X Lite Titanium Pro - Build Suggestions?

[Barneyballbags]

Hi people,

OK, I've just taken my first foray into the world of the Titanium MTB, and I'm in the process of buying myself a rather nice X Lite Titanium Pro, complete with the spangly dual-stem forks. It was the one for sale on Gumtree recently, in case anyone saw it.

Firstly, I don't know very much about the frame or forks at all (except that the forks have been known to crack - is that right?). Any information that anyone could give me would be appreciated. Is it a decent Ti frame for a start? Was it manufactured by X Lite themselves or was it just a frame from another manufacturer (Sandvik etc) which was then re-badged?

I've asked the seller to confirm that the frame and forks aren't cracked before I pay for it... I'll get it in writing too, in case I find that they are when I get it.

Also, a lot of the kit that's currently on it, while it's decent enough in it's own right, doesn't really suit the frame (new Raceface cranks and old Crossmax Wheels for example).

A possible build idea is:

- M95x Brakes, Cranks, Shifters, Mechs
- Hope Hubs ( of course ) in blue, red or silver
- Mavic Ceramics
- X-Lite PSS1 Saddle (if I can find a minty one), otherwise a good old minty Flite.
- NORMAL colour cable outer, instead of orange!
- Anodised bolts (brake pivot bolts, lever bolts, bottle cage bolts) to match hub colour.

Another alternative (funds permitting) would be to keep the orange cable outers and go down the mango route, with Mango CK Hubs and bolts..? It's not quite as British as the Hope build but it's certainly a little different..

I'd keep the seatpost (X Lite Ti) and bars (X Lite Ti).

Any suggestions or ideas will be welcomed - I've seen so many lovely builds on this forum so I know that someone reading this will have a cracking idea

Oh, and please be honest about the frame - I really don't know a hell of a lot about them so if they had a reputation for being a bit s**t, tell me!

Cheers

 

[benbonty]

Its actually a Raleigh Special Products frame, made in Nottingham. Awesome in my opinion.

Looks great, I think the crossmax suit it too. I'd go for a Hope/X-Lite build if it were mine....

 

[tintin40]

Nice. Never knew they made frames. A must is fit canti's & correct cranks in my opinion

 

[Barneyballbags]

Thanks for the info

I won't be fitting cantis to it as it's a 1995-1997 frame (I think), so could have been fitted with Vs at the time.

I think I'll stick with the British (ie. Hope & X Lite) build.

So would I be right in assuming that this is basically the same frame/forks as the Raleigh Torus(?) then?

 

[paininthe]

The forks where originally called Trimnel's

The success of X-Lite’s bar ends, and later seatposts and stems, gave Rex the opportunity to work on developing suspension forks and frames. An association with Raleigh saw the Nottingham company’s pro racers riding X-Lite Ti frames and, on smoother courses, a later version of Rex’s original twin-crown rigid fork.

I have some of the forks, an early pre-production type and after purchasing did some research and yours is the first I'd seen of reports of cracking.

Looks like something special there. Also have a black PSS1 saddle nib.

 

[benbonty]

I'm not sure as to whether its the same as a Torus, its certainly a lt rarer and cooler. Member bikemeister2000 will be able to help, I think he worked for RSP.

It looks to have a canti mount on the back, but i would've thought you would struggle to fit one to the trimnell fork anyway!

 

[paininthe]

I'm not sure as to whether its the same as a Torus, its certainly a lt rarer and cooler. Member bikemeister2000 will be able to help, I think he worked for RSP.

It looks to have a canti mount on the back, but i would've thought you would struggle to fit one to the trimnell fork anyway!

There will be a hole drilled in the top yoke of the front fork for cantilever brakes.

 

[Barneyballbags]

I'm not sure as to whether its the same as a Torus, its certainly a lt rarer and cooler. Member bikemeister2000 will be able to help, I think he worked for RSP.

It looks to have a canti mount on the back, but i would've thought you would struggle to fit one to the trimnell fork anyway!

There will be a hole drilled in the top yoke of the front fork for cantilever brakes.

Cool, thanks

As for the PSS1 saddle - if you're selling it (or thinking of selling it), can I have it?!

 

[benbonty]

There will be a hole drilled in the top yoke of the front fork for cantilever brakes.

Ahah! I couldn't see an obvious way that canti could be cabled.... Bit more research and...........

 

[paininthe]

Yes, i'll p em you when I find receipt