For Sale - Extra-Small TITUS RACER X

[mmouwse]

Thank you Emily and Oakleaf for the info. I sure do appreciate your input based on your experience and knowledge.
I am 5foot 3inches, 28inch inseam, barefoot. Torso is 25inches. Arm length (from the shoulder) is 22inches. Not sure of the rest of my appropriate stats. Never done "fit" measurements. I am wondering if this frame would actually be too tall or too long for me. I will have to chat with Scotte about his size and experience with it.
I am by nature competitive and aggressive in my athletic endeavors, although I have been pretty sedantary for the past few years. I did ride fairly regular this past summer on my hybrid pos. Could not do much offroad riding, the bike is not really set up for it, although I did try.
I have not yet had much luck finding a used (read within my budget and size) mtb that fits me. I came across a couple of bikes that were great deals in great condition, but too tall for me.
I did goto the Titus website yesterday after seeing this bike for sale here. Very impressive. I fell in love and lust! But.... a new Titus is out of the question at this time; far out of my budget. And this used one....maybe.
I understand that each bike fits differently and the only true way to know is to try it.
Someone suggested that I start with a HT rather than FS. His feeling was that it is the only true way to become a good rider, that the FS bike will "cheat" for me and stunt my skills development because it would compensate for my shortcomings. What do you all think?
Thanks again for sharing your experience and knowledge with me.

[scotte]

Below are the specs for the geometry from Titus. And correct oakleaf, I purchased the 2005 frame off TE from a nice lady in Hawaii and it was virtually brand new. It was too small for her so she purchased a larger Racer-X frame. 2005 was the last year these frames were hand made in the USA. Mmouwse - the 27+ standover measurement I gave you over the phone was front of center on the top tube. Depending on where the measurement is done along the top tube, will depend on what the "standover" height really is. Hence the difference from the Titus specs below.

[emily_in_nc]

mmouwse - Based on the measurements you give, I think the bike will fit you well. You definitely don't need an XXS at 5'3", and your inseam is very close to mine, so you'll be fine with the stand-over. Your reach should be fine too since you're slightly taller than me. You can always change the stem if you need more or less reach too, so long as the frame basically fits.

As for HT vs FS, I started with a HT but found it pretty uncomfortable. I LOVE the full-suspension. At my age (47), I just don't care to be bumped around too much, and while it's true that my skills haven't developed much, it has nothing to do with the bike and everything to do with the type of rider I am. I just like to tool around on the trails, nothing too technical. At my age, and after breaking my pelvis in a road cycling accident, I'm just not going to be jumping logs or doing see-saws or drops, and that's fine with me. I just like being able to ride in places I can't take a road bike, and while the Racer-X is far more bike than I need or deserve, I loved the fact that it is so lightweight. I only weigh about 103-104 so needed a bike I could get up the hills. Most full-suspensions are heavier than hardtails, but not the Titus Racer-X.

Everyone's experience is different, but I just love my Racer-X and know there are others on this forum who have them and love them too.

(And don't worry, I don't know scotte so am not trying to sell you his bike! Just sharing my experiences with a great bike!)

[SadieKate]

I'm 5' 3 1/2" and both my XS Racer X and Motolite fit beautifully. I've got long legs and arms, but a short torso.

The Racer X is on the short end of FS. It's a short wheel-base, short travel, quick handling, pure XC bike. This is NOT an all mountain, all terrain, freeride, whatever you want to call it bike and what most people today think of as generic FS. Don't worry about the HT or FS comparison if you can get this bike at this price with those components. Yes, HT can make you learn to pick lines better but depending on your mindset, you can learn faster on a FS because suspension will keep rolling when a HT may stutter. I learned slower on a HT because I was more afraid of falling than I am on a FS -- and I learned to mtb on a fully rigid bike so I can read lines. Because this bike has shorter travel, it is not going to be as forgiving as what most people think of as a FS (all mountain) bike so don't worry about the HT/FS argument with it.

BTW, this baby likes to climb. When you point her uphill, hang on.

[Aggie_Ama]

Well I ride a hardtail and keep getting my butt kicked by someone who has been learning on FS. If you want to learn you will learn. Get what you want and tell they naysayer to buy you an extra HT if they think you need to learn on that.

[scotte]

Several have asked why I'm selling this bike. My 12 year old son has outgrown so I moved him up to a Small 80mm Racer-X. He rode and raced the XS Racer-X for 1 year, although he focused mainly on road racing last year. Kids grow too fast!! MUST SELL to pay for his new wheels - make me an offer!!