Dare i say... Carerra Titan

PaulC7

Gone and bought myself an entry level Carera Titan 19".

Had many BSO's and decided it was time to get something nicer and much better to ride if i want to start getting down to Delamere and Llandegla.

First rides were an uneasy couple due to the wideness of the handlebars which i wasnt use too, but now that i am i feel much more in control more when traveling at speed or cornering quickly.

Ride in general is very good (but i dont have much to compare it too) gears lovely to use, very smooth and quiet.


And build quality seems to of stood up to the test...

was just popping to the chip shop with my boy one night and the call of nature came so we popped over the road to the side of the local mini superstore and as i rode at speed and moved over to go round a big bin i went flying through the air and landed on my back not knowing what had happened...

turns out as i rode towards the bin the floor level rises were as the floor next to the bin doesnt so i went over the handle bars cause i didnt see a foot and a half drop, bike was ok only sign of damage was the front QR which ive replaced, my left knee, right elbow were hurt and my chin felt like id burnt it... first fall ive ever had and yes it realy scared the hell out of me.

Came away with a really sore right knee, left elbow and a burnt chin... all ok now though.

Only downside i can see is the rear suspension whether set to soft or hard there isnt really much difference, so if possible to change it to an air shock i will look at doing so.


Recently got a Canon 400d so took a few pics to share...

The bike as new... followed by a few of some cows i rode past then the mud i had to clean off (notice the new blue QR's to match)

chez_m356

theres still many on here that will class it as a BSO, carrera's are quite decent though, i think it looks quite nice myself, hope you enjoy it

benpinnick

Looks nice, especially for the money. I reckon with a decent air shock & forks that would be a ride comparable to bikes 3 , 4 or 5 times the price.

bwfc4eva868

Looks tidy that! Wonder if its possible put a decent rear shock on it? I'd be interested to see if its possible.
Good bikes for the money the Carrera's, I have one myself the Vulcan.

tarbot18

Nice bike and pics , good to see a bike from the real world on here!

The Rookie

benpinnick wrote:

Looks nice, especially for the money. I reckon with a decent air shock & forks that would be a ride comparable to bikes 3 , 4 or 5 times the price.

You could get a trance x3 for less than 5 times the price, so don't think it's quite that good!

Simon

PaulC7

Really could do with a better shock on the back... will look at getting a last years model, should be some good ones out there at reasonable prices.

As for the front shock i have it set to a little preload and on my ride over ruts, pot holes, stones, rocks even some animal bones it wasnt a problem for me no bad vibrations running through my fingers but the test will be when i get some downhill in... cant wait for that.

Briggo

tarbot18 wrote:

Nice bike and pics , good to see a bike from the real world on here!

Why is everyone elses from Jupiter or an alternative reality or something? :roll:

benpinnick

The Beginner wrote:

benpinnick wrote:

Looks nice, especially for the money. I reckon with a decent air shock & forks that would be a ride comparable to bikes 3 , 4 or 5 times the price.

You could get a trance x3 for less than 5 times the price, so don't think it's quite that good!

Simon

Lol, didnt say it would be better than every bike... Just some.

Darkstalker420

Hi spotted one of these on the Halfords website just wondered if you can tel me if the rear suspension is a "unified rear triangle" setup? (ie the bottom bracket/cranks etc are attached to the rear swing arm) OR is there a pivot point somewhere around the BB?? Can't find a decent pic of the BB/pivot point area. Nice bike love the colors (looking at a VooDoo Bantu from Halfords BUT did like the look of the Titan).

Whats it ride like? is the back end flexy?? what are the forks like.

EDIT: Just spotted one of your pics so it's NOT a unified system hmmmm.

Thanks.

PaulC7

Darkstalker420 wrote:

Whats it ride like? is the back end flexy?? what are the forks like.

I think the ride is pretty good... im on it every two days for 2 or 3 hours and im happy on it when out.

The back is comfortable but going across a path like in the photo above even on the softest setting it isnt as soft as i would like.

Front forks are good enough for me you can adjust the sag on them but would need swapping if you want to be able to lock them out

benpinnick

Whats the eye to eye and stroke length on the shock... Might have something you could try just for the craic.

PaulC7

190mm
75mm

benpinnick

I will look in the garage tomorrow. I have some old coil over foxes that might be worth a look.

ilovedirt

Looks tidy for a cheap entry level bike, nice one

EDIT: I do find it a little odd though that they come stock with differently coloured rims... Why?... :?

tarbot18

Briggo bikes overa grand may as well be from an alternative reality never gonna happen in my house!! Nice to see a cheapish bike on here that im sure will give the op lots of fun.

chez_m356

tarbot18 wrote:

Briggo bikes overa grand may as well be from an alternative reality never gonna happen in my house!! Nice to see a cheapish bike on here that im sure will give the op lots of fun.

thats what i used to think too, but with a little effort and scrimping

The Rookie

Darkstalker420 wrote:

wondered if you can tel me if the rear suspension is a "unified rear triangle" setup? (ie the bottom bracket/cranks etc are attached to the rear swing arm) OR is there a pivot point somewhere around the BB??

When I was bored the other day I looked at one, the BB is on the front triangle, the rear (effectively just a swing arm) pivots about a point just in front and just above the the BB as I recall, pretty similar to an orange 5 really (See SS I can Orange bash as well!)

Pity this won't fit! http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/sr-su ... o/95933497 with a shorter max compression length it may allow contact unless of course it's pumped up firmer to compensate!

Simon

chez_m356

The Beginner wrote:

Darkstalker420 wrote:

wondered if you can tel me if the rear suspension is a "unified rear triangle" setup? (ie the bottom bracket/cranks etc are attached to the rear swing arm) OR is there a pivot point somewhere around the BB??

When I was bored the other day I looked at one, the BB is on the front triangle, the rear (effectively just a swing arm) pivots about a point just in front and just above the the BB as I recall, pretty similar to an orange 5 really (See SS I can Orange bash as well!) Simon

no, your just a carrera fan trying to make it look better but still,thats interesting to know,very hard to tell from any pics that i've seen

Briggo

tarbot18 wrote:

Briggo bikes overa grand may as well be from an alternative reality never gonna happen in my house!! Nice to see a cheapish bike on here that im sure will give the op lots of fun.

Backstreet toilets, some quick hand action, easy tenner made.

Do that for a month and your dreams come true.

tarbot18

Shit a tenner thats where ive been going wrong charging 10p ..............

PaulC7

Another day another ride.

My Route

Was a nice kind of day although a little over cast... but having my Muddy Fox Jacket and Muddy Fox Tights a little bit of rain wasnt going to stop me so planned a nice route around the block and off i went.

Took with me my Canon 400D and 18-55mm lense in the hope i could find something interesting to snap... but there wasnt so just a few snaps of the lane i went down... (points D and E).


Start of the lane... shall be getting some lights soon as this is not a nice lane to ride when the sun is setting.



A bath of cold water... not for me.



Just a quick stop to take in some water.



Again more cows along the way, and a horse.











A bench in memory... was a nice place to stop and rest looking out across the field at a flock of birds.





Although part of the lane is blocked off there is still some access for the farmers and because of that some folks decided to spoil the scenery.





Although it doesnt look much of a hill it is, as it goes up and over a train track.







A classic shot of some barbed wire.



The end of the lane.




And as luck would have it once back on the main road it started to rain but i have to say my Muddy Fox gear done me good kept me cool and dry... bought them just recently just to try and see if they make for more comfortable riding... and im pleased to say they do.

All in all a good 2 1/2 hours.

kaytronika

Sorry for the bump, looks like you're riding in similar areas to me, but with better knowledge of the local routes.
Will keep my eyes open for the FS Carrera on my trips out
If you see a bloke on an old green GT, sat hello.

Have you checked out the Chesire Lines towards Southport yet? Not ideal mountain biking routes, but lovely when the weather is like this.

PaulC7

Have you checked out the Chesire Lines towards Southport yet? Not ideal mountain biking routes, but lovely when the weather is like this.[/quote]


Chesire lines i have rode yes... but from Southport to Liverpool after taking the canal to Crosby and then round to Altcar which then takes you to Ainsdale nature reserve.