Using a prototype bike is all the time enjoyable, however when it boasts a never-before-seen suspension linkage, a gearbox, and Gates belt drive, it actually piques your curiosity! In September, I received the prospect to experience a prototype Precedence Vanth within the Whistler Bike Park. I used to be impressed by the bike’s skill to deal with tough terrain and its stability within the corners.
Given my restricted time on the bike and the truth that the prototype had some non-production elements, I centered primarily on the Vanth’s suspension qualities. I’ll undoubtedly say that for a 165mm journey bike, it dealt with the park’s tough runs with ease. I additionally discovered it felt very well-balanced front-to-back, and I didn’t discover something unfavourable in regards to the belt drive system.
Prototype Precedence Vanth:
Earlier than we get into how the bike rode, I ought to observe that the prototype Vanth I examined was not constructed with its manufacturing element spec. The primary distinction was that the prototype featured a Pinion 12-speed gearbox, however Precedence switched to a 9-speed Pinion C1.9i Good.Shift mannequin for the completed bikes.
Sharp eyes may discover the prototype’s rear shock is a earlier yr mannequin of the Fox Float X2. Manufacturing bikes will include the Float X2 (Efficiency Elite or Manufacturing facility, relying on the construct) within the present yr mannequin.
The prototype bike didn’t say ‘Precedence Bicycles’ or ‘Vanth’ anyplace on it, however they left one clue as to its origins. The Mission 174 stickers on the body confer with Precedence Bicycles’ tackle at 174 Hudson St. in New York.
Trip Impressions:
I’m 5’10”, so fortunately, the scale S2 body Precedence had constructed up was appropriate for me to experience. The S2 body has a 475mm attain and a 448mm rear heart. The top tube is 64°, and the seat tube angle is 78.5°.
The Vanth’s 64° steering angle is slack sufficient to shred a motorcycle park comfortably, and an excellent all-around quantity for an enduro bike. The longer 448mm rear finish offers the bike a pleasant, secure really feel. The entrance finish is a bit longer than I desire for a motorcycle I’d pedal round on, but it surely felt fairly good within the bike park.
I solely received to spend one afternoon within the Whistler Bike Park driving the Vanth prototype. I didn’t go loopy attempting to dial every part in to perfection, however I undoubtedly received an impression of the bike’s experience qualities. Since I rode within the bike park (and the cable was too quick on the prototype’s dropper put up!), I didn’t actually do any climbing on the bike. Nonetheless, the bike park provided an excellent probability to check its suspension qualities.
The prototype’s Fox Float X2 rear shock was set as much as my physique weight in psi. This strain appeared excellent, as each lap left me at 98-100% journey. Straight away, I seen the Vanth affords superb small bump absorption. The bike buttered by excessive pace chattery trails and smaller brake bumps fairly easily, with the rear wheel sustaining strong traction.
Usually, the rear finish took the harshness out of all impression sizes fairly properly. Solely large, square-edged rocks actually challenged it, and that solely occurred a number of instances all through all my laps within the park. I recall a number of instances after I was approaching an enormous rock or root and getting ready for a tough impression, but the Vanth rounded off these hits higher than anticipated. That is all of the extra spectacular once you keep in mind it has a 27.5” rear wheel and 165 mm of rear journey… at no level did I feel the Vanth wanted extra squish.
Regardless of the spectacular bump consuming capabilities, the Vanth didn’t lack help in corners. Between having good mid-stroke help and the suspension’s rearward journey, the bike felt nice within the berms. It bounced by tight turns fairly properly, but it surely feels particularly secure once you’re dashing by an enormous berm. With the wheelbase rising beneath compression, I felt properly centered over the bike, and each wheels keep firmly planted as you hook round corners.
After driving a path stuffed with tight, fast turns, I seen the rearward axle path nonetheless affords these benefits in sharper corners. I by no means thought the bike felt too lengthy or sluggish to maneuver, even in berms you virtually bounce off.
With the Pinion gearbox on the BB, the Vanth’s centered weight distribution did appear to extend the sensation of stability in corners, too. It felt pleasantly straightforward and pure to steer the bike into my chosen line and maintain it by large swoopy berms.
One weak point of the excessive pivot linkage is pop – I did discover the Vanth doesn’t pop off jumps the best way many different bikes do. With a good lip or rise to raise off, it wasn’t arduous to get airborne, but it surely doesn’t have the poppy really feel different linkages can supply. As a fast reminder, I might need been capable of enhance on this by taking part in with suspension settings, however I solely had a short while to experience the bike.
Pulling up the entrance wheel wasn’t notably straightforward on this bike both – The attain is a tad lengthy for me at 475mm. Provided that the rear finish is prolonged at 448 mm, and will get longer beneath compression, it is smart that the entrance finish doesn’t pull up as simply as a motorcycle that has a extra conventional axle path.
It was straightforward to overlook that the Vanth runs a Gates belt drive system. The belt runs very easily and quietly, however you don’t give it some thought whereas driving. There’s no noticeable distinction in acceleration or energy switch; I’m not knowledgeable racer, however I didn’t really feel any lack of stiffness or flex from the belt whereas cranking arduous. The belts are alleged to shed mud properly, too, however I didn’t get to check that since I rode in dry circumstances.
The Pinion gearbox shifted completely each time, but it surely’s totally different once you’ve by no means ridden one! It’s nifty to have the ability to shift gears when you’re stopped at a trailhead. With this gearbox/shifter, there may be nothing to point what gear you’re in, and you may’t look again at your cassette to double-check.
Precedence did impress me in a number of methods with their first full suspension MTB. The linkage does what you’d desire a excessive pivot bike to do; It gobbles up bumps very properly, carries pace by tough terrain, and produces a extremely secure experience on chattery trails and within the corners. The Vanth is way more of a plowy bike than a poppy, vigorous path skipper, however that’s precisely what it was constructed to do.
For all of the specs and particulars on the brand new Precedence Vanth, take a look at my launch article.