moots titanium gravel bike Moots Routt CRD Frameset

Moots has been building titanium bikes by hand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado since 1981, and the Moots Routt CRD Frameset is the sharpest expression of what those four decades produce. CRD stands for Complete Race Design — a name that means exactly what it says. Built around Moots' RSL (Race Super Light) double-butted titanium tubeset and specced with Chris King components at every structural position, the Routt CRD brings Moots' renowned titanium ride quality into genuinely race-ready territory. It's the fastest frameset in the Routt gravel lineup, designed for riders who want a traditional geometry with performance-first intent and no visual clutter.

The RSL tubeset is Moots' lightest in the Routt family. Each tube is internally butted — thinner through the center to shed weight, thicker at the weld zones where structure demands material. This variable wall profile is what separates a race-oriented titanium frame from a heavier one: the 3al/2.5v titanium alloy goes where it's needed and nowhere else. The geometry reflects the CRD's purpose: seat angles ranging from 75° in the 50cm to 72.75° in the 60cm keep the rider over the pedals on climbs, while head angles spanning 71° to 72.25° across the size run provide steering that's precise without being nervous. Chainstays hold at 430mm across all seven sizes. Maximum tire clearance is 45c — enough for most gravel terrain, sized to keep the chassis responsive.

The rear end features precision 3D-printed titanium dropouts with flat-mount disc brake tabs and UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) compatibility. The 3D printing process achieves tolerances that conventional machining struggles to match, resulting in exact brake rotor and axle alignment regardless of frame size. The T47 threaded bottom bracket shell is a deliberate choice over press-fit alternatives: a threaded interface resists the serviceability problems and creaking that press-fit designs can develop under hard miles. Up front, the Moots Gravel Fork (carbon) connects to a Chris King Aeroset 3 headset and the Moots MOD integrated cockpit — bar and stem in one unit with full internal cable and hose routing, a clean profile, and reduced flex compared to conventional two-piece setups. Three water bottle mounts and optional fender eyelets at the lower stays, mono stay, and bottom bracket give the CRD practical capability beyond pure race use.

The frameset includes the Moots Gravel Fork, Chris King Aeroset 3 headset with Moots CRD integrated spacer, Chris King T47 30i bottom bracket, and titanium spacers. Available in seven sizes from 50cm to 60cm. Finish options range from brushed titanium to full anodized colorways and premium etched designs. Every Moots frame is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Design Benefits

1. RSL Double-Butted Titanium: Moots' lightest titanium tubeset in the Routt lineup. Internally butted walls concentrate material at the weld joints and thin out through the center — removing weight where the frame doesn't need it without touching the structural zones that determine ride feel and durability.
2. 3D-Printed Titanium Dropouts: Precision manufacturing that achieves tighter tolerances than conventional machining. Flat-mount disc tabs and thru-axle alignment are exact across the full size run, and UDH compatibility means long-term compatibility with current and future rear derailleurs.
3. T47 Threaded Bottom Bracket: A threaded shell that resists the creaking and press-fit frustrations that accumulate over hard gravel miles. Easier to service, more durable long-term, and compatible with a wide range of crankset standards via Chris King's T47 30i shell.
4. Moots MOD Integrated Cockpit: Bar and stem as a single unit with full internal routing. Cleaner aerodynamically, stiffer at the front end, and cleaner aesthetically — no external cables, no hose loops, no exposed hardware.
5. Handbuilt in Steamboat Springs: Every CRD is welded and finished by hand at Moots' Colorado facility by builders who ride. That's not a marketing detail — it's the reason Moots' titanium ride quality is consistent across decades of production and thousands of individual frames.

Final Take

The Routt CRD is what Moots builds when the brief is simple: make the fastest, lightest gravel frameset in the Routt lineup, and don't compromise on what makes a Moots a Moots. The RSL tubeset, 3D-printed titanium dropouts, T47 bottom bracket, and fully integrated cockpit represent considered engineering decisions, not spec-sheet upgrades. The Chris King headset and bottom bracket are included because they're the right components for a frame at this level. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty and available in seven sizes with an extensive finish menu, the Routt CRD is a frameset built to be ridden hard and kept for a long time. Starting from $8,799, it's the right investment for riders who plan to keep it that way.