Kavenz Launches VHP 18 for Super Enduro, Freeride & Downhill
Last time Kavenz released a bike, it was teased with a series of 25 YouTube videos over two years and arrived onto the scene on a wave of hype. That hype seems to have been justified as when we reviewed the VHP 16 we nicknamed it the 'The Traction Master' and it's also the bike of choice for out 'Things That Are Made in Europe' correspondent The European Bike Project.
This latest iteration of the bike may not have benefitted from the same marketing push but it's safe to say we are still excited for the German brand's next project. The new version of the bike builds on those solid foundations but with even more smashability.
This latest iteration of the bike may not have benefitted from the same marketing push but it's safe to say we are still excited for the German brand's next project. The new version of the bike builds on those solid foundations but with even more smashability.
VHP 18 Details
Frame Material: aluminium
Wheelsize: 27.5" (rear)
Travel: 180mm
Head Tube Angle: 63.5°
Seat Tube Angle: 77°
Sizes: 440-520mm reach (in 20mm increments)
Price: €2,645 (no shock)
More info: kavenz.com
Frame Material: aluminium
Wheelsize: 27.5" (rear)
Travel: 180mm
Head Tube Angle: 63.5°
Seat Tube Angle: 77°
Sizes: 440-520mm reach (in 20mm increments)
Price: €2,645 (no shock)
More info: kavenz.com
A new shock mount allows for a longer shock and more travel. The mount is compatible with current Kavenz frames that have sufficient clearance and all new ones going forward.
Kavenz says the bike is suitable for a full 200mm double crown fork or a nimbler 180mm single crown.
The new configuration means the VHP18 is 27.5" only in the rear
It's not strictly correct to call this a new bike and most of the platform is identical to the VHP 16 but with a different shock mount and a new shock. On the VHP 16, the shock is trunnion mount 205x65mm but on the VHP18, it's a 225x75mm trunnion mount. In fact, if you have a VHP16 from batches 0-5 and a reach of more than 500mm you can make the conversion to your current bike (all reach sizes of future batches will also be compatible with a VHP18 conversion).
The German craftsmanship shines through on Kavenz bikes.
The conversion to a longer shock and greater travel will also result in some other changes it's worth knowing about too. Firstly, the longer travel version of the bike only allows for a 27.5" rear wheel so it can only be run as a mullet or a full 27.5" bike. There are also some geometry changes too including a 0.5° slackening of the head tube and seat tube angles and an increase of 15-21mm in the wheelbase over the VHP16 (based on 480mm reach).
The kinematics of the bike have also changed, but very slightly. The new suspension charts are below:
Kavenz will continue to build their bikes in Germany, which they say results in shorter wait periods for orders to be completed. They claim a customized frame will be delivered 3 months from ordering and if they have a stock frame in their warehouse, delivery times can be even shorter. - raw frames start at two weeks, powdercoated at 4 weeks and a black anodized frame could be yours within 8 weeks. The VHP18 is priced at €2,645 (no shock), + €600 for Fast Fenix EVO shock & +€600 for an EXT Arma shock.
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How do you people decide what to hate? Do you coordinate on Discord or something?
Its raw with industrial look, fair price and speak german, whats not to like
I second that. Yellow for the win though
If I can save money on an enormously expensive build I do that and so I can get the Era fork
I I want another color I can always paint it later, it's not rocker science
Good video from Nicolai showing the technique of getting a wider flatter looking weld. Gas lense, 8 cup, 3/32 tungsten, looks like 1/8” (possibly 5/32) filler.
Looking at the axle path chart it moves back about 21mm at around half travel... so 440, then it comes back to just 16mm of growth at full travel, so 435.
- 419 static
- 434 at sag
- 440 at half travel
- 435 at full travel
Pretty sure Kavenz VHP V6 L (480/450/110) means reach/ chainstay/ head tube length.
Their website could use a lot of QA but I'm reading this as multiple chainstay lengths are coming.
"Q: Will you do longer chainstays for taller riders?
A: We believe in short chainstays and have no personal intention to offer longer Chain Stays. However, if the market demands such we will consider delivering with the next batch. Technically it´s easy to do it was just not important to us."
I believe (480/450/110) means reach/seat tube/head tube.
Good & bad ideas get copied by everyone.
I hate every new bike I have tried in the last couple of years. They are too long, too slack & boring as hell to ride. And most of them are ugly as hell. IMHO they are the worst they have ever been!
I'm sure there are some boutique bikes I don't know about that are not just clones of every other bike. but damn. At this point I don't see myself ever buying a new bike unless it is custom built.
*Yes, of course if you live some place with very little elevation or really rough trails, then of course you don't want a DH bike, or not even a big trail bike, as your only bike. Even in that case there are still plenty of options: just look how many complained that some of the bikes in this very Test have super "outdated" geo. Or maybe you're looking in the "wrong category".
I didn't say new is always better. I said recent geo changes have made progression easier and more likely, because they're a bit more forgiving and adaptable. It's up to you do decide if that's better, though I think the majority would agree that progress is usually a good thing.