|   Titus QM or Ellsworth Id | foofighter
Jan 7, 2002 5:49 PM | | I was reading the previous posts and started looking at the Titus QM. I called/e-mailed them and they told me about the 4 rear triangle rear options and the 5 seat tower options. I am trying to do a heavy duty XC with 5.5/6" travel with 44-45" wheelbase. I'm 215lbs and wear armor and tons of water, so I'm probably 225 when ready to go. I ride a 4" XC bike now with an air shock and want to go with a coil over; I hear the Romic is great. The Id has a 43.6 wheel base and who knows what the weight is ???? Probably around 7.2 or 7.5. Their service on the phone seems like nobody gives the same answer. But I know people with the Truth and they love it.
Well, anyway, I called Titus on the QM. I asked about the weight and what my style was and he suggested a lighter rear triangle, or a 'heavy duty loco moto with a medium seat tower' in combination with the XL. He said that it would be stiffer than the Id, and weigh about the same. My only concern is that the wb would even be shorter. He said that once I review all the information, that they'd put a longer rear triangle into the CAD computer and see what affect it has. He also noted that they make their bikes in house, whereas the Id is made at Anodizing Inc. He said their quality was better and Titus therefore could do specials for riders. Cool. Here are my questions.
Anyone out there ever get a special build from them? How is their quality of build and welding and paint? Wouldn't it be better to lengthen the front triangle than mess with the rear? How is it climbing/effeciency vis a vis the Id? There are no dealers around here and I haven't even seen one on the trails. The Titus is also less expensive..... So help me out if you can. Thanks very much.
Regards,
Foo. |
| Wise Choice! | XRAY
Jan 7, 2002 7:45 PM | | You're smart to look at Titus. Steer clear of Smellsworth. |
| Wise Choice!-Why | foofighter
Jan 9, 2002 5:16 PM | | X-Ray....why do you say that? A personal bad experience?
FF |
| re: Titus QM or Ellsworth Id | litephil
Jan 7, 2002 8:56 PM | | i ride a titus and the quality is second to none.i would trust allan at titus. |
| re: Titus QM or Ellsworth Id | BK
Jan 7, 2002 9:34 PM | | While I can't comment on the QM, I can on the ID. My buddy has an Id and hasn't regretted the decision. I get to ride it whenever I like, and usually I take it out instead of my XCE. The Id climbs like a goat. The Romic rear, when dialed in properly, will leave you with virtually no pedal-feedback. Compared to my XCE, the Id is plenty stiff, more so than any other bike I have ridden, including the XCE. I don't know how it compares to the QM in the stiffness department. I can't imagine that the QM is a better climber. The Id seems like a great bike. It is expensive, and there have been some people who bag on its reliability and or customer service. So far the bike has held up well (since October) and my buddy has had no complaints in the customer service department. Someone from Ellsworth called him a few weeks after he bought it, chatted with him on the phone about his likes and dislikes, and said to call if he ever needed anything. Personally, I have never had any company call me after purchasing one of their products to make sure I am satisfied. Seems like an OK company to me although many on this board will swear up and down that Ellsworth is the Devil himself. I love my XCE (best bike I have ever owned), and chose it over an Id and a QM; BUT, if I had to do it over again, I would have gone with the Id.
BK |
| re: Titus QM or Ellsworth Id | foofighter
Jan 9, 2002 5:21 PM | | BK-Thanks for the input. Do you know how much / size of your friends Id? I called Ellsworth a few times and got 3 different answers on their weight. Even a promise to get back to me never came true. Too bad. I bet they loose a lot of orders that way. And you know, if they just gave a straight answer, I'd consider them without a doubt, but all they do with their double talk is loose business. |
| re: Titus QM or Ellsworth Id | foofighter
Jan 9, 2002 5:27 PM | | I should say lose business. But seriously, how are your friend's welds? I've seen really crappy welds on an Ellsworth or 2, and even in some pictures on this site. They look like welding 101 and I don't want that on a 2k frame.
Thanks again
Foo |
| re: Titus QM or Ellsworth Id | BK
Jan 9, 2002 8:34 PM | | Sorry to hear about your experience. Nothing but positives for my buddy. His frame is a 20". Great bike, built up at Speedgoat. The welds are flawless, and overall the bike seems to be great. This is the only Ells, I've seen, so that's the experience I have to go by. My riends Id is as light, or lighter than my 19.5" XCE. I have no scale, so I have to go by what I feel. The Id feels lighter. I may go out and get a scale sometime to see what is up. Both bikes are basicaly speced the exact same. XTR shifters & Ders, Avid mech disk with Speed-dial levers, RF cranks (Next LP on mine, Turbines on the Id), XT 9 speed cassettes on both, King hubs w/adapters & Sun Rhyno lites with brass Nips, Thompson Stems (90 on the Id and 120 on mine although that is soon to change), Thompson Seat Posts, Selle Flight Gels, Monkey risers and Odi lock ons. From an appearance standpoint, the Id looks flawless. Too bad your buds frame didn't turn out the same.
BK
P.S. I just ran down to my garage with my bathroom scale. My friend's bike and Mine are in my garage so I thought I would weigh the two on the bathroom scale to see what happened. I know it's no way to weigh a bike, but the weights, while not nessesarily accurate, will at least be consistant. The XCE weighed in at about 2 pounds heavier than the Id. The XCE weighed right at 30 lbs and the Id right at 28. So, there you have it. |
| Q: What's a 'heavy duty loco moto'? | Thermosity
Jan 8, 2002 6:13 AM | | When you say a 'heavy duty loco moto,' do you mean a standard loco (and that they are heavy duty) or a customized loco with extra beef? |
| SORRY-CORRECTION ...Heavy Duty Switchblade rear triangle | sponerator
Jan 8, 2002 10:55 AM | | Whoops. Thanks for that. Too many 'motos' on the brain. The guy from Titus said that he'd give me a heave duty rear switchblade rear triangle, which would still be stiff, but give me lighter weight. That would bring the frame down about 2 lbs to about 7.5. That get very close to the Id.
Thanks again. |
| Titus QM......... | Markv
Jan 8, 2002 8:17 AM | | I run into a big rider (can't remember his name) in the Boise foothill trails that bought a Quasi Moto from Hammerhead Bikes (Charles Coker) mailorder. He must be at least 6'2" and 225 lbs. I ride a Racer X so we stop and compare notes.......He loves the bike! I don't know what he was riding before, but he uses the QM for all around XC riding and he thinks it climbs almost as well as it descends. |
| Titus QM......... | MeIMine
Jan 8, 2002 8:25 AM | | Well... I have ridden a '01 QM myself and although it is a fantastic descender, this bike absolutely DOES NOT climb as well as it descends. Which is not to say you can't climb on it. But the head tube angle is way too slack to enable you to chug up the steep stuff, especially if a section is technical. The QM is a high quality freeride bike, but don't buy it with expectations of it being a goat. You will be slow on any climb while riding it.
Boy, does it ever fly downhill though... WOW! |
| Titus QM......... | foofighter
Jan 9, 2002 5:30 PM | | Thanks MelMine.....I do a lot of climbing so that's important. We don't race, we only compeat against ourselves and each other. Ususally we're about to die once we get up there, so I guess that one thing I'll have to consider......especially with a 130 mm fork.
Foo |
| I ride a 2001 Quasi | BH
Jan 8, 2002 9:43 AM | | I ride a large 2001 Quasi. It is set up with a Vanilla R shock in the 5 3/4" travel position with a 2000 Z1CR fork at 4". In this configuration, the wheelbase is about 43.5". I don't remember the exact length but it feels much longer than my 42.25" WB hardtail. Note that the Z1 has a 1 degree rake which pushes the WB out a little. Running a 5" fork will make the WB even longer. The head angle is around 69-69.5 degrees measured at the head tube. The quality on the Titus is outstanding: large consistent welds, excellent powder coat finish and nice polishing on the stays, seat tower, etc. Check out Charles Coker's "Hammerheadbikes" website. He has some close up pictures of Titus bikes and you can see the build quality. The frame weight with hanger, canti studs, seatpost collar, spare hanger taped to chainstay and King headset cups pressed it was about 8 pounds.
My only complaint is that it took so long to get after I ordered it (I think it was 12 weeks). I missed the production schedule and Titus was (and probably still is) overwhelmed with business. Titus's customer service is excellent. I was able to order the correct weight shock and special order the older decals (I don't like the new ones). When I received the frame, everything was exactly as ordered.
This was my first F/S bike and the only one that I have put a substantial amount of miles on. Before the Quasi, I rode hardtails and rigids. My test ride on a Tracer sold me on the Horst Link suspension. I can't really comment on how it rides compared to other F/S designs as I have very little experience riding them. I have never seen an Ellsworth up close so I can't comment at all on their bikes.
The QM climbs and descends really well and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again. I opted for a heavy duty buildup since I also have the hardtail for lighter duty rides and I didn't want to exclude light downhilling. At 33 pounds with the long WB, it feels big and heavy but this was what I intended with the build up. It downhills more like my old Honda 90 motorcycle than any HT bicycle I've ever ridden. On the steep climbs, it rolls over things without spinning out the back tire (like on the HT) and I can stay seated over the bumps. With the fork in the 4" travel mode, the head angle is steep enough for acceptable steering at low speeds.
You also may want to look into the Intense Uzzi SLX and the Turner RFX. These are long travel Horst Link bikes with excellent reputations. I did but I went with the Titus. |
| I ride a 2001 Quasi | BH
Jan 18, 2002 8:54 AM | | Here is a pic |
| I ride a 2001 Quasi | BH
Jan 18, 2002 8:59 AM | | My bike |
| Titus QM all the way.... | clarkgriswald
Jan 8, 2002 3:53 PM | | Titus has huch better cutomer service than Ellsworth and the bike are much better too (IMHO). I've had my QM about two months and love it. I'd buy another Titus without hesitation. |
| My experience... | Pi Lover
Jan 8, 2002 4:45 PM | | Well, I can't comment on the ID, as I have never been on one. But I can comment on Titus in a number of ways.
First...I am about 210 lbs and I ride a medium Titus Switchblade. I love the bike. It climbs, descends, drops, all the above. I've wondered, though, if a bike with a coil rear (the quasi) might be more suited to my weight and style. Still, I love my SB.
Recently, (like...last week), I spent a week in sunny Phoenix, AZ. I decided to stop in the Titus factory and take a tour. Allan and the guys were great. They showed me around (see pic). I saw where they made the bikes. I even watched a guy weld a frame. Pretty cool. Allan gave me the low down on how all the rear ends are welded and heat treated. The best part was that Allan gave me a Quasi to demo out on South Mountain for two days.
The Quasi - in 6" mode - was absolutely amazing. It was every bit as good as my switchblade. I know it sounds impossible, but I kinda even think it climbs better than my switchblade. I passed like 4 other guys on quasi's out blasting the National Trail. Seems like that is the bike to beat out there.
Bottom line...I'll be trading in the SB for a quasi soon. Better or worse than the ID...I don't know. But it's pretty bloody good.
-Mike in Ohio |
| AZ | Nat
Jan 8, 2002 9:01 PM | | That was quite nice of Titus to loan you that bike for two days, huh? It's pretty cool how many Tituses, of all models, you see here in AZ. What other trails did you ride? |
| AZ | Pi Lover
Jan 9, 2002 5:36 AM | | Yeah...I was a little surprised that Allan offered up a couple bikes (he also let my wife ride a 2002 Racer-x) free of charge. Well, actually, I had to pay $35 to have the rear wheel laced with a new rim. I bent the rim doing a drop on Telegraph Pass. Oops.
Trails we rode:
-The National out to telegraph pass and back
-Javelina
-Ridgeline
-Beverly Canyon
-Desert Classic
-A bunch of others out around the Pima Canyon lot
-Mcdowell (Technical and Sport loops)
We go out to AZ a couple times a year, usually around Christmas and Spring break. Makes for a nice break from icy Ohio. |
| Titus... | Zorak
Jan 10, 2002 8:50 PM | | You missed Hawes/TRW in East Mesa, maybe next year. Way less crowded than So Mtn. I live here and got the tour @ Titus as well a couple years ago. Good bunch of guys. Any locals can just check a bike out for a few days, no hassles. Pretty cool setup. I may be ordering an HCR Ti hardtail soon, support your local builder and all... |
| My experience... | foofighter
Jan 9, 2002 5:37 PM | | Thanks Pi,
I have to arrange a business trip there......When you were at the factory, did you see quality manuals or instruments? That too would be impressive, especially if they were using them. Alan seems to be a good guy. I've got to e-mail him and get more info.
thanks mike
foo |
| Another Quasi owner | DHARCH
Jan 8, 2002 10:15 PM | | I have a medium 01Quasi built up for freeride/dh. Considering your weight and that you wear armor, IMHO you should go with the Quasi. My buddy has a Dare that is light for a bike with that much travel, but he has also cracked the front triangle twice and the chainstays once. From his experiences with Ellsworth, they do not manufacture the frames. Fabrication is contracted out and he had to wait until Ellsworth's contractor welded another batch of frames to get a replacement.
My QM has a 43.5" wheelbase with an S7 fork and weighs 39lbs. I came from a short travel full suspension bike and I was very surprised how well it climbs for the weight. I do the same rides on the QM as the old bike, I just takes longer to do it. The welding is good and after one year the paint is holding up very well.
I've looked into getting a Romic for the QM and right now nobody knows if it will fit. I talked to Romic and they have gotten a few calls about their shocks on Titus bikes. Romic is thinking of calling Titus to get some specs. Apparently, Ellsworth lent Romic bikes for a couple of months so that Romic could fit, and tune the valving for the different Ellsworth bikes. The Romic has a larger diameter than the Vanilla R and Titus didn't know if it would fit either.
The clear advantage the ld has over the QM is that the ld has full seatpost adjustment where the QM has about 2" of height adjustment. |
| Another Quasi owner | foofighter
Jan 9, 2002 5:47 PM | | Man! Sweet lookin' bike. Wow.
I'd love to get a Romic on it, but nothings fitting, and their site, www.Romicmfg.com has been down for about 1 week now. As to Ellsworth, they have their bikes made a Anodizing Inc. and I've heard about that replacement problem. You'd think they'd keep some around for their warranty replacements.
Does the seat tower really limit you? I plan on building it up as a heavy duty XC bike so it'll have a single crown fork, mech discs and a long Thomson seat post. You can have the end of the seat post coming out of the bottom of the seat tower or is there a through bolt there?
Well thanks and good riding.
Foo |
| Seat tower | DHARCH
Jan 9, 2002 8:26 PM | | My seat tower came with a "stop" milled in the bottom of it to prevent the seat post from being lowered beyond the tube. What's happening is that the tube that holds the seatpost has a smaller diameter than the post, and Titus bores out the tube and stops short of the bottom, leaving a little lip on the inside. I took a dremel and eliminated the lip. It give me an extra inch to lower the saddle. Currently I have 2 seatposts, each with its own saddle. One is for more cross country type rides, and the other is for downhill races and ski lifts. The cross country saddle has the Thomson seat post and the Azonic saddle in the pic has a $20 post cut short. |
| Sure you need that much travel? | JBone
Jan 13, 2002 5:03 PM | | 5.5-6" is pretty overkill for hardcore xc. Your going to loose climbing performance through bob, and if you keep the frame light (like the ID), your going to loose strength. Theres a pretty good review of the ID on the dreambike.com site. These guys sell them, but they seem to give a fairly unbiased review of the strengths and weakness's of the frame. The tester, weighing 180lbs, said he felt flex in the rear.
As for Titus build quality- its excellent, I mean REALLY excellent (Ive got an SB). The welds are awesome, and the frame itself is as strong as they get. The pivot bolts havent needed tightening since I bought it in July, and Ive done some fairly abusive things to it (ie urban assault riding it wasnt meant for).
Have you condsidered an Intense Uzzi SL or a Ventana El Saltamontes? The Uzzi is 4.5"/coil and the El Saltamontes can be had in a 5" coil version.
Good luck with your search
John |
| re: Titus QM or Ellsworth Id | Frank
Jan 18, 2002 11:16 AM | | I have an Id. Med size, I'm 6' tall & weigh 235 lb without gear, so with the usual stuff I'm probably 245 lbs ready to ride. I've had the Id since Nov and have about 400 or so miles on it.
Unlike my 1999/2000 Truth, I have not have any problems at all with
it, nothing has broken or come loose,welds look like art. With rim brakes, light tires, XTR setup and Z1MCR it weighs right at 28lb. It climbs better then the Truth did and don't even ask about going down.
( Keep in Mind, I'm Florida, unlike my recent Moab/Fruita trip we don't offten see speeds of 40 plus mph or many drops over 2 feet)
With multiple breakage of the Truth, Ellsworth service has been great each time, so don't believe that everyone gets bad service from them.
Depending on what you want the bike for, the Id could be perfect.
* I've never ridden the Switchblade or Qm.. so I can't offer an
opnion about them. |
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