Mountain Biking - Have any experience with a Titus MotoLite II?

Another bike I am considering is the Titus MotoLite II. Anyone have one, ridden one, dated one, etc? I think it would make a very nice all mountain bike to just ride around with my buddies in the 5" mode. However, I think if I decided to do a 24 hour race or a race just for fun occasionally I could put it in the 4" mode and go for it.

Any thoughts?

I believe the motolite and the motolite 2 are the same except for the 2 being a little lighter. The 2 has a carbon fiber rocker and seatstay assembly. They both have the same adjustable travel (4" or 5"). What year is the bike that you took the picture of? According to speedgoat the motolite 2 accepts up to 2.4" tires. This is sort of important to me since I plan on running 2.35" Nobby Nics.

What size tires are on the bike in the picture?

I believe the motolite and the motolite 2 are the same except for the 2 being a little lighter. The 2 has a carbon fiber rocker and seatstay assembly. They both have the same adjustable travel (4" or 5"). What year is the bike that you took the picture of? According to speedgoat the motolite 2 accepts up to 2.4" tires. This is sort of important to me since I plan on running 2.35" Nobby Nics.

What size tires are on the bike in the picture?

2.35" Nobby Nics are narrower than a normal 2.35" tire. The Schwalbe tires tend to run narrower than their stated dimensions.

Have you looked into the El Guapo by chance? (Perhaps not since it seems like it may be a bit more of an "all-mountain" bike than you would need and/or want.) If so, what are your impressions? I'm looking into purchasing a new all-mountain type full suspension bike and am curious as to anyone's experience with it but have not found too many useful reviews.

Good advice given by Pete........Take notice all you guys drinking the Hateraide

You should get a Hardrock.

Have you looked into the El Guapo by chance? (Perhaps not since it seems like it may be a bit more of an "all-mountain" bike than you would need and/or want.) If so, what are your impressions? I'm looking into purchasing a new all-mountain type full suspension bike and am curious as to anyone's experience with it but have not found too many useful reviews.

Nope, I haven't considered it. It is more of a bike than I need. :o

That's a first year model and those are 2.4 WTB Motoraptors (a very narrow 2.4).

You sure those are narrow? They look like average sized 2.4".

from what i've read, the motolite is a very popular bike. it's definitely one of the four frames that i'm looking at for my next ride. if the above picture is a first year model, i'd be willing to bet that the tire clearance has increased for the ML2. you are correct that the difference between the standard motolite and the ML2 is the carbon seat stays and rocker link. however, alot of the opinions that i've read on the ML2 are from owners who most likely have some degree of pride in their trusty steed, so take it with a grain of salt.

an interesting option that i've found and plan on taking advantage of is this demo program:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCM?PAGE=DEMO_HOME

if you are going to demo any of those 4-5.5" travel bikes, you may want to try this demo program for the yeti 575 as well. it's a 5.75" travel bike that supposedly climbs very well and is a great all-around epic performer (just like the ML and others in that category).

http://www.fullcycles.com/yeti_demo.php

with so many demo options, deciding on one bike will certainly be difficult. i feel your pain, but it's a good sort of pain :)

Yes, WTB Motoraptors are narrow for a 2.4.

Sorry, I was being a prat and wasn't actually questioning your assessment of that particular 2.4" tire.

from what i've read, the motolite is a very popular bike. it's definitely one of the four frames that i'm looking at for my next ride. if the above picture is a first year model, i'd be willing to bet that the tire clearance has increased for the ML2. you are correct that the difference between the standard motolite and the ML2 is the carbon seat stays and rocker link. however, alot of the opinions that i've read on the ML2 are from owners who most likely have some degree of pride in their trusty steed, so take it with a grain of salt.

an interesting option that i've found and plan on taking advantage of is this demo program:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCM?PAGE=DEMO_HOME

if you are going to demo any of those 4-5.5" travel bikes, you may want to try this demo program for the yeti 575 as well. it's a 5.75" travel bike that supposedly climbs very well and is a great all-around epic performer (just like the ML and others in that category).

http://www.fullcycles.com/yeti_demo.php

with so many demo options, deciding on one bike will certainly be difficult. i feel your pain, but it's a good sort of pain :)

Thanks but the demoing isn't really an option. I just want to make sure that this bike performs like it is supposed to and I won't be dissapointed. My past bikes have been relatively high end so I have become a little spoiled.

As for the Yeti I'm sure it is a great bike, I'm just not a fan of single pivot.

I have a MotoLite 2 that I purchased as a frame and built up earlier this season, and I'm very happy with it. The ride is smooooooth. Part of that is the design, and part is the shock [RP23]. With Propedal [or whatever it's called] turned on, there is no bob, and even hammering out of the saddle fails to introduce much at all. At the same time, it still manages to react to trail inputs very effectively. Switch the stable platform off, and it loses a little of its anti-bob qualities, but not much. At the same time, it gains a lot of plushness and perhaps even some travel? I mated it with an '08 Talas, and it's a pretty darn good matchup. The black anodized finish is holding up very well so far.

On the down side, it's heavier than my hardtail. ;) Seriously, there's not much to complain about. The cable routing under the top tube has the potential to introduce some ghost shifting if the cable housing length is wrong. I hear the painted frames tend to chip, but the anodized ones are fine.

My bike is set up with XT all around, except for some Hope/DT wheels.

Well if all goes according to plan I will be ordering a green MotoLite 2 frame tomorrow. :D

I have a MotoLite 2 that I purchased as a frame and built up earlier this season, and I'm very happy with it. The ride is smooooooth. Part of that is the design, and part is the shock [RP23]. With Propedal [or whatever it's called] turned on, there is no bob, and even hammering out of the saddle fails to introduce much at all. At the same time, it still manages to react to trail inputs very effectively. Switch the stable platform off, and it loses a little of its anti-bob qualities, but not much. At the same time, it gains a lot of plushness and perhaps even some travel? I mated it with an '08 Talas, and it's a pretty darn good matchup. The black anodized finish is holding up very well so far.

On the down side, it's heavier than my hardtail. ;) Seriously, there's not much to complain about. The cable routing under the top tube has the potential to introduce some ghost shifting if the cable housing length is wrong. I hear the painted frames tend to chip, but the anodized ones are fine.

My bike is set up with XT all around, except for some Hope/DT wheels.

What type of trails do you ride with it? Any jumps/drops, etc. invovled and, if so, how does it hold up? Also, do you know how much it weighs? Lastly, which Talas did you get (36 or 32, RLC, RC2 or R)? Thanks a lot!

pinkrobe - What color did you go with? I really like the green but I'm not sure if I want to go with the painted frame. The black and silver are both annodized. According to Titus their paint holds up really well but it still concerns me a bit.

What type of trails do you ride with it? Any jumps/drops, etc. invovled and, if so, how does it hold up? Also, do you know how much it weighs? Lastly, which Talas did you get (36 or 32, RLC, RC2 or R)? Thanks a lot!

I ride in the Rocky Mountains, so it's um... rocky. I've hit the usual XC trails around here, which usually involve steep technical climbs and steep technical downhills [steep is relative, of course, and technical means loose rock, 6"+ root steps, gravel, tight switchbacks, etc.]. The biggest drop I've taken was about 3' to flat. I'm definitely not a "big air" guy, but I've also been described by friends as "lacking finesse", and at ~190 lbs + gear + bike, it has been holding up fine. A recent trip to Fernie for some AM riding produced a couple of good bails but no damage to the bike. The fork is a TALAS 32 RLC [140-100mm travel adjust]. In terms of weight, my bathroom scale measuring put it at 27 lbs.

pinkrobe - What color did you go with? I really like the green but I'm not sure if I want to go with the painted frame. The black and silver are both annodized. According to Titus their paint holds up really well but it still concerns me a bit.

I went with black ano. It's not a flashy bike, but I did do some colour coordination with the hubs and headset:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1315/857241102_78cd0dedee_b.jpg

The anodization has held up well to crashes that I thought would scrape the frame for sure. It's a matte finish, and slightly textured. It's been easy to keep clean...

That's a nice looking bike! Very tight.

Well if all goes according to plan I will be ordering a green MotoLite 2 frame tomorrow. :D

Nice. Green is definitely a colour we approve of although I thought it was only the single Connecticutianistas out on the town that rode green bikes.

Edit: spelling mistake

Nice. Green is definitely a colour we approve of although I thought it was only the single Connecticutianistas out on the town that rode green bikes.

Edit: spelling mistake

Now I'm second guessing myself on the color. I like the way the green looks the best but I like the durability of the annodized. Decisions, decisions.........

Now I'm second guessing myself on the color. I like the way the green looks the best but I like the durability of the annodized. Decisions, decisions.........

Junkyard says his green bike makes him score with the ladies.

LowCel's married, so he's gotta be careful. Unless of course his wife digs green bike then I'd say go for it!

LowCel, you know by now that BLUE is the fastest. And all Titus Motos look better in blue anyway . . . .

The Titus MotoLite 2 isn't available in blue. I guess I'm destined to be slow. :(

Shoot, just realized that Schwalbe doesn't make th Nobby Nic in a 2.35. Looks like I'll be going for a 2.25. I'm afraid to push my luck with a 2.4".

Now I'm second guessing myself on the color. I like the way the green looks the best but I like the durability of the annodized. Decisions, decisions.........

Welcome to the difficult and troubled world of the recreational rider, where style and appearance plays a more significant role.

If you were still a WW, it'd be the ano hands down I'm sure.

Welcome to the difficult and troubled world of the recreational rider, where style and appearance plays a more significant role.

If you were still a WW, it'd be the ano hands down I'm sure.

I have to agree here. I'm privy to some information regarding a certain build and the agonizing decision between silver and gold coloured brakes. I feel like I'm the priest sitting in a confessional box at times.

I will admit that I chose my brake model primarily because it matched my bike although I did choose the company first.

Welcome to the difficult and troubled world of the recreational rider, where style and appearance plays a more significant role.

If you were still a WW, it'd be the ano hands down I'm sure.

Yeah, I imagine this bike is going to be pretty heavy. It will probably be close to 25 pounds! :eek:

I have to agree here. I'm privy to some information regarding a certain build and the agonizing decision between silver and gold coloured brakes. I feel like I'm the priest sitting in a confessional box at times.

I will admit that I chose my brake model primarily because it matched my bike although I did choose the company first.

I'm lucky I guess. Only choices I have to make are on the frame, fork, and tires. I already have everything else except for the front derailleur. Unfortunately both of my front derailleurs are bottom swing, I need a top swing. :(

I have to agree here. I'm privy to some information regarding a certain build and the agonizing decision between silver and gold coloured brakes. I feel like I'm the priest sitting in a confessional box at times.

I can't decide whether this is a case of me being misunderstood or one of you being completely full of sh|t.

I can't decide whether this is a case of me being misunderstood or one of you being completely full of sh|t.

Don't be so sensitive. Nothing I write must ever be taken seriously.

Just placed my order. I ended up going with the silver annodized. :D

Just placed my order. I ended up going with the silver annodized. :D

Silver? Oh geezus.

Somewhere santiago is looking for his box of kleenex.

Just ordered the fork for it as well. Just ordered one of those cheap 'ole 2008 Talas RLC's. :o

Silver? Oh geezus.

Somewhere santiago is looking for his box of kleenex.

Wait for it....
































































*skeet* *skeet* *skeet*

Now where's that kleenex?

(that was my little homage to our good friend)

Just placed my order. I ended up going with the silver annodized. :D

I see you went with my suggestion for color.


Just ordered the fork for it as well. Just ordered one of those cheap 'ole 2008 Talas RLC's. :o

I knew it, had a sneaking suspicion there. You made two really good choices there.

Gosh LowCel, how will you ever get a 25 pound beast up a hill?

Who said he was going to go uphill?

Better warm up the shuttle rig to haul that porker.