Hello guys and gals.
Ok so for some reason I found myself hitting the buy button on a liteville 301 frame the other day. Complete impulse buy and now im both sad that I have no money but happy that I have something shiny on its way.
Sooo. This is my first full bike build. Ive replaced bearings, headsets rebuilt forks brakes etc so I think im fairly competent but im a little concerned about any idiosyncrasies of the liteville. Can any owners let me know of anything I need to worry about?
My intension is that this is to replace my 2013 five. So im going to pull all the bits off that for the time being. Ive got the 140 plates so ill run it at 140 at the moment. However if I like it then ill possibly be looking for some new forks. I see the builds on the liteville website show both a 150 revelation and a 160 pike. Im thinking of a 150 pike or rev to match the 140 rear. Any thoughts on this? Im concerned that 160 will just be too much (not had much issue with the 140 f32’s tbh although I do love the fit damper in them. Whats the rockshock equivalent) Also anything else fork wise I should look at?
One thing that is concerning me is ive seen a lot of 301’s dented. I know this is part of them being so light but any tips to prevent it?
Any advice on the build. What I should / shouldn’t be looking at is appreciated.
You shouldn't have the issue with the 301 but my 601 needed the shock plates loosening to enable me to get the cables though to the mech/rear brake.
If you're thinking of getting the 160mm plates, I'd look for some 160mm forks you can space down to 140 for now.
You can also get a rockguardz guard for the downtube, I'm contemplating it for mine.
http://www.rockguardz.com/rockguardz/liteville/liteville-301.html
I think it was your facebook post that I saw & commented on yesterday Andy.
I'd strongly recommend you get a 160mm Pike in 27.5, even if you're planning on running a 26" wheel in the front for a while. (Up-size just the wheel later, rather than wheel and fork)
160mm Pike is perfect for this bike. It's certainly not "too much". Whilst I've only ever run the 160 plates, your 140 plates shouldn't change the geometry much (only the leverage ratio changes).
I've tried both 26" and 27.5" wheels on the back. I prefer 26" as it provides better clearance.
1x11 XT build with a N/W ring will offer enough security. The SCS chain device is good but probably overkill with N/W.
They're a nice long frame, so you can get away with a shorter stem than on a Five. (I went from a 20" Five to an XL 301). Had 50mm stem on Five, now 30mm stem on 301.
The Syntace rockguard mech protector is worth fitting. It offers good impact protection.
301 downtube is thin. A rockguardz might be a good investment. Haven't yet bought one and I have a few small dents down there.
Oh, and welcome to the club.
More thoughs:
Get a stealth reverb. The frame is designed for one, with a cable routing hole just above the BB.
You'll be better with a 31.6mm one and a Syntace shim for 34.9mm to 31.6mm
Special triple cable clamps are available from LV to accommodate the third cable running up the top of the downtube.
ive got a standard reverb at the moment. think it will fit?
One thing thats worrying me atm is all this chainline buisness. so far ive seen 48 50 and 53 on cranks. How do i know what i need?
im sticking with the 140 (i cant see me ever wanting 160mm) so the question is will a 160 fork make it into a chopper? 150 makes a lot more sense to me.
You'll need a shim for the seatpost, pretty sure the 301 is the same as the 601 @ 34.9mm
http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=3252
The Syntace seatpost clamp also looks great and works well:
http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=3232
What crankset are you fitting? All the Shimano standard 68/73 HT2 stuff just needs a single spacer on the drive side for 1x (or if you go 2x on the front then the e-type plate has the same effect as a single spacer)One thing that's worrying me atm is all this chainline buisness
No, it'll be fine.so the question is will a 160 fork make it into a chopper?
Standard reverb will fit, yes, you will just need a different shim to get from the 34.9 seattube id to the 30.9 reverb (size assumes it's from the Five)
[edit] If it's from your Five then [url= http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=3244 ]this is the 30.9 seatpost shim[/url], rather than the 31.6 version that stevied linked to [/edit]
cool thanks for that.
it comes with a p6 post so ill just try that before getting a stealth if its good.
Welcome to the club fella - awesome bike!!
160mm forks are perfect for it - and it certainly won't turn it into a chopper!!
Welcome to the 301 club. Couple of things I have noted since owning mine.
I started with an exteranl reverb. The routing of the hose is a real PITA and not very satisfactory. I have upgraded to a stealth.
Threading the gear cable outer trhough the seat stay is a tough one. I ended up running some stiff wire through first and taped it into a cable outer to pull that after it.
I made a down-tube protector for mine out of some thick rubber. Works well but some might think it is a bit Heath Robinson.
I have been running a 150mm pike with the 160mm rockers. I also have the 1.5 degree variospin slackset. Works fine but I have just ordered the 140mm plates for it as I think they will work better around here.
Great bike. enjoy 🙂
I originally built mine with 140mm vanilla 32 forks from my previous Yeti. The newer Pike 160mm suit the bike much better in my opinion. (Running 140mm rockers)
The syntace shim was hard to find when I was looking to build mine. The syntace one is 140mm long and the frames have quite a long minimum insertion. If you can, just go for a stealth reverb.
I've now got a rockguard on mine after one ding, so hopefully it will prevent more.
It's been brilliant, a truly capable bike. Enjoy it and post some pics of the build!
140mm plates, with Marzocchi 44 150mm forks. I have a stealth reverb, which has been good. Although, fitting it was a 'mare. I've also got the SCS chainguide, which has been great. I haven't dropped a chain in over a year
Welcome to the club.
One piece of advice. Spend £35 and get a rockguardz. Mine dented by the bb before I got one.
Other than that they are lush.
I ran a 160 Lyrik with 140 plates, was great!
I ran a 160 Lyrik with 140 plates on my Mk8 which was good. Now have Marz 350 NCR Ti 160 with 160 plates on a Mk11 - great but on balance I'd probably go back to 140 plates.
If you don't want to spend £25 on a down tube protector get yourself down to B&Q and get some shed guttering or down pipe and make one up from that - for pence (assuming you have some snips of course).
cheers guys.
bit nervous. Still trying to come up with ideas for sweetening up the mrs. ive told her it cost 300 quid. Need to think of excuses before the credit card bills comes!
One very brave man!!!!
lol, well good luck with that!
Im looking at one of these next year so let see some pics once built!