My name is Mark Panton – I have been a lifelong bike rider – riding competitively on the road, track and time trials before discovering Mountain Biking in the 1990s and I have been a Mountain Biker ever since!

Having started on a ridged MTB, moving to a Klein Attitude hard tail with 2’’ of travel - to lightweight XC full suspension bikes as they became available, I have seen the whole development of the MTB to the current day where all the bikes are so capable it is only the rider’s fitness, skill or confidence that is the limiting factor.

Having ridden many different bikes, I bought my Liteville 301 in 2012 – it was such a great combination of technology, design, geometry and lightweight, enabling it to ride anything I was confident to attempt. I have ridden everything from UK single track and Bike parks to the French Alps and the Pyrenees on it. I still have it today as I have yet to find a better bike for general riding.

I also have a 601 which is so capable for those big bike park days as it gives you even more suspension and confidence!

I was always frustrated that the Liteville, though admired by many people I met on the trails, it was not so well known or appreciated in the UK as it is in Europe. I knew it would appeal to many riders if they could just try one in the UK and be confident to invest in one.

So I have set up The Southern Liteville Centre as I am so confident in the brand and the capabilities of the bikes that I want you to have one too!