Strengths: smooth ride, stiff, light enough, durability, Ti bling factor
Weaknesses: non-replaceable derailleur hanger
Bottom Line:
I've raced this bike in everything from 24 Hours of Great Glen, to super-D, to short track cross country, and it's handled it all with elegance, comfort and mind blowing speed. I can't imagine or find anything that flows through single track like this frame. Could find something a bit lighter for racing if you're really a weenie, but this bike is buildable to sub 20 lbs and is in my opinion the ideal xc hardtail.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher, Salsa, Trek, Specialized Stumpjumper, Fastrax
Bike Setup: rigormootis, 1x9 SRAM X.0, Juicy 5, XTR UST wheelset, Fox 32 F90 RL
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Germantown, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2007
Strengths: Stiff, compared to my AC, yet flexible enough to feel smooth on small bumps. Nopaint to rub off. Looks fast while standing still.
Weaknesses: None whatsoever!
Bottom Line:
I started using this on the trail, and even though I loved the FS of my AC, I stopped using the Giant. Now I commute ~100-150 miles per week (for last 18 months) and the only thing I've had to replace/repair is brake cables, cassette & chain. It's a major investment, but with normal maint. it will last a lifetime. Moots has great customer service, too ( had some problems with their TailGator rack - took care of it, no problems). If you can afford it & it won't cause a divorce, get a Moots. It's cheaper than a Litespeed and built as well or better.
Strengths: unparalled craftmanship, durability, and performance
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This is an update after racing/riding this frame for a full season: Completed over 20 races on this bike including 24hr of Snowshoe & a 24-hr duo event in which I logged over 115-miles. Not once did I desire to be riding my full suspension at any of these races. The Moots frame has the perfect balances in light weight/durability, regitity/comfort, and race performance/trail performance.
There is simply no better hard-tail frame made! Absolutely no regrets in buying this frame - it's worth every single penny!
This is simply the most amazing frame I have ever ridden! The geomety and handling is dead on with a Marzocchi 80mm shock. Stable and precise handling at low and high speeds (tough to get in a small frame).
If you are a racer, hardcore single track rider or hardtail enthusiast this frame is perfect for you - compliant yet laterally stiff to a perfect balance.
If you have ever ordered a high end frame then was even slightly dissapointed when it arrived - have no fear in spending a little extra on a Moots. This frame is perfectly crafted - welds and finish. This is the type of frame that you will keep for a life-time.
5 chilis for value because this type of perfomance is worth the extra $$ and you won't be replacing it in a couple years.
Similar Products Used: Merlin Mtn - loyal bike for 5 years but can't compare to the RigorMootis
Bike Setup: 16" frame w/ curved top -tube custom option, crossrock wheels/mosquito tubeless w/ Stan's sealant, hope minis, XTR/sram mix, marzocchi x-fly, moots layback post
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dr. Jon Kolon
a Racer
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2001
Strengths: I used to ride an S Works in Michigan. The Moots is VERY light, responds great to pedal power and flexes when decending and working through tight spots. Very powerful with stiff cranks and wheels and very supple with those stiff components.
Weaknesses: If you are not in the bicycle industry or a racer, this could get pricy. You get what you pay for. My decals are cracking after two years even after polishing the bicycle after every ride.
Bottom Line:
It is impossible to explain how nice this bicycle rides. Every rider has a feel that they want to have. Test ride ti bikes before you buy. This Moots is the best bicycle frame I have ever seen as far as non custom production. The welds are as nice as my custom by Mark Nobilette. You will pay for this service. If riding is a part of you life, spend the time and $$$ to have a rig that treats you well. The Rigor Mootis is great. Moots is a great company. If you have any questions about the frame or want it to handle a certain way...just call Kent. He's always around.
Strengths: Quality of engineering and build is very impressive. However that pales into insignificance once you ride this bike. this is the 2001 frameset with replacable dropout and optional intl. disc mount.
Weaknesses: It is expensive to build up a bike using this frameset. The colour is not the most exciting I have seen!
Bottom Line:
I do not claim to be an MB ace, but was looking to upgrade from my GT and had a little spare cash. This bike is a 'Single Track Monster'. The light/subtle frame and geometry make it incredibly nimble through trees/roots etc. It is simply a joy to ride. Find myself accelerating out of tight corners at amazing speed, I am having to adjust my thinking to stay ahead of the bike, not a problem I had on the GT! Then you get to a climb, wow!
One area where this frame seems to be better than Litespeed etc is in torsional flex. I tend to use a lot of power/torque (20 years of xc and road running), the Litespeed and similar flex a lot under heavy pedal loads. Although there is still some flex in the Moots it is much less pronounced. If that is due to the heavier build, then I for one am in favour.
Even at this early stage ride for ride I am 20% faster, 30% less fatigued and grinning 100% more!
If you have the money, and enjoy your riding, I thoroughly recommend this bike.
4 for value...it IS a lot of money 5 for the ride.
Similar Products Used: Trialled the LiteSpeed Pisgah, Last 12 months on mid-range GT ally bike.
Bike Setup: RS Sid XC, Full XT, Avid7, 2 wheels, one seat etc
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross-Country Rider
from silver city new mexico
Date Reviewed: June 22, 1999
Strengths: welds
Weaknesses: NONE!!!
Bottom Line:
This frame is worth EVERY hard earned penny I spent on it!! This bike is only for people who truely enjoy riding, for people who cant go one day without a ride. This is not a bike for a Weekend Warrior, for no weekend warrior could understand how AWSOME this frame is. I may not have had the frame very long but it truely feels rad. It is smooth yet stiffer than my breezer in sprints, climbs, and decends better, dont get me wrong, my Breezer was a good bike but the Moots is much better. The frame welds are a peice of art work, the bead of the weld is smooth and consistent, no errors at all. The rear dropouts, are totally cool. Well I could go on all day, but I would rather be riding. IN MOOTS WE TRUST
Submitted by
Edward
a Cross-Country Rider
from Peabody, MA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 1999
Strengths: Simplicity,craftsmanship,limited production ensures quality
Weaknesses: slightly overweight for a ti bike, straight guage tubing, boring finish
Bottom Line:
I chose the Moots hardtail over their YBB because the 1 travel of the YBB did not make much difference compared to the ride quality of the hardtail. The bike is flexy, in my opinion, which I like, but others may not. I ordered the 19.5, which may contribute to the flex, but I hate riding tiny bikes. The workmanship is nice, but my old Litespeed and Merlin bikes were just as nice. To be honest, if you blindfolded me I couldn't tell the difference with respect to the ride quality. I like the Moots geometry, and I like the wishbone rear end. The finish is dull, I like the bright-brushed finish on the new Litespeed's, which is a rip-off of Merlin's finish. The welds are nice, but I found a couple of tiny flaws, which is no big deal, but for this price you expect perfection. Breezer type dropouts are nice, unless you try to run trick quick releases, which can be a pain. Weight is close to 4 pounds, due to straight guage tubing, no tapering or butting? Needs to loose close to a pound. I promised myself that this would be my last ti bike, so I broke the bank, and ordered the ti stem and post also, which have their limitations as well. The bike handles nicely, but again, not any better than similar less expensive ti frames. Moots answered all of my e-mail questions, pre and post sale, and were helpful with sizing info, etc. Overall I like the frame, and I like the fact that there are only a few of these around. Not quite perfect, so four stars.
hello,
just had lbs order an 06 rigor mootis SS. am interested in getting a stiff 100mm fork. i have narrowed it down to either the reba team 06 100mm vs. fox 100x. i have been Read More »
This has always been my dream frame.
Just can't afford one at the time.
But I do ride a custom steel hardtail.
So, I have a ? for all you owners.
Why did you purchase a Rigor M Read More »
I can feel a new project creeping up...
Since seeing 202cycle's ybb with 650b I couldnt stop thinking how sexy a dual 650b moots would be. I picked up a 2001 80mm sid fork for c Read More »
