Consumer-direct brand Vitus has been gaining some serious traction in recent years and, with machines like the new 2020 Vitus Mythique trail bike, it’s easy to see why.
The full-suspension Mythique range is a new addition to the Vitus range for 2020 and features three competitively-priced models, with each option available with either 27.5in or 29in wheels.
Vitus Mythique 2020 key features and specs
- New trail bike from consumer-direct brand Vitus
- Aluminium frame and four-bar Horst Link suspension design
- Three build options: VR (£1,250 / $1,500 / AU$2,199 / €1,499), VRS (£1,450 / $1,800 / AU$2,499 / €1,699), VRX (£1,600 / $2,000 / AU$2,799 / €1,899)
- All builds available with either 27.5in or 29in wheels
- Available mid to late November exclusively from Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles
At the heart of this new machine is a four-bar Horst Link suspension system. This might be one of the most widely adopted linkage designs in the marketplace, but for good reason, given its strengths on the trail.
A typical Horst-Link system's inherent characteristics — active under braking, minimal pedal bob and a consistent progression curve that’s supple off-the-top and supportive from the mid-stroke and towards the end of its travel — make it easy to see the appeal.
The entry-level Mythique VR model dishes out 130mm of travel, while the second-tier VRS and flagship VRX offer 140mm travel.
The alloy frame also makes a statement, with a hydroformed tubeset and the kind of geometry numbers once reserved for all but the most progressive bikes.
With reach numbers (based on the 27.5in frame) coming in at 434mm, 451mm, 469mm and 492mm from small to extra-large respectively, they wouldn’t have been out of place on a race-ready enduro bike just a few years ago.
The 435mm chainstays, 66-degree head angle and 76-degree (effective) seat tube angle similarly reflect this.
Vitus’s goal with the Mythique was apparently to create “the most accessible, capable and performance-driven trail bike on the market.”
While we’re yet to ride one for ourselves, just looking at the specs and prices reveal a lot about the Mythique’s intentions.
The Mythique VR comes with an X-Fusion RC32 fork and 02 shock, Shimano Deore M6000 drivetrain and Shimano MT-401 brakes.
The mid-level VRS ups the ante with a Sweep fork, SRAM’s 12-speed SX Eagle transmission and Shimano MT-401 brakes, and a Brand-X dropper post.
Finally, the top-spec VRX has upgraded dampers in the shape of the highly capable Marzocchi Bomber Z2 and RockShox Monarch R rear shock. It shares the same SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain as the VRS but gets upscale Shimano MT-501 brakes.
All three bikes roll on tubeless-ready Schwalbe Magic Mary/Hans Dampf tyres and WTB ST i30 rims.
The combination of the performance of the Horst Link suspension system, a dialled spec and an affordable price affirms Vitus’s agenda with the Mythique. On paper, it’s the kind of bike designed to beat down the hurdles facing new riders eager to get on the trails, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it rides.
The Vitus Mythique range is available to pre-order now on Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles, with stock arriving mid-to-late November.
Vitus Mythique 27 VR & VRW (women’s model, with shorter stem and narrower bars)
- Frame: Mythique 140mm 6061 Alloy Boost 27.5in
- Weight: 14kg (tubeless)
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Fork: X-Fusion RC32 Boost 130mm travel
- Rear suspension: X-Fusion 02 Pro
- Wheelset: WTB ST i30 tubeless ready
- Brakes: Shimano MT-401 brakes
- Shifter: Shimano Deore M6000 10-speed
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore M6000 10-speed
- Cassette: Shimano Deore M6000 10-speed
- Seatpost: NA
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary (F), Hans Dampf (R)
- Price: £1,250 / $1,500 / AU$2,199 / €1,499
- Buy mid to late November from Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle
Vitus Mythique 29 VR
- Frame: Mythique 140mm 6061 Alloy Boost 29in
- Weight: 14.35kg (tubeless)
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Fork: X-Fusion RC32 Boost 130mm travel
- Rear suspension: X-Fusion 02 Pro
- Wheelset: WTB ST i30 tubeless ready
- Brakes: Shimano MT-401 brakes
- Shifter: Shimano Deore M6000 10-speed
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore M6000 10-speed
- Cassette: Shimano Deore M6000 10-speed
- Seatpost: NA
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary (F), Hans Dampf (R)
- Price: £1,250 / $1,500 / AU$2,199 / €1,499
- Buy mid to late November from Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle
Vitus Mythique 27 VRS
- Frame: Mythique 140mm 6061 Alloy Boost 27.5in
- Weight: 14.67kg (tubeless)
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Fork: X-Fusion Sweep Boost 140mm travel
- Rear suspension: X-Fusion 02 Pro
- Wheelset: WTB ST i30 tubeless ready
- Brakes: Shimano MT-401 brakes
- Shifter: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Rear derailleur: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Cassette: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Seatpost: Brand-X dropper post
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary (F), Hans Dampf (R)
- Price: £1,450 / $1,800 / AU$2,499 / €1,699
- Buy mid to late November from Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle
Vitus Mythique 29 VRS
- Frame: Mythique 140mm 6061 Alloy Boost 29in
- Weight: 14.97kg (tubeless)
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Fork: X-Fusion Sweep Boost 140mm travel
- Rear suspension: X-Fusion 02 Pro
- Wheelset: WTB ST i30 tubeless ready
- Brakes: Shimano MT-401 brakes
- Shifter: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Rear derailleur: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Cassette: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Seatpost: Brand-X dropper post
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary (F), Hans Dampf (R)
- Price: £1,450 / $1,800 / AU$2,499 / €1,699
- Buy mid to late November from Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle
Vitus Mythique 27 VRX
- Frame: Mythique 140mm 6061 Alloy Boost 27.5in
- Weight: 14.4kg (tubeless)
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Fork: Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140mm travel
- Rear suspension: RockShox Monarch R
- Wheelset: WTB ST i30 tubeless ready
- Brakes: Shimano MT-401 brakes
- Shifter: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Rear derailleur: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Cassette: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Seatpost: Brand-X dropper post
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary (F), Hans Dampf (R)
- Price: £1,600 / $2,000 / AU$2,799 / €1,899
- Buy mid to late November from Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle
Vitus Mythique 29 VRX
- Frame: Mythique 140mm 6061 Alloy Boost 29in
- Weight: 14.76kg (tubeless)
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Fork: Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140mm travel
- Rear suspension: RockShox Monarch R
- Wheelset: WTB ST i30 tubeless ready
- Brakes: Shimano MT-401 brakes
- Shifter: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Rear derailleur: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Cassette: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
- Seatpost: Brand-X dropper post
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary (F), Hans Dampf (R)
- Price: £1,600 / $2,000 / AU$2,799 / €1,899
- Buy mid to late November from Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle
