mtn bike forks

[Kathi]

I finally located a Titus mtn bike. I'm spending Christmas in Denver and a LBS has a Titus Racer X in my size and on sale! The front fork is a Manitou Skarab. Is this fork good for small women riders? I don't do 6 ft drops and am not a racer.

The salesman was very enthusiatic about this fork and he weighs about 135lbs. I'm 105.

Any thoughts on aluminum mtn bike frames. I used to ride a Cannondale road bike and It beat me to death. So I'm leary of aluminum frames. The salesperson says the full suspension asorbs the shock not the frame.

Hopefully, I will ride the bike tomorrow.

Also, I got very positive feed back about this shop from others who live in Denver and so far have had very respectful treatment from the salespeople. They were knowlegable and didn't treat me like a little old lady who knows nothing about bikes. Plus, they will store the bike for me until I come back in the spring.

I'm so excited to be able to walk into a shop and find my size, that rarely happens in Cincinnati where I live. However, I want to make sure I'm getting the right components so I don't have to go spending more money for the right fork.

Wow, what a nice Christmas present for me!

[Kpicha]

Hi Kathi,

Congratulations on the new ride! That's awesome! Did you get a Locomoto or a RacerX? What color? Enough questions? Yeah, that is pretty impressive that the shop had one there in your size!

Anyway, a FS will definitely help with the being beaten up feeling vs. a hardtail. But even some FS bikes seem to transfer that "aluminum" feeling through the frame even with suspension. I felt it mostly with Giant brand bikes and the Ironhorse Hollowpoint that I had. I have a Turner right now and although, the bike is aluminum, it really feels like steel. I haven't ridden a Titus yet but I'm willing to bet that you won't get the frame resonance that on other frames b/c its so well made.

Anyway, the Manitou Skarab is a great fork, especially for lighter riders. Just make sure its set up properly for your weight. I've been using the Super Air for a year and a half and its nice and plush. My only complaint is the brake dive but I can live with that since it doesn't happen often.

Let us know how your ride went! and good luck with everything!
Cheers,
Kristina

[Dogmama]

I'm confused. Why would you want an aluminum frame on an MTB? Once aluminum cracks, it's all over. Steel can be repaired. I had an aluminum road bike crack in a crash & it was, for the most part, garbage. Maybe aluminum is stronger than it was 12 years ago (ya think? Duh... )

[Kpicha]

Aluminum has a life span of 7-10 years now and its much lighter than steel. If you want steel, you'll either be stuck with a low end bike or you'll have to go custom. Aluminum is the material "du jour" these days

[Irulan]

repairing a mtb fame? Now, to me that's a scary thought. I've never heard of that being done, when a frame cracks it's replace ( hopefully under warranty) time.

Irulan

rddezert, sound like you got an awesome bike!!!

Irulan

[Kathi]

Kpicha,
I bought the Titus! I was so worried about aluminum but not on this bike. It felt very much like the Aegis. I only got to demo it on the street, a grocery store parking lot and grass but it has a very smooth, velvety feel. I'm not sure the shocks were adjusted right for my weight but it still felt great. The crankarms were too long and the handlebars too wide but it still felt great.
Since I'm not planning on using it until spring the shop put the bike in layaway and only took a deposit. When I return to Denver in March I get a free fitting (Serotta trained fitters) and they'll switch out the saddle and shorten handlebars for me and make any other needed adjustments
They will order shorter cranks for me on Monday, absolutely no arguement on this, or price difference, and install them.
The design of the frame put me right over the pedals and I felt so natural on it. I can't wait until spring when I can do some real riding on it.
I bought Canecreek Zono wheels for my old bike and I will have them installed on the Titus I just think this is going to be an awesome little bike. Even the XT shifters and brakes felt comfortable in my small hands.
Thanks for your help and encouragement. Oh, BTW, the bike is gold and its a Racer-X.

[Kpicha]

Awesome! I'm really excited for you You're going to have a blast on your new bike! I guess its going to be a long wait for Spring Did you get a small or extra small? I considered a Locomoto but I was in between sizes. Titus makes wonderful bikes.

Cheers and Happy New Years!
Kristina

[Kathi]

I got the X-small. I'm seeing all of the cyclists riding here in Denver and I'm so jealous cause I can't ride my new bike.

At least I found it.

Happy New Year

[missliz]

It sounds like the bike speaks to you- a good sign. Aluminum is fabulous for dirt, but then different alloys really are different and different frame designs will make a big difference. I've ridden aluminum on dirt for years, and it's the stuff, very stiff for body englishing around and won't rust to peices from the ineveitable swimming trips . The fork really does eat the vibration, but remember that dirt doesn't even make the same trouble as pavement anyway. I started on a rigid fork, good for technique. Never got beaten up. I shudder at the idea of alu road bikes, seem very painful! But the stiffness of alu for mud sliding is great! You don't want a noodley frame on dirt.
Forks are set up for your riding style and weight; Manitou is totally superior equipment and broadly adjustable. I'm not familiar with the Scarab off hand, but the shop will adjust and change minor parts for your weight. Then you ride and decide how you like it and tweak from there. Everybody will fiddle with their fork, and high end Manitou will adjust in the feild for different terrain. You'll pick this up in no time once you put some miles in. Just make sure you get a good headset, like a Chris King. Worth every penny.
And repairs to frames? Once you break a production frame, it's history. Even if you weld a steel frame you screw with the heat treating and temper of one section and it will never be the same. By the time you strip it, weld it, reheat treat it, paint it- just buy a new frame. You may be in warranty anyway, and why take the risk of a faulty frame? The money will be better spent on your safety. You can repair alu but it's the same headaches, and you'll need a kiln for some alloys. Besides, if it's defect you'll be warrantied. Yeah, I went to welding school... A custom frame with tubes brazed into lugs is very repairable, you just replace the failed part. But those aren't the greatest on the dirt.
My 23 cents worth; Happy New Years girls!

Lizzy

[Kathi]

Thanks for the vote of confidence,Lizzy. I'm not worrying about the frame too much. I seem to do more damage to my body than I
ever do to frames.

I spent a week last summer researching frames and I kept coming back to Titus. Specially because the geometry seemed right for me. I didn't even ride another brand. I tried but there was nothing small enough in Cincy.

It was funny, at first I thought the bike was nothing special because it felt just like my Aegis. On the road it had the same smooth feel. It asorbed the bumps, the ones we could find, just like my Aegis. Then it dawned on me this is an aluminum frame, then I knew it was just right.

I'm leaving Denver on Monday, and when I return in March we will do complete fitting, adjusting shocks, handlebar width etc.

I'm itching to ride it but I'm exploring the hiking trails here in the Colorado Rockies. The scenery is awesome. In the spring I will get to explore the trails on my new bike.

BTW, I only have 34 working days until I retire. The new bike is my retirement present, and Christmas present, to myself.

Kathi

[missliz]

Congrats girl- you get to be a bike bum! Having squandered my twenties on skates/ bikes/ liberal arts degrees/ never quite making the nat team in several sports, you're in for a treat. Life is good in spandex.
When you test ride it and it feels natural, it's probably going to be the right bike. That's been my experience- when I bought my Zaskar it was like an extension of my body on the test ride, then I made them order me a flashier color and the bike was destiny when it came in. New improved model. And alu with suspension is another world, I've put slicks on my mt beast to go on tours d'asphalt and been very comfy.
Have fun! I know it'll be a happy New Year ;D.

Lizzy

[Kpicha]

Wow, congratulations on your retirement! A well deserved one I'm sure! Ihave to say I'm quite jealous that you're out there in Colorado hiking around. Although, I'm not a serious hiker, I love to go out and explore.

MissLiz, is it time to update your profile? You're not grounded anymore!!

Happy New Year!
Kristina

[missliz]

What, I have a profile? Where is it?
I'm going to give it a few more rides before I say "not grounded anymore". My head is too screwed with from all this time. Once I get back to running errands on the beater bike, then I'm not grounded! There's more to back-in-the-life than a week in the country.
Although I took the LBS some very late Xmas brownies today, and the racer boys actually said hello. Maybe the bike gods are smiling on me again after all... For any one who doesn't know yet, their names are Velo, Roubaix, and Gnarly. Honor them, and they'll take care of you. ;-) They like miles best.

Lizzy

Still a little whacked from New Years

[missliz]

Who am I kidding? Racers will talk to anybody whith a big platter of brownies.

Lizzy

[Kpicha]

Originally posted by missliz
Who am I kidding? Racers will talk to anybody whith a big platter of brownies.

Lizzy

ROFL! Can't disagree with that! Yum, yum brownies !