Moots Vamoots Disc RSL

The Vamoots has character in spades: It flexes in the right spots for exceptional comfort and the handling is superb, but it does not giddy-up like a carbon bicycle. That’s a small trade-off for exceptional handling and long-ride comfort. This is a great candidate for a forever bike you’ll want to own for the long-haul.

Titanium is more of a dancer than carbon, and it requires some adjustment. Be patient: The comfortable damping and responsiveness make for a dynamic ride quality that carbon cannot deliver. Sure, you lose a bit of the unyielding feel of our favorite magic plastic, but you gain durability and clean aesthetics.

All that makes it sound like the Vamoots isn’t race-ready, which is not true at all. With a 56-millimeter trail and 73.5-degree head tube angle, steering is aggressive and responsive. It comes with disc brakes too, so high-speed mountain descents can and should be on the menu.

All of Moots’s frames and components are made in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Ours came spec’d with a Moots stem and seatpost, both titanium. A Moots carbon fork finishes the refinement, offering front-end compliance and the right amount of stiffness. Of course these touches bump the price tag up to a stratospheric $11,699. This is a boutique bike for sure, but it’s also one you may ride for the rest of your riding days.

Component Highlights: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain with 52/36 crankset and 11-28 cassette; Shimano RS805 hydraulic disc brakes; Mavic Ksyrium Allroad wheelset (not pictured)