Vitus go carbon and are gunning for YT

Benjamin Haworth

Carbon flavoured Sommets and insanely priced Escarpes

Vitus launched their 2017 range at this year’s Cycle Show and amidst a huge range of bikes, two models stood out for us. The carbon Vitus Sommet CR and the Vitus Escarpe 29 VRX.

>>> The best mountain bikes for under £2,500

2017 Vitus Sommet CR

sommetcr

  • 155mm enduro bike
  • Carbon T700/T800 Toray carbon front triangle
  • 28.75lbs/13.04kg claimed weight (size Medium)
  • £2,499 SRP

>>> Vitus Sommet CR (2017) first ride

This bike has Vitus’ fellow direct-sales brands YT and Canyon clearly in its sights. We were impressed with the all-alloy Vitus Sommet last year and the general geometry and suspension of that bike has been carried over to the carbon version.

The carbon front triangle has shaved about 300g from the bike’s weight. The rear swingarm is 6061-T6 aluminium.

p1120003

The spec sheet is as impressive as ever: RockShox Pike RC 160mm, RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 DebonAir shock, SRAM X1 drivetrain, SRAM Guide R brakes, RockShox Reverb Stealth, Race Face Affect SL chainset, WTB Vigilante/Trail Boss tyres, Nukeproof finishing kit.

There is a higher spec Vitus Sommet CRX available for £3,499 with a fancier buildkit: Pike RCT3, Mavic Deemax Pro wheels, SRAM XO drivetrain, Race Face Next SL chainset, SRAM Guide Rs brakes and such like.

2017 Vitus Escarpe 29 VRX

escarpe29

  • 135mm trail/enduro 29er
  • 150mm Pike up front
  • Boost hubs
  • £2,499 SRP

The bad news is that the cheaper £1,699 Escarpe 29 VR is no more for 2017. The good news is that the £2,499 Escarpe 29 VRX looks like an absolute bargain of a bike.

We’ve always enjoyed previous Escarpe 29 bikes that we’ve tested so we’re not concerned that the geometry and suspension design remains unchanged for 2017.

p1110999

The focus instead has clearly been on upping the spec and offering what must be one of the best specced £2.5k full sus 29ers out there for 2017.

The spec list reads like a wishlist pretty much: RockShox Pike 150mm, RockShox Monarch RT3 DenbonAir shock, Shimano XT drivetrain and disc brakes, Mavic XA Elite 29 Boost wheels, WTB Vigilante/Trail Boss tyres, RockShox Reverb Stealth 150mm, Nukeproof finishing kit.

If you’re not after big wheels then you’ll be pleased to hear that the 27.5″ Escarpes will start from £1,399 for the basic Escarpe, £1,799 for the VR and topping out at £1,999 for the VRX.