I can buy this new 2004 Niota (aluminum) for a great price. I was doing some research on it before I jump in and noticed the frame I can buy has some extra metal from the top tube to the seat tube. If anything, it will just make the frame stronger (I hope), but none of the Niotas I have seen online have this piece. Everything else looks exactly the same, including the awesome assymetrical stays. Maybe this is an early or late season production that differs a little from most? This is also a large frame, maybe they need this on the large to maintain their geometry and strength. What do you all think?

http://litespeed.com/images/large_bikes/niota_lg.jpg

Yes, that is to stiffen it, so it won't brake.

Yes, that is to stiffen it, so it won't brake.

I hope it will brake, but not break. :^)

My brother-in-law bought a Niota Al with XT build kit, and it seems like a great bike so far. We haven't tried it in the 5" mode yet, since it only has a 4" fork (Vanilla 100), but I have a TALAS fork we may try on it. I'm riding a Blur now (with the TALAS at 125mm), and the Niota is definitely a very comparable bike. I can tell that it has a little less travel (4" mode), but it is more stable at speed (XL Blur is twitchy).

-David