbons, this should be a solid rim.   It's the hubs that I'm a bit worried about. But I should be able to replace just hub if need be right? 

[DMH]

On 5/26/2023 at 4:47 PM, dasilvarsa said:

H

 

Wow I see you posted 'hoax' twice here.  Was going to ignore it.  

 

But I can kind of see why you may have thought it's a hoax. 

 

It ain't.  I bought one 2ndhand via Karl Rost on here via Alpha Beta Cycles in Kimberly shortly after my last post.  Wimpie the owner.  Welcome to check with either of them. 

This is her: 

[Titan Racing Bikes]

16 hours ago, DMH said:

 

👌 

Thanks for your support.

[dasilvarsa]

On 7/11/2023 at 11:31 PM, DMH said:

Wow I see you posted 'hoax' twice here.  Was going to ignore it.  

 

But I can kind of see why you may have thought it's a hoax. 

 

It ain't.  I bought one 2ndhand via Karl Rost on here via Alpha Beta Cycles in Kimberly shortly after my last post.  Wimpie the owner.  Welcome to check with either of them. 

This is her: 

Nice Purchase, Wonderful Colour.

I wish you many Miles of Smiles.

I thought it was a Hoax because both of your Posts seemed like Adverts.

The Bike Was Not on Special at the time of your posting.

Usually Someone Asking for Advice does not TAG so Much and looks at various alternatives.

You seemed to Have All the Answers already.

 

I got into Trouble with the Admins after 1 Month.

Hope You got the Warranty Transferred Without any Trouble.

Regards and Have a Wonderful Day.

Gooi us Some Actual Pictures.

Edited July 16, 2023 by dasilvarsa