Moots Cycles 1999 Psychlo X YBB

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace, Froglegs Ksyriums 2 sets, Race Face powder yellow lp turbine 170mm, flite gel, forgie spar

Summary:
I feel bad for people like Steve Albini who write reviews about things they have never ridden/owned. I'd like to know what he OWNS? Two IFS? Three Pinarellos? What a wacko. If he was to own/ride one he would realize that he had spent his money wisely!!! This bike is fantastic and I HAVE OWNED IFS and PINARELLOS and Colnago C 40's and Trek OCLV and the best Italian steel!! This is the most outstanding platform I've owned for many reasons. The frame is very stiff at the bottom bracket for Ti. The finish on the frame is better than anything I've seen (IF Ti is probably very nice too). The IF fork is stiff and forgiving. The versatility is amazing. I have two sets of Mavic Ksyriums, one mounted with Michelin Axiom Pro, and one with Hutchinson gold Cross. With the cross tires the bike handles off-road situations (any) with aplomb. With the road tires the angles steepen and the handling is fantastic! My road friends get a kick out of the Frogleg top mount levers and the Paul cantis, I love the feel! If I flip the forgie stem from rise to neg. the road feel is true. The angles on this bike are steeper than my IF and I like that much better, old school angles are cool, but off the back for todays research. If you buy one you will do yourself a favor!!!

Strengths:
Best bike for versatility money can buy! and you can take that to the bank!

Weaknesses:
People who don't understand the product!

Similar Products Used:
IF planet X- Road bikes to many to list.

Summary:

I got the Psychlo-X YBB to ride extremely long distances (600km+ Randonees) on the road, as well as dabbling in 'cross. I also do a lot of riding on dirt roads in the mountains around Golden/Boulder. I built it up using an Ultegra triple group and XT V-brakes with a Travel Agent. Barcons instead of STI, but I might switch to STI soon.The bike is really great. THe suspension is perfect for long solo rides. It does bob when jamming 25+mph in a paceline, but is still feels fine. I bought the frame used with a Steelman 'cross fork. The fork is extremely long, and it raises the front end to the point where the top tube slopes. I noticed on my last trip to the Moots guys that they all use Wound Up forks on their personal Psychlo-X YBBs. I am contemplating this, since it would lower the front end and quicken the somewhat slow (for the road) steering. I also have a new Rock Shox Ruby Road fork waiting for spring. Maybe I'll post back later and review the full suspension road ride. The really cool thing about this is that I can lock out the Ruby and the YBB on the fly, so I can have full suspension, just front, just rear, or no suspension at all. Because I broke my collarbone in August, I wasn't able to ride 'cross this year, so I don't know how it will do there. But I suspect it will be great. Certainly better than I am! Oh yeah, the workmanship is flawless. As it should be for the price. But definitely worth it. I hope to keep this bike forever...

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
None

Summary:


I got this frame about 2 years ago...absolutely the best/most vesatile bike I've ever owned. A blast on singletrack, great commuter...and great at the races. Did the Chicago & Boulder Supercups, as well aa most of the Boulder Series...don't know what that other guy was talking about...this thing totally rules when racing. Lots of comments on it to...always fun to hear. Total 5 star.

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
None

Summary:


I must counter the idiotic review below. I doubt that this person has ever swung his leg over a Moots. As such, he is of course the perfect person to submit a review...someone that has never ridden the bike, and has the narrowest possible definition of what a bike can be used for. Cross bikes can be used for more than just racing...that's what makes a good one so great...versatility. If someone is ONLY looking for a cross racing bike, then the Moots is not a great choice...get a cheap throwaway frame every year. But if you want a frame that will do almost EVERYTHING, this is it. That being said, I know of a few that do race their Psychlo YBBeats and do just fine...in fact one of them also races the same bike (with skinnier tires) in ROAD CRITS. And he commutes on it. Nuff saidBTW...I do have barcons and don't run V-brakes...does that make you feel better?

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
None

Summary:


Yet another example of the failure of the American mountain bike industry to recognize the peculiar demands of cyclocross. This bicycle is not a cyclocross bike by any defintion of the word. Its a 700c mountain bike and an excellent one at that. 'cross bikes must be light and simple. the races are short enough and that suspension only saps energy away. Try an IF if you need a multipurpose
cross bike. The moots is over built and another example of the trend which has made cyclocross bikes dogged down with such asinine parts specs as, 38mm tires, v brakes ans STI brake shift levers. Cross bikes perfrom best in their elemant as simple fast machines-not overbuilt and overspeced mountain bikes. That's
what the moots is. Now as a fire road vehicle its probably perfect. I just wouldn't bring it anywhere near a 'cross race. Save your money and buy two IFs or four Pinarello's, (and hey don't forget your Bar-cons!)

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
None