{"id":52936,"date":"2023-08-08T13:00:14","date_gmt":"2023-08-08T11:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=740785"},"modified":"2023-08-08T13:37:12","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T11:37:12","slug":"vitus-hopes-new-e-mythique-will-bring-performance-emtbs-to-the-masses-with-budget-price","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/vitus-hopes-new-e-mythique-will-bring-performance-emtbs-to-the-masses-with-budget-price\/","title":{"rendered":"Vitus hopes new E-Mythique will bring performance eMTBs to the masses with budget price"},"content":{"rendered":"

New affordable, long-travel E-Mythique LT electric enduro bike lowers entry barrier <\/p>

By Alex Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 08 August 2023 at 11:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Vitus\u2019 all-new E-Mythique LT is the brand\u2019s cheapest electric enduro mountain bike yet, with a budget-busting \u00a33,299.99\/$3,699\/\u20ac3,799.99 price point for its entry-level VR model.<\/p>\n

This rises to \u00a33,899.99\/$4,199\/\u20ac4,499.99 for the mid-spec VRS bike and tops out at \u00a34,399.99\/$4,599\/\u20ac5,099.99 for the range-topping VRX.<\/p>\n

Although visually similar to the ever-popular E-Sommet<\/a>, the E-Mythique LT is an entirely new platform for Vitus.<\/p>\n

Boasting mixed wheels<\/a> (29in front, 27.5in rear), a bump-munching 170mm\/160mm front\/rear-travel split and a slack 63.5-degree head tube angle, the new model\u2019s intentions are unapologetically gravity-focused.<\/p>\n

At its heart is a custom-tuned Bafang M510 electric bike motor<\/a> and 630Wh battery, capable of delivering up to 95Nm of peak torque and 550W maximum power.<\/p>\n

Lowering barriers<\/h2>\n
\"Vitus<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The E-Mythique LT is a member of the shorter-travel Mythique range of bikes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The E-Mythqiue LT\u2019s asking price should make it a cost-conscious rider\u2019s favourite; the highest-spec VRX model\u2019s asking price sits \u00a3100 lower than the most affordable E-Sommet 297 VR\u2019s \u00a34,499.99.<\/p>\n

Vitus hopes this new model will make \u201chigh-performance bicycles more accessible to the masses\u201d, by offering performance that\u2019s \u201cready to ride everything\u2026 expected of a modern enduro bike\u201d.<\/p>\n

However, no specific element of the new E-Mythique LT\u2019s frame, motor or build is the sole contributor to its impressive price point. Instead, it\u2019s truly a sum of all its parts.<\/p>\n

Economies of scale have helped shave costs, though.<\/p>\n

Vitus and sibling brand Nukeproof suck up a large chunk of the OE market, and combined with parent company CRC\/Wiggle\u2019s buying power, it\u2019s clear to see where at least some of the cost savings have been made.<\/p>\n

Motoring on<\/h2>\n
\"Vitus<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Bafang M510 motor has been tuned with help from Vitus.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Chinese electric motor company Bafang has made increasing headway into the electric mountain bikes<\/a> market.<\/p>\n

Initially offering ebike conversion kits<\/a>, it now partners with bike brands to supply OE motors; the most notable being Andorran brand Forestal<\/a>, with its EonDrive motor.<\/p>\n

Adding Vitus to the list of mainstream OE partners is a great move for Bafang, propelling it into the limelight.<\/p>\n

The M510 is specced on all the new E-Mythique LT models, producing up to 95Nm of torque and 550W peak power.<\/p>\n

\"Vitus<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The screen displays key data clearly.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Vitus told us it worked closely with Banfang to co-develop the M510 motor\u2019s tunes, adjusting and specifying each of its five factory-set modes.<\/p>\n

Those modes comprise Eco, Eco Plus, Trail, Boost and Race.<\/p>\n

Trail, like Shimano\u2019s identically named mode, and Bosch\u2019s Tour+ and eMTB settings, has assistance variability; the harder you pedal, the more assistance it delivers.<\/p>\n

Powering the motor is a 630Wh battery, integrated into the frame\u2019s down tube.<\/p>\n

\"Vitus<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The switch is compact, helping it fit between the brake lever and grips.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Vitus told us the battery capacity balances weight and range, without needing to increase tube sizes to incorporate a bigger unit. During testing, the team at Vitus are said to have comfortably reached 1,800m of climbing on a single charge from mixed usage in the lower-powered modes.<\/p>\n

This equals and potentially beats the Shimano EP8\u2019s average range, but is slightly less than the typical figures you can expect from a Bosch Performance Line CX motor with a bigger 750Wh battery.<\/p>\n

Vitus and Bafang also collaborated on the design and functionality of the display and mode buttons, helping improve their ergonomics.<\/p>\n

All-new frame<\/h2>\n
\"Vitus<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Its cables are routed internally.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The E-Mythique LT\u2019s 6061 T6 aluminium frame \u2013 despite looking like the E-Sommet \u2013\u00a0is an all-new design.<\/p>\n

Brake, dropper and gear cables are routed via ports on the side of the down tube, there are bottle boss mounts inside the front triangle and it uses SRAM\u2019s Universal Derailleur Hanger<\/a>, making it compatible with the brand\u2019s latest Transmission gears.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, there\u2019s chain-slap and underside protection.<\/p>\n

Sussed-out suspension<\/h2>\n
\"Vitus<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The rear shock has been tuned specifically for the E-Mythique LT\u2019s kinematics.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Tuned for enduro riding, the E-Mythique LT\u2019s suspension has an overall progression rate of 27 per cent, making it suited to both air- and coil-sprung<\/a> rear shocks, which was a big request from the brand\u2019s customers.<\/p>\n

The leverage rate \u2013\u00a0that starts at 2.83 and finishes at 2.06 \u2013\u00a0is linearly progressive, with no curves or flat spots.<\/p>\n

This, Vitus claims, has made it much easier to tune the rear shock, and should make setup easier. From the factory, the shocks come with three volume reducers, which should give a plush initial feel and plenty of ramp-up.<\/p>\n

Anti-rise \u2013 how much braking forces cause the suspension to compress or extend \u2013 sits around 55 per cent. This means braking forces are more likely to cause it to extend than compress, essentially creating a more active on-the-brakes feel.<\/p>\n

Finally, anti-squat, which is how much pedalling and suspension forces interact with one another, sits just below 100 per cent at sag in a \u2018climbing gear\u2019. This means the rear suspension should remain fairly active on power, while only bobbing a minimal amount.<\/p>\n

Performance-focused geometry is free<\/h2>\n
\"Vitus<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The three-model line-up tops out with this VRX bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Tuning the bike\u2019s geometry to offer stable handling is a free upgrade, and one Vitus hopes will pay dividends on the trail by upping the scope of its budget-focused performer.<\/p>\n

Offered in four sizes (small to extra-large), the E-Mythique LT has modern, progressive geometry.<\/p>\n

Headlining is a 63.5-degree head angle and steep 77.5-degree seat tube angle (170mm fork), intended to create stability and comfort on descents and climbs.<\/p>\n

Reach figures span from 434mm up to 504mm (170mm fork) across the sizes, while chainstay lengths are fixed for each size at 445mm.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup>
All figures quoted for 170mm travel E-Mythique LT<\/caption>
\ufeffSize<\/th>Small<\/th>Medium<\/th>Large<\/th>Extra-large<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Head angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>63.5<\/td>63.5<\/td>63.5<\/td>63.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>77.5<\/td>77.5<\/td>77.5<\/td>77.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>380<\/td>410<\/td>440<\/td>480<\/td> <\/tr>
Effective top tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>573<\/td>591<\/td>619<\/td>649<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket drop<\/b> (mm)<\/td>26<\/td>26<\/td>26<\/td>26<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>1,224<\/td>1,244<\/td>1,275<\/td>1,307<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>445<\/td>445<\/td>445<\/td>445<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack height<\/b> (mm)<\/td>630<\/td>638<\/td>648<\/td>657<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>434<\/td>450<\/td>476<\/td>504<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>