Moots became a leader in titanium frame manufacturing, and they took the lead in the industry. Because of how much people love their titanium bikes and the fact that they don’t sponsor a UCI team, there was never a reason for them to switch.
Moots Bike Buyer’s Guide
Written by: Nick Cowie | July 11, 2026 | Time to read: 5 min
Every frame that Moots makes is handcrafted with their lightweight and very durable titanium. Get your own American-made road bike, gravel bike, or mountain bike from one of the leaders in titanium technology.
More about the Author: Nick Cowie
Nick is a writer with seven years of experience in the cycling industry. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, Jiu Jitsu, and spending time outdoors.
With the carbon takeover in modern cycling, titanium is often under-utilized. Titanium is a very lightweight and ultra-durable material, making it a great material for a daily bike rider. Titanium is also the best way to go if you want to buy an American-made bike.
Moots is more than a niche titanium brand. They make race-capable bikes and high-end road bikes and mountain bikes for daily performance riding. Moots bikes are great for gravel bike racing, long-distance events, and criteriums. Their craftsmanship extends to titanium cranksets, seatposts, stems, and other accessories. Take a look at some Moots bikes and see if switching to titanium might be right for you.
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Table of Contents
Moots’ history
Kent Eriksen founded the Moots brand in Colorado in 1981, naming the company after an alligator pencil topper he had as a child. Their first technological breakthrough was the simple but effective Why Be Beat Suspension. The company began by creating custom steel frames, but eventually moved full-time into titanium in 1991. When they transitioned to titanium, their first mountain bike line cemented Moots as a top player in the industry.
Since their humble beginnings, Moots has taken over the titanium tech sector of cycling. They were ahead of the adventure and touring bike game, were one of the first brands to 3D print tech for flat mount disc brakes, and expanded into titanium component manufacturing. Moots is proof that not moving to carbon doesn’t mean that a brand is staying in the past.
| Model | Category | Key Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Mountaineer | Mountain Bike | Titanium frame with Moots YBB suspension; 20 mm rear travel; 120 mm front travel; designed for long-distance trail riding and comfort on varied terrain. |
| MXC | Mountain Bike (XC Hardtail) | Lightweight cross-country hardtail; 1x drivetrain; 100 mm fork travel; steep head angle; aimed at fast riding and technical XC terrain. |
| Womble | Mountain Bike (Trail Hardtail) | Aggressive titanium hardtail; 29-inch wheels; approximately 140 mm fork travel (40 mm more than MXC); built for singletrack and rougher terrain. |
| Routt CRD | Gravel Race Bike | 3D-printed dropouts; large tire clearance; internal cable routing; optimized for gravel racing. |
| Routt RSL | Gravel Bike | Lightweight, stiff gravel platform focused on speed and efficiency. |
| Routt 45 | Gravel / Adventure Bike | Adventure-oriented geometry; touring capability; larger tire clearance for mixed terrain. |
| Routt YBB | Gravel Bike (Micro-Suspension) | Moots YBB micro-suspension for added comfort and traction on rough gravel. |
| Vamoots CRD | Road Bike | Lightweight road bike emphasizing stiffness, handling, and speed. |
| Vamoots RSL | Road Bike | Lightweight and stiff road platform with sharp handling characteristics. |
| Vamoots RCS | Endurance Road Bike | Greater tire clearance; endurance-focused geometry; suited for rougher roads and long rides. |
Moots mountain bikes
Mountain bikes are what gave Moots notoriety for the first time. To this day, it is the type of bike they carry the most models of. One of the bikes they have in their current lineup started in that original breakout group. If you like Moots mountain bikes, check out Upway to see if we have some certified pre-owned Moots bikes on sale.
- Moots Mountaineer: The Mountaineer was created in 1983 as a member of their breakout mountain bike line. It has been updated into a modern-day softail, using the signature Moots YBB suspension. This mini-suspension offers just 20mm of rear travel and pairs with 120mm of front travel. The Mountaineer is comfortable and great for long rides if you’re the type of rider who wants to put in the miles on varying trail conditions.
- Moots MXC: Every lineup needs a cross-country hardtail, and this is the one for Moots. The MXC is fast and lightweight, but is designed to tackle more technical terrain than most comparable bikes. The bike includes a 1x system, 100mm of fork travel, and a steep head angle to blend simplicity with speed.
- Moots Womble: The Womble is another hardtail that is less for the XC course and more for trail adventures. This aggressive titanium mountain bike has 29-inch wheels and is great for tackling singletrack. It has an extra 40mm of fork travel compared to the MXC, meaning you can ride on even rowdier terrain.
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Moots other bikes
Mountain bikes are where Moots started, but today, they have a complete lineup, including drop-bar bikes like road bikes and gravel bikes. In fact, they are extremely well-known for their touring bikes and gravel bike racing success. Moots bikes will often be seen in gravel bike races and even some crits. Their road bike and gravel bike models are tailored for different types of riding so that you can find the perfect one for your style.
- Moots Routt: The Routt comes in four different versions depending on your riding style. The CRD is made for racing, featuring 3D printed dropouts, large tire clearance, and internal cable routing. The RSL is centered around low weight and stiffness, while the 45 moves more into adventure or touring territory with a more capable geometry. Finally, the YBB uses their micro-suspension technology for a capable and classic ride.
- Moots Vamoots: The Vamoots is the road bike family of Moots bikes. Similar to the Routt, it features two price tiers with the CRD and the RSL. Both versions are lightweight with a focus on stiffness and handling. The RCS is made to hold more tire width, meaning it is your perfect choice for endurance riding or taking on rougher roads.
Who are Moots titanium bikes for?
- You want American-made: If you want your bike to be handmade in the United States, there aren’t a ton of options. Moots is a high-quality brand that is manufactured in the US.
- You don’t need carbon: Carbon fiber is the standard today, but it’s not for everyone. If you prefer lightweight and durable titanium, Moots is for you.
- Adventure riders: Moots is highly-regarded for their adventure and gravel bikes. Their durable frames and endurance geometry are up for any challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t Moots use carbon frames?
Why does Moots make more hardtails than most brands?
Because of how compliant titanium is, Moots was able to make more comfortable hardtails. They also have their micro-suspension, which allows for small amounts of compliance without having to put in a full suspension.
Can you race Moots bikes?
Just because Moots bikes aren’t carbon doesn’t mean they aren’t fast. Moots mountain bikes can be raced, but their gravel bikes are the most common racers. Long-distance riding on titanium is a popular choice for touring bikes.
Key Takeaways
- Moots is truly American-made: Because all of their frames are handmade with titanium, Moots is able to keep their manufacturing in the United States. Most bike companies outsource their manufacturing overseas, but Moots is a rare exception.
- Titanium doesn’t mean sacrificing speed: Titanium is one of the lightest and strongest frame materials you can use. Carbon is the current standard, but titanium is plenty lightweight, fast, and stiff for the average rider.
- Find your perfect model in their families: Moots makes different versions of some of their bikes that range from race-focused lightweight models to more comfortable bikes with an adventure focus. Think about your riding style when choosing a Moots bike.
