When the 601 came onto the market a few years ago, it was unique: an enduro bike with suspension travel and geodata like a fat freerider - no other manufacturer had that on offer. But modern enduro bikes are increasingly riding like small downhillers. This has given the 601 some competition. In our 2016 comparison test, it was a little "behind" with its short reach, high bottom bracket and slightly bulbous characteristic. Of course, a proven perfectionist like company boss Jo Klieber doesn't like to hear that: he redesigned the 601 from the dropout to the headset cover. The result is a bike in which every single innovation would actually have been enough for an additional model year: The MK4 is significantly longer and lower, the tyre clearance has increased thanks to a special bottom bracket yoke and a forward-mounted seat tube (2.6 mm tyres fit). At the same time, the chainstay has been shortened. A new rocker is intended to make the characteristic curve more linear. The fully integrated Eightpins dropper post is unique in terms of stroke, concept and design. Its special setback head compensates for the forward seat tube, while the 33-millimetre diameter makes it extremely stiff. In addition, the cables have been routed completely length-free to the inside and the frame has been made compatible for Metric shocks and Di2 electronic shifting. What has remained is the otherwise almost manic perfection: self-clamping bolt heads on the shock eyelet, chainstay length and shock position adapted to the frame size, special edition Schwalbe tyres, spare derailleur hanger bolt in the yoke, geo adjustment on the shock mount and head tube, completely new carbon wheels and probably the highest quality handlebar/stem combination on the market - wow!
Liteville arrived in a team of three for the handover. Not only to proudly explain all the new features, but also to adjust the prototype of the seatpost to my stride length. The construction with a damped gas pressure cartridge has to be adjusted once using shims to the maximum possible stroke for the respective rider and the seatpost shortened accordingly. With my dwarf 77 cm stride length and frame size M, the system achieves an impressive 160 millimetres of drop. Taller people can use up to 220 millimetres with a system weight of less than 500 grams! The new carbon wheels are also extremely light. The rim is said to weigh just over 400 grams, while the entire wheelset with new Boost hubs and 28 (self-developed) spokes comes in at just 1590 grams - with full bike park approval. Brave new world?
The Liteville guys gave me ten days to put the 601 MK4 through its paces. Of course, it is not yet possible to make any statements about the long-term function of the seatpost. But it is possible to make statements about the function of the bike. The new geo has resulted in a relatively high stack. I therefore rode the bike in the low bottom bracket position without spacers under the 50 mm stem. This gave me a balanced position with enough pressure on the front wheel for steep climbs. The competitive weight and light wheels help uphill just as much as the drive-neutral kinematics. When seated, the bike is very quiet and high in the stroke, and also surprisingly stable when sprinting. It only pumps when pedalling bluntly. The eight-pin dropper post has zero play and works at exactly the right rebound speed. The fat, rigid 33 mm seat tube blends in perfectly with the robust look of the bike. However, the exclusive 2.5 tyres with a very soft rubber compound are an extreme choice. The wide Magic Mary tyres roll tough, especially at the rear, and experience has shown that they wear out very quickly.
Downhill, there's no stopping it: the 601 MK4 is a completely different calibre to its predecessor. The long and low geo gives a lot of security and the suspension is really plush. It doesn't tend too much towards a mini downhiller, but remains surprisingly manoeuvrable and is easy on the rear wheel. Also a success: The kinematics elicit the 180 millimetre stroke from the rear very linearly and can therefore be tuned variably. With 33 per cent sag, the rear is extremely plush without sagging in compression. At 25 per cent, it becomes racy with more direct feedback, but still uses the travel effectively. A successful end progression prevents harsh bottoming out. The harmonious set-up with the Lyrik at the front is ideal. Whether racing, bike park or adventure tours, the 601 is suitable for all areas of use. Apart from slightly more all-round suitable tyres, there is nothing to improve.
Conclusion from Christian Schleker, FREERIDE tester (47, 172 cm, 69 kilos):
"With the 601 MK4, Liteville has packed many sensible development steps into a familiar guise and made the bike fully competitive again - without mutating it too much into a mini-downhill bike. The fully integrated seatpost is a milestone. The modern, variable geometry and the great suspension leave little to be desired, plus elegant detail solutions and a competitive weight. We will continue to scrutinise the bike, wheels and seatpost in a long-term test. If everything works as well as it does here over months, the 601 MK4 is an absolute super enduro!"
Liteville 601 MK 4 (prototype)
Manufacturer information
Distribution Syntace GmbH
Info www.liteville.com
Material/sizes Aluminium / S,M, L,XL
Price/weight without pedals 6920 Euro / 13.4 kg
Measurement data
Front/rear suspension travel 180 mm / 180 mm
Rear suspension system Four-link/Horstlink
Equipment
Fork/damper RS Lyrik Solo Air RCT3 / RS Vivid Air
Cranks/gears Sram Eagle X01 / Sram Eagle X01
Brake system Sram Guide Rsc
Impellers Syntace C331 carbon system wheelset
Tyres Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.5 Vert Star TLE
Reach 430 mm
Stack 618 mm
BB-Drop - 9 mm
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