Replacing 16yr old road bike with an alloy or carbon Titan Valerian Comp

[Alliesmeister]

Hi all

I have only ever had the same road bike (a 2008/09 Raleigh RC3000) and I am finally at the point of replacing it. I would like to get your advice on the frame please. 

Current bike specs:

Shimano Tiagra

50/34t chainring

12/23t 8 speed cassette

New bike specs I am considering:

Shimano 105

52/36t chainring

11/34t 12 speed cassette 

28mm tires.

 

As I intend to keep the bike for many years (10+) my preference is to buy new. My typical riding is doing the CTCT and a couple of other +-100km road races a year, with long rides on weekends and 1-2 rides during the week (split between my MTB & road bike). Time/ambition-wise I'm not going to bother those aiming to do a sub3 CTCT (my next aim is to break 3h30m) so I have no great focus on weight saving or aerodynamics (nor the budget for it). 

I don't weigh a lot so I typically climb easier than the average person and I lose out on descents (or flats). The 52/11 gear ratio instead of 50/12 will allow me to up my max speed on flats by +-15%, whilst the jump from a 23 tooth to 34 tooth cassette will allow me not to grind nearly as heavily on climbs and maintain a more comfortable cadence with gears to spare. So with gear ratios alone I will be experiencing a big improvement in my ride enjoyment. (Currently I dread riding my road bike when I am unfit and only transition onto it once I have built some fitness on my MTB).

Based on the above and my budget I have narrowed my choice down to the Titan Valerian Comp as it has Shimano 105 12 speed throughout. I would replace the 50/34t chain ring with a 52/36 and the 25mm tires with wider 28mm tires to make the ride more comfortable. 

The alliminum frame version retails for R27-30k currently and the carbon equivalent R40-45k. Other brands with Shimano 105 are significantly more expensive, with most brands retailing alluminum 105 bikes at or above what the carbon Titan sells for. (Only Merida appears to come close but even that is more expensive still). The alloy sits within my price range and the carbon at the very upper end of it so going above R40k is not an option. 

Now bike weight is not a major factor for me so paying R13-15k (ie. 50%) more to save a kilo doesn't seem sensible. From what I could see online the alliminum frame version weighs 9.9kg, whilst the carbon might weigh +-9.1kg.

To get to my question: as someone who has never ridden a carbon bike - is it worth it to pay R13-15k (50%) more for the carbon frame? Eg. for the more comfortable ride with better absorption of road vibrations that some people mention with carbon frames? Or would I just be overpaying for effectively an entry-level carbon frame? The other argument might be that the carbon frame might better future-proof the bike given how long I want to keep it - but again that only applies if there's a measurably better experience for me in riding the carbon bike. 

Please share your thoughts and wisdom! 

 

https://titanracingbikes.com/bikes/valerian-alloy-comp/

https://titanracingbikes.com/bikes/valerian-carbon-comp-my26/

https://bike-addict.co.za/products/titan-valerian-comp-2024

https://bike-addict.co.za/products/titan-valerian-carbon-comp-2024

Edited September 25, 2025 by Alliesmeister

[Guest Mike Dewing]

Get carbon if you can.. 

I had an alloy frame and alloy wheels.. just upgrading to carbon wheels was a huge change in ride quality.. I eventually spent almost double the price of my alloy bike on a carbon bike also mechanical groupset and I love it.! Definitely worth it if you can do it.. 

[NC_lurker]

Not sure what disc brakes come on those two models, but I'd rather ride an alu frame with hydraulic disc brakes than a carbon frame with mechanical disc brakes.

[Alliesmeister]

I tried to figure out whether the disc brakes are mechanical or hydraulic and I came to the conclusion that they must be hydraulic on both frames since I haven't been able to find any reference on the internet of Shimano 105 mechanical disc brakes existing for the latest 12 speed 105 revision (R7100). And the spec sheets clearly list the brakes as being Shimano 105 (unlike some prior year models that had Tektro brakes for example).

[NC_lurker]

21 minutes ago, Alliesmeister said:

I tried to figure out whether the disc brakes are mechanical or hydraulic and I came to the conclusion that they must be hydraulic on both frames since I haven't been able to find any reference on the internet of Shimano 105 mechanical disc brakes existing for the latest 12 speed 105 revision (R7100). And the spec sheets clearly list the brakes as being Shimano 105 (unlike some prior year models that had Tektro brakes for example).

Sounds like you've done your homework 👍🏼

If in doubt ask @Titan Racing Bikes for confirmation.

[Alliesmeister]

2 minutes ago, NC_lurker said:

Sounds like you've done your homework 👍🏼

If in doubt ask @Titan Racing Bikes for confirmation.

@Titan Racing Bikes - can you please confirm if the Titan Valerian Comp Alloy & Carbon both come with hydraulic disc brakes (Shimano 105)?

Also, am I right that the weight difference between the two frames is +-0.8kg? The official website has it listed as 9.9kg for the alloy but no weight listed for the carbon (a different website had the carbon listed as 9.1kg). 

Thanks for the replies @Mike Dewing & @NC_lurker

[Guest Mike Dewing]

9 hours ago, Alliesmeister said:

@Titan Racing Bikes - can you please confirm if the Titan Valerian Comp Alloy & Carbon both come with hydraulic disc brakes (Shimano 105)?

Also, am I right that the weight difference between the two frames is +-0.8kg? The official website has it listed as 9.9kg for the alloy but no weight listed for the carbon (a different website had the carbon listed as 9.1kg). 

Thanks for the replies @Mike Dewing & @NC_lurker

Weights not everything.. extra compliance equals extra comfort equals faster more enjoyable rides🤘🏻

[PappaWatTrap]

To my understanding the Shimano 12 speed groupos are only available in the hydraulic versions. There aren't any rim brake option. So I am 99% sure its will be hydraulic brakes on both bikes. Some 11 speed bikes could still use mechanical brakes. 

[thebob]

You are not a full on racer so consider something that can take 32c tyres. The jump in comfort is worth it. 

[Titan Racing Bikes]

14 hours ago, Alliesmeister said:

Hi all

I have only ever had the same road bike (a 2008/09 Raleigh RC3000) and I am finally at the point of replacing it. I would like to get your advice on the frame please. 

Current bike specs:

Shimano Tiagra

50/34t chainring

12/23t 8 speed cassette

New bike specs I am considering:

Shimano 105

52/36t chainring

11/34t 12 speed cassette 

28mm tires.

 

[SNIP]

Morning, thanks for your interest in Titan Racing.

We can confirm that the Titan Racing Valerian Comp and Titan Racing Valerian Carbon Comp both come with hydraulic disc brakes. 

Let me check on the weight and get back to you.

[RoadNoob6]

@Alliesmeister I would deeply consider keeping the chainrings stock and just getting a Sram 12 speed cassette.

 

Shimano, Campy, and Sram 12-speed cassettes are all compatible with just a bit of old school indexing on the derailleur, if you sukkel on the donwhills having a 10-tooth cog will give you a much heavier gear to push while saving you the range of a 34 tooth little ring paired with whatever the top-end of the sram cassette is.

Rival cassettes come in I think 10-33 or 10-36 so the range is massive. I am also light so I have the same problem, I had a 52/36 chainset and campy group with a rival 10-33 cassette and the range was amazing, but if you're considering budget you will get more value from the cassette than the chainrings.

 

Best of luck, either way I'm sure the upgrades will be a joy. Ride safe.

[Titan Racing Bikes]

14 hours ago, Alliesmeister said:

@Titan Racing Bikes - can you please confirm if the Titan Valerian Comp Alloy & Carbon both come with hydraulic disc brakes (Shimano 105)?

Also, am I right that the weight difference between the two frames is +-0.8kg? The official website has it listed as 9.9kg for the alloy but no weight listed for the carbon (a different website had the carbon listed as 9.1kg). 

Thanks for the replies @Mike Dewing & @NC_lurker

Actual weight is 8.9kg

[IceCreamMan]

Sweet looking bikes, wow….nice choice. 
 

I have an alloy bike which is my go to , and I have a fancy high end carbon for when I wanna be a TdF racer. Both are lovely.

all things being equal, in your shoes I would go alloy. But that’s just me. The extra coin for carbon won’t be realised imho. Compared to your current ride, both will be a HUGE upgrade.  Cost difference could be used for some nice bits and/or upgraded wheels etc. 
 

enjoy. 

[Sandro]

Titan are the best bang for your buck as far as I'm concerned, road or MTB. Carbon does give a better road feel, its more forgiving. I'm also light and thats where I find the value in carbon over alloy frames. Whichever you choose its going to be a hell of an upgrade over your current setup.

[Alliesmeister]

Thanks for the replies & advice everyone. I truly appreciate it. It's going to be a little while until I pull the trigger but I'll definitely post here when I do take the plunge! 

[Shebeen]

On 9/25/2025 at 6:52 PM, Alliesmeister said:

Hi all

I have only ever had the same road bike (a 2008/09 Raleigh RC3000) and I am finally at the point of replacing it. I would like to get your advice on the frame please. 

Current bike specs:

Shimano Tiagra

50/34t chainring

12/23t 8 speed cassette

New bike specs I am considering:

Shimano 105

52/36t chainring

11/34t 12 speed cassette 

28mm tires.

 

As I intend to keep the bike for many years (10+) my preference is to buy new. My typical riding is doing the CTCT and a couple of other +-100km road races a year, with long rides on weekends and 1-2 rides during the week (split between my MTB & road bike). Time/ambition-wise I'm not going to bother those aiming to do a sub3 CTCT (my next aim is to break 3h30m) so I have no great focus on weight saving or aerodynamics (nor the budget for it). 

I don't weigh a lot so I typically climb easier than the average person and I lose out on descents (or flats). The 52/11 gear ratio instead of 50/12 will allow me to up my max speed on flats by +-15%, whilst the jump from a 23 tooth to 34 tooth cassette will allow me not to grind nearly as heavily on climbs and maintain a more comfortable cadence with gears to spare. So with gear ratios alone I will be experiencing a big improvement in my ride enjoyment. (Currently I dread riding my road bike when I am unfit and only transition onto it once I have built some fitness on my MTB).

Based on the above and my budget I have narrowed my choice down to the Titan Valerian Comp as it has Shimano 105 12 speed throughout. I would replace the 50/34t chain ring with a 52/36 and the 25mm tires with wider 28mm tires to make the ride more comfortable. 

The alliminum frame version retails for R27-30k currently and the carbon equivalent R40-45k. Other brands with Shimano 105 are significantly more expensive, with most brands retailing alluminum 105 bikes at or above what the carbon Titan sells for. (Only Merida appears to come close but even that is more expensive still). The alloy sits within my price range and the carbon at the very upper end of it so going above R40k is not an option. 

Now bike weight is not a major factor for me so paying R13-15k (ie. 50%) more to save a kilo doesn't seem sensible. From what I could see online the alliminum frame version weighs 9.9kg, whilst the carbon might weigh +-9.1kg.

To get to my question: as someone who has never ridden a carbon bike - is it worth it to pay R13-15k (50%) more for the carbon frame? Eg. for the more comfortable ride with better absorption of road vibrations that some people mention with carbon frames? Or would I just be overpaying for effectively an entry-level carbon frame? The other argument might be that the carbon frame might better future-proof the bike given how long I want to keep it - but again that only applies if there's a measurably better experience for me in riding the carbon bike. 

Please share your thoughts and wisdom! 

 

https://titanracingbikes.com/bikes/valerian-alloy-comp/

https://titanracingbikes.com/bikes/valerian-carbon-comp-my26/

https://bike-addict.co.za/products/titan-valerian-comp-2024

https://bike-addict.co.za/products/titan-valerian-carbon-comp-2024

wow, well done for sticking to your Raleigh for all these years.

I know you said you want to get something new (and you've earned it), but you miiiiiight find some real nice deals on so-called "obsolete" rim braked road bikes.

now now now, lots of people will say you NEED disc brakes. Buuuuuut, given your criteria - there could be a decent argument to look at the fancy bikes these guys will discount because it's not disk braked. Getting a well specced 2018ish bike will still be a big upgrade from what you've been riding.

Just quickly skimming through the filters here (I don't know your frame size) this is 2019 105 at R20k.

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/832610/norco-valence

the R30k range you get some really nice bikes with Rim brakes.

 

or, I'm talking complete total codswallop and you want to have something brand new, cool too.