[Closed] Liteville 301 - Ride review after a week on the TransProvence signposting team

Looks great.. But cripes how tall are you..?!

34.9 seat post? That huuuge!

I was fondling one of those in my lbs recently, they are very very nice.

theroadwarrier - I'm 6'2" but have quite long legs and a short back!

The only seatpost I could find was a Syntace 480mm one!!

Think I saw that in one of the daily TP vids, looks very nice. I've been lusting over them for a couple of year now.

warpcow - not mine! I was in the signposting team riding a few days ahead of the race - but I spotted that one too!

Only ever seen one, being ridden up to Frankenstein's castle. That's despite them (well 301, 601 and 901's) seemingly being pretty popular in the German/Austrian MTB vids etc. (although I see a few Rockets have evicted a few 301's)

Seriously tempted.

Do it!

🙂

So can you shim a 34.9 to fit a standard 30.9 dropper post?
It sounds a really sorted bike btw.

Yep, I think you can - looking into options for that at the moment.

There we go!

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/does-anyone-make-a-seatpost-shim-349-309 ]Wahay![/url]

I have to say that does look nice - I' ve been thinking about a helius AC but seeing that well not so sure now!!!! Dilemmas dilemmas - what to do?????

Loving mine too.

[url= ] http://www.flickr.com/photos/technophobe/8047595768/in/photostream/lightbox/ [/url]

It's now got a KS Lev seatpost on it so cable routing is nice and neat. And I still have my 180mm forks on from recent Morzine and Fort William trips although I have gone back to the 140mm rocker arms from the 160mm I was using.

One piece of advice with the shim though, just make sure it is long enough as the frame does require a long minimum insertion.

Very nice chuffnuts - those back ends do look long!
I find the Liteville logo a bit ugly, so that Raw finish hides it better for me personally.

when i turned up to my first local LBS night ride here in Germany i was the only guy on a hardtail and of the 6 fullys, 5 of them were 301s.

one of the guys there was the Liteville test-rider, Jan. lucky sod! ride everyday in all weather and report back.

really nice bikes. i was lucky enough to ride the shop 301 a few times (along with a few Bionicons) and it's the only FS that i've got on with. it's very stiff and responsive, although i had pumped so much air in the shock that it only sagged on BIG hits.

even 2nd hand they fetch good prices here in Germany. shame that its mostly lanky freaks that want to sell them... an M would be ok, but i want an S though, nice and flickable.
the only FS that i would consider buying

Good work Ferrit - looks great in silver

I built mine back in May and love it - its one hell of a weapon!!

XL frame - 140mm rocker
Boss DeVille 160 mm forks
2012 XT drive train & brakes
203/180 mm discs
Syntace Headset
CK BB
Hope/Flow wheels
Reverb dropper
Thompson 70mm stem & 750mm Renthal Bars
Weighs in at 30.5 lbs

Its shrugged of everything i've thrown at it over 8 days in the Alps, a couple of trips to the Peaks, a number of ppic Welsh rides and a couple of rides in the Lakes

Incredibly plush action, good uphill, fits me like a glove (no sore back anymore!) and, compared to a Yeti SB66, is great value (headset included and you get a transferable 10 year warranty)

I'm surprised i've not seen many others about

[url=[url=[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/8031092460_4856644bf5.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/8031092460_4856644bf5.jp g"/> [/img][/url] [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/67749037@N02/8031092460/ ]Lakes[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/67749037@N02/ ]boltonjon[/url], on Flickr][/url]][/url]

Do it!

So... L or XL (if i'm 6ft2)?

chuffnuts, boltonjohn - very very nice!

Yep, they seem to handle ok with longer forks on too. Hmmmm.....

andythe rocketeer - try one if you can - the sizing is not quite the same as other manufacturers. If you're a leggy dude, go for the XL. If you're more long-back type then an L might be ok too.

Have a peek at the geometry on the website - all there in typically German intricate detail!

Andytherocketeer

I'm 6ft 4" with a 36" inside leg

My LBS insisted that i get measured on their bike sizing rig, as i wanted a Large

I'm glad they did, as it fits me very well

I live in Berkshire, so if you are close, then you'd be more than welcome to try it out for size

jon

@Andytherocketeer

They sell them at Wellmans up in Rossdorf, aparantly there is quite a waiting list for them. I am very tempted by one, can be run 120 all round, or change the rocker for 140 rear and can take a 160 up front, could be a nice mid travel xc race machine or adapted for the enduro type stuff.

ps. we are going to have to get out for a ride sometime, I think you work at ESOC as well but haven't a clue who you are.

MSP - they no longer make the 120mm version, unless you can find an older one...

Oh I didn't know that, is it just not just that they don't come with the 120 rocker, but it can be bought as an extra?

It's a shame if they don't, that kind of rules it out for some of the stuff I wanted to do next year.

edit: acording to the liteville website

Travel:
The effective frame travel with the DT Swiss SSD 212L Tuned shock is either 120 mm, 140 mm or 160 mm and depends on the rocker arms selected for the setup. The different rocker arms also automatically adjust the geometry in order to provide a perfect ride for all situations for the chosen travel category when combined with a suitable suspension fork.

edit 2; ahhh, lower down the page it does say 120 is discontinued.

On the same page nearer the bottom:

New for MK-10
- Adjusted frame suspension kinematics
- Fox RP23 shock with Kashima coating and Liteville specific custom valving
- Shock length 200mm
- Needle bearing in top tube
- Shock with needle bearing eyelets both ends
- 5mm lower top tube clearance for all sizes
- 1° slacker head angle
- 1° steeper seat angle
- Discontinuation of the 120mm version

Yep @ ESOC (formerly Envisat ops engineer, now Sentinels).

I used the sizing thingy before, and iirc it was borderline (Canyon and YT were similar I think). Change 1 body measurement (eg inside leg) by +/-1cm and it flips between sizes. Might have to pop over to Wellmanns.

I knew the 120 was dropped in the Mk10? probably because it was designed around the 140 and nobody bought the 120?

see... it is just lanky people that buy these frames....

where abouts are you people in Schermany?

We are in Darmstadt, your down Munich way aren't you?

darmstadt ([i]edit: must type faster[/i])

They do look well sorted and the geometry is spot on, on paper at least. It's not really a substitue for a Nicolai anything though as they're made in Taiwan, not Germany, so you're not getting something custom built just for you.

Not that will lessen the performance mind; just observing that they aren't really comparable.

I seriously considered one of these before I ordered my tailored Helius AM and the single biggest reason I discounted it was because I just felt it was too light.

It's a 160mm bike and so equivalent to the Helius AM and yet it's lighter than the AC? They come with five year transferable warranty and then a five year crash replacement warranty (all transferable - now where've you seen that before?) so they're backing it up but that's not the same as saying 'it's definitely not going to break'.

I dunno, it looks way cool and sorted but if one of the best engineered bikes in the world doesn't think it can offer longevity for everyone at less than 3.1kg, I just can't see how another company can be so sure with something that weighs 2.5kg! There's only so much bending of the laws of physics you can do!

Ja. Monkstown.

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360455912525?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D360455912525%26_rdc%3D1#ht_1910wt_1156 ]Tempting price in germany[/url]

@andytherocketeer, I'm 6ft with short arms(!) and ride a large, it fits really well but I'm on the limit of a normal length of seatpost. I'd say on paper that you'd need an XL.

Does anyone know if there are any large 601's in black available in the UK?

Cheers John.

John call Evolution Imports aka Bromley Bike Co. as they're the UK distributor.

@jonbolton ....you NEED a 29er

or have a look under "Bikemarkt" on mtb-news.de, schermany's equivalent of STW but much, much bigger (as in the only half decent mtb forum).

i looked earlier today and there are quite a few full builds in L/XL for sale.

geetee1972 - are they really made in Taiwan?

I was of the belief that they were built in Germany?

Also, i'm a big fan of Nicolai - and i'm an engineer by trade - but I think they are massively over engineered

I've broken many a frame in my day (two Zesty's in a year!) so lets see how they've twisted the law of physics!

Richie O'keefe - shut it!! 🙂

Considering a 301 to replace my Enduro - can anyone confirm or deny the reviews I've read that says the 301 has a long back end? I love the short back end/long front end approach for the Enduro. I know the chainstays vary with frame size but any first hand opinions appreciated.

I see the new mk11 will able to take 26, 650b and 29er wheels (depending on the frame size)...which may account for the long back end. Can't wait to hear first hand accounts if this amounts to a compromise or a true all rounder.

Following on from Alpin, when I picked up my 6 month old 5.5EVP a few years ago in Munich, it had been replaced by a 301. over here Liteville:Cube is like Santa Cruz:Specialized 😯

Hello Ferrit
I'm interested to see your opinions of your 301 now you've had it for a few months. I'm in the market for a hard hitting AM< bike that I can XC/jump/drop/give hell. Options are Tracer 275, Turner Burner, Liteville 301 and Nicolai Hellius which I see you have previously owned.

Can you tell me this flat out beats the Hellius? That would be helpful to hear.

bikedibley - sorry - didn't see the reply there!

Still loving the 301. I haven't changed anything on it at all, which probably speaks volumes about how well it fits, rides and seems to suit me. Had it up in Torridon riding some rocky tech stuff and it just kept coming back for more. Still can't believe the light weight for the performance. Awesome.

Yes, this beats the Helius, certainly for me and how it fits/rides.

Replaced my Zesty with a 301 last May and love it

Awesome piece of kit - but i want a MK11 now - but can't have one 🙂

Godzilla gocycle are VERY quick on replies and sending stuff.

Can I just say....its ****ing ugly though isn't it. On the Cool wall it sits low down along with the c456 and el gippo.

el gippo.

Everyone knows it's not about how attractive they are, it's how they ride... 😉

Everyone knows it's not about how attractive they are, it's how they ride...

I suppose so....and at least you won't have to worry about your friends wanting a go.

I suppose so....and at least you won't have to worry about your friends wanting a go.

They won't want a go of my Liteville either!

Oh dear.

Can you tell me this flat out beats the Hellius?

The idea that any one bike 'flat out beats' another is ridiculous. Ferrit clearly prefers his but that's hardly the same thing.

For a bit of balance, I'll chip in here and say that I think the 301 is best looking FS bike out there for the simple reason that it looks like a hardtail. If I were in the market for a new bike, this would be it.

I have to agree, the hardtail 2 triangle shape is as classic as anything, which is why imo the 301 looks ace! I wish I'd tried one when shopping for my last frame.

Frankly all the Liteville bikes look lovely. The 601 is my favourite.

I like the look of the litevilles also.

This is like an AA meeting! My name is Ferrit and I quite like Litevilles...

Can we have some more pictures please Ferrit.

Notice that the people on here who actually own 301's ride 140 rocker plates with 160 forks. Was that a considered decision chaps?

jobro - Running 150mm 44 RC3Tis on mine but I've noticed this as well. Planning to get some 170mm 55s on there and upping the rear to 160mm plates for Alps action too.

geetee1972 - don't have any more detailed bike pics but a few riding ones:

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

This is like an AA meeting! My name is Ferrit and I quite like Litevilles...

My name's Edd and I [i]really[/i] [s]want[/s] need a 301 Mk11. My girlfriend is getting bored of me talking about it (although in the interest of balance she has 5 bikes and I have 2)...

This is one of the few frames that I look at and really want to own. Maybe when I win a lottery.

I don't understand the 'ugly' comments either. It's one of the most 'bike' like full sussers out there.
I'm not a fan of the logo though.

Picking up my s/h Mk8 tomorrow!

I can't believe that someone thought this was ugly??

[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8455716468_f9676ddbf2.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8455716468_f9676ddbf2.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/67749037@N02/8455716468/ ]liteville snow[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/67749037@N02/ ]boltonjon[/url], on Flickr

They're certainly not pretty but having had a close look at them at The Bike Place show and talking to Evolution Imports I'd be tempted with a 301 with 140 rockers when it comes time to replace the Helius.

The attention to detail on the 301 is superb.

Curious about how it rides at 160mm Does going to 160mm involve a longer shock, or just more leverage on the existing one?

Same shock just different rockers.

My favourite little detail on the 301 was the sacrificial hanger bolt that will break instead of the hanger or mech getting damaged. There is a spare bolt mounted on the frame in case you need it. What a great idea.

or just more leverage

I think it would be less leverage no? I'm not at all mechanically minded, but if you had more leverage, that would translate to more force at the shock and therefore more compression.

It would be more progressive and therefore a higher 'ratio' between wheel movement and shock movement.

Have I got this right?

Syntace seems to be bringing a lot of thought and detail to their designs at the moment. The Litevilles have some fabulous touches - a spare mech hanger built into the frame is genius for example and their approach to sizing is something I've thought needed to happen for years.

If you think about it, if you change the front length of the bike without changing the rear, then you're not just changing the size, you're changing the whole dynamic of how the bike rides.

I'm not about to switch from Nicolai to Liteville as I still love the Nic way of doing things but this came very close to getting me into bed with someone else:

[img] [/img]

Awesome looking bike.
tf-bikes.at = Boner-ville.

hamishthecat - Member
Picking up my s/h Mk8 tomorrow!

Is it the whole bike or just a frame?

Looking forward to seeing build photos 🙂

[img] https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZskFtMkNDytVEWvkcBTNtqjyF8fNsaJEesM3P8U-13JnWRpdyww [/img]
Reminds me of a better-looking one of these. Should ride really nicely!

What on earth is that Mafiafish??

Looks like a Chumba Evo boltonjohn

Is it the whole bike or just a frame?

Looking forward to seeing build photos

Just the frame. I'll endeavour to do some pics but it won't be a very exciting build as I'm using old bits off my previous frame.

Main issues are getting a 34.9 post and seeing if I can convert Hope Pro to Syntace thru-axle. I don't think I can...

You'll love it mate - it'll be a great build

I'm pretty sure that USE do a 34.9mm shim and that you can convert your Pro2 hub by replacing the whole axle

Its much easier on the Pro2 Evo hubs though

Has the MK8 got the DT Swiss shock?

jobro - Member
Notice that the people on here who actually own 301's ride 140 rocker plates with 160 forks. Was that a considered decision chaps?

The distributor didn't have any 160mm plates when i added my 160mm forks, but the 140mm back end never felt to stretched whilst riding 10 days of heavy Alp abuse

It seems really well balanced. I'll probably get some 160mm plates at some point to see what it likes though 🙂

Marcus:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Syntace-P6-Seatpost-34-9mm-22667-/181042376796?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2a26f7705c

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scott-Genius-Alloy-Mountain-Bike-Seat-Post-34-9mm-X-315mm-/190794284979?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2c6c39bfb3

Pleased?

Has the MK8 got the DT Swiss shock?

Yes, but the previous owner also fitted an RP23 which I think he had tuned for the bike at Mojo - so I have both.

Cheers for the advice all - and for those links Mike. You riding this weekend?

BTW - that post is a bit short I think.

Ride tomorrow morning? Have text you.

Today I saw a raw 301 in Leisure Lakes Bury.

ABsolutely gobsmacked. I couldn't stop touching it 8)

Gratuitous pic of my Mk8:

[img] [/img]

I would like a new one in raw though in due course. Optional 650b in the Large + sizes.

Anyone know what the difference between the Mk10 & Mk11 is apart from the 650b?

The Mk11 has a slightly longer shock stroke which means it runs a Fox rather than the DT swiss. I think it also has a pre-drilled hole for a stealth dropper post - rather than the Liteville instructions for drilling your own...

The head angle might be a tad slacker too - the Liteville website has an account of the various changes for each model.