Each Vamoots is made with the rider in mind. Tube diameters and gauges are chosen for perfect balance between light weight and stiffness. Four different chainstay lengths are used in coordination with varying frame geometries to create a fit that inspires complete confidence and comfort for any rider's needs. All of this in a frame that is perfectly aligned and flawlessly welded. Details like our welded on seatpost binder (a feature you'll only find on a Moots), aero seatstays and Breezer style dropouts complete the package. Ten stock sizes and complete custom fitting are available for the ultimate fit.}
Submitted by
Mr. Redpants
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2010
Strengths: Stiff in the right places, the right amount of compliance in other places. Outstanding machine.
Weaknesses: cost ? you get what you pay for
Bottom Line:
I have about 10,000 miles on this bike, bought new, so I figured it was time. It's broken in and I can comment fairly on the bike. I am a fast recreational rider, 50+, aspire to push the pace and finish at the top of the climbs of my B+ club rides by the end of the summer :)
This 2004 Vamoots is a unquestionably a great bike. I worked my way through g-school working in an LBS (and working for a rider who was on the '72 Olympic team) so I got a chance to ride some great bikes (C'dales, Paramounts, Pinarellos among others) and learned something about bikes - and I absolutely love the Vamoots. Never fails to put a smile on my face. I liken the ti to novacaine at the dentists office: costs more, hurts at first, but then you see things coming that should hurt and they don't. I spent the first 500 miles looking for holes and ruts to ride over - just amazed at how comfortable, solid and predictable the bike rides. On rides with friends I've seen other frames start to wobble and chatter on downhills. Never an issue with the Moots - fast, responsive and predictable. Fast uphill, fast down. Does what you tell it to do. Goes where you point it. I love long rides (100+ mi) and this bike has always been a joy to be on. I'm the kind of rider who just goes - if the perfect route on the map turns to dirt and sand in real life, I don't care I just keep going. Been hit by a car, jumped off the road a few times, a couple of falls - no matter.
p.s. - if you are reading this, you are thinking about spending a ridiculous amount of $ on a bike. Hey, if this amounts to a paycheck or mortgage payment :) be sure to get a great fit. If the best the shop owner can do is tell you to straddle the bike or do the forearm measure to the stem, "whaddya think??" go elsewhere with your piggy bank. You deserve a much better fitting than that. Do your homework and ask many many questions. Talk to friends who ride a lot. Scott at Evo Pro bikes gave me a great fitting that has made a huge difference in my riding.
Bike Setup: Custom Moots Compact. Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork. Moots stem and seatpost, of course. DT Swiss wheels handbuilt by Joe Young. Campy Chorus/Record combo.
Strengths: Impeccable quality. American made. Light and low maintenance industrial beauty. No chips, no paint, no worries.
Weaknesses: My own. I need to figure out my stem/bar a little bit better. Leaves me lusting for the SL
Bottom Line:
This is one of the best and most beautiful bikes that exists. It is actually a Hampsten that was built by Moots, I imagine to Moots geo, but I am not sure. I have never seen better welds by any other manufacturer. The stout chainstays transfer power, but the seatstays do a good job of damping the road shock. I love climbing out of saddle as the bike just wants to run. Long days seated are a joy and I can go longer than ever before and still not feel fatigued from the road.
Strengths: Ti ride with lateral stiffness. It just doesn't get better than this (that I have ridden yet.)
Weaknesses: I'm educated in Quality Assurance, and I cannot find anything negative to mention. That is a rarity for me and stands as a high compliment to the folks at Moots!
Bottom Line:
I'm always looking for the best, so, after visiting Kent Eriksen at the Sore Saddle Cyclery back in 1991, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a Vamoots.
The ride exceeded my expectations! I previously had a Merlin Extralight, and was very pleased with it, except that their frames are not built with a geometry to my requirements. But, the Moots further enhanced the ride quality. I do not notice any bottom bracket flex, although I do notice a slight lack of transfer of force to the wheel on steep climbs (compared to my Pegoretti Marcelo and a Parlee I tested.) Yet, this is very minimal, and the bike responds to input when you put the power to the pedal. This bike is probably the most ideal realization of developing a frame that gives you the highest levels of all characteristics you look for in a road frame. Stiff enough to transfer your pedaling to the wheel, yet still has the magic to absorb the road chatter better than any other bike I have ridden (except possibly the Cannondale Synapse, likely the best off-the-shelf-bike available, I use one in the off season.) The frame is very accurately aligned and doesn't waver at all down the mountain passes.
If you have the means to obtain one, you WILL know where your money went. I can't say I have bought many things in my life that I felt content with the price I paid several months after the purchase. This is a delightful exception.
Strengths: 1) The workmanship really is as spectacular as they say. When you pay this for a frame, you expect the welds to be this stellar.
2) Value (relative). Believe it or not, these are very well priced against other custom Ti bikes (as much as half the price of some comparable frames that I considered). With top-rate materials and workmanship, I view this as the best value Ti bike I considered.
3) The frame is very thoughtfully designed. For example, the breezer drop-outs give a very positive (eg. stiffer in the bottom) and clean looking weld-point than many Ti frames; and they look really nice as well.
4) finish. I really like the simple bead-blasted finish. It looks like Ti.
Weaknesses: 1) While I am happy with the bike fit that I got, I do think that Moots could probably learn from the customization process that Seven (and perhaps others) use. Every customer wants to believe that theirs is unique and will totally fit.
2) A bit of toe overlap - which I know is common. But nonetheless not ideal.
Bottom Line:
I spoke to a friend of mine - a respected frame-maker. His advice was, "if you only buy one custom bike in you life, make it Ti. And if you only buy one Ti bike, look at the Moots." To be honest, I had never heard of Moots when I started my quest -- and had never ridden one (or even seen one in Australia).
I've had this frame a couple of weeks now, and have put quite a bit of distance on it in that time. As I told the guys at the shop, "it rides like my carbon bike, but more so!" By that, I mean that it is totally plush on rough surfaces (eg. all of the roads around here) and feels great long rides, bit it pumps like a *** on sharp climbs. At almost 17 lbs (~58cm sizing), its comparable in weight to my mid-range carbon bike, but feels much lighter on the road. I specifcally avoided the SL version, as I had heard/read that it is a bit harsh. I am happy with that decision, as this is plenty stiff (and I way 100Kg/220Lbs).
I would confidently recommend this bike for people like me - strong(ish) recreational riders who want to buy their last bike.
While I have focused this review on the frame rather than components, I would really recommend looking at the Moots seat post as well. I have the lay-back one. No flex. Really comfortable. And definately the cleanest lines of amy lay-back post I have seen. Also, looks great on the Ti bike.
Similar Products Used: Looked at every high-end Ti bike I could find.
Bike Setup: Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork, SRAM Force Group (love it), Zero-G Ti brakes (they seem a bit fiddly and won't stay centered - but stop well and look cool), Crank Bros 4Ti, Easton EA70 "wing" bars (The most comfortable bars I have ever ridden), Ksyrium ES's, Conti GP4000's
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I will eventually post pics but I am having problems with my camera so for now this will work.
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