This is the shop’s Moots Routt RSL — the titanium gravel bike Maklin uses to fit, test, ride and sell other Moots builds off of. Steve and both his sons have put miles on it; Kyle just raced it at Core4 and has Big Sugar next. Here’s how it’s set up, what got swapped from the stock build, and why it’s the one demo Steve would keep if he had to pick one.
What We Changed From Stock
A few deliberate swaps. The stock Moots-branded WTB saddle didn’t win over anyone who rides in the shop, so all three of them are on the Prologo Nago now — same saddle across every bike, which makes trading bikes easy. The bar is an Easton EC90 AX rather than the stock Zipp XPLR, since the shop crew rides this bike most and that’s the bar they’re used to. On gearing, Kyle wanted a 46T chainring for his last gravel race; Moots spec’s a 44, but the 46 clears without touching and without cheating the DUB spacers. The crank currently on it is an older D1 unit with a power meter — it was already set up on another bike, so rather than swap chainrings around they just moved the whole crank over.
Fit
It’s a 55 — which sits right between a 54 and a 56 — and it makes a great shop fit bike because of that. Steve is long-inseam, short-torso and works better on shorter-reach bikes; he could ride the 55 or the 56. With stem swaps and slamming the stem, the shop can mimic how a 52 or a 54 would fit to size people up before ordering their own.
Wheels — A Change of Heart
The Zipp 303 Explorers are the stock wheel. Steve initially didn’t think they were the right wheel for the Moots — he figured the plainer Reserve GR40 44s looked cleaner (and they do). But once the Zipps went on with the G-One RS Pros for Kyle’s race, he came around completely: they look great, roll well, and they’re staying on. (The G-One RS Pros measure 47 on these wheels; there’s room for up to 50s, which the shop plans to test for Big Sugar.)
The Ride
Moots aren’t cheap, and the shop is proud of them — the welds on the titanium frame are pristine, and it’s fantastic to ride. It’s a slightly more relaxed geometry than some of the racier gravel bikes out there, but make no mistake, you can ride it fast and race it. Of all the demo bikes the shop rotates through, this is the one Steve would most want to keep.
The shop’s favorite gravel bike
A titanium Routt RSL set up the way the shop actually rides it — Prologo saddle, Easton cockpit, a 46T up front, Zipp 303 Explorers — comfortable enough for all day and quick enough to race. As a Moots dealer, Maklin builds every one from the frame and can spec yours exactly how you want it (chainring size, cockpit, wheels). Like all the demo bikes, this one goes up for sale eventually — ask if you’re interested.
Interested in a Moots Routt RSL?
We’re a Moots dealer and build every one in-house. Reach out to talk stock builds, custom options and fit.