Whether the 2009 bikes will change that is debatable, but if the Titus X Carbon is anything to go by you really shouldn’t care about coolness. Titus X Carbon This is a mostly carbon fibre version of the classic Racer X – same 105mm travel, same chainstay-pivot back end, same racy geometry. But only the chainstays are aluminium on this one – the seatstays and main triangle are carbon.Titus’s Racer X is something of an unsung hero. It’s been around for years, experiencing just tweaks and refinements in that time. But despite being a fine bike, Titus somehow doesn’t have the cachet of some brands. Which, of course, shouldn’t matter at all, and yet somehow does.

There are some very pleasing constructional details on the Titus – we’re particularly taken by the “Reinforced Underbelly” alu plate stuck to the carbon downtube to ward off rock damage. As well as cutting weight, the carbon frame adds stiffness too – there’s lots of volume up front, making for a solid handling feel. That’s a good thing, because the X Carbon runs pretty uncompromising race-style geometry, so the stiffness boosts confidence.

The rear end works just fine, in a taut, short-travel way, and the bike just demands to be ridden faster, however fast you’re already going…