2023 Vitus Mythique: First Ride Review

The Vitus Mythique originally came out as price tag-centric offering. It was never declared anywhere as such but it looked like it was intended as a Bossnut beater.

• Brand: Vitus
• Product: Mythique 27 VRX
• Price: £2,099.99
• From: Vitus Bikes
• Review by: Benji, Amanda and Rhys for A Month

The Calibre Bossnut kind of came out of nowhere and was an instant hit with its capable geometry and spec combined with a circa £1k price.

Now that the market has calmed down a bit, and the Bossnut hype has dwindled as the Bossnut appears to be no more, Vitus have redesigned and repositioned the Mythique. It’s still a value conscious bike but it’s not a range that appears to be overwhelmed or compromised by a complete focus on the bottom line.

The first Mythique bikes looked a lot like they used frameset components from existing Vitus models (the Escarpe mainly). The new 2023 Mythiques look like they are wholly originally from the get-go. They will share some things like bearings and associated hardware from the Vitus Escarpe and Sommet, but that’s because it makes sense and benefits everyone, as opposed to purely being a cost-based decision.

The original Mythique did pretty well in reviews at the time but Vitus clearly want to go one better. They say they want to make the Mythique a decent trail bike in its own right that people can keep and upgrade bits on to over the years. It’s not meant to just be a My First Full Susser anymore.

As some point in early 2023 Vitus will be making the Mythique available as just a frameset. Which is a statement in itself.

Let’s quickly rattle through the key points in as concise way as possible so we can get to the ‘how it rides’ part.

Vitus Mythique nutshelled:

• 140mm/140mm travel (apart from VR which is 130/130mm).
• 29in oir 27.5 models.
• Fully redesigned alloy frames.
• 0.5° slacker head angle (65.5°)
• 1.5° steeper seat angle (77.5°)
• Increased dropper post insertion.
• 430 to 510mm reach range.
• UDH mech hanger.
• Trunnion mount with bearing eyelet.
• Metric shock (185 x 55mm).
• 22% progression rate (coil friendly).
• Externally routed everything (apart from dropper post finale section).
• Slightly increased anti-rise (though still relatively low as with most 4-bar designs).
• Modest anti-squat numbers; Vitus say they don’t like anti-squat to go over 100% and prefer to pedal ‘against’ the midstroke as opposed to relying on chain tension.
• Double row bearings used in main pivot (more durable and laterally stiffer).
• Mythique VR £1,599.99.
• Mythique VRS £1,899.99.
• Mythique VRX £2,099.99.
• Mythique AMP £2,399.99.

Here’s a gallery of the different Vitus Mythique models’ studio pics and their specs:

Yes, we can’t wait to have a go on the 29 AMP Mythique either. ETA is currently “early 2023”.

2023 Vitus Mythique VRX first ride review

We’ve actually had the VRX version for a few weeks now. I know, sneaky right? A full review will be going in Singletrack World Magazine issue 147, but here’s a brief first thoughts from our test pilot collective:

The Mythique is a stylish modern looking trail machine and it rides just as well as it looks. Vitus have created an entry level trail shredder without the limiting entry level geometry of old that seemed to linger in the lower end of most brands ranges longer than it should have.

Overall suspension and chassis performance is excellent at this price point. Although the spring and damper units themselves are fairly basic, they are the entry level models to the top flight of suspension components and therefore the basic engineering is spot on.

The updated Mythique will no doubt make a great bike for many riders. I can’t help but feel it’s aimed at those getting into the sport; its competent character and good looks will no doubt result in a fruitfully progressive relationship.

The smaller wheeled model here may even be suited towards smaller or younger riders. Its bigger wheeled brethren would make a fine trail shredding partner for taller folk.

Specification

• Frame // 6061-T6 Alloy, 140mm
• Shock // RockShox Deluxe Select R, 185x55mm
• Fork // Marzocchi Bomber Z2
• Wheels // WTB ST Light i30 TCS 2.0 rims on Vitus hubs
• Front Tyre // Maxxis High Roller II 27.5 x 2.3in
• Rear Tyre // Maxxis High Roller II 27.5 x 2.3in
• Chainset // Shimano Deore 510, 30T, 170mm
• Shifter // Shimano Deore M6100
• Rear Mech // Shimano SLX M7100
• Cassette // Shimano Deore M6100 ,10-51T
• Brakes // Shimano MT501, 180/180mm
• Stem // Nukeproof Neutron, 45mm, 31.8mm
• Bars // Nukeproof Nuetron V2 Riser, 760mm, 25mm, 31.8mm
• Grips // Vitus Lock-ON
• Seatpost // Brand-X Ascend, 125mm
• BB // Shimano
• Size Tested // M
• Sizes Available // S, M, L, XL
• Weight // TBC

Geometry of our size M

• Head angle // 65.5°
• Effective seat angle // 77.5°
• Seat tube length // 410mm
• Head tube length // 120mm
• Chainstay // 435mm
• Wheelbase // 1,207mm
• Effective top tube // 595mm
• BB height // 22mm drop
• Reach // 460mm

vitusbikes.com

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Review Info

Brand:	Vitus
Product:	Mythique 27 VRX
From:	vitusbikes.com
Price:	£2,099.99
Tested:	by Benji. Amanda and Rhys for A Month

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