sa-shooter Posted January 15 Posted January 15 Hi all. Hoping to get some advice on which bike to get between the two options. Both run around the same price. I'll be riding mostly the trails around Paarla dn Stellenbosch. Please share your opinion on which would be the better option?
thebob Posted January 16 Posted January 16 Skyrim ST all day every day. It has a much better frame and suspension layout. The Giant might have the better drivetrain, but that is about it. sa-shooter and Titan Racing Bikes 2
Titan Racing Bikes Posted January 16 Posted January 16 10 hours ago, sa-shooter said: Hi all. Hoping to get some advice on which bike to get between the two options. Both run around the same price. I'll be riding mostly the trails around Paarla dn Stellenbosch. Please share your opinion on which would be the better option? Hi, thanks for considering the Skyrim. If it helps, Bike Network did a full review of Skyrim and Skyrim ST. Link HERE. sa-shooter 1
sa-shooter Posted January 16 Author Posted January 16 7 minutes ago, Titan Racing Bikes said: Hi, thanks for considering the Skyrim. If it helps, Bike Network did a full review of Skyrim and Skyrim ST. Link HERE. Thank you for the reply! Would you be able to recommend what size to get if I fall between sizes? Without shoes on and standing with my feet together, I am 179cm tall. This puts me right on the edge of a medium but at the low end of a Large. This will be my first NEW bike so I have never really been in the position to be able to chose an ideal size. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.  Dusty and Titan Racing Bikes 2
Robbie Stewart Posted January 16 Posted January 16 51 minutes ago, sa-shooter said: Thank you for the reply! Would you be able to recommend what size to get if I fall between sizes? Without shoes on and standing with my feet together, I am 179cm tall. This puts me right on the edge of a medium but at the low end of a Large. This will be my first NEW bike so I have never really been in the position to be able to chose an ideal size. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.  I would suggest going for a test ride on both, even just in the parking lot, so that you get a feel for the bike, whether you are feeling cramped on the medium, or stretched on the large, and decide from there. sa-shooter, Danger Dassie, Daniel de V and 1 other 4
Danger Dassie Posted January 16 Posted January 16 They're both pretty much on par framewise, spec differs and there are differences in geometry. Suspension quality is on par. Remember the Giant has a flex point on the swingarm rather than the bearing on the Titan. Both have their pros and cons, arguably the more refined flex point is less active on an alloy material while the bearing being more active also means another wear/service area. It depends on the feel you want from your riding. Also keep in mind that the Titan has bigger travel. On paper the Skrim will more Trail/Enduro and Stance more of a lighter trail feel. Again, depends on what you personal riding will be, take into account your weight as well the bikes.  Go with Robbie's advice, objectively the best way to be sure of your choice and riding whats best for you. During the parking lot test move around on the bike, even rolling off an obstacle like a kerb. Get a feel for it. Also chat to a bike fitter for some advice. sa-shooter 1
sa-shooter Posted January 16 Author Posted January 16 Sjo guys, this is a tough one for me. They seem to both offer pros and cons. The Titan has more travel, has through axel rear and is a newer year model with better geometry. However it is 10% more expensive and does not come with tubeless ready tires, which ads another expense. The Stance is cheaper with less travel but offers a better drivetrain and has tubesless ready tires, however it is older 2023 model with QD rear wheel. Riding both presents a problem as by the time I am able to ride the Giant, the deal on the Titan will have passed. Im stucj scratching my head and torn between the two options.Â
Yyyy Posted January 16 Posted January 16 Why does Giant use a QR dropouts on the rear for the Stance That puts me off completelyÂ
thebob Posted January 16 Posted January 16 Don't sweat the details so much. The Giant is an entry level trail bike. All the reviews agree. You have confirmed it is not the latest model of the Stance, which makes the Titan an even more obvious choice in my eyes. Tubless setup is as easy as a bottle of sealant and some rim tape (assuming the tyres are compatible). As for sizing, at 179cm, I would think the Large is a better bet.
sa-shooter Posted January 16 Author Posted January 16 (edited) 1 hour ago, thebob said: Don't sweat the details so much. The Giant is an entry level trail bike. All the reviews agree. You have confirmed it is not the latest model of the Stance, which makes the Titan an even more obvious choice in my eyes. Tubless setup is as easy as a bottle of sealant and some rim tape (assuming the tyres are compatible). As for sizing, at 179cm, I would think the Large is a better bet. Thanks for your input! The Titan certainly speaks to me more, though I have to admit that money talks and is my pinch point at the moment. The Titan does not have tubless ready tyres so taking into consideration, the extra expense of the bike itself as well as needing to pay for the correct tires + fitment, the Titan becomes R5k more expensive than the Stance. At my fitness and experience level, I think that the extra money would be better spent on trail access membership for the year, and then look at an upgrade next year when I have a better idea of what my needs are. The Stance is also from a local shop whereas the Titan is a 40min drive. Still on the fence though and of everyone I have spoken to, the opinions are split down the middle as both options have pros and cons. Perhaps I feel differently after the weekend Edited January 16 by sa-shooter spelling Daniel de V 1
thebob Posted January 16 Posted January 16 If you are being quoted R5k to supply tyres and do a tubeless conversion, find a new bike shop. Tyres R1100 a shot, R300 for tape and R200 for sealant should be ballpark pricing. Actual work should take less than 20 minutes for a competent mechanic Geco Cycles, Dusty and Daniel de V 3
Robbie Stewart Posted January 16 Posted January 16 I would definitely go for the Titan over the Giant. Don't get blindsided at the current cost issue. In general cycling isn't a cheap hobby, but it is always better to go for the better suspension than group set. It is much cheaper to upgrade the drivetrain components than suspension, so that is a win for the Titan. You can get tubeless tyres on special for well under a grand per tyre, and you don't need the latest and greatest rubber that costs the most for now. And if you do end up going that route you can pretty much negotiate with the bike shop to fit the new rubber for free. They shouldn't argue that point to get the sale. Scott roy, sa-shooter and Daniel de V 3
sa-shooter Posted January 16 Author Posted January 16 15 minutes ago, thebob said: If you are being quoted R5k to supply tyres and do a tubeless conversion, find a new bike shop. Tyres R1100 a shot, R300 for tape and R200 for sealant should be ballpark pricing. Actual work should take less than 20 minutes for a competent mechanic Not R5k for just the tubless conversion. The Skyrim price tag is R2.5k more than the Giant and then add R2.5k for the tyres and conversion. So in all I would have to spend an additional R5k+ if i decide to take the Titan over the Giant. I'm sure it is worth it and I think I would prefer the Skyrim but at my level of experience, I don't think I would be able to use the Skyrim to it's full potential so that extra cash is better spent elsewhere for now. I may end up regretting it or I may end up changing my mind but for the moment I cant justify the extra R5k for perceived improvements that may or may not make a difference to my way of riding.Â
Robbie Stewart Posted January 16 Posted January 16 Just now, sa-shooter said: Not R5k for just the tubless conversion. The Skyrim price tag is R2.5k more than the Giant and then add R2.5k for the tyres and conversion. So in all I would have to spend an additional R5k+ if i decide to take the Titan over the Giant. I'm sure it is worth it and I think I would prefer the Skyrim but at my level of experience, I don't think I would be able to use the Skyrim to it's full potential so that extra cash is better spent elsewhere for now. I may end up regretting it or I may end up changing my mind but for the moment I cant justify the extra R5k for perceived improvements that may or may not make a difference to my way of riding. You will end up regretting it. Buying a new bike now thinking you can sell it in year's time and make some cash isn't happening unfortunately. The second hand bike market is dead. I strongly advise you to get the bike you want not the one you can best afford if it means maybe a month or three of discomfort. You will realise the wisdom in that a year or so down the line. thebob, Rudi33, WhuYu and 3 others 5 1
sa-shooter Posted January 16 Author Posted January 16 5 minutes ago, Robbie Stewart said: I would definitely go for the Titan over the Giant. Don't get blindsided at the current cost issue. In general cycling isn't a cheap hobby, but it is always better to go for the better suspension than group set. It is much cheaper to upgrade the drivetrain components than suspension, so that is a win for the Titan. You can get tubeless tyres on special for well under a grand per tyre, and you don't need the latest and greatest rubber that costs the most for now. And if you do end up going that route you can pretty much negotiate with the bike shop to fit the new rubber for free. They shouldn't argue that point to get the sale. You're putting me on the fence again 😆. I'll need to sleep on it and made a decision. Thanks for the advice! Robbie Stewart 1
Robbie Stewart Posted January 16 Posted January 16 also, you don't have to upgrade the tyres at first. You can ride them for a month or so and then upgrade.  Prince Albert Cycles, Zebra and Daniel de V 2 1
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