Vitus has been steadily growing their lineup, athlete roster, and brand presence over the past few years, finding success with many of their well-priced and nicely designed bikes. They're not new to the e-bike market, with the E-Escarpe and E-Sommet already out in the world, but they've yet to hit the low-price mark that they tend to do so well. That's where the E-Mythique LT comes in, with the goal of fitting into more budgets while still delivering performance and value. With a nicely sorted geometry chart and seemingly up-to-the-task parts, the new Vitus could be an eMTB for the masses.
E-Mythique LT Details
• Aluminum frame
• Mixed wheel size
• 160mm suspension
• 170mm fork
• 64° head angle
• Bafang M510 drive unit
• 630Wh battery & 95Nm max torque
• $3,699-$4,599 USD
GeometryI like the Vitus philosophy when it comes to geometry, things are fairly middle-of-the-road, but appropriate for the use case. Here we have a solid all-mountain bike, with the additional shifts and tweaks we typically see to better accommodate the packaging and weight of the motor and battery. The 64° head angle is more and more the status quo we're used to, and keeps things maneuverable while staying comfortable in the steepest terrain around.
445mm chainstays are present on all sizes, which may feel a bit long on the smaller bikes, and keep the longer sizes somewhat balanced. Reach numbers range from 434mm to 504mm, hitting the sweet spot for the majority of riders, but missing the tallest end of the spectrum. The seat tube angle is nice and upright at 77.5°, which helps keep you in the middle of the bike on silly e-bike tech climbs, which are half the fun when you're zooming uphill.
There is one asterisk on the geometry chart, and that's the 160mm fork on the lowest-price spec bike. That 10mm fork travel difference changes a few of the numbers, but won't drastically shift the character of the bike. I've been riding one with a 170mm fork, and the geometry feels pretty dialed.
Motor and BatteryBafang is a brand more common to the commuter e-bike market, where they have a long history of developing drive systems to suit a variety of needs. Vitus partnered with the Chinese company to tune the M510 motor to best serve the needs of the E-Mythique LT, giving them quite a bit of latitude when making decisions about the feel and function of the system.
With 95Nm of peak torque, the Bafang's output is 10Nm higher than Shimano or Bosch's current offerings, 5Nm above Specialized's, and slightly below Rocky Mountain's Powerplay system, which delivers 108Nm. Of course, the feel of these systems isn't all in the numbers, but luckily the feel of the M510 is similarly impressive.
The E-Mythique offers 5 different drive modes, controlled by a wired remote on the left side of the bar. Eco, Eco+, Trail, Boost, and Race give you a wide range of assist modes, with varying levels of pick-up and max power. I spent most of my time in Trail mode, but made sure to enjoy the mega boost of the highest two settings as well.
For those who want all the data.
The 630Wh battery is in keeping with other full-power sleds, and was enough to do my typical e-bike test ride, managing four laps up a heinously steep climb in the area, for about 6500' of climbing in 18 miles. The battery can be removed by popping the cover and unlocking the cradle, giving you the opportunity to hot-swap batteries if you so desire.
Vitus focused heavily on the weatherproofing of the E-Mythique's electronics, with a gasket lip surrounding the battery cover and additional battery seals at the top and bottom of the cavity. Given their ties to the Nukeproof team in the UK, it makes sense that they'd sweat the waterproofness of a bike that's sure to see its fair share of slop. We'll see how those seals hold up in the long term.
Build KitsThere are three different spec levels available with the E-Mythique LT: VR, VRS, and VRX. All three have the same motor and battery system, the same tires, and many of the same touchpoints.
Ride ImpressionsI always get a false sense of confidence while riding an ebike - maybe it's the muted and planted feel on the descents, maybe it's having full energy at the top of every descent, maybe it's just placebo, but it's there. The E-Mythique LT provides a very confident and fun ride on even the steepest and gnarliest tracks. I tend to only ride eMTBs in steep terrain, as it feels like the best bang for your buck, but even in mellower realms the Vitus is fun to ride. The Trail mode is well suited to singletrack pedaling, as the higher-boost modes can be a bit tricky to reign in when the turns are tight and frequent. On fire road climbs, the Boost and Race modes are very welcome, jetting you up the climb with little effort required.
The components seem well-suited to the bike so far, and we'll see how things hold up to many more miles of smashing lap after lap. One spec choice I immediately had to change for myself were the brake pads - the DB8s come with SRAM's "quiet performance" resin pads, which absolutely suck on anything sustained. I popped some metallic pads and fresh rotors on the bike, and found a lot more confidence in the steeps.
Pads, rotors, and rear wheel needed some love.
Only one other component hitch came up, with the rear wheel coming horribly out of tension on the first ride. It's not unusual for wheels to de-tension on the first few rides, but this was more than I've seen before, and required some trailside attention to keep going. Vitus assured me that this will not be present on any consumer bikes, so hopefully that holds true - I'd just keep an eye on things for the first couple laps to make sure all is well.
Sacrificial UDH took the hit.
The box that the E-Mythique arrived in was a bit worse for wear when it landed on my stoop, but that's really no fault of Vitus'. E-bikes are heavy, and mail carriers have hard jobs, so inevitably something is bound to happen. Luckily the only damage was to the UDH, which was easily replaced to get the bike up and running right out of the box.
All in all, my first few rides aboard the E-Mythique LT have been very impressive, and I'm looking forward to a lot more time on the bike. When riding with friends on much more expensive full-power e-bikes there's nothing I felt like I was lacking in terms of functional performance, and hopefully that sentiment remains over the next couple months as I ride the Vitus more.
Down with extreme bikes prices and the UCI in dh…last one just has to happen.
Prestige pricing doesn’t work when you create your builds with trash components. No one wants to see a $5-6k bike with SX or NX, even if it does say Santa Cruz on the side.
Obviously its a simplistic version of whats going on, but it doesnt really change the answer to the question.
The market determines whether something is being priced accordingly or not, with the decreased demand, over supply, reduction in raw material pricing, transport pricing corrections, we are currently seeing a price reduction of current stock across all industries.
To be objective, anyone who says modern MTB prices are reasonable is either lying OR ignorant. That said, giving the customer the best possible product for the best possible price has become a thing of the past capitalism. This new capitalism is f**k everybody for as much as you can.
www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/top-fuel/top-fuel-c-frameset/p/35648/?colorCode=black $3799 for the frame
www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/top-fuel/top-fuel-9-9-xx1-axs/p/37070/?colorCode=yellow $11500
So you have £7800 to come up with better spec
1. Those using the same good materials they've always used and selling at prices outstripping their costs by a massive margin.
2. Those using worse materials than they used to and selling at prices that outstrip their old costs by a slight margin.
3. Those using worse materials than they used to and selling at prices that outstrip their old costs by a massive margin.
I am aware of only a few outfits who aren't in these categories, and they are exactly the type of companies you'd expect. I guess you could fit them all into the definition of:
4. Those who've always used exceptional materials and exceptional manufacturing, who have always sold at correspondingly top-of-market prices.
Maybe you sense the common thread here...
All I'll say is that one of the big drivetrain manufacturers whose name starts with an S is a 2 and the other is a 3 (with a little 2-ness mixed in). The 2 has followed a traditional development path and been quite conservative while the 3/2 has invested heavily in marketing and design while cutting costs on their sourcing and production. I think that should be pretty clear, haha—I should say that I use both companies' new products and think both work pretty well and have enjoyed using them, and there are really great people working at both. But their production costs and quality have been reduced and prices have increased, and it's a shame.
#4's are just about who'd you think of, and I'm happy to name lots! These companies are often small and run by folks who are seriously involved with their products. White Industries, Paul Components, Schmolke (and all those specialty carbon brands), a lot of established framebuilders (and some new ones!), and I'd even include ABUS locks (high-end standard w/o alarms, etc. more than the lower-end and more gimmicky ones) and some Campagnolo groups I think—although they're not rebuildable anymore and there have been some annoying new defects coming along with the 12spd groups, so... maybe they're in the #2 bucket after all. But it's Campy, they move at their own speed—and the wheels are still remarkably well made. Might include Fox too in a similar boat. Then it's your other smaller makers like Galfer, some Wolf Tooth stuff, Bike Yoke, Raketa, Chris King, Hope, Industry Nine, Cane Creek, WeAreOne... These companies are out there but there is still an abundance of good stuff being made. You just have to shell out more than you used to. (As a final example, I think I'd include Wera Tools in here. I have not met people as passionate about handtools as those fine folks! And the tools are great!)
In my experience, defaults are less common now, stuff randomly snapping is less common now (looking at you, anything carbon fibre, pre 2012) Have designs moved forward to allow for lower costs, because they're somewhat at the limit of innovation, do they have bigger R&D costs, marketing costs, costs of production, shipping, dealer margins, or is it indeed, flat out price gouging?
I'm out of the industry but always curious of its inner workings.
I've been seriously riding, racing, wrenching on bikes since the late 90's, and if you took a step back, the quality of the products has increased 10 fold.
I remember the days of going through 10-12 rear der in a season, noisy, and pretty ineffective canti, then V-brakes. I remember having entire kits of Hayes rebuild parts, snapping every fork on the market (I once split the lowers of a Z1 about 5", straight down both legs, and it just spewing oil like a stuck pig), ovalized headtubes, etc.
Quality of products is incredibly high, current NX (which seems to have gotten better) is so much better than 9spd XT its astounding to me.
As far as companies gouging, companies are doing what all companies do, they are in the business of providing a product or service for money. No one is holding a gun to you or anyones head to purchase anything. Stop whinging, ride your expensive recreational toy, and go on with your day
Oh no, someone affiliated with a company which is gouging customers might read a negative comment about that company. And then they might trace it back to someone who doesn't work in the industry anymore. Better circle the wagons!
- Your idiotic perspective
This person might be trying to maintain relationships with people in the industry, so shutting on them simply to appease you seems like a poor decision.
In fact, seems as they’ve chosen to do just that, strange eh.
Must be tough for you out in the world, when others don’t do exactly what you want,
Wish you the best of luck out there, seems like you’ll need it!
Like a juvenile girl, you assumed to know way too much, and did so on scant unverified details.
I'm sure none of this will interfere with you and your retarded holier-than-thou lectures.
Did you need to dig down real deep in a thesaurus to sort that out for yourself?
Still stings, eh little boy?
You can have all the internet points
Good luck out there
You chimed, out of the blue, for no other reason than to talk down to someone. Go get f*cked you retarded c*nt.
In fairness, they have a pretty good reputation on commuter bikes anyway so I’d expect this motor to be a lot more reliable than many out there. Add in what looks like proper U.K. required waterproofing and these look like a good purchase. Nice to see the Durolux as an OEM spec fork too.
*to paraphrase Peep Show, ‘real men don’t use electricity to carry them uphill Mark’.
I have been running a Bafang BBSHD on my commuter bike at 4000W [65+amps] (3000 more then its rated for) for well over 5,000 Miles probably half of those at full throttle (45+ mph) and all I've had to do is crack it open every 3k miles or so and grease some gears when it starts to get noticeably louder.
The 510 is a smaller motor but I thought I drop an anecdotal experience of Bafang's ability to engineering reliable motors.
Personally I still pedal my mountain bike and don't plan to change unless I can't keep up with my kids anymore. Also hoping gear box / e-motor combos are working well by the time I'm in the market.
www.gucci.com/us/en/pr/men/ready-to-wear-for-men/outerwear-for-men/down-puffer-for-men/nylon-satin-jacket-p-759696Z8BLA1043
You have no idea how much I appreciate you posting this link.
I love the "personalized 69 logos"
I also love the boots, and what I think are leg warmers the gentlemen is wearing.
I want to see people wearing this in the wild, I love it!
(says the silly analog guy who probably doesnt get it)
I just got to ride a 40lb Levo and then YT Decoy, 2 runs each of five tracks at a downhill park. The Spec is easily more whipable / maneuverable and playful - and was 15-25 seconds faster on every track with the intent of getting fastest times. The Decoy didn't even come close to matching my regular YT Capra times BUT it did feel much more solid & moto... it was fun, but it wasn't faster.
Weight full does matter pending your application. A super light DH bike is gonna get pingponged around like a bitch vs. a heavery DH bike, but too heavy (55 lbs of Decoy) does not mean faster... but it does mean multiple laps - and that's a huge benefit for self shuttling. There's also biker strength / body weight to bike weight ratio to consider.
You are correct though for most pedal bikes within a certain pound range - and I'll be the 1st say I talked shit about ebikes for years but being able to self-shuttle and hit 3-4 laps vs. just one lap in the same time is easily a huge bonus but it doesn't not automatically equate to "weight doesn't matter".
I"m shoping for emtb's right now so I figured I should be strategic and use Strava (and backup Garmin) to specifically time 5 tracks that I have ridden 100's of times and have near-exact times on with my regular bike. Since I've not ridden any ebikes before - it seemed obvious to compare 40lb and the 55lb emtb's. I like both as well - but they are differnent animals - at least on my local tracks. There are different reasons to own each type beyond times - for feel and how long you want to be out in a day too.
This is in western NC (Sugar Mtn) so I rode 5 tracks with added difficulty each time (2 runs each on a easy, easy-intermed, intermed, intermed-difficult, and difficult). The Levo instantly felt more nimble and the Decoy was planted & deep but more like a bomber than a jet fighter. NEITHER the Levo or the Decoy came close to my fastest times on my YT Capra - I got within 10 seconds on the Levo.
Conclusion: I'm not gonna buy an ebike for faster times but so that I can do 2-3x the mileage and 3-4x as many laps instead of just 1 or 2 in my local go-to riding. I'm still not sure whether to score the 55lb monster (Decoy or Torque, etc) or go with something lighter lke the Levo SL or Orbea Rise.... still need to do more ciphering.
I’m puzzled about this comment thread: trying to square the “eBiKeS aRe FoR cHeAtERs” sentiment with the “tHeSe eBiKes aRe ToO HeAvy” perspective.
I've always thought of an SL as the only bike I'd ride (if I had one) as it's between a bicycle and and full fat but I prefer having both as I see them as completely different machines for a different type of riding. I kind of see SLs as neither hither nor thither.
But yes - the bike learning curve. I gotta say too that doing the test was in part to determine feel, I was curious about the times, esp on trails I know too well. I also find it a bit funny that the "light" Levo (or similar models) are stil 2-4 lbs heavier than the tank-towing-a-schoolbus that is my Capra on climbs, so even a lighter motor, getting me up my local mtn 2-3 (or however many) times - 700m or 2,200 ft vert at the top - with less effort seems ideal.
Much obliged on the ideas. Emtb is still hotly contested in the US, so if I wanna go out and do 2-4 (700m) climbs & drops I'm a dickhead "destroying" the trails but if I ride park (my fave honestly) w/ my buds and catch 20 laps with a power-guzzling ski lift in a day... we're all shredders with no problems..
I am interested on why manufacturers are leaving out a quantifiable specification, It seems like you have a very different perspective you want to share and frankly i'm not interested. I understand that to buy the right bike i likely need some test time.
It's all about LIFTING the bike... makes sense!!
Also curious if you guys have considered doing an article on followup for any of the ebike servicing one might expect over a year, i.e. frequency of fork / shock service, tires / contacts, groupset wear (etc) that might be expected for relatively harder / enduro / DH / rough (hence wanting to self shuttle) riding. I'm currently shopping emtb's and I know has to be a thing but not sure what to expect...it can be enough to maintain a regular bike so I'm curious if an emtb could put one in proverbially over their head in service / cost?
www.muziker.fr/sr-suntour-durolux-36-boost-eq-r2c2-pcs-160-15qlc2ti-110-27-5-cts-mat-black
Also went for a triair as a shock, it changed my bike.
Hey Vitus design team, work with Bafang on dropping the key lock on the battery and change from the spoke magnet to a disc brake magnet, those are the 2 things that should be changed / updated.
Still strikes me as odd that the day this article comes out 2/3 of the bikes are gone already...
I mostly do pretty rowdy stuff and I only have a downhill bike & a YT capra (at 180/160) so I've been looking for a smaller trail bike for some time - but logically my brain says to get all of the travel and power possible with an ebike because why not - you have a motor.
The maneuverability of the levo versus the decoy seemed pretty palpable to me tho and even then the levo is 2-3 lbs heavier than my Capra, but my brain says more = better... I'm still at loggerheads. I do like that the levo is not a Shimano motor
Anyway - heard on all that, it def adds into my equations for figuring this out. BTW ya find any knocking / DH related noise w/ yr motors?
There could be more at play between the two of course, I've heard quite a few people say the decoy is a barge, whereas the newest levos are some of the best all round ebikes out there.
And I'm on am e8000, 3100 miles on the clock, zero issues, but kinda a moot point as its an obsolete motor now lol.
Ditto on tires. I currently have a back up wheel set and also a rear 27 that I put on the Capra even though you're not "supposed to"... still rips, but sounds like same thing - plop the burlies on for gnar & lighter for trail
I guess I'm thinking of this to narrowly and I should probably buy a bike that simply has the best parts for the lease price and then take off and sell the stuff I don't want, add any of the numbers of good gear extras I've got sitting around… You're actually helping me make a pretty kick ass plan right right now
And id say get the frame/motor/battery you want for the lowest price and upgrade/swap the rest, obviously you can't grab a base spec levo if you want the 700wh battery without spending an absolute fortune on one (big downside of spesh, they are expensive comparatively, but that might be uk pricing)
Especially if they could get the price in the 3k range
The devil in me wonders how easy it’d be to derestrict or tune the motor. At least it’s repairable and relatively inexpensive tp repace once your warranty is up.
My crappy old e7000 powered hardtail with 420ish wh was ok derestricted til the %£+}s in halfords updated the firmware
More exciting still, i’ve just been liiking on bafang’s website and noticed the m600 with the same mounting bolt pattern and 120nm of grunt
The 140nm m560 looks like it’d slot right in too!
www.bikester.fr/vitus-e-mythique-297-vr-M1369652.html?vgid=G2049326
Some intern at bikester is probably having a bad day after selling brand new ebikes at a loss
CRC assembly hall technicians NEVER seem to be able to properly tension their wheels. My e sommet wheel tension dropped off on BOTH ebikes (ive had 2 esommets).
Marin's Alpine E-trail and Polygon's Siskiu are the two similar size / priced / spec'd models that actually are avaiable....Shimano motors tho.
Seriously, why is Vitus even having PB do this article when only the lowest spec bike is available?
Actually about to score an emtb any day now and really could give a shit about anyone that loves one or the other type only (or both). Def bashing on either crowd and yeah. Pretty funny about disabled elderly veterans - my bro & I both served in the forces and he can't walk b/c of that so he's pretty jealous of my riding now even though I earn it (so far) but I get where you're coming from. Funny stuff.
Genuinely sorry to hear about your brother. Hope you enjoy your ebikes, there nothing wrong/bad about them, just annoying when mopeds rights activists pretend they're Mandela when poaching trails.
Reg & emtbs's are perfectly fine - not to mention every single pro rider out there trains (and loves) emtbs - notice that every pro emtb article here lacks the comment sniping too:-Peaty & Bryceland's recent bike posts...nobody talked any trash). I was a blind hater at first but now I'm convinced they're fine - except in the hands of noobs who lack skills on regular and emtbs, and that is legit.
I also think its funny that all my park bros are hero's for getting 20-25 runs a day w/ lift ski-slope lift motors (and I have a DH bike - park days are my #1 goto) but I'm a dick b/c I wanna catch 3-4 laps pedaling alone up the road from my house. I don't even own one yet. Doesn't compute.
Mandela poaching trails (and mopeds)- gonna def'ly recycle those. We're all hypocrites really, self included and I don't have an excuse for it.
Feels like a bit of a false moderate stance you're assuming. This whole discussion started because someone asked at what point electric motors should count as motorized, and you responded with derision.
With absurdly high speed limits for most singletrack, and ever improving batteries and motors, that seems like a pretty reasonable question to ask. We already have "race" motors that keep running after the user has stopped pedaling. Can we ask the eeb industry for any meaningful guardrails on their bikes prospectively, or is that too extreme?
Typing on a screen is easily misunderstood (and I can be unclear) but - continue w/ your judgement. Jabbing the finger of "derision" is... not derision? I'm not dying on the human-only or ebike hill. I've been around them both for years now & don't see an issue though I'm not saying ebikes should be entirely unlimited...I don't even own one yet.
I don't honestly know - nor do you likely - what point motors count as "motorized" to a point of being over the top - that seems like throttles & gas / oil, and tons of noise - the trash & thrash culture & I don't support that. In my area eeb's just means 3-4x the # of laps (and mostly in parks tho some riders poach). Having ridden places with both for year now, I see nothing odd about the speed or impact, up or downhill but these are more relatively maintained areas.
Not sure what you mean about 'limits' for single track (honest question). Are there any? On my pedal-bike, I've been blown away uphill by XC racers and downhill by pro / fast riders - all while climbing, all without any courtesy. Not everyone does that. I tested 2 ebikes in a bike park recently - was 10-25 seconds slower on every trail type than on my regular bike. But given what the TQ designers did w/ that motor - delivering power w/ limits & system efficiency, I'd say we're gonna be fine.
But maybe I misunderstand. Easy to do on a flashing screen w/ no actual peronal interaction...
Ultimately, the classification of e-bikes is already breaking down. Race motors keep going after pedaling stops on some Class I models. The Class I speed limit of 20 mph is not really a meaningful speed limit. I track my speeds, and 20 mph is something I only hit/exceed on directional trails/bike parks. On multi-use, bidirectional singletrack, its bonkers fast in most places.
I definitely don't want to discourage people from asking, ahead of time, when has the technology eluded the spirit of the classifications on eebs. A bike where you can just spin the pedals easily, while cruising up singletrack at 20 mph, is not something that fits into a lot of my trails. The roll out of eebs in the US also shows the industry doesn't give a shit about organizing and involving other stakeholders, and will just push what they can out the door for money. YMMV!
So: all good points on all this, from industry to actual trails... have only just started doing my homework this would not be on my radar fully so it's good to consider (and does help me think low-power could be ideal... and they look less like bikes on steroids). We all have different reasons and intent is multi-multi-fold: recent major injury may keep me from pedaling out to the good stuff; hoping for easier biking w/ recovery/PT via assist; and - have a teen (same size bike) that loves downhilling but just won't pedal w/ me so I'm hoping it'll serve as a spare bike she'll enjoy riding w/ me that ends the teen injustice of working (even tho I make her do it weekly... it is forced vs live until we drop in!)
You point out rightly there's more to it and so I can agree: my analogy (fun or shitty) doesn't do much.
On that note, while the rager DH rider in me (it's my goto) sees that full power & big travel could be fun and I am def'ly a conscientious rider, I keep thinkjng even the Levo has far more power than my teen can handle, still weighs 3-4lbs more than my big bike. AND seems to be a fun DH machine so: more fam time - and maybe some 3-4 laps in my (remote / almost unused area except locals) trails... probably a unicorn situation vs you or others.
Ebikes are not legal in any of the USFS (dominant land base) and even some county/city trails here...so I actually do hear you on your point of speed and trial type. Im moslty climbing roads for 12-2500 (sometimes 3500) and dropping, remote
areas so Im not even in bidirectional / ST areas you're noting. Things to ponder & I appreciate the thots on it.
Last question - are you riding one, have ridden one, thinking of one (maybe lower power), etc? Not everywhere allows them. I used to hate pedaling but absolutely love it now - also dislike tons of electronics & extra maintenance so I dunno this will ever be a thing. Worthing thinking about at the moment tho, esp w/ just a few years left for the teen to be w/ me before flight... lots to consider
They'd sweat the waterproofness?
What the hell does that mean?