The frame design

On first sight, the Liteville 301 frame does not look very much different from a conventional full-suspension MTB frame where the shock is placed parallel to and under the top tube. The main difference is, that the shock is not mounted, as usual, with the front connected to the frame, but instead with the rear connected to the connection of top tube and seat tube of the main triangle.

The decision to „reverse“ the shock mount has important reasons and is not just a design gag or just to do something different. It was our goal to design a real multi-pivot frame with a statically „healthy“ construction. That means, that all forces are to be introduced into the frame as softly as possible for frame and shock.

A key advantage of the reverse shock linkage is to introduce the forces of the rear triangle and shock into the main frame triangle right at the very solid connection between seat tube and top tube. In addition, the introduced force is working against the force being exerted by the rider via seat post and seat tube and is partially neutralized. In standard full-suspension frame designs with the shock parallel to the top tube, all forces act in the same direction and as a result the stress on the frame is much higher.

The frame
For maximum stiffness and durability every single tube is multiply butted and the overall frame construction consistently adheres to oversize principles.
The head tube of the Liteville 301 from MK8 onwards ia a tapered head tube and uses pressed in stainless bearings. This allows the use of all available 1 1/8th and tapered steerer tube forks. The tapered design with pressed in bearings does not only provide better stiffness and increased life time of the bearings (even when using standard 1 1/8 steerer forks), but also reduces the frame weight.
For an even preciser steering, we have increased the lower tube diameter from 53mm to 57mm. This, in combination with also enlarged upper tube cross section, guarantees a stiffness which did not seem possible with frames of this weight category. This provides an extremely secure and precise response and handling. The seat stays and chain stays are also butted differently on the left and right to accommodate for the different loads resulting from the chain pull and breaking forces. A specially challenging area – as with all Liteville frames – was once again the bottom bracket. Here, bottom bracket, main pivot, front derailleur, rear tire, ISCG tab, chain guide (optional) and the rear gear cable have to all work in harmony with each other, yet are cramped in a confined space. The unique and patented Neutral Center Path (NCP) provides non-length changing and uninterrupted gear cable routing resulting in the longest cable service intervals ever seen by mankind. At the same time it was also the key feature making space for the patented Syntace Chainguide System (SCS) as thanks to the NCP we were able to place the SCS close and directly mounted to the chain stay, allowing for creation of the lightest and best performing chain guide construction.

Construction type:
Diamond frame in oversize with 4-bar linkage diamond frame design,
up to 5x butted tubes.

Material:
Custom made Aluminium with special heat treating.

Surface:
Shotpeened for best material strength and fatigue properties. Anodized with lasered logo.
Raceblack anodised, works finish or about 160 RAL colors with 650 color options.

In addition to the Raceblack anodised surface finish and the colour selection in powder coating, we offer a limited number of works finish frames of every production (limited edition). The new Liteville works finish is a real raw aluminium surface finish. It is no raw colour imitation of a metallic surface. It displays the natural irregular surface structure of our craftsmanship.
Changes over time such as darkening in tone and formation of darker areas are mandatory with this finish. It is this, which creates the natural charm of the patina of a real works finish aluminium surface.
By the way, this surface can be reworked either mechanically or chemically. You can scotch-brite the surface, you can polish it matt or to a mirror finish or even coat it as desired.

Statically superior:

The suspension system
Apart from eliminating the much feared suspension bob and providing best pedalling efficiency, the 301 was also to provide superior small bump compliance and optimal travel usage. To design such a suspension we first had to fully understand the cause of bobbing. Firstly, the mass of the rider causes bobbing, when he/she is for example pedalling out of the saddle. To eliminate this cause, the best thing is to work on a smooth pedalling stroke – you either have it or you need to practice it. Secondly - and this is the critical cause - the chain torque, brought into the system by the rider, also causes bobbing. However, through optimum positioning of the 4 pivots of the rear triangle (of major importance is the position of the rocker link) the chain torque introduced into the system by the rider, can be completely uncoupled from the movement of the rear triangle. Even under full acceleration the rear will not bob, regardless of the gear selection. This careful pivot placement eliminates the necessity for so-called “anti-bob” or platform shocks.
To the above-mentioned bob-free attribute, it should be added, that this is to remain for the entire rear wheel travel, in order for the rider to be able to ride over large obstacles (such as large roots), without the chain length changing, so you can retain a good even pedalling motion whilst the rear end passes through its travel. In our Liteville 301 the relatively long rocker link (with respect to the shock stroke) takes care of this, as the rocker arm angle change remains relatively small as the rear end cycles through its travel.
Up to Mk3 in 2007 the travel was 115 mm. For Mk4 in 2007 we were able to increase the travel to 130 mm.
From MK8 onwards (available from 2009), Liteville offers 3 travel options: 120 mm, 140 mm and 160 mm so that you can perfectly tune your bike according to your preferences. The novelty being: the rocker arms do not only differ in travel, but when combined with an appropriate fork, also provide the perfect geometry for both the chosen travel and riding category.

Travel:
The effective frame travel with the DT Swiss SSD 212L Tuned shock is either 120 mm, 140 mm or 160 mm and depends on the rocker arms selected for the setup. The different rocker arms also automatically adjust the geometry in order to provide a perfect ride for all situations for the chosen travel category when combined with a suitable suspension fork.

DynaLevel (sag indicator)
Live indicator instead of getting on and off and checking the cable tie. No more human error influenced readings and a much higher information flow live on the trail. .

Pedal jack
Responsible for pedal jack is again the placement of the 4 pivots and the subsequent elongation of the chain when the frame passes through its travel. It is important that there is no pedal jack, regardless of the selected gear. We eliminated pedal jack by precise placement of the pivots, which provides absolute minimal chain growth. By a small adjustment of the rear end pivot points, the Liteville Mk8 (and subsequent models) have been given an improved “climbing grip” for all steep climbing applications.

Bearings
For all pivots we use specific loading optimized bearings with job-specific construction. The XC-Racing Kit (previously accessory) as well as the current combination of pivot point bearings only include one friction bearing.
Using friction bearings in multiple places would especially in side loading applications, and places where the space for then required sealing is not provided, be a step back wards in terms of longetivity and responsiveness.
The LV 301 bearing concept is refined: 6 x double sealed stainless ball bearings combined with a pair of special hermetically sealed (INA seal X-ring) friction bearings in the top tube. This airtight friction bearing is loaded in such a way by the patented Liteville rocker link, that it achieves overall improved suspension performance. All other pivot points of the 301 use ball bearings.

Dropouts
From Mk8 onwards, all Liteville frames use the patended Syntace X-12 thru-axle system. Not only the sensational weight of just 39g, but also the fantastic stiffness properties and the ease of use underline this new rear axle standard.

Derailleur hanger
For perfect precise shifting function, the hanger has been designed in such a way, that despite being replaceable, it is significantly stiffer than conventional exchangeable derailleur hangers. The clue: the derailleur hanger will not bend when overloaded, instead, the derailleur hanger screw acts as the weakest link. When over-loaded, only the weakest link breaks. This bolt can easily be replaced if it ever does happen to break. The best bit: there is always a spare bolt in the bottom of your frame waiting for you to use.

Headset
The new 301 MK9 uses a Syntace Direct Integration headset with double sealed angular stainless bearings providing for a 1 1/8" steerer in the top and 1.5" steerer in the bottom. This configuration provides best stiffness values and increased bearing lifespan at minimal weight. All available 1 1/8" or tapered steerer forks can be used. A reduction for the lower end is included for those of you that still run a 1 1/8" steerer.

Cable routing
We know from our own experiences how important a cable routing is that is protected from grit and dirt and uses as little bends as possible with the largest possible radii. Especially in bad weather applications, the human application forces of many bikes are increased drastically after a few metres of riding, and often a precise shifting function is no longer given. This is why we have created our integrated and patented NCP (Neutral Centre Path) cable routing. NCP stands for non-interrupted cable routing that goes along the down tube, passes through the seat tube, directly through the pivot point of the rear triangle main pivot, eliminating elongation of the housing as the wheel passes through its travel, and through the right hand chain stay directly to the rear derailleur. This provides a constant precise shifting function even in day-to-day bad weather riding with the longest possible cable service intervals.

ISCG
For all of those that like the pluses of geared cranks (such as the Hammerschmidt), we have given you the option to use these in giving the 301 Mk9 an ISCG 03 tab. An Hammerschmidt Kit is available as an accessory to provide optimal cable routing.

Chain guide
Just how sensible and advantageous a chain guide has proven to be even when riding with “small travel” bikes, is something we only really know since we have spent considerate amounts of time and energy exploring various options in depth our selves. The result is the lightest chain guide with the best function we are aware of. The advantages are reduced chain whipping noises and a reduction of the annoying chain whiplashing forward towards the chain rings, and in such prevention of falling off chains from the front chain rings in difficult terrain.

click pictures to enlarge

Frame sizes and weights:

Frame without shock: This enables a direct comparison with our competitor’s weight specifications, who generally always state the frame weight without a shock and without mounting hardware.

But, even in this weight a small Liteville-Secret is hidden:
As you can see above, a new Liteville 301 Mk8 frame weights (in size M) about 2320 grams net. The direct predecessor, the Mk7, was about 60g less, appr. 2260 grams.
No real progress on first look, right? In reality though, a technical refinement is being used. The added 60 grams on the naked, non built-up frame are not really added weight, but a clearly visible, functional improvement and a weight-saving investment in terms of the complete build:
Part of the 60 grams are several integrated elements and very solid direct mounts which on other frames, would have to be added afterwards - with more complicated, sometimes wobbly and always heavier add-ons.

The effective weight-loss of a ready-to-go complete 301Mk8 bike through these integrated direct-mount interfaces adds up approx. 100g on average – a world’s first to be presented in this extend on a mountain bike! And all of that with improved function of a more solid complete system.


New for the 301 Mk9:
- New welding method
- Stiffer main pivot bearing assembly with 50% less parts
- Revised seat tube conification
- XS: 24''- rear wheel as standard
- Frame size S: 15 mm lower top tube, XS 30 mm lower top tube (in comparison to the other frame sizes)



Warranty:
On all mountain-bike frames delivered from 1. of September 2007, Liteville now gives 10 years (5+5) warranty on all material and manufacturing defects. A potentially necessary exchange for a new frame or frame component occurs free of charge within the first 5 years warranty period, in the 5 -10th year, a 50% discount on the respective current retail price is offered. For the installed rear shock, the warranty of the respective manufacturer is valid. For the Liteville 101 4X frame we give 3+7 years warranty.

The Warranty is valid for all Liteville owners, not only for the first owner, and permits DH and race usage. Like this even most of the second-hand buyers will receive a frame with original factory warranty!

Only condition: All components are to be installed and used as outlined in the owner’s manual.

In addition, Liteville will make a special offer to every Liteville-owner even for misuse or damage due to crash influences (“Bike on roof rack against garage wall”), direct through Liteville.

With Liteville products you are in good hands, even after you have bought the goods.