Hi there, looking at a Moots Routt RSL because I want a ti bike and have trouble fitting stock sizes. Trying to anticipate how the RSL will feel compared to my Specialized Turbo Creo SL EVO. I love the handling and ride characteristics of the Creo SL (38mm tires) for the type of riding I do, which is a mix of big road climbs with occasional 50 mile days and mildly technical gravel riding.

Anyone who really understands geometry willing to look at this comparison and give me some insight?? Thank you!

Have you tried geometry geek. Online comparison of any bike brands

Fit: Pretty similar. Seat tube angle differs by 1/4 degree which is maybe 3mm horizontal difference at the same saddle height which can be compensated for with a little fore-aft adjustment of the rails. If you want this position the same, make sure you get a Moots seatpost with similar setback to your Creo.

The stack/reach are close, The moots is lower and effectively a little shorter. Moots used to measure stack/reach to the top of the upper headset and not top of the headtube, can’t tell if that is still the case. Anyway, you’ll need to use additional spacers or a more positive rise stem on the Moots. If you’re already setup pretty high on the Creo (like 30mm of spacers under the stem and the stem flipped up), might be hard to get the moots as high without a large positive angle stem. Stem length on the moots may need to be longer.

Handling: Take this with a grain of salt. The moots has a longer wheelbase, slightly more slack headtube angle, and a higher bottom bracket. Not drastically in any of these dimensions, but it will feel different. The longer wheelbase should make it feel more stable on gravel descents, counter is that the slacker angle and higher trail measurement will mean on slow grindy uphills the front wheel may want to flop around more so a little more hand input will be needed. Try to ride no-hands will be different, probably harder on the Moots? The higher bottom bracket will raise center of gravity some and you may or may not like that. And of course the moots is going to not have a motor in the bottom bracket so will feel more lively out of the saddle.

My TL;DR is it will feel a little different, but nothing crazy and you would adjust quickly. As long as you aren’t already running really high stem/spacers on the Creo, you should be able to get a similar fit with the right stem selection.

Thank you for the detailed info!

Interesting about the front wheel flop. That is something I definitely don’t like because I like to sit up with my hands off the bars fairly regularly to release pressure. Hopefully my fitting will help me get a setup that gives me better weight distribution so this is less needed.

Thank you. If you look at the attached pictures to my post, it is a comparison of the geometry. I just needed help interpreting the numbers.

Bike Insights is the best comparison tool I’ve found. It produces a quantitative and qualitative comparison, with visual representation of the differences. Enjoy: https://bikeinsights.com/

The higher bottom bracket will raise center of gravity some and you may or may not like that.

That is a BIG difference in BB height…almost a full CM. Personally, I prefer a lower BB. Translates to a lower center of gravity, more stability and more predictable cornering. Downside is the potential for more pedal strikes in technical terrain.

I went from a Crux to a Cervelo Aspero and the BB drop changed from a 69 to a 76 and it was very noticeable…but an improvement.

Again, this is my personal preference…others prefer a higher BB (or don’t notice). But if stability is a goal, a lower BB may be a better option.

Yeah, that BB height was something that stood out to me. I’m very long torso’d, which puts my CG high up. One of the things I like about the Creo is the stable cornering and a feeling like I’m in the bike.

Too bad Moots won’t customize their geo beyond tube lengths… I know I could look at a true custom builder and I might but there are a lot of appeals to Moots for me. Mainly, the shop I work at is a dealer and I can get a really good deal. I also love that they are located an hour from me and they do almost everything in house and I could go see where the bike is made, which is cool from an environmentally friendly perspective.

If you are near Steamboat and looking for a local brand, consider Brad Bingham at Bingham Built. Brad took over Kent Eriksen’s business and does full custom with the most exquisite welds imaginable. I own an Eriksen and it’s still a delight after 15+ years and 80k + miles.

Run the moots with 650b wheels/tires and you’ll have your low center of gravity and less wheel flop vs 700c. I love a 47mm+ 650b tire, still agile, super comfy, less toe overlap. If all my bikes were stolen suddenly, a 650b build with a supple slick like a Switchback Hill or Ultradynamico Cava would be the first thing I’d acquire again. I love just bulldozing around over cracks and debris in the road (we don’t have nice smooth roads in Pittsburgh). I only notice the drag of the big wheels when trying to push 20+mph, so I have a different bike for that kind of riding.

Thank you Mark. I like the idea. I’ve never ridden 650b on a gravel bike… I know Moots doesn’t recommend 650b on the Routt RSL but I’m not sure why exactly…

Why not just talk to Moots and get custom geo? It’s a marginal price increase. I own a Moots Vamoots RSL and it is without a doubt my favorite bike.

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