2020 Vitus E Sommet VR: Guide
Vitus build some excellent value for money mountain bikes. But these bikes are real contenders in the mountain bike world and are up there with the big brands in their capability. The 2020 Vitus E Sommet VR sells out very quickly for a good reason. In this post, I am going to go into the details of the latest Vitus E Sommet to see why and to help you decide if this award-winning electric mountain bike is the one for you.
Who is it for?
The Vitus E Sommet VR is an electric enduro bike. Therefore, it is for those that want a truly capable electric mountain bike that is very well priced. The whole experience this bike gives you for your money is the intelligent choice for people that want a bike that will take them anywhere and make sure they are grinning from ear to ear the whole way.
Details
The 2020 Vitus E Sommet VR is an efficient electric mountain bike that couples aggressive geometry and quality components for a fantastic ride. It is based around the “normal” Vitus Sommet enduro bike but has the advantage of electric power assistance. The significant advantage of this is that you can ride further and longer than before (no matter how fit or unfit you are).
This bike comes with three different modes, offering various levels of assistance:
- Eco
- Trail
- Boost
These simple modes take any guesswork out of riding, which means that you don’t have to think about it while you are riding.
Assistance comes from the Shimano Steps E7000 motor, which is a more affordable version of the E8000. This is one of the ways Vitus have made the E Sommet VR more affordable, but it as also smaller and lighter, which has its own benefits. You can tweak it to your own preference by downloading an app to your phone. It may not be as flashy as the E8000, but it will suit the needs of the majority of riders. It takes about two hours to charge the battery from flat to about 80% to get you back on your bike as soon as possible. But the new Vitus E Sommet VR is just about the motor.
Components
The Fox Float 36 Rhythm eBike is specific for electric mountain bikes. This is beefed up to cope with the extra weight associated with electric mountain bikes. This gives you 170mm of travel to soak up the biggest hits from the newly found tech trails you will find. At the rear, you will find a Fox Float DPX2 Performance Elite with 160mm of travel. This setup gives you very well balanced ride characteristics.
As if the Vitus E Sommet VR isn’t easy enough to pedal, it is also equipped with the SRAM Eagle SX 12 speed drivetrain. This is brilliant on a regular bike, let alone an electric mountain bike.
Electric mountain bikes need the rider to exaggerate the input they put into it. Therefore, Vitus has equipped the E Sommet VR with wide handlebars and a perfectly matched stem length. The saddle has extra padding to help with comfort on those extended rides.
Geometry
The geometry of the Vitus E Sommet VR is up there with the more aggressive enduro mountain bikes on the market. This has a very slack head angle and nice long reach and a mid-sized chainstay length. You will be hard pushed to find an electric mountain bike with better figures. The riding position and handling are very similar to “regular” enduro bikes.
Ride Characteristics
With the Maxxis Assegai tyres and the superb riding position, the Vitus E Sommet VR is a very capable bike. The modern geometry instils confidence, and the component list is made up of high-quality parts. The brakes are the same SRAM Guide RE, I have on my Nukeproof Mega, and these are brilliant and are easy to modulate with lots of stopping power. This is important on a bike that handles this well.
These handling characteristics come from geometry that you will find on high-end enduro bikes. It puts you in a commanding riding position that makes it super fun to ride. Having the electrical assistance to get you up the steepest climbs and to power, you along the flat parts makes your grin even wider.
2020 Vitus E Sommet Range
The 2020 Vitus E Sommet VR is probably the version that you will see them on the trails the most. However, there are four different versions. Here are all the details.
Vitus E-Sommet
This is the entry-level version of the Vitus E-Sommet range. It is perfect for those that want to scratch their electric mountain bike itch. The specification isn’t as high as the VR, but it is a great way to access the trails that you wouldn’t usually be able to get to with a regular bike. It has 160mm of travel to soak up the bumps, which is more than enough for most people’s needs.
Specifications
- Frame: eSommet 27.5″ 160mm travel full suspension eMTB frame, Boost, 6061 Alloy, Shimano STEPS compatible
- Fork: RockShox 35 GOLD RL 160mm, 27.5″ Maxle Lite, Boost 15x110mm, Debonair, 44mm offset
- Rear Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select R, 205×65 Debonair, 3 Tokens, LL Tune, Trunnion, 22mm x 8mm
- Headset: ACROS, ZS 44mm/56mm
- Handlebar: Nukeproof Neutron, AL7050, 25mm Rise, 25mm Rise, Width – S-760mm, M-780mm, L-800mm, XL-800mm, 31.8mm bar diameter
- Stem: Vitus, 50mm, 31.8mm bar diameter, 3deg rise, stack 45mm
- Grip: Vitus, Tapered, single alloy clamp, sticky rubber
- Rims: WTB SERRA i29, 27.5″, 29mm inner rim width
- Hubs: Front: WTB SERRA i29, Boost 110x15mm, 6-bolt Disc; Rear: Boost 148x12mm, 6-bolt Disc, Shimano 11-speed Freehub
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai, 27.5″x2.5″WT, 3C MaxxGrip/DD/TR
- Spokes: WTB
- Chain: KMC e10T EPT Anti-Rust (Turbo High Durability)
- Crankset: Shimano E8000 34T 160mm, Chain Line 53mm
- Brakes: SRAM Guide T, 200mm Centerline Rotor
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore 10-Speed, RD-M6000, GS 10-Speed, Shadow Plus
- Shifter: Shimano Deore 10-Speed, SL-M6000-IR, 10-Speed RapidFire, I-Spec II
- Freewheel: Sunrace 11-46T, CSMS2 10-speed 11-46T ED-BLACK
- Saddle: Nukeproof Neutron
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend, 31.6mm, left hand remote lever, S-100mm, M-125mm, L-150mm, XL-170mm
- Battery: Shimano E8010 500wh
- Battery Charger: EC-E6002-1
- Drive Unit: Shimano E7000, 60Nm Torque, Drive Unit Cover SM-DUE70
- Weight: 22.91kg
Vitus E-Sommet VR
The VR is the one I have been talking about. It has a great list of components, and this is the one you should go for if you can stretch to the extra cost. Having said that, it is still an excellent value for money electric mountain bike.
Specifications
- Frame: eSommet 27.5″ 160mm travel full suspension eMTB frame, Boost, 6061 Alloy, Shimano STEPS compatible
- Fork: Fox Float 36 Rhythm eBike 170mm, 27.5″, Grip Damper, Kabolt 110, 44mm Offset
- Rear Shock: Fox Float DPX2 Performance Elite, Compression Adjust Dial, Trunnion, Evol LV air spring, 205mm x 65mm, 0.6 Spacer, custom tune
- Headset: ACROS, ZS 44mm/56mm
- Handlebar: Nukeproof Horizon, AL7050, 25mm Rise, Back 9-deg, up 6-deg, Bar Diameter 31.8mm, Width – S-780mm, M-780mm, L-800mm, XL-800mm
- Stem: Nukeproof Neutron, 45mm, 31.8mm bar diameter, 0-deg rise
- Grip: Vitus, Tapered, single alloy clamp, sticky rubber
- Rims: DT Swiss H1900 Spline 30, eMTB specific, 27.5″, 30mm inner rim width
- Hubs: Front: DT Swiss H1900 Spline 30, eMTB specific, Boost 110x15mm, 6-bolt Disc; Rear: DT Swiss H1900 Spline 30, eMTB specific, Boost 148x12mm, 6-bolt Disc, Shimano 11-speed steel freehub
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai, 27.5″x2.5″WT, 3C MaxxGrip/DD/TR
- Spokes: DT Swiss
- Chain: SRAM SX Eagle
- Crankset: Shimano E8000 34T 160mm, Chainline 53mm
- Brakes: SRAM Guide RE, 200mm Centerline Rotor
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed
- Shifter: SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed, eMTB single click
- Freewheel: SRAM SX Eagle 11-50T, PG1210
- Saddle: Nukeproof Neutron
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend, 31.6mm, left hand remote lever, S-100mm, M-125mm, L-150mm, XL-170mm
- Battery: Shimano E8010 500wh
- Battery Charger: Shimano EC-E6002-1
- Drive Unit: Shimano E7000, Drive Unit Cover SM-DUE70
- Weight: 22.94kg
Vitus E-Sommet VRS
This beautiful looking bike has upgraded components over the VR. It has better suspension and a stunning paint job.
Specifications
- Frame: eSommet 27.5″ 160mm travel full suspension eMTB frame, Boost, 6061 Alloy, Shimano STEPS compatible
- Fork: Fox Float 36 Performance eBike 170mm, 27.5″, Grip Damper, Kabolt 110, 44mm Offset
- Rear Shock: Fox Float DPX2 Performance Elite, Compression Adjust Dial, Trunnion, Evol LV air spring, 205mm x 65mm, 0.6 Spacer, custom tune
- Headset: ACROS, ZS 44mm/56mm
- Handlebar: Nukeproof Horizon, AL7050, 25mm Rise, Back 9-deg, up 6-deg, Bar Diameter 31.8mm, Width – S-780mm, M-780mm, L-800mm, XL-800mm
- Stem: Nukeproof Neutron, 45mm, 31.8mm bar diameter, 0-deg rise
- Grip: Vitus, Tapered, single alloy clamp, sticky rubber
- Rims: DT Swiss H1700 Spline 30, eMTB specific, 27.5″, 30mm inner rim width
- Hubs: Front: DT Swiss H1700 Spline 30, eMTB specific, Boost 110x15mm, 6-bolt Disc; Rear: DT Swiss H1700 Spline 30, eMTB specific. Boost 148x12mm, 6-bolt Disc, Shimano 12spd MicroSpline steel freehub
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai, 27.5″x2.5″WT, 3C MaxxGrip/DD/TR
- Spokes: DT Swiss
- Chain: Shimano SLX 12-speed
- Crankset: Shimano E8000 34T 160mm, Chainline 53mm
- Brakes: SRAM Guide RE, 200mm Centerline Rotor
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT, 12-speed, RD-M8100, SGS 12-Speed, Top Normal, Shadow Plus
- Shifter: Shimano XT 12-speed, M8100, 12-Speed RapidFire Plus
- Freewheel: Shimano SLX 12-speed 10-51T, CS-M7100-12, HyperGlide+, 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51T
- Saddle: WTB Volt 142 COMP
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend, 31.6mm, left hand remote lever, S-100mm, M-125mm, L-150mm, XL-170mm
- Battery: Shimano E8010 500wh
- Battery Charger: Shimano EC-E6000-6
Vitus E-Sommet VRX
Sitting at the top of the range is the VRX. This comes with eh Fox Float 36 Factory FIT GRIP fork and the Fox Float DPX2 Factory shock. These offer lots of adjustability and give a progressive feel with even better ride characteristics.
Specifications
- Frame: eSommet 27.5″ 160mm travel full suspension eMTB frame, Boost, 6061 Alloy, Shimano STEPS compatible
- Fork: Fox Float 36 Factory FIT GRIP 2 eBIKE 170mm, 27.5″, Light Compression Tune, HSC/LSC/HSR/LSR adjusters, Kabolt 110, 44mm Offset
- Rear Shock: Fox Float DPX2 Factory, Compression Adjust Dial, Trunnion, Evol LV air spring, 205mm x 65mm, 0.6 Spacer, custom tune
- Headset: ACROS, ZS 44mm/56mm
- Handlebar: Nukeproof Horizon, AL7050, 25mm Rise, Back 9-deg, up 6-deg, Bar Diameter 31.8mm, Width – S-780mm, M-780mm, L-800mm, XL-800mm
- Stem: Nukeproof Horizon, 50mm, 31.8mm
- Grip: Vitus, Tapered, single alloy clamp, sticky rubber
- Rims: HX 1501 Spline Black 30, eMTB specific, 27.5″, 30mm inner rim width
- Hubs: Front: HX 1501 Spline Black 30, eMTB specific, Boost 110x15mm, 6-bolt Disc; Rear: HX 1501 Spline Black 30, eMTB specific, Boost 148x12mm, 6-bolt Disc, Shimano 12-speed MicroSpline steel freehub
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai, 27.5″x2.5″WT, 3C MaxxGrip/DD/TR
- Spokes: DT Swiss
- Chain: Shimano XT 12-speed
- Crankset: Shimano E8000 34T 160mm, Chainline 53mm
- Brakes: Shimano XT M8120 4 piston, metal pad (with fin), SM-RT76 203mm rotor
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR 12-speed, RD-M9100, Shadow Plus
- Shifter: Shimano XT 12-speed, SL-M8100-R, I-Spec EV
- Freewheel: Shimano XT-12-speed 10-51T, CS-M8100-12, 10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-33-39-45-51T
- Saddle: WTB Volt 142 RACE
- Seatpost: Brand X Ascend, 31.6mm, left hand remote lever, S-100mm, M-125mm, L-150mm, XL-170mm
- Battery: Shimano E8010 500wh
- Battery Charger: Shimano EC-E6000-6
- Drive Unit: Shimano E8000, Drive Unit Cover SM-DUE80-A
- Weight: 22.30kg
Final Thoughts
If you want a great electric mountain bike that is a relatively low cost, but with excellent components and ride characteristics, the 2020 Vitus E Sommet range is worth checking out. The VR is the best value for money and is the one people are going to buy the most of. These sell out quickly, so I suggest you get yours on order as quickly as possible.
