Vitus Substance

Does anyone have one?

Any review comments?

Comments

  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,523
    edited April 2021
    No, but I have an On-one Free Ranger which I'm 99% sure has the same frame if you're considering a carbon one - both use a rebranded Carbonda 696 frame - so I guess my experience should be similar.

    Mine is a 1x11 SRAM Force build and I run it with both 700c x 28mm wheels/tyres, an 11-32 cassette and full guards for winter and then switch to 27.5 (650b) x 2.2" MTB wheels/tyres with an 11-42 cassette for summer use and it's great.

    Simple and quick enough for winter duties on road and off road it does what a hardtail MTB would do - I just need to absorb a few more shocks on the bumpy stuff.
  • I have one, running 650b with 42mm tyres, SRAM 1x11.

    As you'd probably imagine not the ultimate road machine by any stretch with that setup, but copes well enough if you aren't look to boss it on the road, but certainly comes into its own off road.

    Definitely a comfortable enough ride across most terrain and handles most things nearly as well as my Cube hard tail did.

    The saddle is shite though, so definitely worth swapping out, and if you get the 650b with the standard tyres don't run it tubeless as they don't seem to hold pressure at all well.
  • janwal
    janwal Posts: 489
    It is a Carbonda 696 frameset. Also used for the Planet X Free Ranger and Dolan use it as well. I have a carbon free ranger I built up as a flat bar,Rival 1x11winter bike. Can’t fault it. Without trying it weighs 9.3 kg. Makes a lovely comfy bike.
    Have a look at this thread from gravel bike. https://www.ridinggravel.com/forum/?p=post/chinese-carbon-gravel-build-carbonda-8254658
    It’s 4000 plus pages but some good info to look through.
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,523
    They do make the substance in different frame materials - I was tempted to get a steel one and I still sometimes wish I had.
  • vegas76
    vegas76 Posts: 278
    edited April 2021
    singleton said:

    They do make the substance in different frame materials - I was tempted to get a steel one and I still sometimes wish I had.

    Thanks for all the feedback guys.

    I'm looking at getting the VRS-2 (grx600 groupset) as a gravel bike for family rides.

    The VRS-2 is an aluminium frame...

    It looks like I'll be able to fit 700c wheels to the frame to use as a winter bike.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Yes, I have the GRX400 version.

    It's a good bike. I really like the 650b, the frame actually feels quite steel like in some respects, especially the top tube. It's versatile and has massive clearance. It even has good handlebars, flattened and a bit aero (!)

    Well worth it imo. If you're not swapping out wheels/putting it on turbo etc and don't really need 11 speed then just get the cheaper one.

    Mine wasn't well set up gear wise but it's sorted now.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • vegas76
    vegas76 Posts: 278
    edited April 2021

    Yes, I have the GRX400 version.

    It's a good bike. I really like the 650b, the frame actually feels quite steel like in some respects, especially the top tube. It's versatile and has massive clearance. It even has good handlebars, flattened and a bit aero (!)

    Well worth it imo. If you're not swapping out wheels/putting it on turbo etc and don't really need 11 speed then just get the cheaper one.

    Mine wasn't well set up gear wise but it's sorted now.

    Sounds like a good option.

    Are you now tubeless? Did you have any issues going tubeless?
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Not yet, I may at some point but i am fine with tubes.

    It's worth saying that the Byway are an excellent tyre, but I may swap to Sendero at some point
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • vegas76
    vegas76 Posts: 278

    Not yet, I may at some point but i am fine with tubes.

    It's worth saying that the Byway are an excellent tyre, but I may swap to Sendero at some point

    Seems like a really good bike for the price.

    Going tubeless is the first thing I'm going to do!
  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078
    I know nothing about the bike, but i really want to say something like "all style and no...."
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    It's not very stylish though ;)
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.