The Frame Construction
At the top of the list of priorities in performance specifications we had set for the Liteville 901 were following:
… maximum stiffness at minimal weight
… no brake influences yet perfect touring characteristics
… largest possible range of riding styles from up and down tours through to downhill
The design of our Liteville 901 frame may already be known to some in a similar form. Some may even think: Not very innovative!
But we can comfort you. We have put a lot of thorough thought into the 901 frame, and these we would like to share with you here.
The decision to place all connecting points on the down tube results from several reasons.
Firstly, having all secondary frame elements (including shock) connected to the down tube of the main triangle has the tremendous advantage that all other frame tubes – except for the down tube – can be very thin walled, which is a crucial to achieve a low total frame weight.
Secondly, the down tube of a bike which is designed for forks of up to 200mm travel, must be dimensioned appropriately large to accommodate for the enormous forces exerted on it by the fork. Herewith, the frame design chosen by us is already predestined in order to achieve a sound weight to strength/durability ratio.
As already mentioned, the 901 spans a large range of riding disciplines from tour through to downhill race.
How is this possible?
Firstly through the superbly well tricked out geometry (just as is already known from the Liteville 301 frame, which harmonizes well with forks ranging from 100 mm to 160 mm travel) and secondly through the effective and bob-free-pedaling forward propulsion characteristics which is second to none in the big bike category.
The rear travel is either 170 mm or 200 mm, depending on the shock stroke. Shocks with 222 mm or 240 mm eye-to-eye length can be used with the two different supplied upper shock mounts, which are mounted to the upper shock mount of the frame.
These shock mounts can be used for fine-tuning the frame geometry by means of sliding up or down parallel to the down tube.
TIP: Go the full 200 mm straight away! Because in terms of bop-free pedaling or forward propulsion characteristics the 200 mm variation has barely anything to lose over the smaller 170 mm variation. But once pointing the machine downhill you have a full 30 mm more plushness.
The Frame
For maximum stiffness and durability we multiply butted every single tube and created a consistent fully oversize construction. The down tube of the Liteville 901 for example measures a gigantic 65 mm in diameter. The head tube, is no standard 1.5" head tube that mates to standard "egg shell" headsets, instead it takes a True Integration Headset. This means the 1.5" bearings are pressed into special bearing cups, which are integrated in the head tube. This does not only guarantee a clean look but also has technical advantages.
At increased stiffness we also achieve a reduction in stack height. This stack height is the main problem of all long travel bikes. The reduced stack height is not only of advantage for those who pedal these weapons uphill, but also for those who fight for every second on a timed downhill race run.
Of cause you can – just like in any other frame - also use a standard 1 1/8" steerer fork. The required reduction shims are supplied.
Who is already familiar with our 301 frame, knows: naturally the right and left seat stays are appropriately independently butted to accommodate for the differing loading conditions experienced through chain tension and braking influences. The challenge of the BB area, in which we have to accommodate for the bottom bracket, front derailleur, cable guiding, main pivot and rear tyre clearance within a small confined area was again especially important to us to achieve the best possible use of space for the cranks in combination with highest possible stiffness results and largest possible tyre clearance.
One of the most important goals of the 901 was to achieve a rear end, which is free from brake influences so that you are able to use your rear brake most efficiently and best possible grip is maintained even when riding over stony outcrops or rough root passages.
A further very important goal for us was very good pedalling efficiency and fully day-long touring ability of the Liteville 901.
And this, we are sure we have achieved successfully. Many marathon bikes bob more when pedalling hard (sitting down) than our 200 mm machine.
The positioning of the 4 pivots of the rear end has been placed such that it is extremely bob free and neutral when accelerating (for one or the other, possibly better understood as sprinting). In English: No sagging of the rear end or "hardening" when pedalling out of the saddle.
200 mm travel in action
What everyone knows meanwhile, and what everyone has been waiting for is appropriately changing lengths of chain stays with frame size. This detail is (especially for a small manufacturer such as Liteville) relatively complex and costly, nevertheless we have decided that our bikes deserve it. Not only does this improve the climbing ability, but near to all riding situations are improved by use of the Liteville TCL (TunedChainstayLength).
Pedal Bob
Responsible for pedal bob is the positioning of the 4 rear pivot points and the resulting chain extension when compressing the rear end. It is important, that in none of the gears, or on none of the chain rings, back or forward bob is present. Through clever and precise positioning of the pivots of the Liteville 901 rear end we have extremely little chain extension resulting in eliminating all noticeable pedal bob.
The Bearings
As already well-known from our Liteville 301, we only use bearings with a special construction at all pivot points and optimised for the respective loading situation. All are exclusively rust-free, stainless steel bearings.
The Drop-Outs
As a bike of this category deserves: exclusively with through-axle!
It is understood that we will not just use any through-axle system. We use the Syntace X-10 / X-12 system. This clever system not only allows a choice between a 10 mm or 12 mm through axles. This revolutionary system also allows what has previously been impossible with any other rear axle system: the adjustment of rear wheel track and camber.
And just on the side, the system also achieve increased stiffness at the same weight as lightweight quick release system.
Last but not least, this rear axle system provides - controversially to other through axle systems - an easy of operation not seen before with conventional quick releases.
The Derailleur Hanger
Due to construction limitations the hanger is not a one-piece construction, but rather exchangeable and connected to the rear drop out. Using a unique construction and use of high-tensile strength aluminium, we are able to construct it equally as durable as the already proven Liteville 301 rear derailleur hanger.
This allows us to achieve a highly precise shifting performance not achievable with conventional exchangeable "soft" derailleur hangers that already bend at the slightest contact.
The Headset
Bikes of this category should be equipped consistently with 1.5" forks!
The 901 uses our 139g(!) super lightweight True Integration Headset Syntace SuperSpin 1.5.
Should you however for some reason not want to use a 1.5" steerer fork, go ahead…no problem either. For the use of 1 1/8" steerer forks simply use the 1 1/8" reduction kit supplied with your 901 frame.
The Cable Routing
An important (and again also difficult) task for the Liteville 901 was routing of gear cables and brake lines. Experience shows how important it is to have a routing protected from dirt and with as little as possible tight bends. Especially in bad weather conditions it is common for the actuation force to already increase after the first kilometers of riding, or alternately for precise shifting to be compromised. This is why we have once again used a full-length routing along the down tube to the chain stays, which will guarantee a permanently precise function even in the muddiest of all rainy conditions.