2019 Vitus Mountain Bikes: What You Need To Know
Vitus bikes are sold exclusively from Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle. This means that they are not sold in any shops, so Vitus can keep the prices down, making them very good value for money. Vitus has been going since the ’70s and has a huge range of bikes. Here is what you should know about the 2019 Vitus mountain bikes.
There is a good choice of Vitus mountain bikes, ranging from hard tails to full suspension enduro machines.
2019 Vitus Nucleus
The Vitus Nucleus is a very well specced hardtail. The top model is the 275 VRX. This is an excellent value for money bike with geometry for great handling on steep and rough terrain. This version comes in at £699.99, but there are cheaper versions available.
Specifactions
- Frame: Brand New 6061-T6 Alloy construction with longer, slacker and lower build and modern geometry
- Forks: Suntour SF19 Raidon32, “Boost”, 27.5”, 120mm
- Rear Shock: N/A
- Brakes: Shimano MT-400, 180/160 rotors
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore M6000
- Shifter: Shimano Deore M6000
- Front Derailleur: N/A
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore M6000
- Cassette: Shimano CS-HG500-10, 11-42T
- Chainset: Suntour Zeron, 170mm, 32T
- Chain: KMC X10EL
- Rims: WTB ST i29
- Front Hub: KT, 32H, 100x15mm “Boost”
- Rear Hub: KT, 32H, 135x10mm
- Tyres: Front: Schwalbe Magic Mary, 27.5×2.35”, Addix Soft, SnakeSkin, TL-Easy; Rear: Schwalbe Nobby Nick, 27.5×2.35”, Addix 35B, Double Defence
- Saddle: Vitus
- Seatpost: Vitus
- Stem: Vitus 50mm
- Bars: Nukeproof Neutron 31.8mm, 25mm rise
- Headset: FSA
- Top Cap: Vitus
Overview
The Vitus Nucleus is ridiculously good value for money thanks to its components. it has a respectable decent Suntour SF19 120mm travel air spring fork, Shimano MT-400 brakes, which use a longer-than-average lever to give you maximum braking power. It also has a 1×10 Shimano Deore groupset, that you find on more expensive bikes.
The main thing you will like about this bike is its geometry. It is long and slack (455mm reach and a 66.5-degree head angle in a size large) making it very capable, inspiring confidence when riding steep and rough terrain.
The handlebars help with this feeling of confidence too. They are 780mm wide and have a nice and short 50mm stem.
– Click here to learn about handlebars and stems
You don’t get a dropper seat post with this bike, but I recommend buying one for any bike that will take one (they are a game changer).
– Click here to learn bout dropper seat posts
If you like bigger wheels, you can have 29″ wheels when you buy the VR and VRS versions.
2019 Vitus Sentier
The Vitus Sentier is quite similar to the Nucleus. However, it has a more progressive geometry, with a slightly more slack head angle and increased from centre. It also has more travel, with a 140mm fork.
The Vitus Sentier starts at £849.99 for a Shimano Deore and RockShox Recon-equipped model. The most expensive version VRX is £15,99.99 for a Shimano SLX and RockShox Relevation equipped bike. However, there is a ladies version, priced at £609.99.
Specifactions
- Frame: Brand New 6061-T6 Alloy construction with longer, slacker and lower build and modern geometry
- Forks: RockShox Revelation Charger RC “Boost”, 27.5”, 140mm
- Brakes: Shimano XT M8000, 180/180 rotors
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT M8000
- Shifter: Shimano XT M8000
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT M8000
- Cassette: Shimano SLX M7000, 11-Speed, 11-46T
- Chainset: Shimano XT 170mm, 32T
- Chain: KMC X11 EPT
- Rims: WTB ST i29
- Front Hub: KT 32H, 110x15mm “Boost”
- Rear Hub: KT 32H, 148x12mm “Boost”
- Tyres: Front: Schwalbe Magic Mary, 27.5×2.6” SnakeSkin, TL East, Apex, E-25, Addix Speedgrip; Rear: Schwalbe Nobby Nick, 27.5×2.6” SnakeSkin, TL East, Apex, E-25, Addix Speedgrip
- Saddle: Nukeproof Neutron
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend Dropper
- Stem: Nukeproof Neutron 45mm
- Bars: Nukeproof Horizon 31.8mm, 25mm rise
- Headset: FSA
- Top Cap: Vitus
Overview
The top VRX version has the RockShox Relevation 140mm fork, while the rest have 130mm of travel. Bikes from other brands in this price range usually have forks with less travel from over end manufacturers. No matter which version you go for, you will be impressed by how nimble and capable it is. The VRX version also comes with a dropper seat post. But if you go for a lower spec bike and fancy installing one, they have all the relevant internal cable routing to do so. The Vitus Sentier has won MBR’s bike of the year for the sub £1000 category, in 2014, 2015 and 2018.
2019 Vitus Rapide
The Vitus Rapide is the carbon cross country mountain bike. This is the one you need if you are planning on going long distances or in cross country races. It comes with both aluminium and carbon frames.
Specifactions
- Frame: T7-HM-UD Carbon Fibre with modern geometry
- Forks: RockShox Sid RL Remote, 29”, 100mm
- Rear Shock: N/A
- Brakes: SRAM Level TL, 180/161 rotors
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01 Eagle
- Shifter: SRAM X01 Eagle
- Front Derailleur: N/A
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM X01 Eagle
- Cassette: SRAM X01 Eagle XG-1295, 10-50T
- Chainset: SRAM X1 Carbon Eagle, 175mm Dub, 32T
- Chain: SRAM GX Eagle
- Wheels: DT Swiss X 1900Spline 25
- Front Hub: N/A
- Rear Hub: N/A
- Tyres: Front: Maxxis Ardent Race 3C, 29×2.2”, 3C/EXO/TR/ MaxxSpeed; Rear: Maxxis Ikon 3C, 29×2.2”, 3C/EXO/TR/ MaxxSpeed
- Saddle: Nukeproof Neutron
- Seatpost: Vitus 31.6mm
- Stem: FSA
- Bars: Vitus Alloy 720mm, 5mm rise, 31.8mm
- Headset: FSA
- Top Cap: FSA
Overview
There are two versions of the aluminium framed Vitus Rapide available. They both have 29″ wheels, RockShox 100mm forks with lockout, and tubeless-ready wheels & Maxxis tires, including rim tape fitted & tubeless valves. The Rapide VR is £11,99.99 and gets a SRAM NX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain, while the £899.99 Rapide opts for a Shimano SLX 1×11 setup.
The Rapide Carbon is still available for £800 as a frame-only, for £1800 in a GX Eagle build, or for £2500 in an X01 Eagle complete.
This is a fast and lightweight XC bike that has race proven geometry, high end components and great value for money.
2019 Vitus Escarpe
The Vitus Escarpe is the full suspension trail bike. Just look at the spec on this thing! It has pretty much everything the majority of mountain bikers could ever want from their full suspension bike. It has high end components from well known brands, such as Fox, Nukeproof, Shimano and DT Swiss.
Specifactions
- Frame: Brand New 6061-T6 Alloy construction with longer, slacker and lower build and modern geometry
- Forks: Fox 36 Fit Grip 2 Factory “Boost”, 29”, 150x44mm
- Rear Shock: Fox DPX2 Factory 2019, Float, 3 Position Adjustment, Trunnion, Evol LV, 185x50mm, 0.9 spacer, “Boost” Metric Trunnion mount shock with sealed bearing upper shock mount
- Brakes: SRAM Guide RE, 200/180 rotors
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT M8000
- Shifter: Shimano XT M8000
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT M8000
- Cassette: Shimano SLX M7000 11-Speed, 11-46T
- Chainset: Shimano XT 170mm, 30T
- Chain: KMC X11 EPT
- Wheels: DT Swiss M1700 Spline 30
- Front Hub: N/A
- Rear Hub: N/A
- Tyres: Front: Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5”WT, 3C MaxxTerra/EXO/TR; Rear: Maxxis DHR II, 29×2.4”WT, 3C MaxxTerra/EXO/TR
- Saddle: Nukeproof Horizon SL
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend
- Stem: Nukeproof Horizon
- Bars: Nukeproof Horizon 31.8mm, 25mm rise
- Headset: Nukeproof
- Top Cap: Vitus
- Tubeless Ready: Yes, with tubeless rim tape fitted and valves included
Overview
The Vitus Escarpe has geometry is not the most extreme you can get, but it’s modern with a 66-degree head angle and 450mm reach for a size medium bike. This makes it good for all day riding, but is also confidence inspiring for when the trail gets steep and technical.
This Vitus mountain bike is available with both 27.5″ and 29″ wheels, but you can’t just sweep the wheels, as the frames are wheel size specific.
The suspension is Fox’s Factory suspension, with a 150mm travel Fox 36 fork and a metric, trunnion-mounted Fox DPX2 controlling 140mm of travel at the back.
The bike doesn’t come tubeless, but it is tubeless ready, which I recommend using.
– Click here to learn about going tubeless
The finishing kit is a very good one and features Nukeproof bars, stem and saddle. The Horizon bars are a nice 780mm for a Size M, and stretch to 800mm for Size L and XL.
The frame has everything a modern frame should have. Its boost spacing stiffens up the wheels, and the ISCG-05 chainguide mounts will allow you to keep your chain on when riding particularly rough terrain.
For this price, some riders might expect to see a carbon frame. However, Vitus has taken the approach of using high end components on a perfectly serviceable 6061-T6 alloy frame. To me, I think this is a great idea. As quality and more durable components will benefit some riders more than a slightly lighter frame.
2019 Vitus Sommet
The Vitus Sommet is the bike you can take to the bike park, to a race and to the alps. This is thanks to its geometry and the excellent range of components that Vitus have put on it.
Specifactions
- Frame: 6061- T6 Alloy with modern geometry
- Forks: RockShox Yari CHARGER RC “Boost” 27.5”, 170mm
- Rear Shock: RockShox Super Delux R DB1T ML1 TS B1
- Brakes: SRAM Guide RE; 200/180 rotors
- Drivetrain: SRAM NX Eagle
- Shifter: SRAM NX Eagle
- Front Derailleur: N/A
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM NX Eagle
- Cassette: SRAM NX PG1230 Eagle 11-50T
- Chainset: SRAM NX Eagle Dub 170mm, 32T
- Chain: SRAM NX Eagle PowerLock 12-Speed
- Wheels: WTB ST i29
- Front Hub: Novatec D791SB-B15, 32H 110x15mm
- Rear Hub: Novatec D462SB-SL-S5S-B12-11S, 32H 148x12mm
- Tyres: Front: Maxxis Minion DHF 3C, 27.5×2.5”WT; Rear: Maxxis Minion DHF 3C, 27.5×2.5”WT
- Saddle: Nukeproof Neutron
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend
- Stem: Nukeproof Neutron
- Bars: Nukeproof Horizon, 31.8mm, 25mm rise
- Headset: Nukeproof
- Top Cap: Vitus
Overview
If enduro or downhill riding is more your thing, the Vitus Sommet it the one to go for. It a massive 170mm travel on the front and 160mm on the rear. It comes with 27.5in wheels and plus-size tyres, a carbon fibre frame and aggressive geometry. I have read a couple of reviews complaining that it is too heavy. My thoughts are, that it is an Enduro bike, so it isn’t going to be particularly light.
The high-quality frame of the Vitus Sommet Mountain Bike is backed up by a great components package. This includes a 170mm travel RockShox fork and rear shock that pivots on a sealed upper bearing, SRAM NX Eagle 1×12 gearing and SRAM Guide RE 4 piston disc brakes. The “Boost” tubeless ready wheels have clearance for up 2.6” wide tyres for extra grip, ISCG 05 chainguide mounts. This bike will be capable pretty much anywhere you take it.
Which one takes your fancy?
Personally, the Escarpe would be my choice due to the terrain I ride. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Lots of impressive bikes here, but my fave out of all of them is the Escarpe. It seems like a sturdy ride and durable. Which model would you choose if you were to do a mixture of off-roading/trail riding and city riding? Would the Escarpe be alright for both, in your opinion?
Hi Nate, thanks for the comment. I think for a mixture of riding, I would probably stick with a hardtail. The Nucleus would be sufficient for most riders, as long as you are not taking on big technical alpine terrain.
This Vitus Nucleus does look catchy and very impressive, and the price does look great.
But I love the Vitus Sommet the most, it looks like it will serve me the best for my purposes and it’s composition fits quite well with me.
But I didn’t see anything about the pricing, or did I somehow miss it?
Would love to know how much it goes for..
Thanks…
Hi Queen,
Thanks for your comment.
The Sommet is a really nice bike with a good spec. Currently you can get the Vitus Sommet NX for £1,699.99 or the higher spec CRS version for £2,699.99 (which comes with the GX Eagle 1×12 groupset) from Chainreaction Cycles. This is much cheaper that other manufacturers with similar components.
Hi Tom,
Thank you very much for sharing such an informative article with all the necessary information about “2019 Vitus Mountain Bikes”
I like the article very much.I was looking for a trail bike.But i couldn’t find the perfect one.But after reading this article i have found the best trail bike for me which is Vitus Escarpe.This is an amazing bike with full of wonderful features.The features of brakes has impressed me the most.I have gained all the thorough details of this vitus escarpe.The colour and design of these bike are spectaculars.I am going to buy this bike very soon.I will aslo share this article with my friends and relatives so that they can find the best bike for them
Is there more colours available in vitus escarpe?Can you inform me that how much it will cost me?
Hi MahbubA2,
Thanks for your comment, the colour you get depends on the specification. Therefore, I suggest you make your choice on the bike’s specification you need rather than the colour. Click here to check out the current prices and availability.
If you are struggling to decide which specification to go for, click here to learn how to choose your mountain bike.