2021 Vitus Nucleus Overview
2021 Vitus Nucleus Overview
The Nucleus has been underpinning Vitus since the brand’s launch in 2009. This bike’s forté is to bring accessibility to mountain biking without the rider needing to compromise. In 2020 Vitus brought us the Mythique, which is a superb entry-level trail bike, which is well worth looking at if you want your first full-suspension mountain bike. But, in this post, I am going to go over the refinements and specifications of the 2021 Vitus Nucleus.
What Is The 2021 Vitus Nucleus?
The Vitus Nucleus has been MBR’s hardtail of the year three years running. It is priced and designed to be a quality entry-level mountain bike. It has aggressive geometry that makes your first proper mountain bike super fun to ride.
It really makes sense for manufacturers to build bikes for beginner riders in a way that makes them fun. If you have a dull or terrible first mountain bike, you are not going to fall in love with the sport. And this is something bike manufacturers don’t want, as they want you to keep coming back to them as you progress as a rider.
However, just because the Vitus nucleus is an entry-level bike, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t capable. It comes with quality components that are durable and help you develop your skills.
Another great thing about the 2021 Vitus Nucleus, is that as soon as you take delivery of it, it is ready to go. You don’t need to upgrade anything until you feel you are ready. The geometry is spot on for a fun and capable hardtail, and there are several specifications to choose from.
For 2021, the most significant change to the Vitus Nucleus, is the 1x drivetrain. This is something that most people convert their bikes to, if it doesn’t already have one. If you are not sure, a 1x drivetrain has one gear on the chainring, rather than two or three.
1x drivetrains are easier to look after, as there is no front derailleur and you are less likely to drop your chain on bumpy terrain.
What Is Notable On The 2021 Vitus Nucleus?
For 2021, the most significant change to the Vitus Nucleus is the 1x drivetrain. This is something that most people convert their bikes to if it doesn’t already have one. If you are not sure, a 1x drivetrain has one gear on the chainring, rather than two or three.
1x drivetrains are easier to look after (which is another reason why it is a good entry-level bike), as there is no front derailleur and you are less likely to drop your chain on bumpy terrain.
There are a few different specifications available for the 2021 Vitus Nucleus, to suit your budget. Part of this variety is the fact that you can choose between models with either 27.5″ or 29″ wheels.
27.5″ (also known as 650b) wheels give a mountain bike nimble handling, while 29″ wheels allow you to roll over bumps easier. This means that a 29″ wheeled bike is faster in a straight line over rough terrain, but a 27.5″ wheeled bike changes direction easier.
Which wheel size you choose is down to personal preference, but if you are a taller rider, a 29er may be best for you.
Components
Even though the 2021 Vitus Nucleus is regarded as an entry-level mountain bike, depending on which version you go for, it has components that put more expensive bikes to shame.
For a mountain bike at this price, the air-sprung Suntour fork is not bad at all. This fork is lighter than a coil spring and is adjustable, allowing you to get it feeling just right for you. The 27.5″ bikes have 120mm of travel and the 29ers 100mm.
The wide handlebars use a short stem, giving you lots of control, especially when you are descending techy terrain. The hydraulic disc brakes give you control and are easier to modulate than mechanical ones.
Many bikes in this price range come with poor quality tyres. But, the WTB and Schwalbe tyres on the 2021 Vitus Nucleus give a great balance between grip and rolling resistance.
Geometry
The geometry of the 2021 Vitus Nucleus is set up to be aggressive. This is to make it as fun as possible for its riders. The 66.5 degree head angle makes it ideal for trail riding, while the 73 degree seat angle makes your pedalling efficient.
You would say that the geometry of the 2021 Vitus Nucleus is “low and slack”. This is in keeping with the modern trends of the mountain bike industry. These characteristics make bikes stable on technical descents and makes them great at cornering. All this adds up to a competent and fun bike to ride.
Who Is The 2021 Vitus Nucleus For?
The 2021 Vitus Nucleus is the ideal mountain bike for someone that wants to get into the sport. The excellent specification design creates an incredibly fun bike to ride.
2021 Vitus Nucleus Models
2021 Vitus Nucleus VR
Specifications
27.5"
- Frame: Nucleus Aluminium 6061-t6 BSA Threaded Bb, IS Disc Brake Mounts, 135mm x 9mm QR
- Fork: SR Suntour XCR32 Air Lor Ds 27.5″ Tapered Alloy Steerer, 120mm Travel, Post Mount Disc Brake Mounts, 100mm x 9mm QR
- Headset: FSA No:57b 1-1/8″ Upper 1.5″ Bottom
- Handlebar: Nukeproof Neutron V2 Riser 6061 Alloy, 25mm Rise, 9° Back Sweep, 760mm Wide S/m, 780mm Wide L/xl 31.8mm
- Stem: Vitus 50mm Alloy, 50mm Reach, 3° Rise
- Grip(Tape): Vitus Lock On
- Front Rim: WTB ST I30 TCS 2.0, 27.5″, 32h TCS Tubeless Tape Fitted
- Rear Rim: WTB ST I30 TCS 2.0, 27.5″, 32h TCS Tubeless Tape Fitted
- Front Hub: Vitus KT K68f 32h, 6 Bolt, 100mm x 9mm Qr
- Rear Hub: Vitus KT K68r, 32h, 6 Bolt, 135mm x 9mm Qr
- Front Tyre: Wtb Vigilante Comp High Grip Compound, 27.5″ x 2.3”
- Rear Tyre: Wtb Trail Boss Comp 27.5″ x 2.25”
- Spokes: Vitus
- Chain: Box Four 8 Speed 112 Link
- Crankset: Samox 170mm, Narrow Wide Chainring, 32t
- Bottom Bracket: BSA
- Front Brake Set: Tektro Hd-m275
- Rear Brake Set: Tektro Hd-m275
- Rotors: Tektro Tr180-tr160 180mm Front, 160mm Rear, 6 Bolt
- Rear Derailleur: Box Four 8 Speed Wide W/ Clutch
- Rear Shifter: Box Four 8 Speed Multi Shifter
- Freewheel: Sunrace 11-42t 8 Speed
- Saddle: Nukeproof Neutron
- Seat Post: Vitus 6061 Alloy, 31.6mm x 400mm, 0mm Offset
- Seat Screw: Vitus Bolt 34.9mm
29"
- Frame: Nucleus Aluminium 6061-t6 BSA Threaded Bb, IS Disc Brake Mounts, 135mm x 9mm QR
- Fork: SR Suntour XCR32 Air Lor Ds 29” Tapered Alloy Steerer, 100mm Travel, Post Mount Disc Brake Mounts, 100mm x 9mm QR
- Headset: FSA No:57b 1-1/8″ Upper 1.5″ Bottom
- Handlebar: Nukeproof Neutron V2 Riser 6061 Alloy, 25mm Rise, 9° Back Sweep, 760mm Wide S/m, 780mm Wide L/xl 31.8mm
- Stem: Vitus 50mm Alloy, 50mm Reach, 3° Rise
- Grip(Tape): Vitus Lock On
- Front Rim: WTB ST I30 TCS 2.0, 29”, 32h TCS Tubeless Tape Fitted
- Rear Rim: WTB ST I30 TCS 2.0, 29”, 32h TCS Tubeless Tape Fitted
- Front Hub: Vitus KT K68f 32h, 6 Bolt, 100mm x 9mm Qr
- Rear Hub: Vitus KT K68r, 32h, 6 Bolt, 135mm x 9mm Qr
- Front Tyre: Wtb Vigilante Comp High Grip Compound, 29” x 2.3”
- Rear Tyre: Wtb Trail Boss Comp 29” x 2.25”
- Spokes: Vitus
- Chain: Box Four 8 Speed 112 Link
- Crankset: Samox 170mm, Narrow Wide Chainring, 32t
- Bottom Bracket: BSA
- Front Brake Set: Tektro Hd-m275
- Rear Brake Set: Tektro Hd-m275
- Rotors: Tektro Tr180-tr160 180mm Front, 160mm Rear, 6 Bolt
- Rear Derailleur: Box Four 8 Speed Wide W/ Clutch
- Rear Shifter: Box Four 8 Speed Multi Shifter
- Freewheel: Sunrace 11-42t 8 Speed
- Saddle: Nukeproof Neutron
- Seat Post: Vitus 6061 Alloy, 31.6mm x 400mm, 0mm Offset
- Seat Screw: Vitus Bolt 34.9mm
2021 Vitus Nucleus VRS
Specifications
27.5"
- Frame: Nucleus Aluminium 6061-t6 BSA Threaded Bb, IS Disc Brake Mounts, 135mm x 9mm QR
- Fork: SR Suntour xCR32 Boost Air Lor Ds 27.5″ Tapered Alloy Steerer, 120mm Travel, Post Mount Disc Brake Mounts, 110mm x 15mm Thru Axle
- Headset: FSA No:57b 1-1/8″ Upper 1.5″ Bottom
- Handlebar: Nukeproof Neutron V2 Riser 6061 Alloy, 25mm Rise, 9° Back Sweep, 760mm Wide S/m, 780mm Wide L/xl 31.8mm
- Stem: Vitus 50mm Alloy, 50mm Reach, 3° Rise
- Grip(Tape): Vitus Lock On
- Front Rim: Wtb St I30 Tcs 2.0, 27.5″, 32h TCS Tubeless Tape Fitted
- Rear Rim: Wtb St I30 Tcs 2.0, 27.5″, 32h RCS Tubeless Tape Fitted
- Front Hub: Vitus Kt K68f 32h, 6 Bolt, 100mm x 9mm Qr
- Rear Hub: Vitus Kt K68r, 32h, 6 Bolt, 135mm x 9mm Qr
- Front Tyre: WTB Vigilante Comp High Grip Compound, 27.5″ x 2.3”
- Rear Tyre: WTB Trail Boss Comp 27.5″ x 2.25”
- Spokes: Vitus
- Chain: KMC x10 10 Speed 114l
- Crankset: Shimano Deore M5100 170mm, 30t
- Bottom Bracket: Shimano Bb52, BSA
- Front Brake Set: Tektro Hd-m290
- Rear Brake Set: Tektro Hd-m290
- Rotors: Tektro Tr180-tr160 180mm Front, 160mm Rear, 6 Bolt
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore M5120, Shadow Plus, Long Cage, 10 Speed
- Rear Shifter: Shimano Deore M4100 Rapidfire Plus, 10 Speed
- Freewheel: Sunrace 11-46t 10 Speed
- Saddle: Nukeproof Neutron
- Seat Post: Vitus 6061 Alloy, 31.6mm x 400mm, 0mm Offset
- Seat Screw: Vitus Bolt 34.9mm
29"
- Frame: Nucleus Aluminium 6061-t6 BSA Threaded Bb, IS Disc Brake Mounts, 135mm x 9mm QR
- Fork: SR Suntour xCR32 Boost Air Lor Ds 29” Tapered Alloy Steerer, 120mm Travel, Post Mount Disc Brake Mounts, 110mm x 15mm Thru Axle
- Headset: FSA No:57b 1-1/8″ Upper 1.5″ Bottom
- Handlebar: Nukeproof Neutron V2 Riser 6061 Alloy, 25mm Rise, 9° Back Sweep, 760mm Wide S/m, 780mm Wide L/xl 31.8mm
- Stem: Vitus 50mm Alloy, 50mm Reach, 3° Rise
- Grip(Tape): Vitus Lock On
- Front Rim: Wtb St I30 Tcs 2.0, 29”, 32h TCS Tubeless Tape Fitted
- Rear Rim: Wtb St I30 Tcs 2.0, 29”, 32h RCS Tubeless Tape Fitted
- Front Hub: Vitus Kt K68f 32h, 6 Bolt, 100mm x 9mm Qr
- Rear Hub: Vitus Kt K68r, 32h, 6 Bolt, 135mm x 9mm Qr
- Front Tyre: WTB Vigilante Comp High Grip Compound, 29” x 2.3”
- Rear Tyre: WTB Trail Boss Comp 29” x 2.25”
- Spokes: Vitus
- Chain: KMC x10 10 Speed 114l
- Crankset: Shimano Deore M5100 170mm, 30t
- Bottom Bracket: Shimano Bb52, BSA
- Front Brake Set: Tektro Hd-m290
- Rear Brake Set: Tektro Hd-m290
- Rotors: Tektro Tr180-tr160 180mm Front, 160mm Rear, 6 Bolt
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore M5120, Shadow Plus, Long Cage, 10 Speed
- Rear Shifter: Shimano Deore M4100 Rapidfire Plus, 10 Speed
- Freewheel: Sunrace 11-46t 10 Speed
- Saddle: Nukeproof Neutron
- Seat Post: Vitus 6061 Alloy, 31.6mm x 400mm, 0mm Offset
- Seat Screw: Vitus Bolt 34.9mm
- Weight: TBC
2021 Vitus Nucleus VRW
Specifications
Only Available With 27.5" Wheels
- Frame: Nucleus Aluminium 6061-t6 BSA Threaded Bb, Is Disc Brake Mounts, 135mm x 9mm QR
- Fork: SR Suntour xcr32 Air Lor Ds 27.5” Tapered Alloy Steerer, 120mm Travel, Post Mount Disc Brake Mounts, 100mm x 9mm QR
- Headset: FSA No:57b 1-1/8″ Upper 1.5″ Bottom
- Handlebar: Nukeproof Neutron V2 Riser 6061 Alloy, 25mm Rise, 9° Back Sweep, 760mm Wide 31.8mm
- Stem: Vitus 50mm Alloy, 50mm Reach, 3° Rise
- Grip(Tape): Vitus Lock On
- Front Rim: WTB St I30 TCS 2.0, 27.5”, 32h. TCS Tubeless Tape Fitted
- Rear Rim: WTB St I30 TCS 2.0, 27.5”, 32h. TCS Tubeless Tape Fitted
- Front Hub: Vitus KT K68f 32h, 6 Bolt, 100mm x 9mm QR
- Rear Hub: Vitus KT K68r 32h, 6 Bolt, 135mm x 9mm QR
- Front Tyre: WTB Vigilante Comp High Grip Compound, 27.5” x 2.3”
- Rear Tyre: WTB Trail Boss Comp 27.5” x 2.25”
- Spokes: Vitus
- Chain: Box Four 8 Speed 112 Link
- Crankset: Samox 170mm, Narrow Wide Chainring, 32t
- Bottom Bracket: BSA
- Front Brake Set: Tektro Hd-m275
- Rear Brake Set: Tektro Hd-m275
- Rotors: Tektro Tr180-tr160 180mm Front, 160mm Rear, 6 Bolt
- Rear Derailleur: Box Four 8 Speed Wide with Clutch
- Rear Shifter: Box Four 8 Speed Multi Shifter
- Freewheel: Sunrace 11-42t 8 Speed
- Saddle: Nukeproof Neutron
- Seat Post: Vitus 6061 Alloy, 31.6mm x 400mm, 0mm Offset
- Seat Screw: Vitus Bolt 34.9mm
Are You Going To Buy A 2021 Vitus Nucleus?
If so, let me know, also if you have any questions or thoughts on this bike, please let me know in the comments section below.
Pingback: Vitus Sentier: Everything you need to know -