Liteville
Maybe we are bike-enthusiasts.
Or maybe we’re just a little bit bike-crazy.
We build our Liteville Factory Machines exclusively with the best components available – just what we ride ourselves. As to the configuration of the bikes, the focus is on function, reliability, weight and maximum riding pleasure. No matter whether you pursue riding as a hobby or whether you are a World Cup racer, our Liteville Factory Machines are ready to race.
Made by Bikers for Bikers
Our goal: to design and build only the absolute best mountain bike suspension frame available. More precisely: We build the bikes we have always dreamed to get from other manufacturers!
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Mountain bikes which implement new and innovative ideas without compromise in manufacturing or design, backed up by one of the most sophisticated test labs in Europe - the Syntace Testlabs.
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Mountain bikes that despite their superior strength, are as light as possible, because in each particular area we only use as much material as required.
Products
Custom builds are avaliable through your local dealer
The 301 All Mountain Factory Machine
The Liteville 301, serial test winner for 10 years already!
The evolutionary stage Mk12 convinces with an all-new ScaledSizing geometry, the patented DuoLink. And it convinces with an unprecedented range of application. Following the idea of consequently developing an approved design rather than unreflectively launching new models, we are able to offer mature, reliable bikes that won numerous tests in the past already.
Frame sizes: XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL[/h3]
Frame size -S- RW 26 / FW 27.5
Frame size -M- RW 27.5 / FW 29
Frame size -L- RW 27.5 / FW 29
Frame size -XL- RW 27.5 / FW 29
Frame size -XXL- RW 29 / FW 29
Weight 12.1 kg without pedals; frame size -M-
Specification:
Frame:
Surface:
Headset:
Fork:
Damper:
Drive train:
Brakes:
Brake rotor:
Wheelset:
Tires:
Chain guide:
Rear derailleur guard:
Stem:
Handlebar:
Grips:
Saddle:
Seatpost:
Optional:
Complement:
Liteville 301 All Mountain
Liteville 301 MK12, 140 mm travel
RaceBlack anodized or WorksFinish
Syntace VarioSpin 0°
RockShox Revelation RCT3 SoloAir 150 mm
RockShox Monarch RT3 DebonAir
Shimano XTR (165/170/175/180 mm crankset, 36 x 26 teeth)
Shimano Deore XTR Trail
Shimano 203 mm/180 mm
front wheel/ rear wheel; Syntace MX-Series W35
Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.35 PSC / TSC
Syntace SCS II
Syntace RockGuard SL, black
Syntace Megaforce2, 30 /40 / 50 / 60 mm
Syntace Vector Carbon High10, 760 mm
Syntace Screw-On Gripz Moto
SQ-Lab Liteville Edition 13 / 14 / 15 cm
Syntace P6 Carbon HiFlex
RockShox Stealth 150 mm
Syntace X-FIX, X-12 Allen Key
Liteville 301 MK12
RaceBlack anodized or WorksFinish
Syntace VarioSpin 0°
RockShox Pike RCT3 SoloAir 160 mm
RockShox Monarch RT3 DebonAir
SRAM X01 (170 / 175 mm crankset, 30 teeth)
SRAM Guide RSC
SRAM 200 mm / 180 mm
rear wheel / front wheel; Syntace MX-Series W35
Schwalbe Magic Marry / Rock Razor 2.35
Syntace SCS II
Syntace RockGuard SL black
Syntace Megaforce2, 30 / 40 /50 / 60 mm
Syntace Vector Carbon High10, 760 mm
Syntace Screw-On Gripz Moto
SQ-Lab Liteville Edition 13 / 14 / 15 cm
Syntace P6 Carbon HiFlex
RockShox Stealth 150 mm
Syntace X-FIX, X-12 Allen Key
Liteville 301 Enduro
The 301 Enduro Factory Machine
The culmination of over 10 years development the frame now comes with all-new ScaledSizing geometry, the patented DuoLink. This time, its specced a little more agressively.
Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Frame size -M- RW 26 / FW 27.5
Frame size -L- RW 26 / FW 27.5
Frame size -XL- RW 26 / FW 27.5
Frame size -XXL- RW 27.5 / FW 29
Weight 12.3 kg without pedals; frame size -M-
Frameset Avaliable
Specification:
Frame:
Surface:
Headset:
Fork:
Damper:
Drive train:
Brakes:
Brake rotor:
Wheelset:
Tires:
Chain guide:
Rear derailleur guard:
Stem:
Handlebar:
Grips:
Saddle:
Seatpost:
Optional:
Complement:
Liteville 601 Enduro
Liteville 601 MK3 Refinements
Total frame weight reduced by approx. 100g
modified kinematics for even better pedalling efficiency
lighter rocker link and bearings/pivot hardware.
Pivot outer alloy bolts are now the same as the main pivot bolts parts number.
Liteville 601 MK 3, FW 190 mm
RaceBlack anodized or WorksFinish
Syntace VarioSpin 0°
Formula, ThirtyFive, 27,5 black 180mm
RockShox Vivid AirDrive train: Sram XO1 (170 / 175 mm crankset, 30 teeth)
Shimano Deore XT
Shimano 203 mm / 180 mm
Syntace M-Serie W40
Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.5
Syntace SCS II
Syntace RockGuard SL black
Syntace Megaforce2, 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 mm
Syntace Vector Carbon High10, 760mm
Syntace Screw-On Gripz Moto black
SQ-Lab Liteville Edition 13 / 14 / 15 Breite
Syntace P6 Carbon HiFlex
RockShox Stealth 150 mm)
Syntace X-FIX, X-12 Allen Key
The 601 Factory Machine
We build our Liteville Factory Machines exclusively with the best components available – just what we ride ourselves.The New Enduro Generation. As fast uphill as an All-Mountain, while descending like a Downhill bike. The 601 Factory Machine is the ultimate super enduro weapon featuring 180 mm travel up front and 190 mm travel in the rear at a weight of no more than 13.55 kg (including pedals).
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Shock is the 2014 model Vivid Air RC2.
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Protection against double crown forks welded into downtube
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Replaceable stainless steel threads in the main pivot and rocker link pivot point
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Additional Shimano Direct Mount RD hanger included
Specification:
Frame:
Surface:
Headset:
Fork:
Damper:
Drive train:
Brakes:
Brake rotor:
Wheelset:
Tires:
Chain guide:
Rear derailleur guard:
Stem:
Handlebar:
Grips:
Saddle:
Seatpost:
Optional:
Complement:
Frame Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Frame Size -XL- RW 26 / FW 27.5
Gewicht 13,3 kg o. Pedale / Rahmengröße -M-
Scaled Sizing.
The correct frame size substantially influences how a bike rides. A decisive factor with the Liteville frame design is the sizing according to frame length. With other manufacturers frames are often sized according to seat tube length.
TCL (Tuned Chainstay Length).
Liteville is world-wide the first frame manufacturer to introduce 6(!) different chainstay lengths that lengthen or shorten in length depending on your frame size. Only like this, it is possible for all riders, tall or short, to have the same leverage ratios and are thus able to experience the same riding characteristics. But that's not all. In order to provide the smaller riders (frame lengths XS and S) with a low stand over height and improved rider manoeuvrability, all S and XS frames from MK9 onwards have a 15mm and 30mm lower top tube respectively. For MK10 the top tube was lowered by 5mm for all sizes again.
In order to provide the exact same handling characteristics, Liteville even goes to the extend of equipping the frame length XS with extra short 405mm chain stays for a 24” rear wheel. Thanks to the 480mm long, 34.9mm large diameter seat post, the seat can always be raised to the required height.
Simple and logical.
Most important are the contact points between rider and bike – the position of hands, feet and rear end. Everything in between is only necessary to connect parts like fork, seat, bar and so on. That is why Liteville has chosen a thourough oversize frame design where all frame tubes including seat tube have a large diameter. This, in connection with the small and stiff main frame triangle, allows Liteville to size the frame according to length and not, as usual, according to height.
For cosmetic and static reasons the sizes L, XL and XXL have a little longer seat tube compared to sizes XS, S and M. Because of the identical positioning of the top tube it is possible for tall riders with short legs to use a long frame accomodating their torso length without compromising standover height. At the same time riders with long legs and short torsos can choose a shorter frame suited for their torso and still get the correct seat height due to the long seat post.
Tip: Don’t forget to adjust the crank arm length!
Frame Construction
The Liteville Tube Set
To convert a frame design into reality there is no way around a special tube set. The standard tube sets on the market do not give the designer sufficient choice in connection points or the tubing is underdimensioned in the critical areas, so in the end the design would always be a compromise.
That's why all tubes for our Liteville frames are custom-made. Every single tube has been designed for the position it is used in and butted several times (5 times for the top tube). Seat and chain tubes even have different wall thinkness left and right to be correct for chain torque and brake forces. All these measures guarantee a frame stiff and light at the same time - with the strength to take what you'll ride with the bike.
Frame Material
all tubes of the Liteville are seamlessly drawn from 7005 aluminum.The CNC-Parts
All frame parts like bottom bracket, rocker arms or drop-outs are being manufactured on state-of-the-art CNC machines.Welding
Only especially trained welders with long experience in aluminum welding work for Liteville. A custom welding filler is being used.
Trueing
Already after tack-welding the frames are being checked for the first time and trued if needed. During the welding process truing is repeated up to 10 times. Only like this, our high standards in regards to precission can be achieved.
Heat Treatment
It is a very important step, responsible in part for durability and stiffness of the frame. Test protocols ensure adherence to our specs.
The Bearings
Used in a Liteville frame are only high-quality, double-sealed stainless ball bearings. All bearings are specific to their position. Those bearings are more expensive but they guarantee long durability and stiffness without additional maintenance.
Pivots
To keep the bearings in place we only use heavy-duty, fine-pitch hollow Titanium bolts. The main pivot is designed to not exert bending force onto the bolts. Into the inner rings of the main bearings aluminum inserts are pressed, sitting themselves in recesses in the bottom bracket. This guarantees the holding bolts only being exposed to tensile forces only.
The Surface
Before anodizing, the surface is shot-peened with small steel balls to harden the surface. This improves hardness compared to glas-peening. Logos are lasered into the anodized surface. The laser burns up the color pigments to show the natural color of the aluminum.
Testing
Why and how we test
To create a functional and well-engineered frame from a good idea, you have to not only test a lot but also with forethought.Tests with different riders and rider types are suited mainly to optimize geometry and chassis. Durability tests do not make sense with test riders – who wants to wait 2,3 or even 5 Years for results? That is why we test with machines, to achieve reliable results in as short a time as possible.As well as in rider-based testing, mistakes can occur in lab tests. Therefore it is important to be diligent and self-critical. Also, it is of crucial importance, not to blame possible bad test results on too hard or too unrealistic tests. If one is a responsible designer, you admit to bad results and try to use the gained knowledge to improve the product. A test only carries value if it ca be repeated as many times as needed (and that it will be repeated!) to achieve results about improvements or impairment as a result of product changes.In actual riding tests we know the weight of the rider and maybe the riding style – everything else are variables that can not exactly be repeated. Therefore such riding tests are not acceptable.When using testing machines, not only is it important to put into the frame all excerting forces but also to apply them in at the correct angles – and no forces are to be left out in order to get realistic results.For us, the most important question was: do we design and build our own testing machine? Or do we rely on experience and equipment of a testing institute? Because of the extremely time consuming matter and the immense cost associated with it, the deccission was relatively easy...We had to find a testing institute with suitable testing machinery corresponding to our requirements – and decided that Velotech in Schweinfurt fulfilled all our requirements. In addition to service strength testing, Velotech can perform a variety of frame, rear wheel braking, front wheel braking and stiffness tests as well as jump simulations. To top it off, Velotech has gained considerable experience over the years through accident evaluations.
The Tests:
Finding the overall spring characteristic of frame and shock
The main frame is clamped at the seat tube. With help of an adapter at the drop-outs the shock is compressed in small increments until it bottoms out. The respective shock travel and the necessary force are recorded with calibrated gauges. Using the recorded data, a force/travel diagram can be made: the „spring characteristic“.
Test run of a prototype on the roller drum test rig
The test frame is equipped with fork, handle bar, wheelset and seat post. Using springs, the frame is fixed on the testing stand in such a way that it is guided but not fixed in place. The weight of a rider (plus adequate safety margin) is now distributed on bar, seatpost and bottom bracket with the aid of weights.The testing run on the roller drum testing rig includes the ride over bars of different heights at different speeds. The wheels are loaded asynchronously outside of the frequency range. The test will is run until a preset value has been reached or until frame failure occurs.
Finding the "braking characteristic“ of the frame
The test is used to find out how the frame behaves at maximum braking forces. The introduction of force is into the fork drop-out exactly horizontal against driving direction.Testing force:max. 1000 N(equivalent of slamming of the brakes (with 0.7 g) at 140kg gross weight (rider + bike + equipment))
Test rig for simulating pedaling standing and jumping
The test frame is fixed at the fork and rear drop-outs. The rear triangle rests on a connecting link moveable to all sides.During the test for pedaling standing up out of the saddle, the testing forces are applied at the bar and at the extended BB axle.For the jump test, a force of 3000 N is applied several times at the extended BB axleThe testing forcesStep 1, 100.000 load cycles:400 N arm pull and 1200 N BB stressStep 2, 10.000 load cycles:500 N arm pull and 1500 N BB stress
The frontal hit test
This test is necessary because significant strain is excerted on the front axle, for example while riding over big bumps or through compressions or if a frontal crash happens at medium to slow speeds. Those stresses are part of the normal spectrum of operation when using the frame.
The test is run on a calibrated pendulum hit testing rig. The frame/fork unit is clamped elastically at the BB and is guided at the rear drop-out.. At the handle bar ends, the BB and at the center of gravity of the rider the frame is loaded with a combined mass of 130kg. The mass is being braced against bar and seat post when force is applied.
The hits of the pendulum are directed against a solid roll fixed at the drop-outs. The energy of the hit starts at 60 Joules and is increased by 60 Joules per hit until 300 Joules are reached.
Drawing on his experience as frame tester and evaluator, Ernst Brust, head of Velotech, sees 300 Joules as a reference value that a bike frame has to withstand. BUT: many lightweight MTB and road frames can withstand only about 180 J to 240 J. Our first prototype gave in at 240 J and broke at the down tube. The current version of the Liteville 301 frame withstands our minimum requirements without problems (with only 20g additional weight)
– our min requirement: 5x 300 Joules without damage!