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The planets aligned and my dream bike is born
Liteville - German precision from the same guys as Syntace
160mm travel at 13.3kg's and not carbon and no weight weeny
Optimised for a 650b front and 26 rear (B-26)
Incredible ride
What happens at the pedals has no influence on the rear suspension and vice versa
Overgeared and clattery with 3 x 9 but need to let my wallet recover before updates
Such a nice change from previous bikes - I love it!
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Good on you for trying something different. I can't see suspension pivots from pic. Can you load some close ups? Looks like direct mount front derailleur?
What's the reason for the different sized wheels? Does that mean carrying different spare tubes as well or can you get by with one?
This is the one?
http://www.liteville.de/t/25_29.html
There's a nice animation on that page.
I take it the amount the linkage moves above the top tube is exaggerated for display purposes and it doesn't really move that far? I mean, looks like a perfect place to trap the boys... and I know Bloot has been unlucky in that department before
Now apart from pure 26, 27.5, 29, you can have different combination now. 29 front and 27.5 rear?! Interesting! I saw a shop put 27.5 front in 26 cannondale lefty. Love to hear more if someone have tried before.
Re the diff tubes - nope - as a 26r tube will fit a 29r in an emergency, there is no need to carry two tubes.
Motorcycle enduro and MX bikes have had diff sized wheels for a l-o-n-g time. Wondered when an MTB manufacturer would try it. Of course MX bikes have a tad more power to overcome obstacles and the terrain than an MTB! So not sure the principle translates to MTBs.
But could be interesting development.
I've been touched by the amount of people concerned for the well being of my cags
I'm happy to report that the graphic is exaggerated
And even when exaggerating the size of my boys, they never come close to linkage
Whatever it is, it's incredible that a 160mm travel bike can pedal this well
I still have my 3 x 9 drivetrain on it and it will be the first to go
But I'll have to wait a while until I can find some funds
Thinking a 2 x 10 with the hideously expensive but brilliant Syntace chain guide that bolts directly to the chain stay
I have puny chicken legs that blow out quickly, so want to keep it real
Any suggestions for gear ratios?
I find it all a bit confusing
I know what other bikes similar to this run, but don't understand how this translates to what I have now
why the different wheel sizes?
And is that a new Pike Fork - how much travel and how does it ride?
Gday Andy
I don't have the different wheel sizes but theory is that the bigger front wheel increases the roll over ability
While the smaller rear wheel reduces the wheel base increasing the agility
It slackens the HA and increases BB height slightly, but according to many on Mtbr - it works
The fork is actually a 2013 revelation (150mm) bought 2nd hand (but perfect internals) for my previous straight steerer
So eventually I will give the 650b front a go with tapered steerer to fit the beefy head tube
It will also take a 650b rear, but limited to 2.35 (for most brands)
Bike has 160mm rear travel but you wouldn't know it
It pedals like a dream (only the fork has any bob) and descends like a maniac
Just wish i had the dough to upgrade parts to realise it's full potential
Nice bike!
I run the Shimano 26/38 set up with an 11-36 cassette and like the ratios. The 26 suits my level of fitness at times. Not on the Liteville, but on a Pivot Firebird I ran 1x10 with a 32 or 34 chainring and 11-36 cassette and there were times I would have liked the granny ring.
I found the Revelation WC top be a good fork for the Liteville, but a Marz 44 is even better. The bottle cage location is a waste of time. I found the linkage to hit the top of the smallest bottle I could fit in there but mine is a small frame. Also check the rear shock for wear every now and then. Mine run the DT shock and the shaft is showing signs of wear. I'll be replacing it with a RS Monarch at some stage.
The 140mm travel Liteville really does pedal well. I bought mine coming from a Pivot Mach 5 and Firebird instead of buying a Mach 5.7 and have no regrets. It definitely pedals better than the DW link bikes I've owned/ridden. Geometry is excellent. It fits large volume tyres without any issues. The derailleur protector is worthwhile, but if you run a clutch derailleur don't bother with the chain guide. Running both causes issues with the derailleur not being able to get to all gears. I've also had the rear axle come loose once but that has been after a lot of km and me neglecting to do any significant maintenance!
Thanks Crank
I saw on Mtbr your issues with the bottle and it caused me a bit of concern
But happily (for me) the large size accommodates my bottle perfectly
The killer for a lot of enduro bikes is nowhere to put a bottle
The new Pivot Mach 6 runs 24/38 and 11-36, so I'm hoping someone will sell this to go a single ring set up - but for now I need to be patient
The 24 should give me a little more leeway to be lazy
Interesting about the clutch and chainguide
I would most likely have bought the lot before installing, so you have saved me some frustration and money
My shock is off a new Mk 11 so never been used
He replaced the shock as he wanted his custom tuned shock on his new bike
So hopefully won't see any wear for a long time
A sensational bike mate and can be sure I'll never see another up here in the mountains
Oh @ Fatboy - front derailleur is a Shimano e type
Nice bike Andy. I have a 2012 Specialized Enduro with 160mm travel which probably weighs about the same as yours and run 24/36 rings on the front and 11-36 on the rear and there is nothing I cant climb. For really steep climbs the 24 tooth ring is a godsend, and most of the rest of the time is spent in the 36 tooth ring. I am fat and not particularly fit so I need a small ring on the front, but have never felt the need to go smaller than 24 teeth, but would not like to go bigger either.
Enjoy the new ride
Lee
I run 28/40 front rings on the Remedy, Blooty. 28 gets a little tall toward the end of a long ride up climbs like Ingar and Bee's Nest. I will change to 26/38 when I get new chain rings.
I think 24/36 would be fine as well. I run 26/38 on the superfly and never need another gear down hills so 36 should be OK too.
Ian
Thanks Lee
I'm not to bad a climber, but only for the first hour
And I want this bike as a do everything all day trail bike
I think that gearing sounds perfect
A lot of people are trying to talk me into single ring
While I appreciate the simplicity, I know it would become annoying
You've got better legs than me Ian
Well, in so far as climbing goes
I would definitely need a 24 up bees nest
36 or 38 still gives a nice pacey top gear as well
Now just to save up the spandooglies
And just to make sure I will be broke for the rest of my life
Someone suggested the Formula 35mm 120-160 650B enduro fork would be perfect for this bike
And the bugger is right!
http://enduromag.com.au/site/new-products/bigger...
Running a 36 front ring and clutch derailleur will be basically a single ring most of the time, with a bail-out for when you're stuffed.
I have the 160mm-120mm TALAS and I never use the 120mm setting - even up Bee's Nest. I regret putting up the extra $200odd for the TALAS and wish I just got the float RLC.
Looking forward to seeing this thing in the flesh.
Looks nice Andy. I thought living in the mountains gives you legs of steel
Have you considered 1 x 10 with a OneUpComponents 42 tooth ring ($100) replacing the 17 tooth ring on a cheap 10sp 11-36 XT cassette. Looks interesting and far cheaper than SRAM 11 sp. Got a big range aswell.
Also pro reviewed better than Pikes are the 34mm XFusion Slamts for about $600 AUD new from DIY mtb.
32 x 11-36 is everything I need for Sydney....but maybe not the mountains?. so keen to hear if anyone has used the OneUpComponents big cassette ring.
Legs of steel, Brian - heavy steel
Your suggestion is interesting Peter - I've just been reading about it
In fact, it may make a single ring an option for puny stumps like mine
This gearing thing is a topic on it's own
So I'm going to start a thread on here and maybe RB to get some advice
It's all so confusing, but interesting and fun
Cheers for the input all
Looks great Bloot, will need to drive up soon for a ride with you.
On the single ring thing. OneUp is old news already and Wolf Tooth now do a slightly better 42tooth cog. I'm just waiting on stock again but it should ship quicker than the next lot of OneUps which are also OOS.
Anytime Chuck
Once the weather cools (not long now) old Bloot will come out of his summer hibernation and venture down from his mountain hideaway
@Stephen
I'm slowly being sold on the single ring idea
Thinking the 32 x 11-36
If I'm correct (?) that should give me the same climbing ability as the 22T front x 20 or 23 T rear I use to climb now (using 32T front and 32T rear)
I like the look of the Wolf tooth gear
Once I've converted (may be a while) I'll look at increasing the range on the rear cassette
Careful Andy, before too long, Steve will have you on an SS.
Must come up for a lap soon.
Hey mate,
Nice build! Looks like a really well thought out kit to accompany an awesome frame!
Where you riding Ourimbah last Sunday (09/02/14), as I swear I saw your bike there!
Always nice to get a new steed.
That looks like a lotta lotta fun!
Thanks Meakesy
It wasn't me mate - unfortunately Ourimbah is around 3 hours away
But I have great memories of the place from when I lived closer
I keep saying that I will catch up with a few peeps up that way
But the Penno Road battle and life (and other excuses) get in the way
But this winter for sure!
It's such a fun bike to ride Gaz
I was thinking that it's not only the best bike I've ever owned, but probably the best possession I've ever owned
The rear bearings and freewheel need to be replaced on the Hopes (about 5 years old!)
Then sort out the clunky 3x9 gearing
After that it's all smiles and 'I want...'