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Vitus were a frame manufacturer from France in the 70's. They were the first to do aluminium bonded frames and i think the first to do integrated headsets too. They made both road and track frames. Their 992 bonded aluminum frame was riden by pro tour team Lotto back in the 90's. I had a 992 and it was a work of art. They new their sh#t back then. Not sure about now though just what others have said that CRC pretty much run them now. They're dual sus design is like the Trek full floater in that the shock is mounted between the rocker arm and cainstay, making both mounts moving through the travel. Bottom shock mount is infront of the main pivot above the bb. Rest is a horst link set up with chainstay pivot infront of rear axle. On paper they sound pretty awsome with a well thought out suspension design, good geo and gret spec for the money! The VRX 29er has caught my eye!
Now based in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland. They have lost the original French 'flare' they once had and now produce bikes made with generic Taiwanese frames, re-branded and sold by crc. I'm not saying this is a bad thing by any means. They are certainly one of the best reviewed budget brands out there. I've only tried one of their road bikes but that was pretty good.
@down0050: I have 3, love them to bits. Got a 2013 Zircon 29VR (now Sentier), a 2013 Escarpe 29 (the purple one before yours) that is an absolute joy to peddle over anything and everything and a 2014 Escarpe 275 and they have all been reliable and great handling. Now planning no.4, I think ether the Escarpe VRS or Sommet VR but if the wife has her way it will be a new bathroom!!
@djm35: Current Vitus mountain bikes are not "generic Taiwanese frames, re-branded and sold by crc", unless perhaps you consider every frame designed and engineered in the West, and manufactured in the far east "generic".
No more "budget" than Canyon/YT/Radon, this is high quality build and geometry at more reasonable prices, with componentry that would cost perhaps 50% or more on any similar Trek/Transition/Norco etc. Cut out the middle man, save yourself a packet.
@djm35: CRC have a team of designers and engineers for these and other brands now, definitely not off the shelf options from the far-east. Ridden a brave few Vitus bikes. Yet to find a bad one. All about bang for your buck!
@iian and zzRider. Ok, I take back what I said about them. They certainly used to do what I said they did. The previous models of the Dominer were identical to quite a few other bikes. Also, I'm not saying budget brands are a bad thing (yes I do class those other direct sales brands as having 'budget' bikes) far from it. I feel like most brands out there really overcharge. I do know that the vast majority of bikes are built in the far east because of manufacturing costs. It looks like the success of crc and Vitus means they can now do their own design and r&d.
@SacAssassin: Sh*t, been buying there for years. Of course I've been buying elsewhere also so I guess I ran them out of business as much as CRC, Universal, Jenson, etc.
Drag! They were kinda quirky but always had the best deals on chains, and other stuff. I like Universalcycles.com for parts, vip10/15 coupon 15% off orders over $300, 10%off $100, free shipping price match. Good guys, small business.
@NeilsElbek: Im a maxxis man through and through.. but these were so cheap (and least 30 bucks cheaper than the 3c max terra exo tr 2.5 minions) and are not the snake skin tyres but the super gravity ones... for 45 I'll give it a go.
that and maxxis dont do their minion semi slickin 26".. so im stuck with rock razors (Maxxis hr2's roll too slow)
@NeilsElbek: I used to be a maxxis only kinda guy, but the new schwalbe stuff is amazing, running magic mary front and rear now, they do wear pretty fast, but so worth it!
i just want to know that what i have touching ground wether it be $40 or $90 its going to get me back to my car with 1 tube and patch kit... riding in central oregon we have rocks and a lot of them... i would like to try the super gravity magic mary
@NeilsElbek: I just warrantied a Nobby Nic for a sidewall bubble with less than 100mi on it. Filled out their online warranty form, and they sent me a new one; no questions asked.
Also. Doesn't he Magic Marry come in a "park" version that is suppose to wear out slower. I don't know much about them as Im a Minion man. But Im tempted to try the MM.
Wellgo mg1 50$???? Are you kidding??? I bought them 1 month ago for my wife (mine are steel working - 3 years) for 34$ on local market. But anyway on Amazon it always costs 35-40$... So what a heck?)))
Yeah, I got some on Amazon for about $30 USD a while back. I don't care for the feel of them, but they work just fine. They feel heavier than some larger aluminum Giant pedals I have.
540 gram?? Mine wellgo Mg1 (360 gram) serve 3 years with no problem and no maintaining. I kicked it on the borders for a thousand times and they endure everything. Besides they are extremely grippy with my "5 10 freerider". But the price 50$ is wrong. It costs 35-40$ on amazon. And not only amazon. So I believe that b67 are good but not only they are...
There's always fanboys! I thought perhaps if I bought the new 27.5 2.4 wt maxx terra 3c that I could get more hours out of it (I couldn't find a maxx speed) But sure enough I'm at 8 rides and it's already almost done. Granted, I'm 190lbs and ride on very rocky trails but that tire is for lighter riders or those who have the privilege of loam. I've had schwalbes last longer, and they wear like cheese. It's back to WTB for me...
@ryan83: yeah 3c stuff is grippy but takes a beating in the rocks. I remember my first maxxis tires. The original 60a High Roller. I love that tire! Wears like iron and was aggressive.
@ryan83: apparently the e13 TRS tears wear good. I run 60 compound HR2 on both my bikes in the rear. My buddy has a DHR2 in the rear and it didn't last long at all. They should make those in a 60 compound.
No more "budget" than Canyon/YT/Radon, this is high quality build and geometry at more reasonable prices, with componentry that would cost perhaps 50% or more on any similar Trek/Transition/Norco etc. Cut out the middle man, save yourself a packet.
Ridden a brave few Vitus bikes. Yet to find a bad one. All about bang for your buck!
I like Universalcycles.com for parts, vip10/15 coupon 15% off orders over $300, 10%off $100, free shipping price match.
Good guys, small business.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh2WcxP4XU8
that and maxxis dont do their minion semi slickin 26".. so im stuck with rock razors (Maxxis hr2's roll too slow)
OH WAIT. SHIPPING TO CANADA ONLY!
So I believe that b67 are good but not only they are...