The 3rd bike in our upcoming Ti Hard, Titanium hardtail magazine bike test is this Kingdom Vendetta X2, custom built with matching orange decals and pre-production titanium stem.
Kingdom makes a range of hardtail and full-suspension Titanium bikes, all hand welded and left in a rather lovely clear raw finish to show off those buttery joins.
The Vendetta X2 is actually the most affordable Ti frame in the Kingdom range but offers many of the same features and Ti-3Al-2.5V aircraft grade Titanium tubing as the more costly Vendetta hardtail.
Pre-order pricing on a Vendetta X2 is €999, or you can pay €1,099 if you buy a frame that’s already in stock, which also means faster arrival time. In comparison, a standard Vendetta will set you back €1,799.
While both versions of the Vendetta hardtail are made by the same master craftspeople, the X2 version of the bike has been simplified and streamlined to reduce manufacturing costs.
For example, the Vendetta X2 uses a more cost-effective straight 44 head tube rather than the more costly CNC tapered version found on the standard bike.
Cable/hose routing on the X2 is all external, which again saves time and money when manufacturing. Interestingly though this might be a selling point for some riders who prefer hosing and cabling on the outside of their bikes too.
Rear disc mounts are tab versions rather than post mounted, and dropouts are rounded Breezer style rather than Kingdom’s own CNC versions.
Another major difference between the Vendetta and Vendetta X2 is that the X2 is an off the shelf frame meaning there are no customisation options, but thankfully the geo is pretty good and should suit a wide variety of riders.
We have a medium sized Kingdom Vendetta X2 in for test which has a 442mm reach, 64.5° head angle and incredibly low standover of just 735mm. With the Revive dropper post slammed into the frame and saddle dropped, the X2 is verging on dirt jumper in the looks dept.
It’s clear that Kingdom has built the Vendetta X2 to accommodate riders who like to ride hard, hit the off-piste slopes and even munch miles on an XC loop too. So a pretty versatile bike all in.
Our test bike comes built with some rather lovely items including a prototype welded titanium stem from Kingdom which weighs just 135g.
The other items are just as mouthwatering. Sixth Element carbon rims come laced to Hope Pro 4 hubs with matching orange decals. A 150mm travel Cane Creek Helm Air fork keeps the front wheel grounded and mounts to that Ti stem via a Cane Creek headset.
UK component brand Burgtec sees action in the saddle, handlebar and grips department, while a Bike Yoke Revive dropper offers silky smooth saddle dropping action.
SRAM makes up the rest of the build. An 11 speed 1x GX drivetrain moves the Vendetta X2 while powerful SRAM Guide RS 4 pots bring you to a halt.
We’ll be testing the Kingdom Vendetta X2, along with the Sonder Signal Ti and Nordest Bardino for our upcoming Ti hardtail bike test coming to the next issue of Singletrack Magazine.
If you have any questions about the Vendetta X2 or the build, feel free to ask us in the comments section below.
Comments (10)
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What other two bikes/frames are being tested out of interest?
If I had to guess I’d say the Sonder Signal Ti and Nordest Bardino
@Rubber_Buccaneer wow! What a guess 😉
As it’s Ti, why the need to clear coat it?
@Andy R sorry “clear raw finish”
Hmmm. It’s a little nicer than the Sonder, but that Nordest is prerry burly looking. Wouldn’t kick any out of the shed though. I never thought I’d lust after a 29er either.
What does it weigh ? (the complete bike… medium)
And what does the frame weigh ?
Front mech compatibility?
I’m hazarding a guess at no front mech compatibility? Just confirmed my susisions with a quick look on their website. No mention of it. It’s a modern aggressive hardtail. You can ride long distances on them, but that’s not their primary function.
I built up a X2 this spring. Originally ordered a Large but swapped it out for an Extra-Large as I couldn’t find a seatpost long enough. The frame detail is really nice and the frame weight is about 2 kg IIRC but this isn’t a noodly XC Ti jobby.
Running GX Eagle and Fox Float 34s @ 130 mm I did the Transmaurienne event on it this July, wearing 650b+ rubber. I didn’t win (:D) but I did my 180ish km and 7000 odd metres of climbing without any grumbles. The elites were far ahead so no idea for them but I was making climbs where many many others were walking/shuffling, so, given the angles, I gave my X2 a pretty severe climbing test, and it was all good.
The way downs were a hoot, super glad not to be on a steep carbon HT. I also liked the 2.8″ tyres giving me plenty of margin for error smashing into rocks. I suppose a ST FS would technically be better for the event but seeing as I don’t have one I’d certainly do the Transmaurienne on the X2 again.
The following week I did some uplifted DH at Aussois on the X2. Again, all good and nice having a HT to excuse going slower than the sled-riders. That said, I did get complimented by a local group on technique and speed, which promptly went to my head and I had a glorious crash a couple of corners later.
I’m currently running the X2 as a 29er SS on my home trails. And loving that too.