Moots County Line Frameset

The Moots County Line Frameset is a titanium all-road frame from a company that has been welding titanium bikes by hand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for decades. Moots describes the County Line as its answer to "rides that don't stay paved." It sits between the Vamoots road bikes and the big-tire Routt gravel line, and it suits riders who want one bike for fast pavement, broken asphalt, and the dirt road that cuts the loop short.

Built Around a 38mm Tire

Moots designed the County Line around a 38mm tire and lists clearance up to 700x42. That is a deliberate choice. It is wide enough to soften washboard and loose gravel, and narrow enough that the bike still feels like a road bike when you put it back on a smooth climb. If you want 50mm tires and a dedicated gravel setup, the Routt is the better fit. If most of your riding is pavement with regular detours, this frame is closer to what you need.

Moots pairs that tire range with geometry it describes as more stable than a typical road bike, which helps on loose descents and rough surfaces. The frame comes in eight sizes from 48 to 62cm, with chainstays held at 42.5cm across the range and two fork offsets to keep handling consistent from the smallest frame to the largest.

Titanium, Welded in Colorado

The frame uses straight-gauge 3/2.5 titanium tubing. Titanium is a favorite for riders who keep a bike for ten years or more. It does not rust, it shrugs off the scratches that would worry you on a painted frame, and it has a springy, damped ride that many riders prefer on long days. Moots says every frame is welded and finished at its Steamboat Springs facility by builders who also ride.

Finish is part of the appeal. The County Line is available in a range of Moots finishes, from the classic brushed titanium look to anodized colors, so the frame can be understated or loud depending on how you order it.

Modern Standards, Practical Details

The County Line uses in-house titanium dropouts built to the UDH standard, which gives broad drivetrain compatibility and lets you swap in a replaceable derailleur hanger. Rear spacing is 12x142 with flat mount disc brakes, and the bottom bracket is a threaded BSA 68mm, which is easy to service and quiet. Chainline is 45mm for 2x and 47.5mm for 1x, so the frame handles either drivetrain layout.

The new Moots carbon all-road fork has a D-shaped steerer and routes the brake hose internally through a titanium stem for a clean front end. Fender mounts come standard, with optional upper rack mounts. That makes the County Line a reasonable choice for commuting, wet-weather training, and light touring as well as weekend rides.

Who It Is For

This is a frameset, so the build is up to you. It suits riders who already know what they want from a group, wheels, and cockpit and who want a frame that will outlast several rounds of component upgrades. A 1x gravel group with 40mm tires turns it into a quick mixed-surface bike. A 2x road group with 32mm tires makes it a durable endurance bike that can take a rough road without complaint. RA Cycles offers bike fitting in Walnut Creek, California, and Brooklyn, New York, if you want help choosing a size before you order.