http://moots.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=108838 Rider's community and more. en-US Sun, 19 May 2013 17:39:10 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://moots.com/bbpress/search.php http://moots.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=108838#post-115887 Fri, 08 Feb 2013 23:24:28 +0000 INDECS 115887@http://moots.com/bbpress/ <p>Exactly... having fun riding sweet bikes. I could think of worse things to spend my free time :)</p> <p>I've always loved cycling, but since six years I've been into riding roadbikes more seriously.<br /> 2 alu Stevens bikes came and went (not for me), a Kona fixed gear commuter, then numerous old steel bikes from 80's/90's with various tubings and sizes. Good to learn what fits and what doesn't. Next was the carbon Cervelo, then the ti Litespeed, and now it's time for Columbus Spirit steel.<br /> Next chapter will be Moots ti... already thinking about selling the old Litespeed to make room.</p> <p>Trying stuff out is fun! </p> http://moots.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=108838#post-115886 Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:34:13 +0000 sevenstar 115886@http://moots.com/bbpress/ <p>always good to exactly know wat the desires are......</p> <p>just my mind and x-periece over some years of "research".</p> <p>enjoy the watever comes along...</p> <p>all` bout fun. </p> http://moots.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=108838#post-115885 Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:06:04 +0000 INDECS 115885@http://moots.com/bbpress/ <p>Thanks for your info Steve. My head tells me that I need to dial everything in but I missed a wow-factor, which I have experienced on some other first rides in the past. Kinda got me confused after being so obsessed with Moots for all these years.<br /> The main issue was basically the front end handling/steering that felt weird and a bit sluggish.<br /> I wonder if I could fix that with a different fork. Besides that the angles on a 2012/2013 Vamoots are different.<br /> My choice for the Enve is mostly aesthetics, as I really don't like the painted fork. Loads of Moots riders went the same way, my dealer and even Jon says the Enve will work. The slight changes in angles I wouldn't even mind.</p> <p>I think I will get that Vamoots one day...</p> <p>For now there came an oppurtunity to buy a used but immaculate Pegoretti Duende frameset at a great price, and I grabbed it. I've been really wondering how those frames ride and I just couldn't pass up this chance.<br /> There was no way to test one of these frames if I wanted a new one, and the waiting list is at least 8 months (if you're lucky).<br /> Now I can experience it and it will arrive in a week or so.</p> <p>The stock Vamoots can be had pretty quick if I want one, different story with the Pegoretti!<br /> So that's my reason to go this route. </p> http://moots.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=108838#post-115736 Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:20:51 +0000 Steve 115736@http://moots.com/bbpress/ <p>If I might add my 2 cents....<br /> I'm 6'-0" and bought a stock 58 Vamoots last year and I absolutely love it. I added the extra 1cm to the head tube that Moots offers at no extra charge because I like to be fairly upright. Prior to buying it, I test rode an RS and thought it was OK, but I just don't think CF is for me. Coming from a steel Serotta, something about it just felt dead. Anyway, my nearest Moots dealer is over 150 miles away, so Moots arranged to have a demo shipped to my LBS and I got to keep it for a week. The demo came through with SRAM Force, a 110 mm stem, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels, and Deda Newton bars, which to me are similar to some form of medieval torture device. On the first ride, I was so distracted by how uncomfortable the bars were and getting used to Force (I use Ultegra 6600 with a 100 mm stem) that I really couldn't even focus on the bike. So I went home and switched the Newtons out for my Deda Zero 100 bars, put on my 100mm stem, switched the saddle to my saddle, put on my OpenPro wheels, and immediately fell in love, despite the fact that the bars were still 15mm lower in the front than I like them (nothing I could do about that because the fork was obviously cut). Compared to my steel Serotta, the Moots was much more "alive", and that's saying a lot because the Serotta is a very comfortable bike (tig welded Tange Prestige tubing). The Vamoots was fast, comfy, responsive, and just gave an all around great ride, which is exactly what I was looking for. I guess my point is that it doesn't take much to be "off" for a great bike to just feel like a so-so bike. Your RS is set up exactly how you want it and, as much as you tried to get it close, the demo was not exactly the same. I rode the same Serotta for 20 years and it fit like an old pair of jeans. Even after I got my Vamoots, it took months (I'm not kidding) of little tweaks here and there until it finally clicked. I loved the ride from the beginning, but the fit took some playing with until it was perfect. Now the Vamoots feels like those old jeans. I was fortunate that I had the demo for a full week because it gave me a chance to really put in some miles and get a feel for the bike. The demo had an Alpha Q fork, but I got mine with the Moots fork and the straight Moots post (and a pump peg!) and I couldn't be happier.<br /> If you go for one, why choose an Enve fork over the Moots fork? Just curious. The Moots fork is really a great riding fork and it keeps the bike geometry as Moots designed it with an axle-crown distance of 370mm. The Enve are 367. I know it's a tiny, tiny bit, but it will change the ride ever so slightly. It will change the head tube angle from 72.75 to approx. 72.95. I figure if Moots wanted it to be 72.95, they would have designed the bike around 72.95. Just a thought. Good luck with whatever you choose. </p> http://moots.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=108838#post-115527 Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:15:55 +0000 sevenstar 115527@http://moots.com/bbpress/ <p>yes ..i had at least 30 high end steels mtbs during the last 25 years...no way . ti is much better as stiffer , yet more versitile.<br /> non corrosive...just advantages related to ANY modern steel...even the moots welds are better than any steel welds.....</p> <p>steel can t be the deal...</p> <p>set it up right and discover wat the vamoots can bring...btw....i also use wound up on 4 mootsbike..straight to the point, best ride but 200g plus...but strong! </p> http://moots.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=108838#post-115506 Sun, 03 Feb 2013 13:00:57 +0000 INDECS 115506@http://moots.com/bbpress/ <p>You are right... I sure takes some tweaking, especially on a testbike.<br /> For instance, on this particular bike I really hated the bars... I'm picky about bar width and bend. On my current bike it also took me a while to find the perfect bars. I'm a fan of traditional/classic bend and I love the Zipp SL TB. </p> <p>Something that also makes me wonder is choice of forks and how different the ride can be.<br /> The WoundUp on my Litespeed is great, it really creates a plush front end.</p> <p>58cm it will be, but the regular Vamoots, not the CR.</p> <p>Just wondering Pierre, do you also have experience with modern steel? </p> http://moots.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=108838#post-115395 Sat, 02 Feb 2013 22:29:41 +0000 sevenstar 115395@http://moots.com/bbpress/ <p>6.1 " and 58cm cr..why not??seems a good fit... </p> http://moots.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=108838#post-115394 Sat, 02 Feb 2013 22:28:01 +0000 sevenstar 115394@http://moots.com/bbpress/ <p>..i see u got your testride.</p> <p>i think u might evalute the ride after several rides another day...its best to have a "free" mind to feel the characteristics of a bike or similar thing.</p> <p>Test can spoil sometimes as everything is overfocused or expectation can be unrealitacally high....</p> <p>its good to test for size or stiffness , but the revelation of bikebalance might take more time...when i built a new moots or other bikes in the past the setup takes several rides and adjustments untill it completly "locks"in...</p> <p>anyway maybe u just stick to the RS if u like it so much...just my mind.</p> <p>c ya pierre </p> http://moots.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=108838#post-115229 Fri, 01 Feb 2013 21:59:18 +0000 INDECS 115229@http://moots.com/bbpress/ <p>Hey everyone,</p> <p>Hope this won't drown in all the recent spam... </p> <p>So, I'm in the market for a Vamoots, because I'm looking for all day comfort and I love the classic looks and level TT. But still I want a bike that can perform on climbs and fast rides.</p> <p>My current main ride is a 2009 Cervelo RS which is great, but it lacks that certain feeling steel and titanium frames have.<br /> I was able to buy a hardly used 1999 Litespeed Natchez frameset two years ago, and built it up with with 10 speed Chorus parts from around 2003.<br /> A nice and affordable way to test out what titanium can offer. It's a plush ride with WoundUp forks, 1" head tube + Cinelli Grammo quill stem. Sure, far from a stiff bike for hilly terrain... but on the flats it is smooooth and fast.</p> <p>Been lusting for a Vamoots for over 3 years, and last week I finally managed to do a testride at the local Moots dealer (the only one in the Netherlands, just 5km from my home).<br /> Some lusting comes and goes... but the Vamoots just stays in my head.</p> <p>My local dealer has two road bikes on display which can be test ridden:<br /> - an RSL with super nice Ventoux Lightweight wheels, equipped with Dura Ace.<br /> - a 2008/2009 56cm Vamoots with Moots branded Alpha Q forks and equipped with Athena 11-speed, Moots post and stem.</p> <p>Not much choice, but 56cm is close enough for testing.<br /> Had the mechanic set up the bike to my dimensions, including my own saddle, pedals and Campagnolo Neutron Ultra wheels.</p> <p>When I first headed down the street I noticed that the power put into the frame was transfered to the rear wheel direct and controlled.<br /> First impression of handling was... well, different. I've spent the last two and a half years on my Cervelo RS, which is very comfy and racy. I remember I had to get used to the sharp handling when first riding the Cervelo.<br /> I came off a steel Merckx MX-Leader which tracked like on rails and was very stable in corners. The Cervelo was different! I noticed the higher BB and slightly nervous steering straight away.<br /> Now, a couple of years later, I guess I've really gotten used to the Cervelo's handling, and the same thing happened when I rode the Vamoots.<br /> Probably a case of getting used to steering characteristics (I hope). It could also be the Alpha Q forks. I'm planning on building with Enve 2.0 forks, could feel different.<br /> Riding no handed on the Vamoots was better than any frame I have ridden in the past. Super straight and stable at around 30 km/h.</p> <p>I did notice the smooth backside of the frame instantly. Nice and fluid and very planted on the road, more so than my Cervelo. The ti post was doing it's work for sure!<br /> The front end was harsher than I had hoped for, but that could also be the cheap aluminum bars and bartape.<br /> I have carbon Zipp bars with gatorskins bartape on the RS which definitely takes away some buzz and vibrations.<br /> Also, the older Vamoots happens to have a steeper HT angle (73.5 degrees vs 72.75 on a 2013 58cm Vamoots). I wonder how different that feels.</p> <p>I spent over an hour on the bike and always had the impression the 56cm was slightly too small for me. Measured everything aftwards and the wheelbase was 2cm shorter than what I'm used to on other bikes. I guess a 58cm brings me more to the centre of the frame for a more balanced feeling.<br /> The longer I rode it the more it grew on me, but I'm pretty sure I need to go up one size. (I'm 6'1" btw)</p> <p>So all in all a nice frame, but hard to judge as I will be ordering a larger frame with a different geo (longer stays, longer TT, slacker angles) and different forks (Enve 2.0).</p> <p>I have to admit I anticipated a revelation after reading many rave reviews, and maybe expected too much.<br /> Or maybe I'm spoiled by the RS which simply is a really good allround frameset that'll be hard to top if it comes down to performance/comfort?<br /> I know it doesn't have the durability and luxurious feel of a titanium Moots, but it sure rides great.</p> <p>I have to give it a good thought... Maybe it's just a matter of getting dialed in with a new frame/fork, and after a few rides it will start to shine.<br /> I'm also considering (custom) high end steel. There's a builder in my town who makes great lugged frames from Columbus Life/Nemo/Zona or Reynolds tubing.<br /> Checked them out in person and he sure knows what he's doing. It also includes professional fitting by a specialist (former team doctor of Dutch Skil-Shimano pro team).</p> <p>Whatever I decide, I won't be getting rid of the RS. The new bike (Ti or steel) will be something different so I can choose to ride whatever my mood is. </p>