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What’s new? We reviewed Liteville’s 301 MK 14 two years in the past and our evaluate bike, the MK 15, seems to be like an an identical twin at a look. So, what’s new? For starters, its aluminum body makes use of a brand new, stronger alloy that Liteville is reluctant to reveal. The one trace could also be within the welding, which has transitioned from merely glorious to excellent – a few of the greatest I’ve seen in my life. Liteville says the dimensions medium body weighs solely 2760 grams and not using a shock, which meets or beats the claims of many carbon rivals within the 160-millimeter-travel area.
The swingarm has been reconfigured to supply extra chain clearance, and there are two positions for the rear swingarm pivot that enable homeowners to run both a 29 or a 27.5-inch wheel with out considerably affecting the underside bracket top or body angles. Which means you’ll be able to configure the 301 with combined wheel sizes or, utilizing a Syntace “Degree Hyperlink” headset spacer, swap to 27.5-inch on each ends (Extra about that later).
Geometry has modified as effectively, with an extended attain, an extended wheelbase, a slacker head tube angle and a steeper seat tube angle. The chainstay size has been lengthened barely too, about six millimeters, relying upon the body measurement. (Liteville alters the chainstays to correspond to every of the 301’s 5 measurement choices.)
Great news, skip to the riding impressions
Which options carry over? Liteville’s listing of stand-out options is lengthy. Some have been out there as aftermarket upgrades, like needle bearings for the shock bushings and adjustable-angle headset cups. The 301 additionally shares its offset rear triangle and dishless rear wheel idea with Cannondale, and it is uncommon, however a handful of motorbike makers additionally alter the body geometry and chainstay lengths for every body measurement to make sure constant dealing with and climbing efficiency.
Liteville’s engineers additionally account for a variety of firsts. They have been the primary bike maker to adapt their body design for an built-in dropper put up, with the award successful Eightpins design. Its X-12 axle makes use of tapered collets to cinch the axle in pressure and torsion, and the 301’s Sort-3 derailleur hanger, with its breakaway bolt, provides a a lot stiffer, higher shifting various that additionally protects the derailleur extra successfully.
The deeper you look, the extra you may uncover: the spare hanger bolt within the swingarm yoke; the Allen/Torx wrench that stowes into the rear axle matches virtually each screw on the bike; the oil port on the seat collar which lubricates the dropper put up; its just about invisible cable and hose routing; the cable entry/storage door below the downtube; and maybe you may discover that each piece of its titanium, aluminum and chrome steel {hardware} is designed particularly for its utility, and accompanied by a torque specification. The listing goes on, however the message is that, by themselves, few of those enhancements would generate a lot fanfare. Collectively, nonetheless, they make the 301 a powerful machine.
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