Vitus E-Sommet VR

[Gary]

They state the geometry is longer lower and slacker, but i cant find any details either on chainreaction or vitus own site.

Just marketing splaff.. .it's always been a long low slack bike.. Infact the lowest Emtb around.. pretty in line with current long reach and sensible chainstay length.
The only thing likely to be lower about the 2019 model will likely be increased seatpost insertion depth.

The shorter fork offset won't make a great deal of difference to most riders.. Did any of you even know or think about your fork's offset 5 years ago? before the industry started making a big deal out of it? No. you just bought the fork you were told fitted best with your wheelsize and got on with riding. Oblivious.

FWIW.. I've ridden shit loads of different fork offsets. and mismatched fork lowers/wheelsizes. (still do) you just dial in from bike to bike. The human brain is great at that sort of thing.

 

[Crud249]

Chain reaction.

I am almost certainly going to buy one of the vitus esommets will it be rude of me to own a vitus and a levo

No it wouldn't ? I own a levo and a merida e160 800

 

[MattyB]

Some interesting articles on fork offset...

Fork offset: what is it and how does it affect your riding? - MBR

Pushing the limits of fork offset: an experiment

As Gary says though, for most riders (especially very average ones like me!) this is a variable that probably won’t make a huge amount of difference to your riding.

 

[Dirtnvert]

I think it’s the sum of all the changes in modern geo. Little Steeper(75+) seat angle , little longer top tube, little lower B.B. , little shorter stem, little less offset help control the slack head angles at slower speeds(ie climbing) . Guessing I might even consider making the fork 180 and even adding a -1 degree works components headset on the sommet. 65 ha has been my preferred with my bike with a 64 ha being a bit of a handful on techy climbs(without adequate reach and steep sa) . 64 ha bike is so good on the downs . I’m hoping the missing reach, seat angle and offset will get me there on the rest of the trail
It was great to hear Vitus we’re good with warrantee for the guy in Cali. Canada should be similar or even easier. Base model looks like a great place to start

 

[Crud249]

Why does the spec on crc say e8000 but the write up description says e7000..? Which is it lol

 

[jonathan horticulturist]

Why does the spec on crc say e8000 but the write up description says e7000..? Which is it lol

Guessing e8000 for the VR.

The fact I have to wait till after Christmas to get this thing is more sand in my eyes.

 

[R120]

I think it’s the sum of all the changes in modern geo. Little Steeper(75+) seat angle , little longer top tube, little lower B.B. , little shorter stem, little less offset help control the slack head angles at slower speeds(ie climbing) . Guessing I might even consider making the fork 180 and even adding a -1 degree works components headset on the sommet. 65 ha has been my preferred with my bike with a 64 ha being a bit of a handful on techy climbs(without adequate reach and steep sa) . 64 ha bike is so good on the downs . I’m hoping the missing reach, seat angle and offset will get me there on the rest of the trail
It was great to hear Vitus we’re good with warrantee for the guy in Cali. Canada should be similar or even easier. Base model looks like a great place to start

I went 180mm on mine.

The offset on the Lyric RC Solo Air that comes with the 2018 bike is 42 mm, whereas the offset on the 180mm Lyrik RC2's is 46mm (they also do a 51mm offset option).

By my calcs this has reduced the trail from 117mm to 113mm (calcs done using this
Bicycle Trail Calculator | yojimg.net )

I am no expert on these things, but the bike feels more manoeuvrable, yet just as stable. Of course a lot of this is to do with shiny new part syndrome and the fact that the Lyrik RC2 is a fecking beast, but it does genuinely feel like the mod that got the bike exactly how i want it.

 

[R120]

This is a good vid on steering geometery

 

[R120]

Vitus Launches 2019 Mountain Bikes - Pinkbike

 

[Dirtnvert]

I went 180mm on mine.

The offset on the Lyric RC Solo Air that comes with the 2018 bike is 42 mm, whereas the offset on the 180mm Lyrik RC2's is 46mm (they also do a 51mm offset option).

By my calcs this has reduced the trail from 117mm to 113mm (calcs done using this
Bicycle Trail Calculator | yojimg.net )

I am no expert on these things, but the bike feels more manoeuvrable, yet just as stable. Of course a lot of this is to do with shiny new part syndrome and the fact that the Lyrik RC2 is a fecking beast, but it does genuinely feel like the mod that got the bike exactly how i want it.

View attachment 7096

Ok, good to know. I guess it might be better to get the upper model vr and rebuild that fork to 180 and keep the short offset

 

[Dan09]

Not due to the end of the year though, £200 dearer and no 10% BC discount. I wonder if they will be available through Wiggle again with the gold/platinum discounts?

Why are we thinking no 10% BC discount?
Is that a new CRC thing or...?

 

[Doomanic]

CRC have reduced the discount to £10 off a spend of £150 or more.

 

[Gary]

Ok, good to know. I guess it might be better to get the upper model vr and rebuild that fork to 180 and keep the short offset

might be better to actually ride the bike first before speculating over increasing the fork travel.
With the 170mm Lyrik the bike is pretty damn sorted.

 

[R120]

Yup you definitely don't need 180mm, i was interested to try it out, and the stock set up on the VR doesnt "need" upgrading.

 

[Dirtnvert]

might be better to actually ride the bike first before speculating over increasing the fork travel.
With the 170mm Lyrik the bike is pretty damn sorted.

Yes definitely try it first. I wouldn’t be able to wait to try it at first anyway. I’m just basing it off what I have now. I sold my dh bike and was using my rune with a 180 lyric rc and a cc dbl barrel coil rear shock(160mm) and it wasn’t giving up a ton to my dh bike. Same 64 ha on my demo and the rune. Sommet looks like a perfect replacement to the rune

 

[Polaris]

Out of interest can anyone who owns the 2018 model give some feedback of the Shimano E8000 motor and drive unit experience please? I’ve watched and read a number of reviews now which rate the Shimano lower than most of the other players, Brose, Yamaha and Bosch etc with regard to power, efficiently and refinement. I know the reviews of last years model were great but not sure if that was more based on spec and overall ride v’s £ than the “E” setup? Cheers

 

[Crud249]

Out of interest can anyone who owns the 2018 model give some feedback of the Shimano E8000 motor and drive unit experience please? I’ve watched and read a number of reviews now which rate the Shimano lower than most of the other players, Brose, Yamaha and Bosch etc with regard to power, efficiently and refinement. I know the reviews of last years model were great but not sure if that was more based on spec and overall ride v’s £ than the “E” setup? Cheers

I have a 2017 levo with the 1.2e motor and 2018 merida e160 with the e8000 motor. The levo is 83nm (I think) and e8000 70 or 75nm. Out of the 2 motors I massively rate the shimano! The way it delivers the power makes it feel more powerful than it is. Range is similar between them. I've heard the same complaints about the 2019 brose motor, is that it also lacks the initial punch rhat the shimano delivers. Of course there's more to an ebike than just the motor.

 

[Gary]

Yes definitely try it first. I wouldn’t be able to wait to try it at first anyway. I’m just basing it off what I have now. I sold my dh bike and was using my rune with a 180 lyric rc and a cc dbl barrel coil rear shock(160mm) and it wasn’t giving up a ton to my dh bike. Same 64 ha on my demo and the rune. Sommet looks like a perfect replacement to the rune

Banshee Rune?
A mate had one of those a few years back. his was also a replacement for his DH bike when he stopped racing. Absolute beast descending but heavy (might have been his DHish build) and was a bit much bike for an all rounder TBH.
I wouldn't run a coil on the E-Sommet. - the suspension is ridiculously good with the S.Deluxe. i was massively pleased at it's performance coming from a monarch RTC3 on my Enduro bike and DHX coils on my DH bikes
My E-sommet has around a 64deg H/A with the 2.3 SS rear 2.5 DHF front.

 

[R120]

Main thing to remember is that all the motors are powerful enough for what you need, really its how they deliver the power, and thats what the Shimano is very good at.

I would say that general speaking the hierarchy of motors is Shimano and Brose at the top and Yamaha and Bosch slightly behind, mainly based off software and controls, and the disengagement of the motors beyond the limit. The Shimano and Brose are also more compact, especially compared to the Bosch motor, which is also the heaviest, allowing bike designers to get closer to normal bike geometry.

There are no bad or good motors, we are lucky that there are some quality options out there.

However the bike the motor is in, is more important than the motor itself, and really the reason why the Vitus is such a good bike is the geometry, sizing, and how well all the parts work together. Using the Shimano motor has enabled them to keep the weight down ( its about 2kg lighter than a Kenevo or a Trek for example, and i suspect there are nt really any other bikes with as much travel that come close to it for weight)

 

[R120]

Banshee Rune?
A mate had one of those a few years back. his was also a replacement for his DH bike when he stopped racing. Absolute beast descending but heavy (might have been his DHish build) and was a bit much bike for an all rounder TBH.
I wouldn't run a coil on the E-Sommet. - the suspension is ridiculously good with the S.Deluxe. i was massively pleased at it's performance coming from a monarch RTC3 on my Enduro bike and DHX coils on my DH bikes
My E-sommet has around a 64deg H/A with the 2.3 SS rear 2.5 DHF front.

You cant run a coil shock on the E-Sommett (and thats coming straight from Vitus to me) as apparently there isnt the clearance, and secondly the suspension kinematics are optimised for an air shock, and they reckon that even if it could fit a coil would bugger up the bike.

 

[Gary]

Out of interest can anyone who owns the 2018 model give some feedback of the Shimano E8000 motor and drive unit experience please?

There's absolutely tons of feedback in this very thread and a ridiculous amount on the forum as a whole. have a wee search (readh throug this thread at least). You won't be disappointed with the torque or the motor control. Especiailly with the latest firmware.

 

[Gary]

You cant run a coil shock on the E-Sommett (and thats coming straight from Vitus to me) as apparently there isnt the clearance, and secondly the suspension kinematics are optimised for an air shock, and they reckon that even if it could fit a coil would bugger up the bike.

Yeah. it's part 2 I was referring to.

 

[R120]

Yup don't know why i quoted your post

 

[Dirtnvert]

Banshee Rune?
A mate had one of those a few years back. his was also a replacement for his DH bike when he stopped racing. Absolute beast descending but heavy (might have been his DHish build) and was a bit much bike for an all rounder TBH.
I wouldn't run a coil on the E-Sommet. - the suspension is ridiculously good with the S.Deluxe. i was massively pleased at it's performance coming from a monarch RTC3 on my Enduro bike and DHX coils on my DH bikes
My E-sommet has around a 64deg H/A with the 2.3 SS rear 2.5 DHF front.

Hey Gary,
Yes banshee rune and that’s an apt description. It was my trail bike with an air shock and a 160 dvo diamond fork, and still heavy. A different beast with the dbl barrel coil and a 180 lyric. Despite being fairly linear , I still liked the coil. I guess I’m one of those coil fanbois. Most of my climbing is seated and the coil gives loads of traction thru the roots and rocks . Maybe the air on the heavier e sommet would work better though. I’m looking for fit, service, dependability and price, I guess everyone is. Shimano service and replacement price makes sense and consensus seems to be they’re very intuitive. The sommet is a great price . I’m partial to Horst link bikes and they generally have shorter chainstays(Horst link and Shimano motors seem to) to fit my long torso short inseam. I’m kind of thinking I could go atouch slacker with the assist to make the tech climbs and I’m used to slack angles. Also considering a 2step? Lyric with 150-180. Put it in 150 for the substantial climbs around here and keep the front end down to control the motor assist and shorter chainstays and then pop it in 180 for the downs.
Being as they’re Shimano motor bikes, my top pics are the e sommet and the commencal. Both have decent stand over and shorter stays. Commencal Canada still has 2018 stock at a great price. Merida 160 would be a top pick but we don’t see them in Canada(or North America I believe). Rocky would be a good pick but terrible stand over, as always, and pricey, same with specialized. In between work right now so hoping I can snag a commencal and if not the e sommet. E sommet might fit my time schedule

 

[Gary]

Hey Gary,
Yes banshee rune and that’s an apt description. It was my trail bike with an air shock and a 160 dvo diamond fork, and still heavy. A different beast with the dbl barrel coil and a 180 lyric. Despite being fairly linear , I still liked the coil. I guess I’m one of those coil fanbois. Most of my climbing is seated and the coil gives loads of traction thru the roots and rocks . Maybe the air on the heavier e sommet would work better though. I’m looking for fit, service, dependability and price, I guess everyone is. Shimano service and replacement price makes sense and consensus seems to be they’re very intuitive. The sommet is a great price . I’m partial to Horst link bikes and they generally have shorter chainstays(Horst link and Shimano motors seem to) to fit my long torso short inseam. I’m kind of thinking I could go atouch slacker with the assist to make the tech climbs and I’m used to slack angles. Also considering a 2step? Lyric with 150-180. Put it in 150 for the substantial climbs around here and keep the front end down to control the motor assist and shorter chainstays and then pop it in 180 for the downs.
Being as they’re Shimano motor bikes, my top pics are the e sommet and the commencal. Both have decent stand over and shorter stays. Commencal Canada still has 2018 stock at a great price. Merida 160 would be a top pick but we don’t see them in Canada(or North America I believe). Rocky would be a good pick but terrible stand over, as always, and pricey, same with specialized. In between work right now so hoping I can snag a commencal and if not the e sommet. E sommet might fit my time schedule

We agree on a lot of things it seems. Once upon a time I never saw myself ever wanting to ride an air shock. I also far prefer the braking characteristics of a horst to a single pivot like the commie and have a penchant for shorter stays. Playfulness wise the longer (same length as my Trek Session) stays actually feel fine in comparison to my Capra's (which are 14mm shorter) but seem to add more stabilty than the Session (that's the weight placement of the motor as you rightly guessed at) and aid climbing performance over the Capra. GTFO... I know? Mental isn't it?
I also ride hardtails a lot so haven't ever really needed a super grippy ultra sensitive suspension for climbing tending to use body weight shifts and good technique to get up technical loose or wet climbs with often less than optimum tyre choice. You honestly won't need to drop the fork for climbing. I'm 5'11" and have no problem with the front lifting ever on my SMALL E-sommet. (15mm longer reach than my M Capra).

Shit! reading thorough that you're in Canada?!

CRC won't ship Ebikes to Canada AFAIK.

 

[Dirtnvert]

We agree on a lot of things it seems. Once upon a time I never saw myself ever wanting to ride an air shock. I also far prefer the braking characteristics of a horst to a single pivot like the commie and have a penchant for shorter stays. Playfulness wise the longer (same length as my Trek Session) stays actually feel fine in comparison to my Capra's (which are 14mm shorter) but seem to add more stabilty than the Session (that's the weight placement of the motor as you rightly guessed at) and aid climbing performance over the Capra. GTFO... I know? Mental isn't it?
I also ride hardtails a lot so haven't ever really needed a super grippy ultra sensitive suspension for climbing tending to use body weight shifts and good technique to get up technical loose or wet climbs with often less than optimum tyre choice. You honestly won't need to drop the fork for climbing. I'm 5'11" and have no problem with the front lifting ever on my SMALL E-sommet. (15mm longer reach than my M Capra).

Shit! reading thorough that you're in Canada?!

CRC won't ship Ebikes to Canada AFAIK.

Ahhh that makes sense. It’s hard to get the ebike section on the crc website. Shitty. Does make the decision easier though. Guess I’ll be looking to get the commencal. Nice spec though and the coil shock model is the one I’m after if I remember correctly. Spank rims and a lyric. Really don’t need to touch much

 

[R120]

Can you get hold of these in Canada? Ghost Hybrid SL AMR X. Might be worth considering

Bike - Fully - Hybride SL AMR X S 7.7+ LC

First Ride: Ghost Hybride SL AMR X S7.7+ LC eMTB - Pinkbike

First Ride Review: GHOST HYBRID SLAMR X – Aggressive eMTB for rough terrain | E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine

 

[Dirtnvert]

Can you get hold of these in Canada? Ghost Hybrid SL AMR X. Might be worth considering

Bike - Fully - Hybride SL AMR X S 7.7+ LC

First Ride: Ghost Hybride SL AMR X S7.7+ LC eMTB - Pinkbike

First Ride Review: GHOST HYBRID SLAMR X – Aggressive eMTB for rough terrain | E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine

View attachment 7283

Numbers are in the ballpark and a bit of a looker. That’s a possibility. MEC(Mt equipment co-op) is selling ghost. They’re more of an outdoor gear store than an actual bike store. I have checked their site but I haven’t seen anything yet apart from a cruiser or two. Not sure if it’s their demographic but I’ll keep checking. They’re big purchasers and also have co-op type pricing , so could be another option. Canyon sells in the states but nothing up here yet. Fingers crossed and I keep asking around. Commencal and yt only started selling here the last couple yrs. figured yt would get on to the emtb thing but they seem to be slacking. Their bikes fit me well

 

[R120]

Yup the Commencal's are very nice

 

[Dirtnvert]

Yup the Commencal's are very nice

They’re looking like the top pick. I don’t see many bad reviews or issues with them on the forum