Race-ready speed or adventure-focused versatility

Today, Titan Racing officially pulled the covers off the all-new Switch Gravel lineup. After spending the last four weeks logging miles on two very different versions of this bike, it’s safe to say this bike is going to surprise a lot of people.

The Switch name isn’t new. This is, however, a second-generation platform, arriving roughly six years after the original and it represents a clean-sheet with a 100% in-house design from Titan Racing. It’s a modern gravel platform designed to reflect how the category has evolved, and to a degree, where it’s heading next.

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Video Review

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The Tech

Across the full range there are nine models, all built around a full-carbon frame, offered in five sizes that cater for riders from roughly 1.3m right through to just over 2m tall. On launch, retail pricing starts at R39k and rolls up to R145k. That wide sizing and broad range of price-point already tells you something about Titan Racing’s intent here: this bike isn’t niche, it’s meant to be accessible, adaptable and widely appealing.

For this review we focused on two bikes at opposite ends of the spectrum: the race-focused Switch Carbon Empire, and the adventure-leaning Switch Carbon Pro MX. Feature-wise, the Switch ticks all the modern gravel boxes: integrated cable routing, the universal derailleur hanger, clearance for up to 50mm tyres, and dropped seat stays for added comfort and compliance. Two models in the range also feature front suspension, which hints at just how broad Titan sees the Switch’s use case.

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Switch Carbon Empire | Ready to race!

The geometry has been subtly but meaningfully updated. Compared to the first generation, the new Switch gets a little more reach, a lower stack height, a slightly slacker head angle, and marginally shorter chainstays.

The Switch Carbon Empire sits toward the sharp end of the range, and it shows. Our test bike came dripping in premium kit: SRAM Force 1×13 XPLR, a one-piece Prime carbon aero cockpit and Zipp 303 XPLR wheels. Despite all that bling, it tips the scales at a very respectable 8.02kg which is light by any gravel standard and light enough to start asking awkward questions of some road bikes too.

The Switch is a 1x drivetrain specific frame design with dropped chainstays allowing for 50mm tyre clearance. Compliance is boosted by the 27.2mm seat post diameter, dropped seat stays and big rubber capability.

The BB area isn’t particularly overbuilt and the upside of this is more clearance for things like bigger water bottles and frame bags. Towards the front of the bike there are some aero design elements that come into play including deeper shapes on the fork blade, a marginally box-like head tube design and a tapered top tube.

It’s a fully integrated carbon aero cockpit by Titan Racing’s in-house brand, Prime. On the size large test bike I measured the drop at 14cm, drop-to-drop width at 48cm and hood-to-hood width at 40cm.

On SRAM Force AXS brake hoods, there’s a small thumb-activated button known as Bonus Buttons. They’re built into the inside of each hood and can be programmed via the AXS app to shift gears, control a head unit or perform other functions depending on your setup.

The Zipp 303 XPLR wheels are a standout component, and the headline feature here is the wide 32mm internal rim width. This trend started in mountain biking years ago, and its migration to gravel makes a lot of sense. Wider rims allow for lower tyre pressures without a significant increase in pinch-flat or rim-damage risk.

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Switch PRO MX | The monster truck!

While the Empire is clearly aimed at racers, the Switch Carbon Pro MX is all about versatility and confidence when the terrain gets rough. Yes, it can be raced – but its true calling is adventure gravel.

This Carbon Pro MX build runs a 60mm RockShox Rudy XL fork, a 100mm RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post, SRAM Rival AXS XPLR 1×13 components and Prime carbon gravel wheels. With all that added capability, weight climbs to 9.9kg, which is still reasonable given the spec.

In case you are wondering, the MX (front suspension) model of the new Switch uses the same frame as the fully rigid models which means there are some changes to the geometry. Pre-sag, the RockShox Rudy XL adds some 35mm to the axle to crown measurements of the MX. With recommended sag settings, by my calculations the effective (or dynamic) increase in stack is around 20mm over the fully rigid Switch. With that higher front end comes a head and seat tube angle that is around 3.5-degrees slacker.

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Ride Impressions

Switch Carbon Empire | Let’s get this out the way early: this thing is fast. Really fast! The combination of a lightweight frame and tight chainstays makes acceleration feel immediate. Whether jumping out of corners, punching up short climbs or winding things up on fast gravel roads, the Switch Empire responds eagerly. It’s a bike that actively encourages harder riding. It’s gagging for hard days out.

Handling is where the Switch really surprised me. Despite a relatively relaxed and upright riding position, the bike changes direction quickly and predictably. That confidence becomes especially noticeable on high-speed descents or in bunch riding, where precision matters most. It never feels vague or floppy, even when things get spicy.

One of the key changes Titan Racing made to the geometry is a shorter head tube, which allows riders to properly slam the front end – if a more aggressive setup is preferred. That adjustability pays dividends. Dial it in, and the Switch Empire starts blurring category lines because with the right gearing and tyres, it genuinely wouldn’t be out of place doubling as a competitive road bike. A dual purpose gravel and road race machine. Now that’s interesting….

Also worth mentioning is the SRAM Force 1×13 is quietly brilliant. The more time I spend on SRAM’s 1×13 XPLR drivetrain, the more convinced I am that this is the future – and not just for gravel – potentially for road too. Shifting is fast, precise, and stealthy, with none of the fuss or indecision that older 1x systems sometimes suffer from. There’s ample range at both ends, and while the stock 44T chainring worked perfectly for the terrain I rode, swapping chainring sizes to suit ride durations, profiles and fitness levels would further dial in the gearing.

Braking is outstanding. There’s loads of modulation and plenty of stopping power, even with just one finger on the lever. The updated SRAM hoods deserve a special mention; they’re exceptionally comfortable and easy to live with, especially on longer rides.

The fully integrated cabling and one-piece cockpit might not thrill your local mechanic, but visually this bike looks properly hot. And importantly, the Prime cockpit isn’t just aero for the sake of it. There’s ample flare, a shallow drop and a nicely rounded rear edge on the tops that doesn’t dig into your hands – something I really appreciate on longer rides.

Another standout component is the ZIPP 303 XPLR wheels. With their wide inner diameter improving stability of the tyre, I was able to reduce my usual gravel pressures by as much as 7psi. The result? A smoother ride over rough terrain, noticeably improved grip and a bike that feels calmer and more composed when the surface gets chattery.

Verdict | The new Switch Carbon Empire is a thoroughly modern gravel race bike. Compared to the first generation, it rides lighter, feels faster and handles just that little bit better. At R99k, this model represents exceptional value in a market where some prices have become somewhat detached from reality.

Switch Carbon PRO MX | The ride difference between the Switch Empire and the Switch Pro MX is felt immediately. Paired with 50mm tyres, the suspension fork and dropper post, dramatically change how the bike behaves when things get bumpy, steep or loose. It’s far more capable.

If you like numbers, here’s a highly unscientific but very honest “bro science” description of the ride. In terms of overall grip, control and handling on rough terrain, the MX feels about 50% easier to ride than the fully rigid Switch. Another way to say it is the bike feels about 50% less sketchy when things get rowdy. That’s not data-backed, it’s purely what I felt on the bike.

A big part of that added confidence comes from the Rudy XL fork. It effectively slackens the head angle by ±3.5-degrees and raises the front end by 35mm, giving the bike a calmer, more planted feel when descending or navigating technical sections. Add the dropper post into the mix, and suddenly lines that might have felt awkward, intimidating or impossible on a rigid gravel bike become approachable and even fun.

Acceleration isn’t this bike’s strong suit and much of that comes down to weight. The tyres carry a fair bit of mass, so getting them spinning takes a noticeable effort especially when compared to the lighter, more race-focused Switch Empire. However, once up to speed, the MX trucks like a monster and can maintain decent pace, regardless of the terrain.

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Bottom Line

The new Switch from Titan Racing has big ambitions and it delivers. For just under R100k, the Carbon Empire is a lightweight, race-ready gravel bike that can easily double as a road machine. Meanwhile, the Switch MX, built for adventure, feels planted and confident with handling that truly shines on rough terrain. //

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