Titan Racing Switch previous gen.

[ruan.kotze]

Good Morning All,

Long time listener, first time caller.  I've been in the market for a gravel bike for a while.  My LBS sells Cube, Trek and Titan Racing.  I have a budget of around 60K.  I am from Namibia for what that's worth. 

I noticed recently that Titan Racing has released a new model switch and subsequently there are some serious discounts on the outgoing model. For example the Switch Carbon Elite can be had for around 40K.  I guess my question would be, are there any significant drawbacks to buying the older platform.  Gravel seemed to have evolved like crazy over the last couple of years.

My requirements are fairly simple.  Primarily racing focused with most races here being around 150km and then there's the 401km Desert Dash every year.  Not too concerned about mounts for bike packing.  Suspension is also not important, I think for rides that rough I'll just take my FS MTB.  Would want to fit at least 2.1" MTB tyres.

Last question would be, how would the "older" Switch compare against the newest offering from Cube and Trek in the 60K price bracket?

Thanks and I look forward to the responses!

[Michael S]

If the old Titan can definitely take 2.1s then not much draw back apart from no UDH, so no full mount Sram derailleurs. 

 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

When I was shopping for a Gravel bike, Titan was kind enough to lend me a demo bike for a weekend. I can honestly say that it's really a great bike which you can buy with confidence. It does everything it's supposed to do and looks good as well. The only drawback might be the max tire size which "I think" is limited to around 47C but I've been "racing" gravel bikes in SA since 2020 and I've never had the need for anything wider. Despite what the Pro's say, a wider tire to me still feels like I'm riding through peanut butter. I find a 45C Maxxis Rambler perfect for most races down in the Cape.

I eventually settled on a Giant Revolt but that was only because they gave me a 10K discount on a new bike at the time. Titan was first choice until the money spoke 🙃

[ruan.kotze]

My LBS sent me pics, looks like the Burts fit, will just need to swing past and check *exactly* how much clearance there is.

 

[Brighter-Lights]

Check for toe-overlap with the Titan. I couldn't ride a size m with 2.1s without the front wheel clipping my shoe all the time... That said, I would opt for a newer Cube or Revolt, as the Titan has no resale value. 

[Mongoose!]

What is the price of the previous generation model but with carbon wheels and electronic shifting?

I think the newest generation starts on R70k for Sram Rival (New spec ~ one finger braking) UDH;  Carbon wheels with DT Swiss hubs) and plenty of tyre clearance 

"Racing focused" tells me those stock alloy wheels will not be good enough after the placebo effect faded 🙃

 

[ChrisF]

Ruan where in Namibia ?  Rather, general condition of the roads you will be riding ?

 

In the Western Cape we seldom experience worse than corrugations.

 

Depending on the season, recent rain, and grader schedule we have experienced some extremes on the Namibian gravel roads .... it may be absolutely perfect, or it could break vehicle suspensions ....

 

Your ride conditions will dictate if 2.1 is needed or not .....

 

Giant Revolt .... it is not on your list, but I am biased as I love mine.

 

Titan ... we have owned a couple of Titans.  Excellent experience.  Friend just completed a years worth of training and then the Cape Epic on a Titan (yea, not a gravel bike).  Bike held up perfectly !!!  The only item that hicked up three times in all of those rides .... sram electronic gearing

 

A friend has a Cube .... he swears by it.

 

Trek ... bad dealerships in our area soured me on the brand ... EX5 was a high maintenance bike ....

 

 

 

As to your question ... previous vs new gen Titan ... sorry, no personal experience to assist with this.

[betaboy]

Having seen the new Cube, you getting a lot of bike for your money, and well within your budget! 

[ruan.kotze]

28 minutes ago, betaboy said:

Having seen the new Cube, you getting a lot of bike for your money, and well within your budget! 

Did a comparison of models available to me locally - need to pull in the Cube as well, it's a great looking bike. Titan does seem like fantastic value at the price point.

[ruan.kotze]

9 hours ago, Brighter-Lights said:

Check for toe-overlap with the Titan. I couldn't ride a size m with 2.1s without the front wheel clipping my shoe all the time... That said, I would opt for a newer Cube or Revolt, as the Titan has no resale value. 

Thanks, will definitely check for that on my test ride, it's not something I though of.  Point taken on resale value.  Although at around 39K (discounted from R55K-ish retail) if I get a season or two of good riding out of it I would not mind too much about selling at a loss.

[ruan.kotze]

6 hours ago, Mongoose! said:

What is the price of the previous generation model but with carbon wheels and electronic shifting?

I think the newest generation starts on R70k for Sram Rival (New spec ~ one finger braking) UDH;  Carbon wheels with DT Swiss hubs) and plenty of tyre clearance 

"Racing focused" tells me those stock alloy wheels will not be good enough after the placebo effect faded 🙃

 

I understand this one comes with carbon hoops, looks like in-house / generic ones.

[ChrisF]

Ruan also consider "integrated cables", i.e. through the bars then through the stem and head bearings ...

 

It looks nice.

 

Costly when you need a basic head set bearing service.