Frustration with finding a new MTB

[3weight]

Thanks again for all the help, ladies!
I *think* I've narrowed it down to 3 frames~
Santa Cruz Superlight
Titus Racer X
Titus Moto Lite
All three of these bikes exceed my MTB skills, but I want to get the bike I really want now so I'm not out looking for a new bike in a year.
I've ridden the Santa Cruz. The problem is that I've never ridden either of the Titus bikes. They get great reviews and the specs look good, but there's not a Titus dealer in the state! I'm a bit nervous buying a frame without riding the bike.
Any thoughts?
Thanks again!
Teresa

[3weight]

Also, I'm thinking small frame on both of the Titus bikes. Does this sound about right (5ft 9in, 155 lbs)? (I've never bought anything "small" so I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around this........ )

[SalsaMTB]

I don't know much about titus, but I'm 5'8 and always ride a medium on bikes. What's your inseam?

Also, if you're looking at titus, you should also check out turner. They make great frames!

[bcipam]

3Weight... I can't imagine you would ride a small frame you are taller than me! Problem with the medium frame, as I discovered with my two bikes is not they can run alittle small and alittle large.

Bottom line you need to get a good fitting and be measured and then you adn the LBS need to compare top tube lengths to see what fits you both. Unless you have ungodly short arms (think T-Rex), the small frame will most likely be too small.

[tprevost]

Also, I'm thinking small frame on both of the Titus bikes. Does this sound about right (5ft 9in, 155 lbs)? (I've never bought anything "small" so I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around this........ )

I got the medium juliana which is closer to the small superlight... I'm 5'6 but have a shorter torso and longer legs. I did consider the superlight when mine kept getting delayed but the standover height was a little tall for me.

I can't wait to see what you end up getting!

trac'

[tattiefritter]

Also, I'm thinking small frame on both of the Titus bikes. Does this sound about right (5ft 9in, 155 lbs)? (I've never bought anything "small" so I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around this........ )

I would suggest a small for you but I like my frames on the small side not everyone does. I have an XS MotoLite which I've had for about 18 months, all the good reviews are correct, it is an awesome bike. The only problem I had with it was lack of tyre clearance in the rear caused by the fact on the original models they used the rear end from the RacerX - this has been sorted on the newer frames and I got a new set of stays from Titus to correct mine. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it at all, slack head angle makes it very stable at speed, its very surefooted in all terrain and handles so well. The FSR suspension is very active and I found it quite bobby on climbs initially, this was due to the fact I had always ridden hardtails and needed to spin a bit more smoothly up stuff rather than push the way you can on a hardtail.

At 5ft 4 I am right at the top end height wise for the XS but I like my bike frames small and chuckable, as do most of the people I ride with. I run a lot of seatpost out on both my mtbs. My almost 6ft boyfriend always goes for a medium (about 17 or 18" frame) just to give you another sizing reference. As I remember from my search for a bouncer there was quite a jump in size between the XS and the S motolite, in particular the top tube was quite a bit longer (over an inch more) so there was no way I would have been happy on it. If I had been too big for the XS I would have had to find another bike to buy.

[3weight]

From the way it sounds, Titus bikes are sized smaller. (I would ride a medium SC but a small Titus.)
Bcipam~ I think you're right~ I need to get properly fitted first. We have a local SC dealer but not a Titus dealer.
Kmdirtdiva~ what size is the GF? Do you have any pics?
Thanks again everyone!
Teresa

[bcipam]

3Weight if you are interested - I have this bike for sale - a 2006 Spec. Stumpjumer FSR size medium, for $1100. I would box it up but you would have to pay for shipping. It also has a Hope seat post clamp and skewers (in red) not shown in photo:

[3weight]

Great looking bike, Bcipam! Thanks for the offer but I have a $1600 credit at a LBS that I'm going to use towards the new bike.
Cheers!
Teresa

[aquawife]

Thanks again for all the help, ladies!
I *think* I've narrowed it down to 3 frames~
Santa Cruz Superlight
Titus Racer X
Titus Moto Lite
All three of these bikes exceed my MTB skills, but I want to get the bike I really want now so I'm not out looking for a new bike in a year.

You are smart to get a bike that you'll grow into. No sense in buying something that you'll "outgrow" in a short amount of time.
I have friends that have the Titus RacerX and they love them. My hubby has a Santa Cruz Superlight and it rocks as well. You really can't go wrong with any of these bikes. I think the most important measurement is the top tube length. I'm getting a new bike (Specialized Epic) and I took measurements off of my Trek Fuel to figure out which size I needed. I looked at both the WSD and regular. The WSD was too short at the medium and too long at the large but the regular small was closest in top tube length to my Trek. I'll have a little more standover with the Spec than the Trek but that's fine. It's easier to raise a seatpost than to shorten the cockpit. You don't want to do too much crazy stuff to make the reach fit. I'd think that if you're going with a shorter than a 90mm stem and you have your seat jammed all the way forward then the TT is probably too long. But what to do I know? Make your LBS work for their money! Just make sure that in the end you feel very comfortable on the bike. There's nothing better at wrecking your confidence on the trail than feeling like there's something not right with your bike.
Good luck!

[emily_in_nc]

A Small Titus Racer X sounds a bit small for your height. I am 5'2.5" with 28.5" inseam and ride an XS -- it fits fine. I could probably get away with an XXS and get more standover, but the top tube on the XS is perfect for me with a 10cm stem.

Good luck in your choice!

Emily

[rocknrollgirl]

I ride an xs Racer X, and it fits me really well, I am 5'3and 1/2. gotta have the 1/2 in there! I bought it for racing, a few of my nonracing friends have the Motolite.

My suggestions. Call Titus. There is an onle measurement thing that you can use, and they could probably help you.

It is an amazing bike, but expensive, and you probably want to get it right the first time.

Give them a call.

Good Luck,
Ruth