Vitus Sommet VRS FS Bike - Sram GX Eagle 1x12 2018

rsmart84

Has anybody used this bike. On offer for £1999, Would like some feed back how it rides please. Will be riding Cannock chase, red/black trails. Thankyou

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobi ... d|587363UK

tallpaul_s

Be honest about what trails you'll be riding, 160mm rear, 170mm front travel is A LOT of travel to be carrying around a typical british trail centre red route.

This is a red trail:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaFeAIWFXp0

And so is this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ebnL0IkCic

Both 'Red' trails but they couldn't be more different. The second I'd happily (and have) take a cheap hardtail with no dropper and 120mm coil forks around. In fact a mate with a £200 bike with V brakes and basically no suspension made it round alive. The first trail I would not take either of the above bikes, a 160/170mm travel enduro bike like the Sommet would be ideal.

If you're going to be riding mostly flat/undulating trail centres which require lots of pedalling, you'll be overbiked with that much travel and it'll be hard work on the flat/tight/twisty sections. 130-150mm travel is ideal as a general do-it-all trail bike, any more than that you'll be looking an enduro bikes which are designed to go as fast as possible down gnarly, rooty, steep sections and then be pedalled back up a fire road at a leisurely pace.

I'll admit, the spec is tempting for the price, but don't let cloud your desicion, unless you're going to riding trails similar to the first video - get a bike with less travel and one which is slightly less slack. The Sommet won't be as fun or enjoyable to ride on flatter trail centre reds. It may be slightly faster downhill, but your skill (and fear!) level will make much more difference.

Short version: Have a watch of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNp6bW0oQ00 If you'll be doing this type of riding they get the Sommet. If not (and I suspect you won't be ) get something with less travel and not as slack.

billycool

TallPaul_S wrote:

Be honest about what trails you'll be riding, 160mm rear, 170mm front travel is A LOT of travel to be carrying around a typical british trail centre red route.

This is a red trail:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaFeAIWFXp0

And so is this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ebnL0IkCic

Both 'Red' trails but they couldn't be more different. The second I'd happily (and have) take a cheap hardtail with no dropper and 120mm coil forks around. In fact a mate with a £200 bike with V brakes and basically no suspension made it round alive. The first trail I would not take either of the above bikes, a 160/170mm travel enduro bike like the Sommet would be ideal.

If you're going to be riding mostly flat/undulating trail centres which require lots of pedalling, you'll be overbiked with that much travel and it'll be hard work on the flat/tight/twisty sections. 130-150mm travel is ideal as a general do-it-all trail bike, any more than that you'll be looking an enduro bikes which are designed to go as fast as possible down gnarly, rooty, steep sections and then be pedalled back up a fire road at a leisurely pace.

I'll admit, the spec is tempting for the price, but don't let cloud your desicion, unless you're going to riding trails similar to the first video - get a bike with less travel and one which is slightly less slack. The Sommet won't be as fun or enjoyable to ride on flatter trail centre reds. It may be slightly faster downhill, but your skill (and fear!) level will make much more difference.

Short version: Have a watch of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNp6bW0oQ00 If you'll be doing this type of riding they get the Sommet. If not (and I suspect you won't be ) get something with less travel and not as slack.

I basically agree with this. 160/170mm travel is a lot for what you want to ride. Not saying you can't ride it but it might take a lot of the fun out of it and you might never use the full potential of the bike. It's not what I would call XC orientated.

The spec is great though and I can see why it is tempting.

For me, 120-140mm is fine for Cannock etc. My FS is 140mm and has done Cannock, BPW, Cwmcarn, Afan and the Peaks. It climbs well but handles the DH section sensibly as well. The only limitation is my lack of ability. I have a lot of fun on it.

The Sommet is a great bike, but I'm not sure it's right for what you want it to do.