Time has come to post my final thoughts on the full suspension rig from Titus Cycles. My previous posts can be found, here, here,here, and a word on the swapped out wheel set here. Now let’s take a final look at this frame and my verdict on its performance.
I’ve gone over the finer details of the rear damper set up in my last update on this bike, so this time I want to focus on frame rigidity. The Rockstar is a unique frame from the standpoint that it has its carbon bit and aluminum bit reversed from the typically seen arrangement. The carbon swingarm is highly formed and it is rigid. On ruts and high torque climbing it stays straight and true. I can find no fault with the carbon’s rigidity. However; there is one small detail that is sort of a pain concerning the rear end.
The frame’s drop outs seem to be spaced slightly too wide, which requires an extra bit of futzing when removing and replacing a rear wheel. Other than this slight annoyance, it doesn’t seem to affect anything about how the bike rides or functions.
The front triangle is aluminum, of course, and does pretty well in terms of rigidity. I can make it twist up just a hair if I want to, but normally while riding I don’t notice anything untoward in this regard. Most riders will likely find the entire frame to be quite satisfying in terms of rigidity. I give Titus high marks for the frame feel in this area.
Conclusions: The Titus Rockstar is a full suspension bike with great tracking traits, a nice rear damper in the Rock Shox Monarch, and has an unusual arrangement with the carbon fiber rear swing arm. A rider looking for a stable, easy handling, long ride partner should find the Rockstar easy to get on with. The bike seems to be well sorted as far as handling with a bent towards the stable side and with the Monarch’s excellent wide open and platform settings, specially tuned for this frame, a rider should be able to set up a reasonably good feeling suspension for long, endurance type riding.
As an all arounder, I also feel the Rockstar has a place in consideration for someone’s stable. While it doesn’t have the playful feel of a short stayed hard tail, it does get around tight corners well and has great handling manners everywhere else. On climbs it has very good traction, and going down is well sorted, as you would expect. The 100mm of rear travel is smooth and doesn’t seem to have any weird spikes, ramping up, or anything I would deem negative.
Speaking of negatives I can only say that the slightly long-ish stays do not produce a bike that has a playful demeanor. The Rockstar is instead a solid, trustworthy companion that will be surefooted, stable, and ready to tackle most trail conditions. This says “endurance racer” to me, but anybody looking for a good, all day ride in the dirt should find this frame to be suitable. Given a fine parts build with a solid wheel set, the Rockstar should work quite nicely almost anywhere.
Note: Titus Bicycles sent over the Rockstar for test/review at no charge to Twenty Nine Inches. we are not being bribed or paid for this review. I will strive to give my honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
Hi,
Well then. Final words…
Just thinking about three matters:
1. Would it be ok to fit Rockstar with 9 speed 32/20 crank and 12/36 or 11/34 cassette? Or there would be not enough clearance around for chainrings?
2. Are you still sticking to your “rather firm suspension characteristic” oppinion GT? Wondering if custom tuning of shock (Push, TFT) would make it any more on the plush side?
3. What about wider, more aggressive tires? Have you tried any afterall?
Cheers!
I.
@IvanMTB:
1: The Rockstar I have has a 2X crank with a 39T outer. The 32T X 20 should fit fine.
2: Did you read the Mid-Term on the Rockstar? 😉
3: I fitted a Bontrager FR-3 on a 28mm wide rim, (Charger Pro), and there was no room for error or mud. I wouldn’t consider such a big tire for the Rockstar as being practical. I stand by my 2.35″ or smaller recommendation here.
Sure I did read it. Just doublechecking if nothing changed 🙂
I guess that rear tyre wise if I will go e.g. for WTB i23 and Kenda Nevegal it should fit fine.
Cheers for great review GT.
I.
12.75″ BB height on a 4″ travel full suspension frame? Wow, must be prone to pedal strikes…
@Slowroll: That was raised per rider’s request versus Gen I Rockstar models, so maybe it was an issue with the previous generation, eh? 🙂
so the info on their website is old? do you have the current geometry specs?
@Slowroll: Not sure- this page said they raised it: http://shop.titusti.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=FRTIRSV2
But I can’t ascertain if the specs shown are for the old or new version. I’ll measure my example and report.
@GT – so would you say that this frame, while good, is not an awe inspiring ride? Basically, the bike is there and you ride but nothing that gets you super excited? After this last weekends race I see where I could use a fs ride in my stable for some of the trails I ride in my area. While I love my Inbred 29er HT, there were quite a few spots in the race where I wished I had a fs because I lost traction while the rear was getting bucked around by the trail.
@Fizzy: I would say it is exciting to ride, but that is such a subjective term, I usually don’t put that in a review. 😉
What I am saying is that due to overall weight, and the geometry, it probably isn’t going to appeal to the XC/weight weenie crowd that likes speed over all else. It does work great as an endurance racing platform, or as that trail bike you go out all weekend on with your buddies.
Overall, as a trail bike, I think it is a great bike.
That make sense?
Hi,
So… If BB height for medium size Rockstar is 12.65″ with 100mm travel forks (as per On-One website) how much it is going to lift up with 120mm forks? And what would be a change for head tube angle? Any idea anyone?
Cheers!
I.
Ivan MTB
BB height goes up about 0.25inches and HA slackens by close to a degree. I have mine set up like this and find it very versatile in all terrain
100mm would be nice if I used this primarily for XC racing but the extra 20mm is great if you live somewhere with steep or highly technical terrain
GT nailed the assessment in my opinion – this makes and excellent all around trail bike or endurance racer. Handling and suspension are very well sorted, great pedalling manners, light enough, stiff enough and so far reliable.
Cheers ChrisCrash!
Regards!
I.
@GT – What was the total weight of the Rockstar as built?
You’ll find the complete build weight (with Crank Brothers Wheels) and frame weight, (along with all the other tech info), here: http://twentynineinches.com/2012/03/05/titus-cycles-rockstar-out-of-the-box/
Hey all,
I have mine a few months, also ride a superfly hard tail
and have owned a spider 29 and a truth 26 in the past.
I mainly ride swoopy hardpack with some ruts and roots but
also do some tourist rides up in the Sierras – Downieville, etc.
It’s built with some enve wheels and a 120mm talas.
I got the large (24″TT) and I am 6’4″. Works fine with the right stem and offset post.
I like the bike a lot. The suspension behaves very well over chatter and rougher stuff and is the best climbing suspension I have experienced.
Bike takes corners well.
For the $$$ this bike feel to me like great value. Looking forward to racing it at Downieville this year. Will make a change from picking my way down ‘babyheads’ on my Superfly 🙂
Hi I dented my GF paragon frame and need to replace the frame.. was first thinking steel frame (as I wanted something different and didnt think I could afford a FS) and was looking at on-ones inbred but stumbled over their offer on the Rockstar frame at 800£ (1289$)
any thoughts about fitting a G2 fork and what impact that would have on steering and the ride in general
also found a Spearfish 2 on sale for only 684£ (1102$)which sounds like a bargain but reading reviews of both tells me that the rockstar might fit my need better for ordinary 2-4 hours xc-trail riding + a rare race once or twice a year
so which is the better frame? (for my purpurse)
can they be run with a G2 fork? (fox F29 100mm tapered)
or should i stick with my fist ideer of a steelframe?
btw im 6ft1″ & 185lb if that has anything to say
@Poetsch: Between the Spearfish and the Rockstar, I would base my choice upon how much travel I think I need. That extra 20mm in the back may make a difference, depending upon how you ride/where you ride. Both are similar designs otherwise, as far as basic layout goes, with the Rockstar having the actual “four bar linkage” going for it, if that means anything to you.
I think the Spearfish has a more XC bent while the Rockstar shifts more toward the Trail end of the continuum, if that is a better way for you to look at this.
G2 forks will work on these frames, but will have the effect of making the handling more toward the less stable/quick side of the handling curve.
Cool thanks.
80 or 100 mm rearsuspension? Well Until now I been doing just fine with none
But our local track is loaded with roots and lots of small drops so a FS would be nice
You’re saying that the salsa is more XC like, was just afraid that the longish tale would make it less “snappy” and run out of corner on snaky Singletracks (but then again the paragon is’nt accactly a quick turning bike eighter)
Well thanks again
Got some thinking to do… Orange or Blue?
Hi GT.
Thanks for the great review! 🙂
It helped me a lot on what to get for my first 29er bike. I recently purchased a frame-only Titus Rockstar 29. I’m really excited to finish my build and try it on our trails here in the Philippines.
However as I was reading again your “Out of the Box” review, you said cranks/chainstay clearance for the Rockstar is really tight. I already bought XTR Crankset 3×10 42-32-24. Would it still be compatible or will my outer chainring rub the chainstay?
Thanks GT! 🙂
@Rayj: Hello! Thanks for the good feedback. I think you will be fine, but you may notice that there isn’t a lot of room there! Still, a standard crank set, such as you suggest that you want to run, should be perfectly fine.
I hope you enjoy the riding! I sure did when I had that bike here.
I’ve had my Titus Rockstar for just on 2yrs now… Full XT build with Stans Arch and Fox Float 120mm. Was looking at maybe replacing it but really haven’t ridden anything that carves up an Endurance ride (12-24hr) and takes care of me when I’m depleted as good as the Rockstar. So I just replaced all of the bearings and bushes and now she’s good for another 2yrs.
Great bike 🙂
Heya GT,
I’ve been searching around on this, but not finding much. How do you compare real-world feel to the Rockstar V1? Have you ridden both?
@Pimpbot: The Titus debacle happened and we never got on a Gen 1, so I have no reference point to share regarding that bike. Sorry!