Vitus's new Gravir 29 is about to replace the Vitus Escarpe as our long term test bike. We'll give you a run down of it before we get it dirty.
The Gravir 29 is an all new 120/100mm 29er complete with a playful build and charming looks. As with the rest of the Vitus' bikes, the Gravir benefits from parent company Chain Reaction Cycles' buying power, this means you get a spec that other manufacturers will struggle to match.
The Gravir's retail price of £1699.99/$2600.99 means the bike is blessed with quality Rockshox suspension at both ends - that's a Monarch RL at the rear and a coil sprung 15mm Recon doing the steering. The fork gets both a tapered steerer and a Maxle-lite axle, so we shouldn't have too much to worry about when it comes to steering accuracy, but the swingarm has to settle for a QR axle instead.
Gearing is courtesy of a 2x10 SRAM chainset that's paired with an X9 Type2 rear derailleur, while both the shifters and front derailleur are X7 components. This set-up should make for both a decent range of gearing and a chain that stays taut. The Gravir doesn't use internal cable routing, not that there's anything wrong with that.
The rear end uses Vitus' V-Link linkage, a four bar design complete with pivot placement that's said to ensure an active rear end independent from braking forces. All frame pivots run on large sealed cartridge bearings which is always good to see.
The Gravir offers 100mm of rear travel via a Rockshox Monarch RL
Wheels come from Easton in the form of EA70 XC 29" models. These wear Maxxis Ardent tyres, an old favourite of ours. Stopping is handled by Avid's Juicy 3 brakes, complete with bang up to date 180/170mm rotor specs.
Finishing kit comes mostly from Easton with the gaps being filled in with Vitus own brand components. A stubby stem and super wide flat bar hint at what this bike should be capable of. The bar is a claimed 730mm wide, although we measured it at 750mm. That may have something to do with our size large test bike.
We've had the Gravir on our workshop scales and it dropped in at a healthy 30.4lbs/13.79kg.
Vitus provide each buyer with a spare derailleur hanger, protective frame stickers, a selection of cable ties and even touch up paint. See ... it's the little things.
We can't wait to get this bike out on the trails and we'll be keeping you posted along the way. In the meantime you can take a closer look at the Gravir through our image gallery.
