Impressions of Moots Vamoots?

[Climb01742]

For those of you who've owned or ridden a Vamoots, what did you think? Likes? Any dislikes? And three specific questions: what sizes tires can a Vamoots handle? Who makes the moots fork? And anyone run their Vamoots with a Moots seat post...if yes, do you dig the post? Thank you in advance.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Climb01742

For those of you who've owned or ridden a Vamoots, what did you think? Likes? Any dislikes? And three specific questions: what sizes tires can a Vamoots handle? Who makes the moots fork? And anyone run their Vamoots with a Moots seat post...if yes, do you dig the post? Thank you in advance.

No dislikes but I am admittedly biased(number 1 Moots dealer in the US).

LOVE my Vamoots. Simple, does everything it supposed to do, well.

Love their philosophy to not jump on every bike design gizmo that comes down the pike. No carbon plugs, no carbon butt ends.

Best welds in the industry, very 'centered' company. Call and talk to a person.

Probably some thin-ish 28s would fit but get one spec'ed for long reach brakes if ya want more.

Fork made in Asia, same place some other manufacturers forks are made, like Enve.

Have a SP and stem...titanium, expensive, does nothing in terms of ride comfort, being Ti, but they don't anyway, carbon, aluminum, titanium..looks COOL.

[texbike]

I love my Vamoots! It's really my go-to bike and sees most of my miles. It's older and has an Ouzo Pro on it so I can't really speak to the new forks. I've had 25s on it, but it seems like it would be a tight fit with 28s.

They're wonderful, simple, beautifully-crafted bikes. As much as I love my Colnago and Merckx options, the Vamoots will probably be the last one to go.

Texbike

[thegunner]

having ridden high-end production carbon and moderately nice steel bikes - shiz, the vamoots blows all of them away.

yeah, it's an extra couple of pounds over the CF bikes, but it rides like velvet no regrets.

i have 25's on there and i'm sure it could sport 28's and a resounding yes to the seatpost. it's simple, but it's incredible craftsmanship.

[jmoore]

I've never heard a bad word about Moots bikes. Ever.

[thegunner]

Originally Posted by jmoore

I've never heard a bad word about Moots bikes. Ever.

the decals could use some work.

[texbike]

Originally Posted by jmoore

I've never heard a bad word about Moots bikes. Ever.

I believe that 1Centaur had one several years ago and wasn't crazy about it. I'm sure that he'll chime in with more info...

And yes, the decals are a weakness.

Texbike

[bobswire]

Best bike frame out of the hundred or more I've owned bar none. I only sold it because of where I ride, mostly urban. The Moots deserved to be ridden on the open road.

[BobbyJones]

Tires: 23c GP4000 & 4-Seasons on HED C2s no problem. 25c Gatorskins on Fulcrum 5's no problem either.

Fork: Running the Moots fork. From the source: "Moots forks are not made by Enve. They are designed by us, and built for us through a top carbon builder overseas"

No comment on the seatpost.

Overall: I've been riding mine since the end of June. Built up with DA7800 / HED C2's. If you're interested in one, do not hesitate. It's been ridden a lot in a bunch of different conditions (some close to single track) and it seems to do everything well.

[fiamme red]

Originally Posted by thegunner

the decals could use some work.

That, and there's no paint option. Some don't care for the industrial look of bare titanium.

[akelman]

Originally Posted by texbike

I believe that 1Centaur had one several years ago and wasn't crazy about it. I'm sure that he'll chime in with more info...

And yes, the decals are a weakness.

Texbike

You may be thinking of me. But in retrospect, I think the issue was that my Vamoots had an Enve fork, which might not have been ideal. And I was running carbon hoops at that time, which made a ride that should have been silky smooth somewhat less so. All of which is to say, I think my decisions might have been the problem -- as usual.

[Climb01742]

Originally Posted by akelman

And I was running carbon hoops at that time, which made a ride that should have been silky smooth somewhat less so.

this raises a good question: what wheels/tires complement a Vamoots well? bobbyjones mentioned C2s. what are others running?

thanks everyone for some great feedback.

[christian]

When the sum criticisms of your bikes are: "Your stickers suck!" I guess you're doing something right.

I rode Happycampyer's RSL once. It was pretty darn impressive. Reminded me of an MXL with 5 pounds of undetectable buoyancy.

[Ken Robb]

My Hampsten Strada Bianca was built by MOOTS w/YBB rear end and Alpha Q fork for canti brakes. It fits 700x32 tires with room to spare but I usually ride it on 700x25. It is such a wonderful do-it-all bike I sold my excellent Legend ti.
It also has a beautiful paint job that I like better than the plain MOOTS ti.

This suggests that you could probably order a MOOTS with similar features or get a Hampsten. I'm not sure that MOOTS is still building ti bikes for Hampsten.

[texbike]

Originally Posted by Climb01742

this raises a good question: what wheels/tires complement a Vamoots well? boobyjones mentioned C2s. what are others running?

Early Ksyrium SSCs (pre SL) usually with Michelin Pro __ s on mine (running a set of Hutchinson carbons on it at the moment). They're perfect with the bike.

Texbike