Stuck between two local brands: Signal vs Titan Racing

[Headshot]

The rubbish wheels I experienced were neither strong or light or on very cheap bikes. And neither bikes were designed to be light, they were both trail/enduro machines with wheels that were not fit for purpose. Thats certainly not what I wanted, so it isn't the markets fault, its cheapskate profiteering bike companies taking chances on sub par components hoping the owner won't ride the things properly.

[Rock Guy]

12 minutes ago, Headshot said:

The rubbish wheels I experienced were neither strong or light or on very cheap bikes. And neither bikes were designed to be light, they were both trail/enduro machines with wheels that were not fit for purpose. Thats certainly not what I wanted, so it isn't the markets fault, its cheapskate profiteering bike companies taking chances on sub par components hoping the owner won't ride the things properly.

Fooled you once, shame on them. Fooled you twice...

I too have destroyed a ton of wheels. I also ride trail/enduro. My garage is decorated with the carcasses of countless wheels in various states of disrepair.

There is no point blaming a manufacturer if you bought a bike with specs that weren't fit for purpose. You should have done your homework. In order to get a product to a certain price point and meet the required profit margin, compromises will be made. Sure, the bike company decides on what these compromises will be, but ultimately you choose what you buy, and different companies compromise in different areas. 

Personally I don't mind buying a bike with wheels that aren't fantastic. You can pick up a decent wheelset for a reasonable price once the OEM ones die. They key thing here is knowing that the OEM wheels will not last very long and budgeting for a replacement wheelset. Replacing poor quality suspension or drivetrain components are going to cost you a pretty penny, and can make for a horrible riding experience, so I prioritize these when buying a new bike.

But hey, I guess you could stick to buying poorly specced bikes and passing all blame to the manufacturer. It just seems like a very frustrating way to live.

[Rock Guy]

I'll escort myself to the door now. I know better than to try and be rational on BikeHub.

Good luck in buying your new bike @Dylanmtb. Post some pics here once you take delivery.

You're looking at the right brand for a good value bike. Maybe Titan can upgrade the wheelset for you??? Otherwise Lyne are pretty good replacements at a reasonable pricepoint. Opt for wheels that are a bit over-engineered. They will be heavier, yes, but nothing is worse than wheels that buckle after every ride.

[dasilvarsa]

Neither !

[ChrisF]

2 hours ago, dasilvarsa said:

But I ride a Giant !

 

Hiehie ....

 

Right now only 1 out of our 5 bikes is a Titan Racing.

 

 

And ... it is one of our best bikes ....  value for money bike (EDIT)

Edited June 28, 2023 by ChrisF

[Shebeen]

1 hour ago, Rock Guy said:

I'll escort myself to the door now. I know better than to try and be rational on BikeHub.

Good luck in buying your new bike @Dylanmtb. Post some pics here once you take delivery.

You're looking at the right brand for a good value bike. Maybe Titan can upgrade the wheelset for you??? Otherwise Lyne are pretty good replacements at a reasonable pricepoint. Opt for wheels that are a bit over-engineered. They will be heavier, yes, but nothing is worse than wheels that buckle after every ride.

Hang around a bit longer Keith.

[Headshot]

19 hours ago, Rock Guy said:

Fooled you once, shame on them. Fooled you twice...

I too have destroyed a ton of wheels. I also ride trail/enduro. My garage is decorated with the carcasses of countless wheels in various states of disrepair.

There is no point blaming a manufacturer if you bought a bike with specs that weren't fit for purpose. You should have done your homework. In order to get a product to a certain price point and meet the required profit margin, compromises will be made. Sure, the bike company decides on what these compromises will be, but ultimately you choose what you buy, and different companies compromise in different areas. 

Personally I don't mind buying a bike with wheels that aren't fantastic. You can pick up a decent wheelset for a reasonable price once the OEM ones die. They key thing here is knowing that the OEM wheels will not last very long and budgeting for a replacement wheelset. Replacing poor quality suspension or drivetrain components are going to cost you a pretty penny, and can make for a horrible riding experience, so I prioritize these when buying a new bike.

But hey, I guess you could stick to buying poorly specced bikes and passing all blame to the manufacturer. It just seems like a very frustrating way to live.

This is what I'd term a preachy condescending comment based on assumptions and very little information about the person or equipment you're commenting on.  

BTW I still have a set of Mavic rims on Shimano hubs that came on a 2005 bike that wasn't top range either and they still work just fine despite being used often outside their comfort zone. 

 

[Headshot]

19 hours ago, Rock Guy said:

I'll escort myself to the door now. I know better than to try and be rational on BikeHub.

Good luck in buying your new bike @Dylanmtb. Post some pics here once you take delivery.

You're looking at the right brand for a good value bike. Maybe Titan can upgrade the wheelset for you??? Otherwise Lyne are pretty good replacements at a reasonable pricepoint. Opt for wheels that are a bit over-engineered. They will be heavier, yes, but nothing is worse than wheels that buckle after every ride.

Here endeth the lesson.

[Rock Guy]

1 hour ago, Headshot said:

This is what I'd term a preachy condescending comment based on assumptions and very little information about the person or equipment you're commenting on.  

BTW I still have a set of Mavic rims on Shimano hubs that came on a 2005 bike that wasn't top range either and they still work just fine despite being used often outside their comfort zone. 

 

[Dicky DQ]

On 6/27/2023 at 7:57 PM, RobertWhitehead said:

Being 110kg means one thing: factory or stock items on any mtb will not be sufficient. You are going to have to look at some stronger items to ensure that you enjoy the sport and not have to trek the bike to the LBS after every ride

I beg to differ. I was 85kg and now I am 115kg. Mu stock standard Momsen with ZTR Crest is still doing excellent service. However the rear rim is taking a bit of strain. They do have and 85kg weight limit you know.

So all said and done an entry level bike with standard components will be just fine for the OP's intended application. The entry level bikes have more robust components in any case.

 

Well that is just my 10Cents. 

[RobertWhitehead]

46 minutes ago, Dicky DQ said:

I beg to differ. I was 85kg and now I am 115kg. Mu stock standard Momsen with ZTR Crest is still doing excellent service. However the rear rim is taking a bit of strain. They do have and 85kg weight limit you know.

So all said and done an entry level bike with standard components will be just fine for the OP's intended application. The entry level bikes have more robust components in any case.

 

Well that is just my 10Cents. 

You are aware that ZTRs aren't considered as being "entry level" wheels right? 

[Titan Racing Bikes]

On 6/28/2023 at 5:35 PM, ChrisF said:

 

Hiehie ....

 

Right now only 1 out of our 5 bikes is a Titan Racing.

Nobody is perfect! 😎

[Robbie Stewart]

@Dylanmtb

My 2 cents. I am a big boy as well pushing the scale to 125kg and beyond on a bad day. I ride a Spez Camber Comp alu 29er. All I've ever broken on that bike was a spoke or three and completely wrecked the rims. How you may ask? Take a look at my avatar pic. That tells you all you need to know.

You can safely ride the bikes you're looking at at your weight category despite what the nay-sayers have to say. All you need is to invest in a set of proper wheels, and you're gold. I replaced the stock Rovals my bike came with with a set of Rapide 29-36 32 hole alu beasts and after 2 years of me riding like a proper hooligan on them they are still as true as the day I fit them and not even one spoke said ping yet.

Go forth and enjoy!

[woodrow]

Hi Dylan,

I am a huge fan of the Titan product, so I may be a bit biased. I do not know the range of Signal bikes, and have never owned or ridden one. I ride a full suspension carbon bike from Titan, and have been treated unbelievably well, in terms of after sales service. A warranty on the frame, is also something which should be important to everyone who is buying a new mountain bike. Titan offer a 5 year multi-user warranty, and I have recently had a frame and rear triangle replaced under warranty, by Titan, with no questions asked. Whilst the frame set was been replaced, Titan loaned me a bike to ride. 

I can only say that my bike offers exceptional value for money in terms of the component mix, in comparison to the price points of other bikes with the same or similar components, and carbon frame sets. I feel that you cannot go wrong if you were to purchase the Titan product, which you are considering, as it has a better component mix than the Signal product. I am however not knocking the Signal product, as I am interested to see that they intend releasing a full suspension bike in the next 3 months. Their full suspension prototype was raised at the ABSA Cape Epic, and the riders either finish top of their class or near the top. It is good to see that two local brands are offering affordable options to local consumers.

You will sleep easy, if you purchase the Titan product, and will get a huge amount of enjoyment from this product.

Once again my 2 c worth.

[Dexter-morgan]

Yesterday I noticed that SMW and Solomons have specials on  Titan Cypher for R19 999 for a 29er Dual sus, if you on vitality you can get a better price through SMW.

Edited June 30, 2023 by Dexter-morgan

[RossTopher]

@Dylanmtb if i may chime in... I'm sure you've sat on the bikes, but at 188, your probably don't need to be looking at an XL.

I'm 188 and 100kg, and while my large Cannondale fits me perfectly, but i've always wished i got to spend some time on a medium before buying. I imagine it would increase the fun factor, a smaller frame would be more flickable/lively.

the opinions of more experienced MTB'ers will be worth hearing, but i'd wager that smaller is safer. you can always make a small bike bigger, but you can't shrink a farm gate.

Edited June 30, 2023 by RossTopher