[Closed] Liteville 301 builds, inspire me!

I don't know how to post a pic but mine is...

Raw frame (the best!!)
Rct3 dual position revs
1x10 zee
Xtr cranks
Xt brakes
American classic tubeless wheels
Mk2 front, nobby nic rear, both 2.4

I'd deffo recommend the wheels. Light, stiff, wide.

It's sofa comfy to ride once set up and climbs like a mountain goat. I got up Smiths Coombe in the quantocks which I've not done on any other bike.

One thing though is I couldn't get an e type front mech to fit it it must do!

i'm getting a raw too! Did you use a straight or tapered fork?

Tapered. But purely for cosmetic reasons as the headtube is so massive it looks better!

(Hangs head in vanity shame!)

Lyrik air 160 forks
1 by 10; 30t with 11-36 cassette.
Easton carbon bars
Spank 30mm stem.
Flow wheels; Minion and Ardent.
Mallet pedals (old style)
XT everything else.

For and aft stability awesome (1200mm wheelbase in XL size) but still very nimble at slow speed.
same weight as the hardtail Kona I had in 2007.

Rode one for few days in Garda couple of months ago, awesome piece of kit, I'm dead jealous!

Ok you asked for it so here goes:

It's quite a conservative build in some ways as it's got a lot of Syntace kit on it

Liteville 301 Mk10 L 140mm rocker plates
Pike RCT3 150mm
Syntace w35 27.5 wheels
Hans Dampf 2.35 front
Mavic CrossRoc rear
Syntace Vector Carbon bars
Syntace Megaforce 2 30mm stem (highly recommended)
XT 1x10 with Hope 32t retainer ring and 40t-rex expander sprocket
Xt brakes w ice tech 180 rotors front and rear
Reverb
WTB rocket saddle
DMR Vault pedals

I took it to a Bike Park last week and had amazing fun doing 6 foot drops, jumps etc. Never felt overwhelmed on it.

I'm eyeing up a CCDB inline though....

Mk11 size large 160mm plates
Pikes 26" 160mm
XT 2x10 King BB
Hope Tech M4 180mm floaty rotors
King on Stans 355, though the rims are dying...
Hans Dampf and Nobby Nic tubeless
Reverb Stealth, still getting used to that.
The most stable and capable bike I've ever owned. It's bloody brilliant

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/13540250913_fae21a6cee_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/13540250913_fae21a6cee_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/66452821@N00/13540250913/ ]Liteville 301[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/66452821@N00/ ]ritcheyp20[/url], on Flickr

They're strange critters when bottomed out

[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/13360431944_124a7732de_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/13360431944_124a7732de_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/66452821@N00/13360431944/ ]Liteville 301 Compressed[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/66452821@N00/ ]ritcheyp20[/url], on Flickr

Not got an up to date pic but:

Mk8 black frame (large) 140mm rockers
Fox RP23 shock(I think) with oversize air can (also have DT shock)
Just fitted 160mm coil converted Lyrik(tapered) to replace 150mm Revs
SLX brakes 180 discs f&r
Ragley carbon risers 720mm
Ragley stem, 55mm
Crest hoops on Pro2s (rear Crest a bit beaten up now - had to pull the rim out in a vice a couple of times...)
2.4MK front, 2.35 Fat Albert rear, tubeless
RF Next carbon cranks running 2x9 with bash. 22/36
XTR BB
11-34 cassette
SRAM XO shifters
SLX Shadow Plus rear mech with 6mm spacer bodge
LX front mech
Fizik something or other saddle
34.9 Reverb
520 SPDs

According to my elderly spring balance scales it was about 28lbs with the air spring Revs so maybe around 29 now.

Have run it with 140, 150 and 160mm forks. Only done one ride with the Lyriks but feels great. I really like this bike - but would like a raw one - and I'd like to try 650b - to see if the trail can come any more alive.

vonplatz - I'd hardly call that a conservative build... Very nice.

The bikes above look great!

Two questions...

1) P20, what front mech are you using? What is the fitting?
2) Pike owners, do your forks have dual 26''/650b compatability?

My build will be something like...

MK11 frame xl, raw
Shimano 2x9 or 2x10, depending on budget.
Marzocchi 44 Ti RC3 150mm
Sun ringle black flag wheels
Full XT or SLX/Saint brakes
Reverb stealth

I think the rake on the 26/27.5" Pikes differ but if you want to be sure that you can run both then go with the 27.5s

It's an XTR E-type front mech. From memory there isn't any other choice for the 40/28 rings I run. Shifting is excellent both up and down. The down side of those rings, the front syntace chain device doesn't fit.
My pikes are 26"

P20, so your mech is similar to this one?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/fi/en/shimano-xtr-m985-e-type-2x10-front-mech/rp-prod54896

or this one?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/fi/en/shimano-xtr-m985-e2-type-2x10-front-mech/rp-prod83058

The first one. That 2nd one is for swing arm mounted mechs

Saw one of these in the flesh for the first time in the alps, very taken with it in the flesh, the suspension setup is very neat

My build (remarkably similar to vonplatz's) :
301 MK11 XL in black with 160 plates
160mm 27.5" Pike RCT3
Syntace W35 wheelset, 26" rear & 27.5" front (These are brilliant & make my FlowEXs look puny thin in comparrison)
Dual-ply Larsen TT on the rear & Magic Mary on the front, tubeless.
Syntace Vector Carbon 780 bar
Syntace Megaforce 2 30mm stem
2x10 XT throughout
Syntace bash
LV integrated chain device
150mm reverb stealth
SQ labs Ti railed saddle
Syntace No9 Titan pedals
~29lbs all up

My build.

Medium MK 11 in Raw with 140 plates
150 pikes
XX1
50 mm Haven stem and carbon bars
Reverb stealth.
Arch ex hoops (26)
MT6s
XTR pedals
Selle kit carbonio saddle
Rubber queens ( the light ones)

26 lb 10 oz. On ultimate digital scales before anyone says "no way"

Love it

P20 - Member
They're strange critters when bottomed out

Linkage looks sort of normal there, albeit in the wrong place. It's a clever design, I like it.

Rob2 - slight hijack: what are you doing riding up Smith's in the first place!

*opens can of worms*

has anyone tried a 301 with 26'' and 650b wheels? Are the differences so noticeable that it's worth buying new 650b wheels, tyres and forks in the future?

Oxy - it's that climb on the right when you get to the bottom. It probably has a proper name!

Not tried 650B in the back but did ask for some picks of it on here before I made a decision.
I decided on 26" in the back in the end. 650B would not have given enough mud clearance for my liking.
So I went 26" rear and 650B front.

Just like London buses, you wait all day for one and then two come along together, photos from their first proper full day out pass-storming ...
[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

Nice pictures Ecky-Thunp.

I've got 650b back and front and I am limited to 2.25 tyres in the back.

Do I like it better? Compared to my Cotic Soul 26" it's really hard to say as they ride so differently and I ride them in completely different situations. I cant' say that the wheels make a massive difference but then I'd have to compare riding the same setup on the 301.

I went 27.5 as i fancied trying it out and it looks like the industry seems to be going that way in terms of new developments.

[url= http://dirtmountainbike.com/classics/billy-thackrays-liteville-301-review-committed.html#!bHHiS4 ]Some 650b Liteville musings[/url]

If you search for Tobi Leonhardt you will see a video of him riding a 301 with 29" upfront and 650b on the rear; sorry I tried to do a link but I'm a Luddite it seems.

p20, crikes that was a difficult read!

vonplatz, what tyres are you running?

Not the best shot of mine;

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The 44 Ti's work really well on this frame.

but is the current build. I've rebuilt the wheel with Blunt 35 rims and it's running a 2.4 rubber queen front 2.2 rear now plus the Liteville chain device under the BB. I changed the bars and stem, too.

original build;

[URL= http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff167/LukeBurstow/301/002_zps59b28c08.jp g" target="_blank">http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff167/LukeBurstow/301/002_zps59b28c08.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

I have a Hans Dampf 2.35 VertStar compound up front. Very tacky and loads of grip. It has an enormous profile due to the 35mm rims. I'm very happy with it but it's wearing very quickly, as to be expected with such a soft compound.

On the rear I have a Mavic CrossRoc. Fast rolling and long lasting, it has quite a smooth central band with more aggressive side knobs meaning you can drift nicely before you find grip. Seems quite hard wearing.

HansRey: I recently converted to 1x10 so I have an XTR front mech in my parts bin with about 500km use if you're interested. I wasn't going to sell it in case I didn't like a single ring but I've been impressed so far. Send me a PM if you want it.

vonplatz, what's your email address? Mine is in my profile. I'm interested, if you can post to Helsinki, Finland.

Just written!

the frame comes today!!!

[img] ?oh=53608467740163029261acb1b488d43d&oe=547E418A&__gda__=1415662243_080325e8b982800f188b0050d1e8b822[/img]

Happened across an MBR review of this frame - they didn't like the high BB - is that an issue?

I hadn't noticed on mine - I get enough pedal strikes as it is!

in the past, i found that reading tea leaves or consulting the horoscopes were more informative/ accurate than MBR, MBUK, WhatBike, Dirt, etc. 😀

BB is high, but i can't see it being a problem for me. I'll write up my thoughts on it when it's built up. I think it's dead certain that will be like reading tea leaves too !

Happened across an MBR review of this frame - they didn't like the high BB - is that an issue?

Depends, if you like a high BB or not? I borrowed one for a while whilst I was inbetween bikes, so had a decent amount of time on it - it kinda worked ok, the frame was well built & had some decent design/thoughts, but the numbers were a bit funky, the high BB being one, and not moving towards the longer reach mindset.

The whole 650b compatible thing is a bit of a misnomer, yes the wheels fit (just, if you don't ride in the mud), but they take a bike that's already a bit high and make it REALLY high - 14.6" BB heights with a 160 fork & plates. The one I rode had offset bushes and an angleset in it to make it a bit more normal.

Personally, if it was updated to be a bit longer in the front, and (a lot) lower, it would be a really, really good bike. I understand some people like the short & high thing though, we're all different 🙂

This was the one I was on:

[URL= http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/chris.archer/D9E06473-D4D1-47E1-AE7F-27C5AB4F64AF-8036-000009743CA84FE5_zpsdc147536.jp g" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/chris.archer/D9E06473-D4D1-47E1-AE7F-27C5AB4F64AF-8036-000009743CA84FE5_zpsdc147536.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Compared to my old bike I felt like I was riding a horse at first on the 301, the whole thing was bigger in every respect and I was initially worried that I'd got a size too big (L - I'm 5'11).

I thought that the bike did have quite a long reach, it certainly had a long wheelbase when comparing it to a couple of bronsons that were on a bike holiday with me, but that was an observation, I haven't looked at numbers.

I also read that MBUK review and it made it sound quite pants really... I can't agree with the height bottom bracket thing however, I get quite a few pedal strikes and have never had the sensation that the bike flops in corners. Again, not a scientific measurement.

I don't ride lots of different bikes every month and so can't compare or be impartial since I've already spent money on it and therefore have a vested interest in saying it's good so I don't look like an idiot BUT the frame is extremely solid, has been developed little by little not by model years to its current iteration, has loads of clever features and I think it rides like a dream.

Thread here!

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/liteville-301-ride-review-after-a-week-on-the-transprovence-signposting-team

Mine is now in 160mm mode sporting 55 RC3Tis. Awesome bike.

[IMG] [/IMG]

I don't get this high BB thing in the mag as I get pedal strikes if I'm not careful (150 mm forks). I think it's just very sensitive to the sag so if you have too little it really sits up. (actually I have no idea but so that is a total guess).

The little red indicator sag thing I found to be spot on with 2 turns of rebound.

Post a pic when complete sir!

Beautiful pictures and bike ecky thump!!!

I have a 301XL and I'm running 27.5 all around. According to their scaled sizing XL is supposed to be run with 29/27.5.

A Hans Dampf 2.3 fits pretty nicely in there actually. I'm running Continental Mountain Kings in 2.4. There's very little room with that combo but I don't ride much in mud and it's a mountain bike so the little scratches from rocks back there don't bother me.

The problem of that review is that he rode the 301 with 160 linkages and 27.5 combo. Then the BB gets way to high. If you're running 27.5 all around or 29/27.5 only 140 linkages should be used in my opinion.
Then you're in the ballpark of a Specialized Enduro or Trek Slash.

The 301 feels like more travel than 140 already so I don't see the point in 160 and for that a 601 might be the better option anyway.

.....one thing I forgot......
Vonplatz: the CC DB as well as the inline does NOT fit the 301!
You will have to take a dremel to your linkages to make it work if you're up for it.

The CC does also not perform the best in a 301.
I recommend going with a RS Monarch + and have it specifically tuned.
The 301 is special, not every shock works in there, most of them are overdamped.

Write Stefan an email! wildsautreiber@gmail.com
He tunes Monarchs specifically for the 301 to your liking.
Your riding style, your weight, your MK Model, your preferences!
He's become so popular that he now tunes the bikes for Liteville team riders and other professionals for Syntace.

Will you kindly stop posting on this topic.

I would love to get a 301. But am not allowed or able to spend that much money on a bike. They are the finest and tidiest looking FS bike ever conceived . And I have hardly hear a bad word said of them.

[i]But am not allowed or able to spend that much money on a bike[/i]

I was fortunate to get one in the Bromley Bike Ebay clearout last year or I'd still just be watching from the sidelines too.

Wow, thanks a lot dogdaysunrise, for every troll and facetious idiot on here you occasionally get top notch advice!!

It's also interesting the point you made about the travel options, I'm running 140 and was toying with the idea of going for the 160 plates. According to what you said i should have gone for a 26" rear wheel?

Hmmm, I don't think I can reasonably drop that amount of cash on plates and a rear wheel. If it would be compatible with my QR Soul maybe but no...

As you've mentioned the feel of the 140 is up till now bottomless, even in a bike park.

+1 for the Bromley clearout. I'm getting to like the bike more and more and even if they release a new 301 at this years Eurobike you know that it's not going to be some complete chassis overhaul that makes you feel like you've bought the bike 6 months too early.

frame unpacked. Looks good, although the raw finish s quite underwhelming. No pictures yet. I'm waiting for payday, to order a new wheel and cranks, then it should be built. Could be three weeks..!

One nice touch is that they supply those frames with scotch brite pads, in case you want to tidy the frame up. They do think of the small details.

even if there is a Mk13 (or whatever number it's up to now +1) at Eurobike, you know it'll be just another small evolution on the current model.

this one's back on my list (in 140mm). need to think if i'd run it fully 26 (got about 3 sets of usable wheels), fully 650b, or pop a 650b fork in and run 26 for now until I cba to get new wheels.

guessing an XL if i'm 6ft2 ?

get the stickers on and its looks better!

[i]guessing an XL if i'm 6ft2[/i]

I'm 6'1" and have a Large. It's a long bike already, I'm not sure I'd want to be moving anything with much more distance between the hubs around for the sort of riding I do.

You're welcome to sling your leg over my 301 for a test if you like - I'm near Brighton.

I did wonder when I saw a pic of a CCDB inline on a 301. Nice advice, but I'm happy with the fox

I'm in Germany (and have only ever seen about 2 here, IRL), but thanks for the offer anyway.

Vaguely recall being on the L/XL boundary before when I last checked the size thingy (ages ago), but tbh, that's the case for lots of bikes. Will dig up past threads and get the tape measure out before sending a wad of cash.

Multi-owner warranty too. Not many do that.

bit of colour being introduced across the range looking at this pic from the stw Eurobike post;

[img] [/img]

i'm 6'2'', 6'3'' and went for the XL

there's always been a custom colour option afaik? (may need to go to the right dealer or direct for that)

A few thoughts on sizing:
Re the pics of the two bikes that I posted up there^
Mine is and XL - I'm somewhere between 6'2" and 6'3" with long legs.
The other is a Large - The owner is virtually identical height to me.

... so I guess either would suit you Andytherocketeer, just depends how you like your bikes.
My previous bike was a 20" Five
His previous bike was a L Mk2 Nomad

Very short stem (30mm Syntace) with 780 bars works really well for both of us.
Both are 26" rear and 27.5" front, with 160 plates and 160 Pikes.

I noticed that certainly in terms of seat-tube length, an XL 301 is more similar to an L from most other manufacturers. Almost identical to the Nicolai Helius AC I had previously.

I'm also about 6'2" with long legs and on a L 301, there's no way the seat tube would be long enough.

Also, running mine in 160mm mode with 26" wheels.

I'm 5'8" on a large. I base my bikes on toptube length. The medium would have required a layback post, there isn't one long enough for the amount of required post insertion. The large fits me fine. Previous bikes have been medium yetis, all around the same length tt.
Never found the bb too high. When it had the fox 140s on it, I was getting pedal strikes, much better with the 160mm pikes

Vonplatz, thank you sir! Glad I could contribute.
If you have the 140 linkages then 27.5/27.5 or 27.5/26 is fine.

---

For everyone being 6 foot and a bit over.
You're right between L and XL.
A test ride would be best.
I'm 6'1 and Liteville recommended XL for me when I called them. Before I rode an L. I'm glad I made the switch, the owner at Liteville is slightly shorter than me and rides a XL too.
Since frame size is not just frame size... I'm running my XL with a 50mm stem and a 760mm handlebar.
I dig that, with an L I would have to run a longer stem or shorter Handlebar.

I'm 6'2" and have an XL as I am using a 30mm stem; 140 plates, 160 Lyrics and 26" wheels. Wheelbase is long but doesn't seem to make the bike clumsy in the tight stuff. Wouldn't want a lower BB.

I would love to get a 301. But am not allowed or able to spend that much money on a bike.

I put mine together for 3500 all in. Xx1, pikes, reverb etc. Still not exactly cheap but you just need to keep an eye out for deals.

i'm a bit confused about adapters for my rear wheel hub. Does the liteville need a 135x12mm or 142x12mm hub?

Since Liteville was one of the first ever to back Syntace X12, I'd imagine 142x12 ?

edit: thinking about it, isn't Liteville owned by or a brand of Syntace? or vice versa? or owned/run by the same guy?

142 x12

andytherocketeer - Member
Since Liteville was one of the first ever to back Syntace X12, I'd imagine 142x12 ?

edit: thinking about it, isn't Liteville owned by or a brand of Syntace? or vice versa? or owned/run by the same guy?

Founded by the Syntace owner and one of his designers.

Syntace X12, 142x12

edit: thinking about it, isn't Liteville owned by or a brand of Syntace? or vice versa? or owned/run by the same guy?

[edit] Ooops, too late, thankyou honourablegeorge [/edit]

its a hideous abomination. frankenstein need only add them new hope cranks to complete the monster.

good. 142x12, thanks for confirming this everybody. Will check if i have a wheel to fit tonight

I noticed that certainly in terms of seat-tube length, an XL 301 is more similar to an L from most other manufacturers.

The Liteville sizing concept is that you buy the frame length that fits and the low top tube, short seat tube and 34.9mm diameter 480mm long seatpost allows you to get the pedalling height you need whether you're long or short of leg.

I'm not sure how that translates with dropper posts but generally they're really long - I could easily get the pedalling height I need with my dropper post on my 16.9" frame (not a Liteville) if I was 6'2" rather than 5'10.5", there's that much spare seatpost inside the frame.

When you go with a dropper, I recommend using the 31.6 with the Syntace shim.
https://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=3252

The whole package is still lighter than the 34.9 stealth for example and if you ever wanna sell the dropper it's easier to sell a 31.6.

---

The X12 axle is the reason Liteville is able to sell their frames in the US.
Specialized has a patent on the link in the chainstay like the Liteville has.
After Syntace introduced the X12 axle,they made a deal with specialized.
Specialized can use the X12 axle and Liteville can sell their frames in the US.

Seriously considering a 301 in XXL.... The joys of being 6ft 6. Anyone else had experience with the mk11 160mm 29er set up?

Anyone know who's importing liteville into the uk these days, is it still evolution imports as their site isn't the clearest about it!

Also, anyone know of any dealers in Scotland? Google gives me only one shop in edinburgh who's now been taken over by the edinburgh bicycle co-op.....

Some fellow liteville riders in the german forum ride a 29er 301 XXL and love it, plus it looks so harmonious with the big wheels. I dont know anybody running 160 though but the good news is the XXL frame has a lower BB , its modified for 29er wheels where all other sizes are still based on 26" wheels.
Cant help with you with distributors but you can always simply order your frame directly from liteville/syntace.
That's what i did before there was a US distributor, so should work just fine getting one into the UK.
Hope that helps a bit!

Not mine.
[img] ?0[/img]

Been running mine for 2.5 years and still love it. I'm 6ft 4" and have a XXL frame - fits me nice, and even with big 60+ mile adventures, my back doesn't suffer.

I run it with 26" wheels and 160 front & rear

Pikes/reverb/Thompson stem/Renthal fatboys
XT cranks & brakes / Saint shifter & mech / 1 x 10
Hope hubs and Stans Flows

Weighs about 32 lbs and hasn't broken 🙂

Great do it all bike - has taken a serious hammering. The only problems i've had with it were a main pivot bearing which came loose damaging the thread on the bolt and have had problems with water ingression in the downtube weld causing issues with the headset - which is sealed up with gaffer tape

Loads of mud clearance and still looks pretty tidy considering the abuse its taken

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/15104431272_75abfc0a14.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/15104431272_75abfc0a14.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/p1JabQ ]liteville1[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/67749037@N02/ ]boltonjon[/url], on Flickr

looking good, boltonjon! What year frame do you have?

I've more or less finalised the spec for the bike. It'll be 140mm with 26'' initially whilst i try that out. Hence having a rather odd front wheel combo. I'll have matching wheels when i'm sure whether to stick with 26'' or if i want to try out 650b. Choices, choices...

MK11 301 frame, 140mm plates
Marzocchi 44 Ti RC3, 150mm
Hope Tech Enduro rear wheel, Sun Ringle black flag front wheel
Saint cranks (1x10)
Zee shifter
XT rear mech
XT cassette
XT brakes w/ 180mm rotors

My frame is a MK10 from early 2012

Mixed wheels - the shame of it 🙂

My flows have different stickers due to a [i]big stick in wheel[/i] incident - its pains me every time I see them - but not enough to build a new front wheel 🙁

A friend of mine is selling their 26" Liteville 301 160mm soon if anyone is interested.
It's a large with Lyriks, X0 drivetrain and DT Swiss EX1750 wheels

Not sure how much it will be but probably a bargain as they need to sell quickly.

edayeaye AT yahoo DOT co.uk

Cheers

Look at this for a weapon - they reckon 24 lbs for the medium

29er with 120mm

[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5565/15108897095_5e10acac89.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5565/15108897095_5e10acac89.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/p283HM ]LV1[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/67749037@N02/ ]boltonjon[/url], on Flickr

29er with 120mm

I suppose it'd only be a small change from what i have now.....people might not even notice...... 🙂