Field Trip: Vitus' $2,000 Mythique 29 VRX - The Value Trail Bike Defined
PINKBIKE FIELD TRIP
VITUS MYTHIQUE 29 VRX
The Value Trail Bike Defined
Words by Mike Levy, Photography by Anthony Smith
VITUS MYTHIQUE 29 VRX
The Value Trail Bike Defined
Words by Mike Levy, Photography by Anthony Smith
The first bike in our Field Trip value bike review series is the Vitus Mythique 29 VRX, a 140mm-travel 29er that'll cost you $2,000 USD to get your hands on. Vitus might not be the first brand that comes to mind when you think of direct-to-consumer sales, but the name has fifty years of cycling history behind it and belongs to Chain Reaction Cycles these days. Unrelated, but who remembers the Trek VRX?
At this pricepoint, it's especially impressive that nothing on the Mythique needs to be changed before it sees some serious miles. That includes the 140mm Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork, SRAM's 12-speed SX drivetrain, Shimano's sexy-sounding MT-501 stoppers, a dropper post, and proper Schwalbe tires.
At this pricepoint, it's especially impressive that nothing on the Mythique needs to be changed before it sees some serious miles. That includes the 140mm Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork, SRAM's 12-speed SX drivetrain, Shimano's sexy-sounding MT-501 stoppers, a dropper post, and proper Schwalbe tires.
Mythique 29 VRX Details
Travel: 140mm
Fork travel: 140mm
Wheel size: 29"
Frame construction: Aluminum
Head angle: 66-degrees
Chainstay length: 445mm
Reach: 462mm (lrg)
Sizes: Sm, med, lrg (tested), xlrg
Weight: 32.75lb
Price: $2,000 USD
More info: www.vitusbikes.com
Travel: 140mm
Fork travel: 140mm
Wheel size: 29"
Frame construction: Aluminum
Head angle: 66-degrees
Chainstay length: 445mm
Reach: 462mm (lrg)
Sizes: Sm, med, lrg (tested), xlrg
Weight: 32.75lb
Price: $2,000 USD
More info: www.vitusbikes.com
Vitus has employed a Horst Link rear-suspension layout on the Mythique, which is worth noting given that many others in this price bracket resort to simpler, and probably less expensive to manufacture, single-pivot designs. The 140mm of travel is controlled by RockShox's Monarch R shock that offers rebound adjustment but no pedal-assist lever.
Climbing
Sedona's climbing is often technical, steep, and can look more like a rock staircase for two feet than singletrack intended for two wheels. It's also prime hunting grounds for the Mythique, with the bike's more classic trail bike handling, great suspension, and 29" wheels being a near-perfect match for the ledgy climbs.
The 140mm-travel rear-suspension is near-invisible when you're in the saddle, and it always felt like the grey Vitus could carry a smidge more momentum across undulating ground. In an area where momentum can be hard to come by, this was especially helpful. The bigger-feeling Commencal and YT couldn't wriggle through the tight stuff as easily, either, with more body English being required for both. There was one section in particular that saw me out of the saddle and bumbling through on the other bikes, whereas I could stay seated on the Mythique while simply pedalling through with ease like I knew what I was doing.
Alright, I'll admit that the mail-order Vitus didn't show well in the desert version of the Impossible Climb (video on the way), but it was my personal favourite of the bunch regardless.
Descending
The Mythique 29 VRX isn't trying to be a part-time all-mountain bike, and it's better for it. With a contemporary but compact cockpit, and the best fork of the group in its Marzocchi Bomber Z2, the Vitus is a no-fuss trail bike that gobbles up the miles and rough ground, sometimes making its competition appear slow and over-gunned.
The fork's damper is similar to Fox's older Grip unit (they own Marzocchi) that I loved so much, and it's the same story with the slippery feeling Z2. With the spring rate dialled in (recommended pressures work just fine), the action is controlled and consistent enough to trick me into thinking this $500 fork costs twice as much. As you'd expect, it's a big reason why the Vitus was so impressive, but it's not the only reason. As we've seen with all of these value bikes, the Vitus' rear-suspension is a no-fuss, set-and-forget design that simply works, although it's possibly a bit more refined than some of the others. The back of the Mythique often felt more forgiving and more composed, further underlining its advantage in the suspension department.
If you'd rather go for a four-hour pedal than do four shuttle laps, or if you prefer a lively bike rather than a lazy one, you'll find a good friend in the Mythique. Even so, it feels decently sure-footed when you're riding the bronco through the rocks with your eyes closed (Me? No, never) or nosing into the steepest line that you have no business doing anyway, more so than both the Giant Stance and the Calibre Bossnut combined, if not quite matching the pricier Commencal.
If you'd rather go for a four-hour pedal than do four shuttle laps, or if you prefer a lively bike rather than a lazy one, you'll find a good friend in the Mythique. Even so, it feels decently sure-footed when you're riding the bronco through the rocks with your eyes closed (Me? No, never) or nosing into the steepest line that you have no business doing anyway, more so than both the Giant Stance and the Calibre Bossnut combined, if not quite matching the pricier Commencal.
Timed Testing
Our timed lap for the trail bikes was around 11 minutes long and split into three distinct sectors. First, a smooth, twisty singletrack climb topped out along a technical traverse that tested the bike's slow-speed handling and traction. After that, we dropped into a fast descent that began with rough, suspension-testing corners before some fast berms, flat corners, and a few fun-sized jumps. Nothing too rowdy, but representative of the terrain these trails bikes were intended to see.
Don't forget that timing is just one of many ways to judge a bike, and fast doesn't always mean it's the best for everyone.
Kazimer: "I had my second fastest overall time on the Vitus, with my fourth fastest climbing time, third fastest traversing time, and fourth fastest descent."
Levy: "I had my quickest total loop time while riding the Vitus, which included my second quickest descent (tied w/ two others), fourth quickest climb, and was first on the traverse.
Alright, let's get down to it and make some comparisons. The Mythique makes short work of the Giant Stance in every regard, from mellow trails to the kind that makes you forget to breathe, and it's the top of the class if we're talking pure trail bike use. It's a little foggier if that "trail bike use" includes fast, rocky singletrack, the odd hairy line, or a quest for ever-better Strava descent times, though, which is where the more expensive Commencal and YT pull ahead.
In my mind, the Vitus is best suited to a rider who measures the success of their trail ride by looking at it as a whole, whereas you might want a bit more bike if your idea of success is cleaning one particularly sketchy line or decent-sized move.
Pros
+ Impressive generalist
+ Great front and rear suspension
+ Classic, lively trail bike handling
Cons
- Not as solid feeling as the Meta or Jeffsy
The 2020 Pinkbike Field Test was made possible by support from: Smith, 7mesh, and Thunder Mountain Bikes.
Photos: Anthony Smith
Additional footage: Lear Miller
237 Comments
DP: Sorry your dog is dead.
Me: Sad sad.. But Dick as long as you are close to me we'll be all good together.
Just sayin
I do not have nerve issues, but I do have arthritis, and I prefer the stiffest bar I can get. I'm 205 lbs., maybe that's part of it too.
Blindfolds?
Jokes everybody, look at the smiley.
Me: "Yes."
Well done Vitus.
What you can get now for the money, is just amazing. If you step back in time, the difference is even more pronounced. I got my first “good” mtn in 1990 that retailed for $1000 for a full rigid steel frame and fork with brakes that sort of slowed you down. According to the US inflation calculator, that bike would be $2000 now. This Vitus has truly so much more value. Good times to be a mountain biker.
The original poster said he couldn’t have imagined a bike this capable for 2k 10 years ago. I’m not so sure about that. I had what I would say was a better bike, with better components (SRAM X9, Lyrik fork), in about the same neighborhood for the price — admittedly a little more expensive, but in the neighborhood.
For what I got then, compared to this bike now, I not sure this is a big advancement in value. It’s nice this option is available for people who can’t afford something in the 3-5k range, though.
That is what it has to do with the topic.
A great rider needs only a good bike not a rolls royce
Always makes me giggle a little inside when someone says 'F hole'
www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/05/million-dollar-strads-fall-modern-violins-blind-sound-check
Anyway, getting back to bikes -- it's a good analogy. Let's say Richie Rude gets on this bike. He will ride it and make it do things you and I wouldn't be able to do. And he could ride it fast. But not as fast as he could ride his top-of-the-line racer. It would hold him back, especially against other Enduro WC-level racers. In other words, he could definitely push this bike to its limits, but the bike would meet its limits before Richie reached the edge of his talents.
Now are any of us Richie Rude? No. Would this bike 100 percent meet the needs of most people here? Maybe. Definitely worth considering.
Too bad, they make some great, well equipped and cheap kids bikes as well.
I should say, I am totally not against paying my fair share of taxes, those built-in to the price (much less than 20 to 30%?) and the 5% GST I would pay at the point of sale. What I would like to avoid is paying that bigger chunk (30%) which, and again, maybe I'm totally out to lunch on this though... and if that's the way it works... fine.
I actually kinda prefer SRAM derailleurs because they lock extended. Makes repairs etc. a lot more convenient than having to hold a Shimano derailleur extended with your hands while you swap a wheel or route a chain.
Hard to have 2 years of ride time on SX when the soft release to the public was about a year ago.
I have a cheapo with SX eagle lying around and if you’re used to something like GX, you’re gonna miss shifts for a ride or two. Put a new shifter on it and it’s fine, if a bit heavy. Cassette is the same as NX, the derailleur is cheaper and uses a poly knuckle and is a bit more bend-happy. Full groupset is about half a pound heavier than nx.
Compared to deore 1x10, it’s less clunky feeling throughout the gears, but some people might like that clunk of a downshift to know what’s going on. Having the range and 12spd is generally what sells people on SX.
There’s a massive difference between SX and AXS. There’s a massive difference between GX and SX across the board.
I have a Sentier VR hardtail for winter riding, family rides etc and that has SX on it and it seems fine to me. The worst bit is / was the shifter which I swapped for a GX one which just feels a bit better. It’s easier enough to set up and hasn’t exploded yet. The cassette is a boat anchor but it’ll do until it wears out. It’s perfectly function but doesn’t feel as nice as the GX / XO1 11 speed combo on my other bike.
Or just get the Box
Bike arrived within 8 days from Ireland and was mostly put together already. Bars and front wheel was it. Set the cockpit up , aired up the suspension and went on a ride. Crisp drivetrain, not the best brakes but they work well, frame and paint were appealing and everything worked. I’ve been impressed with the bike for the price point. Blew anything I looked at locally out of the water. Everything comparable was about $1k more.
No complaints here. Awesome bike for the price, especially sale price! \m/
Sounds like that's exactly the sort of bike 80% of us should be riding.
Long wheelbase but it's not easy to notice riding the bike.
Sounds like a dialed in trail bike.
2000$ And I would change nothing on this bike.
Nice!
A bike like this is meant to be ridden and create good times, it’s not meant to be a resold product.
This is still a great bike, at a great price.
P.s. my bike is a few years old and I am just now learning how to tune my “outdated” suspension. Also still happily riding my bike and plan to for a good long while.
ride it hard and demote to your commuter/winter bike ina few years...
But there definitley are quite a few differences in construction that extend beyond just the physical size in between a Monarch and a Deluxe or SuperDeluxe. The internals are quite different with one of the most important differences being the massively increased overlap on the air can and also on the piston/shaft - which (at least theoretically) increases stability and durability and reduces friction due to a more precise fit, which reduces the tendency of the components to buckle under pressure.
Also my main concern would be less the performance of the shock and more the availability of service- and replacement parts, since RockShox said they were going to phase out their non-metric products over the course of the next couple of years.
It’s not cool or sexy, but it’s a cracking spec, seems well made and rides pretty well. Stuff like decent tyres and a god fork swung it for me. Too many of the other bikes I was looking at had really bad tyres or super basic RS forks, no dropper etc.
It's made by a company called Astro: www.astroeng.com.tw.
I had this exact frame 2 years ago and the seat tube broke, guess that's why they added that ugly support...
Incredible bike and value though
Please support taller riders. Real seatpost angle is crazy important.
youtu.be/5fnhhiPYneU?t=49
mtbs.cz/media/foto/204/imgeca144b72996972c282cc672d059d57e.jpg