Vitus/BeOne

hammerite

I know these are generally Chain Reaction only brands, and always seem to be available at a discounted price. But as a rule are they decent bikes? Are the frames good? Is the build quality up to scratch?

I've been looking at bikes around the £1k mark and the spec of the Vitus and Beone bikes is higher than what's available (in the sales) almost anywhere else at that price.

I'm not particularly looking for a carbon bike but when you see something like this....

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=49197

or this

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=59238

supersonic

I had a BeOne Drone - frame was superb. The cheaper models seem to have basic frames, but further up they get pretty light.

That Vitus is particularly good value.

hammerite

Thanks for the quick reply.

Even the 6061/7005 based frames seem light, are specced pretty well, and about £2-300 less than I've managed to find other "similar" bikes (Whyte 901, Lapirerre Race 200).

Just wondering what the catch is with the Vitus and BeOnes!

(apart from not being able to see them in the flesh before you buy)

hammerite

Any other thoughts? Seriously considering pulling the trigger on the Vitus Optimum.

handful

I spotted that Vitus myself and was wondering exactly the same as you, seriously good spec on paper. I'm not in a position to buy yet though, waiting for Cycletowork scheme to start up so please update if you decide to go through with it.

Indranil

If you are waiting for a halfords c2w voucher then you can't get a Vitus.

handful

No, cyclescheme. Sorry, didn't make it clear!

chrisjnr19

I have never tried a Vitus, but If I were you I'd pull the proverbial trigger!

As supersonic said, it does look great value...

hammerite

I've pulled the trigger, and a box with a bike in it should be winging it's way to me shortly.

I'll look at it and go oooohhhh and aaaahhhhhh and tell you if IMO it looks the part. Whether it is actually any good or not will be beyond me, as I don't have a lot to compare it with. I'm a roadie and ride CX, but I don't have a lot of fat tyred experience. My current MTB is a battered old Scott that hasn't actually seen any race action and very little technical action. Save for a day around the Marin trail and a few trips around bridleways and woods near home.

I'm planning to race over the winter a bit though once the CX season is over and done with though, so it should get some good use.

hammerite

handful worth checking that Chainreaction allow you to buy bikes at discounted sale prices using Cyclescheme vouchers, some places will only sell to you at the RRP.

handful

Thanks hammerite but I'm probably about a month away from being able to arrange and will no doubt change my mind several times before then anyway

hammerite

Bike arrived yesterday, got home late so only had chance to unpack it, put the handlebars on and just take it on a short test ride down the street and back. First impressions are good. Hope to take it out on some decent terrain tonight or tomorrow morning.

http://lockerz.com/s/132829890

Chainreaction package the bike up with a draw string bag with chainreaction bottle, multitool and pedal spanner, all the manuals/warranty and check list for build. Comes in a huge box so it's already assembled apart from the handlebars and pedals.

PITA though, they have a 10% discount code available at the moment, and plenty of the Optimum I left. If I'd have waited a week I'd have saved myself £100 (or just spent the £100 on the next model up!).

swelsbyuk

Hammerite

I would be interested in hearing the results of you taking the bike out on the decent terrain.

I have liked the look of the Optimum and now with further reductions it is proving less able to resist!

Not sure whether to get the Optimum l or ll though. I much prefer the look of the l as my other bikes have been white and I really don't want another - but is that a decent reason not to snap up the ll for £1k?

Look forward to your response.

S

futuresbright

I have ordered one of the very last Vitus Zircon`s @ £699 should be with me tues/wed according to CRC.

Ordered the day before the 10% discount came out so i rang them as my order was still being processed and they gave me £70 worth of vouchers to spend! Result!

Went via topcashback for another 3% cashback so brought the new bike that i didnt really need to £608, for that spec i would say a bargain.

Anyhow my mate bought the optimum 2 and it had its maiden voyage last night,

Stunning to look at, beautiful pearlescant white finish and its curves are amazing!!

Rode spot on, very quick over the bumpy stuff, forks need adjusting properly but 100mm of travel coped well, nice comfy ride, just felt right.

Only bad points we could find were:

Slightly wider bars would be nice (personal preference, used to 750mm on FS)
New grips needed, horrible locking rings,
Exposed cable routing for front derailler, chance of banging with foot? should be ok with SPDs,

I wouldnt hesitate in buying one after seeing one in the flesh and for that spec you will struggle to find anything close in that pricerange.[/code]

atomic fox

that vitus is great value.claimed weight on crc website 22lbs :shock: .thats one light bike for the dosh.

hammerite

swelsbyuk - perfectly good reason not to go for the II. It was one ifthe main reasons I didn't, trying to clean a white bike spotless is a bit of a task. Will hopefully get out on it tomorrow, bit I'm going away for a few days so might not get chance.

atomic fox - I've not weighed the bike, but from picking it up it's certainly very light. Lighter than my 7005 frame CX bike which has no kit on it in comparison.

hammerite

Just wrote a longish review, which for some reason didn't post. Now limited for time! Happy with bike, could do everything I needed to do fine, if anything it's my skills lacking.

Will need a few minor adjustments to front mech and tighten cables. Will also play about with my position as I felt a little tense all the time without much ability to relax position at all. Possibly lower handlebars and put a slightly longer stem on. All in all very happy a so far.

pgt1

Hi there
just joined bikeradar but have been mountain biking for several years
normally using a full suss giant reign 1 but was looking for a light xc hardtail.
I live in belfast so with the opening of the new Chain Reaction store here was able to check out the bikes before buying
Looked at the vitus optimum2 and beone pearl race hardtail and a sunn prim2
all these bikes are around the 10.2 kg except the sunn which was 9.8kg(very very light for an aluminium bike.
The vitus and beone are carbon framed but are very differnt in style.
the vitus is a more comfortable bike with wider bars and felt better for my size (6ft 1) in a medium frame. the beone is a much more race orientated stance c narrow bars and aggressive riding position.
after trying both for a ride outside the shop i went for the vitus optimum2.
it is very light with fantastic spec (it had elixir R brakes instead of the elixir3 as aspec stated)
With a bit of haggling i ended up getting the bike for £980 and that was after the extra ten % deal had stopped.
I got the last medium they had but the carbon optimum is selling very quickly except the optimum3 which at £1999 is a serious amount for a hardtail.
Havnt been out for a blast yet but hoping to get out on wednesday for test run.
I reckon that for the money it is a serious bargain
time will tell !!!!!!!