[Closed] Vitus Escarpe 29 2019

A £2k+ bike constitutes an “Aldi way of thinking?!?

It does in comparison to any of the main brands

I've got a 2018 escarpe VR which has exactly the same frame as the 2019 models, yeah the spec is very good however I'd say the frame is the biggest limitations, it's not going to be light, and although it's not bad as such, for me it would feel out of place on a 3k bike with all that stuff hanging off it.

Depends if you like having top end components hanging off an average frame, or slightly less good components on a really good frame.

I had a 2017 model and loved it. Used it for everything from long days in the saddle to uplift at Stinkydog. Its no boutique Yeti or Santa Cruz but its also half the price so bit of a no brainer IMHO.

Thanks all. Saxonrider it is Aldi bike compared to a Pivot Switchblade alloy which is 4.5k!

Maybe you need to try the 29 version before passing comment ta11paul The 29 version got MBR trail bike of the year, was in the dirt dirty dozen and the suspension was described as an "engineering triumph" by enduro magazine, it sounds like you are talking about a different bike as not one of those reviews would agree with you and neither would I. Mine rides really nicely, climbs and pedals very well whips along on the flat and descends like a steam train. It isnt the lightest frame but then not many big Al enduro/trail frames are

Maybe you need to try the 29 version before passing comment ta11paul The 29 version got MBR trail bike of the year, was in the dirt dirty dozen and the suspension was described as an “engineering triumph” by enduro magazine, it sounds like you are talking about a different bike as not one of those reviews would agree with you and neither would I. Mine rides really nicely, climbs and pedals very well whips along on the flat and descends like a steam train. It isnt the lightest frame but then not many big Al enduro/trail frames are

Whoah, slow down there... where did I say it wasn't a great bike? Or doesn't ride well? Maybe you need to re-read what I said. The 27.5 and 29er frames have identical design as well so there's really not much difference in the frames.

I stand by my comment that it's not an amazing frame in terms of looks and design (not how it rides or how good the suspension is - maybe I wasn't clear that this is what I was referring to) - there's a few details/design bits which show that off, such as the paint chips very easily, the dropper post routing means the cable rubs against the lower shock linkage/swingarm, and the seat tube is a bit long, especially in the XL size. The same frame is used on the on all the escarpe models, down to the entry level 1500 quid bike, so it does feel a little out of place on the top end model. Compare it to something like a Bird Aeris and they're much better designed and feel more at place in a £3k bike. It's a shame they've not made a carbon escarpe frame tbh.

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I agree it rides really well and is a cracking bike (why would I have bought one if I didn't 😉 ) but I still say the frame feels a bit 'cheap' and I wouldn't feel right hanging £2-3k's worth of components off essentially a £500 frame. 🙂

For £500-1000 more, you can get all the fox factory stuff, eagle, lightweight wheels AND a carbon frame, so there are other options out there for stonking value.

Sorry Ta11paul I think we will have to agree to disagree, your statement that it isn't worth the parts of a 3k bike is a bit baffling. 3k isn't that much on the scheme of things now (unfortunately) so the fact you can get all that kit for the money is pretty good.. and when the frame rides so well (surely the most important aspect of a bike) it certainly makes it an attractive option. Additionaly you say that they use the same frame throughout the range .. which consists of two bikes, this is pretty normal and the vrx gets a better shock. I would say the frame on a whole is similar quality in to my nukeproof mega, another "cheaper" frame but still a very much worthy of its parts, paint chips but that doesn't change the way it rides.

To be fair on the paint chipping front my Aeris has quite a few. Pretty much all paint will chip if a stone hits it at speed etc. Fact of mountain biking. I probably should have invisiframed it in hindsight, but hey ho, it’s a mountain bike!

The one for 3k is well thought out spec-wise. Fox factory suspension for 3 grand is pretty good value! Really like the look of these too.

I got the 2018 vrx 29 frame in the crc sale back in October to replace my battered Enduro 29. It’s probably built a bit burlier than intended with 160mm coil pikes, procore in the tyres and big hope V4 brakes. Mostly ride the Peak District and other northern chunkiness. The frame isn’t that light but doesn’t bother me as I’m not hanging anything light off it, including myself.

Really can’t knock the frame. The geometry is so much more confidence inspiring than the 2015 Enduro 29 I was on. Both 19” frames but the vitus has over 20mm more reach and is much slacker, especially with the 160 fork. I was a bit dubious about the long chainstays before I rode it but I’m a total convert now. Puts you in a very central position on the bike and it never seems to lose back wheel grip on steep climbs. The bike descends like a freight train, even compared to the Enduro with had more travel and a better rear shock.

About the suspension, it took me a while to find the sweet spot as I was coming off a longer travel frame with a cane creek double barrel on it. With it set up firm it was quite chattery and got hung up on bigger stuff a bit. I’ve found the suspension to be pretty progressive and it seems to pedal well irrespective of sag. I’ve ended up running it around 35-40% sag when seated and it’s feeling a bit closer to the Enduro now. The 2019 one has a posher fox shock on it compared to my RS deluxe so I can only imagine it’s going to be better.

Only other negatives really are the dropper routing. You have to be careful that you route it so the hose doesn’t rub the lower linkage. There’s a tiny slit on one side of the seat tube opening for a zip tie that holds it out of the way. Would have been good if this was explained in the manual. Also the head tube is quite long which put my bars higher than I would like (remember I’m running a longer fork than spec & 30mm rise bars). Easy enough fix, just run a lower bar.

Quality of the frame is on a par with anything else I think. Can’t see any areas in which my old Specialized seemed better made.

They’re awesome bikes, I’d say go for it. You won’t be disappointed if you realise that it’s on the burlier end of the spectrum and isn’t going to win any xc races.

Thanks all! Can I just ask about the rear shock position? Is it exposed to the rear wheel ?
Cheers

It is exposed a little, but nothing to worry about.

They are brilliant bikes, and you would struggle to beat them for value for money, and in some areas they've thought about the spec (WT maxxis tyres, good job) but then you can see where getting the fox factory stuff has meant cheaper stuff elsewhere, like the brand X dropper post.

It's a shame you're after a 29er, if it was a 27.5 then there are other contenders for awesome value now, like the canyon CF 8.0.

I think you'll be very happy, and the fox factory stuff is bloody awesome.

Baffled by tall paul's comments too.
Especially comparing it to a Bird.
Just sounds like snobbery. Which is pretty funny considering where each frame is produced.

ride is more important than any of the niggles mentioned. and ride comes down to materials, geometry and suspension kinematics. So determines which frame suits your preference best.
If a frame ticks all those boxes hang the best components you can off it.

Sigh... Just giving my opinion, seeing as, y'know - I own one. It would be a boring world if we all had the same opinions...

And I was comparing it to the Bird because they're similar price (RRP) for the frame but IMO the AM9 is a much nicer frame.

Maybe I shouldn't bother giving any real world feedback on bikes that I've personally had lots of experience with? I love my bike and it's done everything I've thrown at it, BUT the frame is still built to a budget to get the price down. Nothing wrong with that, but the OP asked for people's experiences which I what I gave.