Carrera Titan X Review
- Price: $1,131
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 27.5″
- Gear: 1×12
What we like about it: The comfortable ride geometry with a sturdy and durable frame.
What we don’t like about it: It doesn’t come with rear shock locking.
Rating (4.7/5)
The Carrera Titan X offers the great cushioning feel that only a full-suspension mountain bike can offer, with the right specs. When we found out that Halfords had developed a new full-suspension mountain bike with a 12-speed shifter and dropper, I was very interested. Because the price of $1,131 was incredible to me.
Until now, Calibre Bossnut The Carrera Titan X comes in at a lower price point and comes with a dropper. It’s really good in terms of numbers, but there’s more to a good mountain bike than just great components, so can the new Carrera Titan X be at the top of the field?
Below we analyze the climbing performance, descent performance, key features, components, and specifications of the Carrera Titan X, as well as other versions.
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Carrera Titan X Climbing Performance
Despite my height, the Carrera Titan X still takes care of me very well. However, it may be a bit of a struggle for riders over 190cm.
To be honest, the whole bike gave me a very constricted feeling when I got on it. This design makes it ideal for uphill riding, which is something most full-suspension frames don’t have.
The rich gear ratios allow for staying seated and pedaling almost all the time, except for the steepest climbs. And, the rear suspension is very active under power, allowing you to pedal comfortably and efficiently on even the roughest terrain.
In addition, the need to get up out of the saddle on every bump is greatly reduced compared to hardtails in the same price range. This is because the suspension can handle small bumps without the rider bouncing up and down, while not allowing the power to fade while riding.
Another thing that needs to be prepared in advance is booking accommodation. This time, I still booked accommodation on IHG Hotels & Resorts, hoping for a good rest. When I ride in the mountains, the WTB tire greatly reduces the effort needed to ride and rolls very fast. Although the tire is not very large and the overall weight is only 15.8kg, it has very good coverage and can handle the various terrains in the mountains very well.
It is worth mentioning that Men’s Carrera MTB by Velo also has a very soft feel. But it’s not like the old worn-out sofa at home, it has comfortable support and a soft padded feel. Because of it, I can stay comfortable all the time on a long ride, and it gives me enough support when I need to make a push.
Carrera Titan X Downhill Performance
I continue to be impressed with the Carrera Titan X’s rear suspension on downhill sections. The fork and shock handle small bumps well for a bike of this price. It has a considerable advantage in comfort and grip over hardtails in the same price range.
And the suspension is not one of those flimsy, weak cushions. So I can get plenty of support when entering dry riverbeds as well as when jumping. As far as I can tell, the quick-release cushioned rear guts don’t hinder handling even when making altitude drops.
The dropper is equipped with another trump card compared to most bikes at this price. The slight undulation it gives makes for a smoother experience when traversing terrain. It also means there is no need to stop and adjust the saddle angle every time you climb or descend a hill, or to ride a high saddle all the time on rough trails that make control difficult.
The brakes provide reassuring power and consistency, even on consistently bumpy sections of the road.
It’s worth noting that the Carrera Titan X is made in three sizes to accommodate riders from 165cm to 190cm. This may not be very friendly to riders with more extreme heights. And my largest size has a wheelbase of 1180mm, which is similar to most smaller-sized forest road mountain bikes.
This makes the handling very confined and tight, especially for very tall riders. But this is great for smaller riders. They can choose a frame one size larger and a stable wheelbase for a more stretched-out position.
I highly recommend it for players under 185cm, it will fit very well. However, the extra reach and more relaxed head angle may still be worth the extra cost.
Main Features
Frame Group
The Carrera Titan X uses 130mm of suspension travel at the rear, with highly adjustable air springs and rebound damping to accommodate different rider weights.
At the same time, the frame may not be the most refined in terms of welding as well as cable routing, but it is the most robust in appearance. Also, the frame uses a triangular reinforcement design for most of the tubing, as well as a quick-release rear axle. And this may make the matter of upgrading the rear tire limited.
In addition, the seat tube area is equipped with a dropper. This allows you to quickly adjust the height of the saddle while riding without having to stop in the middle of a fast ride and then pull out the hexagonal wrench in your pocket.
Geometry
The entire frame is very upright and the head tube angle (67°) is more relaxed in all sizes. As a result, it provides a more relaxed angle of incidence and allows for stable tire steering. The Reach (442mm), on the other hand, will be shorter, which allows for a very upright riding position, and this design also allows me to ride longer and farther.
There are very similar geometry designs at this price point, such as the Giant Talon 29 1, but it is a hardtail design like most of its competitors. On flat trails, the short wheelbase makes for a very snappy ride throughout, which means it’s very easy to maneuver through fast turns. But it seems that the compact geometry seems a bit tricky in long turns. I don’t care about that, though, as I prefer riding on steep trails.
Components and Specifications
SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 Drivetrain
The SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain is a very bright part of the bike. This is because the 11-50T cassette configuration allows the rider to provide enough range for both fast riding on flat roads and steep uphill and fast downhill in the mountains.
And, the SRAM 1× chain is always stiff and stays on track. While this is not the lightest pairing, nor the most refined drivetrain, the design is certainly very practical. In addition, the rear is equipped with a max 50T cassette which is a money-saving option when climbing hills.
Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Disc Brake
Pairing Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes with a full SRAM drivetrain is not common on bikes, but it is a great fit for my actual riding use. Truth be told, there is no incompatibility due to the two brands.
Braking is very easy and efficient. The hydraulic disc brake can grip the Rotor tightly, and you can get reassuring braking power on slippery ground. In addition, the brake lever is so light that I only need to use two fingers to easily snap the brake handle to get a strong braking effect, but without wheel lock accidents.
WTB Ranger Comp 29×2.25″ Tires
The tires on the Carrera Titan X come from an in-house-produced wheelset, which is a great cost-saving area. This wheelset is very supple in the corners, and paired with the WTB Trail Boss tires allows it to filter road vibration very well. At the same time, this tire does not have too deep a grooved tread and can roll fast on flat surfaces.
Many people would be concerned that the flexible wheelset would deform over time or have accidents while riding. But in my tests, ravaging it like crazy didn’t cause any damage to the wheelset.
If your daily ride is on hard surfaces and some rocky dirt roads, then this wheelset works great. But it seems to be a little slippery for very wet and muddy trails. But who goes riding in the mountains on a rainy Monday?
Rock Shox Recon RL Front Fork And SRAM Powerspline Rear Suspension
The fork looks very clean, and the use of a dark label gives it a very low-profile look. And it gets the job done with ease, I only need to flick the knob five times to get the compression dial and rebound adjustment, and the design is very easy.
While Motion Control™ damping features low-speed compression adjustment as well as lockout, Fast Black’s polished 32mm aluminum top tube incorporates lightweight materials.
It’s a surprise to see a bike at this price point equipped with a fork that uses a barrel axle design. This low-cost approach to enhancing rigidity is really popular.
In addition, the rear-end damping is very active and will not be a burden on your ride. Because it absorbs road vibrations very well, it is very comfortable when you sit and pedal. While it does create some wobble in the ride, I would never call it a pain. That must count as a plus, but it doesn’t seem to lock in.
Other versions of Carrera Titan
For this test, we have the Carrera Titan, a very affordable softtail mountain bike that offers an experience that is several times the price of about $1000. The overall vehicle does not cut any corners, but rather has a more powerful quality. This design has been well received by mountain lovers, as in the past they could often only buy hardtail mountain bikes for such a price.
Carrera Titan
In response, we also found its more affordable version, the Carrera Titan, at a surprisingly even more outrageously low price. But it also uses a lower configuration of components and the drivetrain is reduced from the original 1×12 speed to 2×9 speed. No doubt this reduces the fun considerably, but it’s still great to experience the fun of a full-suspension mountain bike at such a low price.
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What we like about it
- Sturdy steel frame.
- Smooth, fast-rolling tires.
- Rich gears for a smoother drivetrain.
- Easy-to-maintain rim brakes.
- Comfortable riding position.
What we don’t like about it
- Not equipped with rear shock locking.
FAQs
- How much travel does the Carrera Titan X have in the cushioned fork and cushioned rear guts?
The bike has a Rock Shox Recon RL cushioned fork with 100mm of travel and a RockShox Monarch R rear cushion with 130mm of travel.
- What brand of tires are they on the Carrera Titan X? What are the sizes?
Uses WTB Trail Boss tires with puncture protection, size 27.5 inches
- What heights does the Carrera Titan X suit?
The sizing chart for the Carrera Titan X is as follows.
(These sizes are only a general guide, the true fit may vary from person to person and the easiest way to find your size is best to go for a test ride.)
| Rider height (cm) | Frame size |
| 158cm – 170cm | SM |
| 168cm – 179cm | MD |
| 176cm – 187cm | LG |
Carrera Titan X Specs
Build
| Frame | Alloy |
| Fork | Rock Shox Recon RL, 15x100mm Maxle |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM Powerspline 118x73mm |
| Headset | Semi-Integrated, tapered 1 1/8″ – 1.5″ (44/56mm) |
| Stem | Carrera alloy, 45mm, 31.8mm clamp |
| Handlebar | Alloy, 31.8mm clamp, 12mm rise (Width: S – 720mm, M/L – 740mm) |
| Saddle | Men’s Carrera MTB by Velo |
| Seatpost | Trans-X Dropper post, 31.6mm, 420mm x 120mm drop |
| Pedals | Alloy Black MTB, 9/16″ |
| Grips | Carrera by Velo |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM SX Eagle 12 speed |
| Crank | SRAM SX Eagle Boost 148mm, Powerspline, 32T (S – 170mm, M/L – 175mm) |
| Shifters | SRAM SX 12 speed |
| Cassette | SRAM SX Eagle 11-50T (PG1210) |
| Chain | SRAM NX Eagle 12 speed |
| Brakes | Shimano MT200, Hydraulic Disc, 180mm Rotor |
Wheels
| Rims | Carrera double-wall alloy, 32H, Tubeless Ready |
| Front Hub | Alloy, 15x100mm |
| Rear Hub | Alloy, 10x135mm quick release, 8/9/10 speed freehub body |
| Tires | WTB Trail Boss with Puncture Protect |
Video
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Price | Drivetrain | Brakes | Tires | Click view |
| Polygon SISKIU D6 | $1,499 | 1×10 | SHIMANO MT201 Hydro Disc | DELI 27.5×2.25″ | Click View |
| Marin Rift Zone 27.5″ 1 | $1,799 | 1×11 | SHIMANO MT201 Hydro Disc | Vee Tire Crown Gem 27.5×2.3″ | Click View |
| Giant Stance 29 2 | $1,800 | 1×10 | Tektro HD M745 Hydraulic Disc | Maxxis Forekaster 29×2.35″ | Click View |
| Fezzari Abajo | $1,997 | 1×12 | SRAM Level Hydraulic Disc | Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5″ | Click View |
Carrera Titan X VS Polygon SISKIU D6
The Polygon SISKIU D6 offers Shimano’s Deore components with a 1×10 shifting system. And the 120mm cushioning front and rear allows for plenty of comfort when riding. But in the data sheet, we found that the Carrera Titan X uses surprisingly better components, but it has a cheaper price. This is amazing. However, the Polygon SISKIU D6 frame will look better in comparison, which is conducive to later upgrades.
In terms of geometry, the Carrera Titan X has a taller Stack and the Reach will be shorter. This makes it more comfortable to ride with a more upright seating position. And the Polygon SISKIU D6’s more forward riding position makes this bike very aggressive for doing crazy climbs up and down hills in the mountains.
Learn more : Is Polygon SISKIU D5 Splendid – [Polygon SISKIU D5 Review]
Carrera Titan X vs Marin Rift Zone 27.5″ 1
This bike uses the same lower-level components, but the overall frame configuration will be better. This is because the 1×11 speed kit may be slightly different than the 12-speed, and the Marin Rift Zone 27.5″ 1 has a larger maximum gearing of 51 T. This design is ideal for climbing, but the smoothness of the gear ratios will be tested.
Geometrically, the Marin Rift Zone 27.5″ 1 has an extra tall Stack. this makes it ride very upright and allows the rider to ride longer distances more comfortably. Also, both have an extra long wheelbase, allowing the rider to be more stable while riding. It’s easy to see from the various details of both bikes’ settings that both are great mountain bikes for long-distance endurance trails.
Learn More: Is Marin Rift Zone 27.5 1 Worth Buying? [Marin Rift Zone 1 Review]
Carrera Titan X vs Giant Stance 29 2
From the looks of it, it’s easy to see that the Giant Stance 29 2 has a relatively high BB height, offering the rider the possibility of more rugged terrain off-road. In addition, the two bikes have the same travel length fork but are equipped with a much better rear cushioning travel. just 10mm in length, and in my actual riding I could not carefully feel this small difference.
In terms of geometry, the Giant Stance 29 2’s geometry as I mentioned before, is very similar. But the Giant Stance 29 2 has a more outrageous Stack, which makes the ride almost close to sitting on a bench. While this may result in a comfortable riding position, it doesn’t seem very aerodynamic.
This makes the rider lose a very large amount of speed when riding, which I don’t recommend if you are a competitive rider. But if you are looking for a comfortable ride, then it is perfect for you.
Learn More: Is Giant Stance 29 2 Worth Buying? [Giant Stance 29 2 Review]
Carrera Titan X vs Fezzari Abajo
The bike is very lightweight, and it’s easy to tell by its slim tubing, which Fezzari uses to provide soft cushioning. But this reduces the rigidity of the frame, making it not easy to power up. Also, the internal alignment of the cables is the way we like it, giving the whole bike a very clean look.
In terms of components, the Fezzari Abajo uses the better NX components, while the Carrera Titan X uses slightly lower SX components. However, both use a 12-speed, so there is not much difference in real-world use.
Geometrically, the larger 29-inch tires make the Fezzari Abajo look larger, but there is not much difference in all aspects of geometry. This also explains why the Carrera Titan X’s smaller tire frame will be more upright as well as comfortable. The larger tires also give the Fezzari Abajo more speed but seem to be lacking in terms of comfort.
So, how to choose still depends on your needs.
