I’ve had the Valerian Carbon Pro from Titan Racing in my stable since September last year. During our time together we’ve raced the Old Mutual Wealth Double Century and clocked many happy December base miles around Cape Town. I’m also really looking forward to a last hurrah at the Cape Town Cycle Tour in March.
While I enjoy a top of the range race bike as much as anyone, I’m fully aware that a bicycle doesn’t need to cost more than my car for it to be fun, and allow me to race the way I want to. For context: my requirements on the road are to be able to coffee ride with friends, and when the mood strikes give it stick at a race, smash some hill repeats, or stretch the elastic on a fast bunch ride.
I was drawn to the Valerian Carbon Pro because it ticked all my boxes for a no-upgrades required ride: carbon wheels, carbon seat post, internal cable routing, and the new Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed. At an MSRP of R66,000 it almost seemed too good to be true, and I had to put it to the test in the real world.
Out of the Box
Out of the box, the bike is race-ready. The only change I made was the saddle to my trusted Power saddle with Mimic. A quick roll around the car park was enough for me to know that the Prologo and I were not a fit.
The only other change I made to the factory specification was swapping the standard Vittoria Rubino 700x25C tyres for Vittoria RideArmor in 30C. My personal preference is a tubeless setup and I’m used to the comfort of a slightly wider tyre. I also appreciate some added puncture-resistance.
The tyre change allowed me to check whether the frame clearance could accommodate the 30C width, given that the recommended clearance is 28C. I can now confirm that there is plenty of room and that the Vittoria RideArmor tyres were ideal for training on our choppy South African roads.
Something to be aware of when contemplating a purchase: be cautious when using the size chart. At 168 centimetres, I should be a square medium according to the online size guide but I cross-referenced the geometry with my previous bikes and decided that small was the more appropriate choice. I’ve been 100% satisfied with the fit of the small frame. Although if it were up to me, the small size would come standard with narrower 400mm handlebars. The team at Titan Racing have informed me that this is changing for future model year build kits.
Valerian Carbon Pro Specifications
| Frame | SCL CARBON ROAD FRAME WITH 12MM THRU AXLE |
| Available Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL |
| Fork | VALERIAN CARBON ROAD FORK |
| Wheel front | PRIME SLR CARBON, FORMULA RX-812 DISC HUB |
| Wheel rear | PRIME SLR CARBON, FORMULA DC-212T DISC HUB |
| Tyres | VITTORIA RUBINO 700 X 25C |
| Max tyre size | 28 mm |
| Chainring | SHIMANO 105 FC-7100 50-34T |
| Derailleur Front | SHIMANO 105 DI2 FD-R7150 |
| Derailleur Rear | SHIMANO 105 DI2 FD-R7150 |
| Shifters | SHIMANO 105 DI2 ST-R7170 |
| Brakes | SHIMANO 105, 160 mm front and rear |
| Crank | SHIMANO 105 FC-R7100, 2×12-speed |
| Cassette | SHIMANO 105 CS-R7100 11-34T, 12-speed |
| Saddle | PROLOGO SCRATCH M5 TIROX HARD BLACK CARBON INJ MICROFIBER 1 |
| Seatpost | VALERIAN CARBON |
| Handlebar | TR ROAD PRO H/BAR / 31.8mm / S = 420mm / M+L+XL = 440mm |
| Stem | TR ROAD PRO, 90mm |
| Weight | Our Small came in at 8.4kg including pedals and cages |
On the Tar
From the first ride, the Valerian Carbon Pro felt comfortable. There is nothing in the handling or build kit that demands attention — it’s a bike that’s ready to get down to business without making a fuss.
When descending, it feels planted and predictable, carrying rolling speed well and hugging curves effortlessly. I’ve really appreciated the braking power of Shimano’s 105 disc brakes. With a few steep and sometimes traffic-filled descents on my usual route home, reliable and powerful braking is non-negotiable. I feel safe and secure in the bike’s ability to handle our unpredictable roads.
The 40mm Prime SLR Carbon wheels are my ideal depth for balancing speed and Cape Town’s temperamental crosswinds. The Valerian holds the road nicely — even in a gale.
At 8.4kg with pedals, it’s not the lightest bike on the block, and that’s the only real downside I can identify. While it doesn’t have the same snap in response to power input on steeper gradients as a lighter bike, it hasn’t affected my ability to hold a wheel on a group ride or push the envelope on a climb, in any meaningful way. For the price, I’ll take it — and lay off the pastries.
During the five plus months I’ve been riding the Valerian it has proved to be absolutely set and forget. After dialling in my setup I’ve not had a single mechanical issue or niggle – a feature I really value in a bike. I’ve put a fair amount of mileage in, in a wide range of conditions, and aside from one cut tyre, I’ve not needed to check so much as a bolt. For someone juggling multiple bikes, and with minimum time to spare, this reliability is absolutely priceless.
Conclusion
The Titan Racing Valerian Carbon Pro has proven to be a reliable, well-specced, and highly capable road bike that delivers well beyond its price point. It’s comfortable, confidence-inspiring, and race-ready straight out of the box — with only minor tweaks needed to suit personal preferences. It may not be the lightest bike around, but its performance, handling, and overall ride quality make up for it. For anyone looking for a well-balanced, value-packed carbon race bike that can handle everything from coffee rides to race days, the Valerian Carbon Pro is an excellent choice.
