Bikerumor shared some information about the Routt 45:
"Moots has switched things up a bit with their cyclocross bikes, turning some of them into adventure/gravel bikes.Last fall, they split the ‘cross line into a standard Psychlo-X and the racier Psychlo-X RSL, giving racers a snappier bike while relaxing the other one to fit wider tires and have a bit more universal appeal.
Somewhere between then and now, they decided to simply rename the standard Psychlo X as the Routt, and for Interbike 2014, they introduced the Routt 45, a longer, lower version perfect for light touring, bike packing and the freshly popular adventure/gravel bike segment…"
Seriously considering the Routt 45 for my next Gravel & Winter bike, after my Specialized Tricross was destroyed by an inattentive driver. (Fortunately, I was not seriously hurt.) For the money, I was pretty impressed with the Norco Search, but I'm skeptical about a carbon fiber frame for use on gravel and icy roads. Titanium seems more sensible... until I look at the price.
An Ultegra build with 785 disks, Enve fork, and Moots stem & seatpost has a $8115 MSRP. That's rather pricey for a utility bike! I suppose I could build it with 105 or Rival and save a bit of money. Also, I could save about $500 by going with cable-actuated disk brakes, plus I could still have interrupter levers, which I will miss if I go hydraulic.
Even so, it looks like for the same price a could buy two Norco Search's and keep one as a spare in case I crash the first one! Anyone want to comment on the probable difference in ride quality?
You don't buy a Moots for price, you buy it for the fine craftsmanship and high level of attention to the details, and possibly to stand out from the crowd of aluminum and steel frames. If none of those things are important to you I suggest the Ti Warbird, or the Search. I have not ridden the Search so can't comment on ho wit rides, but I spent a few mins on a friends Ti Warbird and was surprised at how well it muted the rumble of a rough brick road. For me I would go the Ti direction, but even the Warbird is a step up in price from the Search I suspect.
Do we have any Routt 45 owners here? I'm aware of the sticker shock but love the high stack and I'm aware of an opportunity to get a 2019 version that brought the flat mount disks.
I got that 2019 with a mix of 2021 parts. So far I'm super pleased. I'm replacing my road bike and 1x off road tourer keeping the family Fargo so the last rev slightly steeper frame is perfect.
There was some shock and hang up with stigma of such a fancy or special ride but it lives up to the hype. It's all at once super lively and solid yet comfy and easier on the old body.
Another made in USA option is Dean Bikes located in Gunbarrel, Colorado. While Dean frames aren't cheap they are a couple thousand less than Moots. Dean also does custom frames. If you'd like something more "art like" I'd suggest checking out Black Sheep Bikes which is in my hometown of Fort Collins. Here are a couple links... https://deanbikes.com/product/torreys-gravel/ https://www.blacksheepbikes.com/
Those were in consideration too. The bike I got ended up perfection in a few ways including availability. It's also my road bike replacement and we still have our Fargo.
While Moots is towards the high end, checking into and checking out Litespeed, Mosiac, Seven, Strong and a smaller builder had me feeling they were in line.
![[tcm5hEj]](https://i.imgur.com/tcm5hEj.jpg)