Polaris

Active member
Oct 15, 2018
388
262
Lancashire, England
I agree they look awesome value however and I might have been unlucky, dealing with Wiggle is a nightmare. They delivered the wrong bike, courier didn’t show for bike return and you have to stay in all day, no bike replacement until is back in their warehouse, etc. Getting things sorted through a chat facility isn’t ideal. Just go into it with your eyes open......
Heck, gone all the way back to day 1 on that reply bud, that post is a vintage ;)

Sounds like you’ve been unlucky with wiggle though, had many orders with them and all been faultless here
 

RocketMagnet

Well-known member
Dec 16, 2018
166
134
UK
Have you lowered the Hightower? (Genuine interest in Geo/travel modifications)
Not disputing you (as geometry charts aren't always correct) but on the SC geometry chart it's BB 10mm higher than my E-Sommet (327mm) and has less travel f & r..
BB drop is greater. But that's because BB drop is measured from wheel axle height.
the fact it bottoms out 10mm earlier will also mean it rides higher.

My HTLt has 140mm crank to ground clearance with the 175mm XX1 cranks.
The VR has 155mm crank to ground clearance with the 165mm Shimano Cranks.

So even taking into account the crank length the HTLt has less pedal ground clearance. I'm running the stock 150 Fox Fork on the HTLt.

So there you have it even with a 165mm crank the HTLt would still have 5mm less pedal ground clearance than the VR. I run Nukeproof Horizon pedals on the HTLt and Oneups on the VR which is a much thinner pedal than the Horizon, probably why I've not had any pedal strike issue on the VR outside of initial power boost strikes which are user error.

Obviously more BB clearance of the HTLt BB Vs the VR motor but that low slung motor and not rotated up like on some more XC/Trail orientated bikes is lowering the centre of gravity which is helping the bikes stability IMO. So what initially looks strange (the level motor) is probably by design.

Personally i'm still faster on my local DH on my HTLt but being fair the course suits the HTLt more than the VR.
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
Author
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Mar 29, 2018
10,496
10,702
the internet
Cheers for sharing @RocketMagnet but BB height/clearance doesn't really work quite like that.
To get the full picture the bike's travel and sag need to be taken into account and different crank lengths are somewhat irrelevant.
eg. I could stick a set of 190mm cranks on any bike and claim it has less clearance than other bikes when it clearly hasn't... or I could compare a low 13.5" BB 120mm bike to a 13.6" BB 170mm bike and state the 120mm bike is lower when other than static height it isn't.
The E-sommet has 20mm more travel up front and 10mm more travel rear so let's say for ease that makes it's BB around 13mm lower at full compression/bottom out and 4mm lower at sag point (using the same % sag f&r) than a 150mm f&r bike like the Hightower.
so although (from what you are saying) your hightower has a 5mm lower static BB. in reality while riding there'll be barely any difference between the two. (a good thing TBF)
Tyre volume makes a big difference to BB height too but doesn't alter BB drop.

Where's your local DH spot? You also ride up this way (Inners) a bit too IIRC?

My E-sommet is (V.slightly) faster DH than my Capra and my Session on a lot of local (T.Valley) DH/Enduro tracks.. Mainly because of the extra grip/stability and momentum it carries. Certainly doesn't mean it's always more fun to ride though. (bit like 29ers)
 

RocketMagnet

Well-known member
Dec 16, 2018
166
134
UK
Yeah it's the best clearance test I can do (Translation: I can be bothered to do) other than use a Shockwiz and look at the Dynamic Sag to work it out from there or just take some static rider sag measurements.

Basically I don't think the E Sommet VR is too low nor does it need shorter cranks for most riders. I could see some who want to do what are effectively "impossible" climbs up very steep rocky stuff... but for normal riding I've had no issues outside of initial pedal strikes as the power engages. Still saying this if people want shorter cranks then that's up to them as they know whats best for them personally, I'm just saying generally they seem fine to me. I do have ultra thin pedals on the VR but not on the HTLt.

I ride in the Lake District but not done any of the big mountain passes on the VR yet.. nearly done Skiddaw yesterday but ended up just doing a couple of laps of Whinlatter instead, it's not really technical now however. Still getting around 23 miles top end out of the battery with about 1000m of climbing with say 95% in Eco and the rest Trail. Getting stopped quite frequently with people asking about the bike and not had any grief off anyone so far, not that I'd really care tbh but most people are very positive anyway.

We ride most of the Stanes but my favourite is Innerleithen (once you get to the top that is). Think I've only ridden Mabie and Ae on the VR. Sorting a trip out up there soon but I wont be taking the Ebike.

Seen some comments around the tyres but personally I think I'll be replacing with like for like, absolutely love the front tyre.
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
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Surrey
I have been too busy riding mine! I did actually order the YT, but have now cancelled the order as TBH I love the Sommett so much I can't see the point in getting another similar bike unless its truly game changing in terms of either battery or motor tech.
 

Polaris

Active member
Oct 15, 2018
388
262
Lancashire, England
I have been too busy riding mine! I did actually order the YT, but have now cancelled the order as TBH I love the Sommett so much I can't see the point in getting another similar bike unless its truly game changing in terms of either battery or motor tech.
Completely agree, I was a little gutted I didn’t wait ordering my 2019 sommet when I first saw the decoy, but at £1200 cheaper than the base yt model with wiggle discount the sommet is still unbeatable imo. Stunning design though :love:
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
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Mar 29, 2018
10,496
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We ride most of the Stanes but my favourite is Innerleithen (once you get to the top that is). Think I've only ridden Mabie and Ae on the VR. Sorting a trip out up there soon but I wont be taking the Ebike.
Rode inners trail centre loop on my 4x bike last week for the first time in ages and will be riding Mabie & Dalbeatie on it this weekend.
They're not really my idea of the best riding but I'm showing my GF round riding areas/trail centre routes suited to her sort of level.
DH and the non graded riding at Elibank/Traquair side of Inners is more my bag. That and the Golfie, Thornielee and Yair.
most of Ae trail centre route I've always found really badly built/designed and not a lot of fun no matter what bike. Ebike makes it slightly less shit though.
Drumlanrig is also pretty good (especially considering the lack of gradient) and well worth riding. I reckon it'd be even better on an Eeb too.

Oddly. The Lake district is one of the only popular riding areas in the UK I've never ridden in.

Yeah, totally agree the VR isn't low. Almost every other Emtb is too high.

@Polaris
EsommetVR Vs Decoy the sommet is hands down the better bike for me regardless of cost or model level. It's lighter with better geometry/handling for playful descending.
 

gtaadicto

Member
Jan 26, 2019
101
78
Leon,Spain
bloody quiet in here, has everyone gone to trade their sommets in for decoys or something?!

17% off at wiggle again if that temps anyone back! However got to wait until Nov/Dec for delivery :eek:
I have been riding mine a lot, it has already 600+ km in the odometer. Very happy with the bike except for the paint, it scratches quite easily.
Wiggle told me today that the faulty Lyrik fork has been repaired with new lowers and bushings, I should receive it by the end of next week :).
 

Adam

Member
Nov 20, 2018
52
26
Plymouth, UK
bloody quiet in here, has everyone gone to trade their sommets in for decoys or something?!

17% off at wiggle again if that temps anyone back! However got to wait until Nov/Dec for delivery :eek:

The Vitus E-Sommet VR is a bike I've been being tempted by a lot lately. Is there any easy way to be eligible for the Wiggle discount? Or is it just spending £500 (I think thats the figure I read before) with them that gets you eligible?

Cheers
 

RocketMagnet

Well-known member
Dec 16, 2018
166
134
UK
I tend to use Simply Bearings as the service is second to none in my experience.
I've ordered stuff late on and it still came the next day... but the kit looks good value especially if they are all Enduro Max (note maximum just means the max number of balls in the race that will fit as its load bearing and rocks not fully spins). So Simply bearings is worth a look if you don't need to replace all bearings or need it quick.

They do SKF wiper seals also which I've just fitted to my Fox36 and they feel fantastic, are cheaper than the fox standard and retain the lip to make a much easier install / less error prone as you cant over or under insert or skew the seal due to the lip. Why they removed it from the fox standard is a mystery, sell their install tool or more seals as people mess up the install and ruin seals? :)

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Products-Cycle-Bearings/c4747_4586/index.html
 

hokkane4

Member
Jan 3, 2019
52
27
Finland
Has anyone removed the swing-arm from eSommet?

I noticed already some weeks back free play in the rear linkage. Today had time to remove all of the links and located the free play coming from main swing-arm axle/bearings. eSommet seem to have bit strange design as there is really no through axle (like any other bikes I have had). There is just small 6mm screw which can be removed with allen key. But it is only maybe 40mm long and removing it does not loosen the swing-arm.

Any advices how to proceed?

Here are some pics of it.
1558029772885.png



Should I knock the screw on opposite side with hammer to loosen the other side? Gently knocks did not push it through (TL-FC39 is in order as chain guide has to be removed as well..).
1558029796458.png
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,190
Surrey
I would suggest dropping the motor, or at least removing cranks, spider, and chain guide before doing that just to get better access. If you haven't removed the cabling from the bike this may be preventing it moving too.
 

hokkane4

Member
Jan 3, 2019
52
27
Finland
Thanks for the tips. I got the main axle out now. Under the smaller 6mm screw is another slot for 8mm allen key. This is the actual main pivot axle. And it is actually possible to remove from non-drive side.

I haven't identified still what is causing the free play. Bearings felt smooth, even there was some rust. I'll check tomorrow evening again and try to re-torque the main pivot axle (maybe it was just loose).

IMG_20190516_212051_2.jpg
 

RocketMagnet

Well-known member
Dec 16, 2018
166
134
UK
Yeah that's pretty standard.. same as some pivots on my Santa Cruz. Exploded looked like it interfaced with the other side and you often need to hold one side while you loosen the other.
I'd probably just clean it all up and grease/Loctite where appropriate then Torque everything up.

So is the rear moving side to side, just checked mine and its solid.
 

hokkane4

Member
Jan 3, 2019
52
27
Finland
Is it defat play, or just flex?
It is definitely play because I could feel small "edge" while rocking the linkage from side to side. But there is no signs that chain stay would have been scratching the frame (which is of course good). So I hope it was just because of the main pivot axle was not tight enough and the bearings were not "pre-loaded" against the frame.
I'll just put everything back together in evening and tighten back to correct torque and hopefully it is "fixed".
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,190
Surrey
The next part in the plan has arrived - by sheer luck I managed to pick up a second hand unused boxed up as new shock with exactly the right measurements at a bargain price.

Still injured so proabbly won’t get a test ride till next weekend

96A3C67D-18C1-4F88-9D10-B0229B9EFF8E.jpeg
 

davosaurusrex

E*POWAH Master
Apr 21, 2018
616
366
Worthing
What did that cost you? Had my eye on a listing on eBay for SD coil for £230 delivered from Taiwan, not including any import tax etc though. Was tempted but I have gone down this road before with a Cane Creek coil on a DW 5 spot and it really robbed a lot of pop from the bike, be interested to see how you get on with it.
 
Last edited:

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,190
Surrey
I got shock for 200 - I am pretty sure the seller was a pro rider but can't be sure, it was a private seller uk based. I actually found it as I was doing an image search fro one and the listing came up, and then when I read the blurb it was the right size, which isn't an off the shelf size. Got the spring from TF for 35 quid.

At the price I am happy to try it out - my original shock is being serviced at TF Tuned at the moment, and having a Meg Neg can put on it, which is easy enough to reverse.

I nailed myself a couple of weeks ago so have taken the time off to play around with the bike some more, I am also having my forks which are 180mm (Lyrik RC2 that I put on, not the stock ones) put down to 170mm as I dont need 180mm and it does move the front end up a bit, and I want to make it a bit less effort to get my weight over the front. Also putting a 36t front ring on.
 

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