Jared and Rick from Titec paid us a visit a short while back. They came up to ride the Shore, Whistler, Pemberton and environs. You can read about their adventure in the Great White North here. While they were here they gave us a look and what's in store for '03 - and it's looking pretty fly. The entire nsmb team has been doing their best to bust their Titec cockpits but thus far the parts have been tough as a brick shithouse.
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Titec hasn't had failure problems with their Knock-Rated bars or stem but they have decided to go oversized this year and beef things up even more. The comment I hear most from riders on oversized bars and stem is that they give you a psychological security blanket. When you look down and see a 31.8mm clamp diameter it takes one worry off the list. |
 The new oversized Bar and Stem |
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The larger diameter makes the rise on the bars appear more subtle but they are a full 1.5 and 2". |
 The bars come in a 1.5 and 2" rise. |
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The 03 Berserkr El Norte saddle employs Flexsystems "Titec" No-Slip Stripe. Titec has the bike industry exclusive on this. These are the same guys that do moto-cross saddle covers. The Flexsystems covers are super durable and they stay tacky when wet. The rest of the saddle is made of reinforced full aramid fibre (this is basically Kevlar but licensing issues keep them from saying so). The colour scheme this year is black so it will match virtually any bike. Last year's red was a problem for some of our more fashionable team members this past year. |
 Any colour you want as long as it's black. |
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You have to like it when you discover that the folks who run a bike company actually ride bikes. Rick Palmer is a former pro BMX racer who used to do battle with the likes of Brian Lopes. He still rips on a bike and was immediately comfortable on the Shore. The bastard dialled things that took me years to master - upon first look. If he wasn't such a good guy I'd hate him. |
 Not your average CEO ~ Rick Palmer on the Shore |
There you have it - some of the juicy new Knock-Rated components from Titec.
For a more complete review of some of their components and the skinny on Knock-Rated
click here.
To read Jared and Rick's take on their visit to the Shore click here.
Words and photos
Cam McRae
