Liteville 4-One Mk2 gravel bike in individual test
Tubes, black as night, run in a straight line from A to B and join together to form an elongated, flat main frame. The matt black add-on parts do not attract attention, but match the black anodised frame perfectly. The machine swallows light, but reveals fine details to the connoisseur who steps closer: the scales of the weld seams run elegantly, all frame openings such as cable outlets or threaded bushes are meticulously crafted and sealed flush, all cables are concealed and the few inscriptions are lasered razor-sharp into the anodised finish.
The complete absence of frills reveals the signature of Liteville and Syntace mastermind Jo Klieber. Klieber, a lightweight builder by conviction, is a fanatic about leaving things out. If he were an architect, he would probably stack simple cubes in the Bauhaus tradition. Fortunately, Klieber prefers to build bikes. The 4-One Mk2 is the modelled new edition of the gravel bike from his Liteville brand. The aluminium frame with a long reach and stubby stem has a slack 70 degree steering angle, a long wheelbase and, as a new feature, an asymmetrical rear triangle.
Another technical highlight is what is probably the best-designed derailleur hanger in the world, which cannot bend, but whose bolt has a predetermined breaking point to protect the rear derailleur in the event of a crash. A spare bolt is screwed in behind the bottom bracket. Also great: the tool in the rear wheel axle with a 5 mm hexagon socket and 25 mm Torx spanner.
Liteville 4-One Mk2 - All in one?
Liteville advertises the machine as four bikes in one: gravel, cross, all-road and bikepacking. Its smooth-running character clearly qualifies it as a gravel bike. It lacks the agility for cross-country riding and the super-compact frame can't be shouldered either. But we don't have to shoulder it either. The 40 millimetre wide G-One Bite tyres from Schwalbe, mounted tubeless on extra-wide Syntace carbon rims, bite confidently through snow and ice when inflated to just under two bars.
Well supported by the wide rims, the tyres are still perfectly rideable on the road even with soft pressure and provide good comfort. The thick carbon seatpost (34.9 millimetre diameter) also provides noticeable suspension thanks to its generous extension. The frame is also optionally prepared for the lowerable (but harder) Eight-Pins seatpost. The wide carbon handlebars provide a lot of control in the unusually wide brake lever position, especially off the road. Downhill, the geometry convinces with a lot of safety; the bike takes small jumps over gullies and the like with confidence, well-damped and rattle-free.
Liteville 4-One Mk2 - Aluminium in top form
The radio-controlled twelve-speed Force AXS drivetrain from SRAM with a 40 mm chainring and a 10-44 cassette impresses with smooth gear changes and intuitive operation. In the two lightest gears, however, the chain grinds noticeably under skew. The heaviest gears also run rough, and the chain even tends to jump under high loads. The latter is probably a consequence of the rear triangle concept, in which the cassette sits three millimetres further out than usual. If you mainly ride flat, you also run the risk of prematurely wearing out the small sprockets of the gear rim, which is milled from solid material.
In the tested configuration, the bike costs 6499 euros, a slightly heavier version with Force/Rival equipment 4699 euros. The frame alone weighs 1376 grams, which is around 300 grams more than a lightweight gravel carbon frame. The robust design speaks in favour of aluminium. If in doubt, the aluminium tube can take a bump in off-road terrain. The solid T47 bottom bracket with large thread and the exemplary rear dropout are carefree technology for many kilometres. Liteville also offers a five-year warranty on the frame (plus five years discounted repair).
Conclusion: A robust, uncomplicated and versatile bike that impresses above all with its clever details and high practical value. The timeless design also puts the sporty purchase price for an aluminium bike into perspective.
Liteville 4-One Mk2 in detail
- Price6499 Euro
- Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1376/568/73 grammes
- Frame sizes** S/M/L/XL/XXL
- Seat/top tube/head tube 465/565/151 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 568/413 millimetres/1.38
- Wheelbase/caster 1065/77 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/Circuit SRAM Red/Force AXS
- Brakes SRAM Force (160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Syntace C25i/Schwalbe G-One Bite, 40mm (front/rear: 1440/1946 g)
Measured values & individual notes*****
- Weight of complete wheel: 8,32 Kilo Grade 2,0
- Steering head stiffness: 90 Nm/° Grade 2,0
- Lateral stiffness fork68 N/mm Grade 1,0
- Bottom bracket stiffness67 N/mm Grade 1,0
- Seatpost spring stiffness50 N/mm Grade 1,7
*Weighed weights.
**Manufacturer information Test size bold.
***Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube;
STR (Stack to Reach) 1.36 means a very stretched sitting position, 1.60 means an upright sitting position.
****Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
*****Single noteswhich are weighted differently in the overall grade, are only partially printed for reasons of space. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are shown with rounded decimal places.
******Aerodynamics Theoretical pedalling power required to overcome the air resistance at 45 km/h, measured in a wind tunnel with a pedalling dummy leg.
