The Vitus Sommet and Escarpe get a full overhaul for 2021, with the latter gaining a carbon front triangle like its big brother.
Both the Vitus Sommet and Escarpe get a refresh together and now both sport a new carbon front triangle, a fixed lower shock mount with a flip chip, revised suspension and updated geometry.
All non-studio shots by Ian Lean.
2021 Vitus Sommet
Designed as an enduro race bike, the Sommet’s changes for 2021 make it an even better value race machine. Rear travel on the 27.5″ bike is 170mm, with that dropping slightly to 162mm on the 29er. A T700 carbon front triangle is mated to a 6061 alloy rear.
A big change is a revised seat tube which allows for greater seat post insertion, a limit certainly on last year’s frames, especially in the smaller sizes.
Suspension curves have been straightened to make the bike more progressive, designed to improve small bump compliance, mid-stroke support and bottom out resistance. Anti-squat has also been reduced to improve suspension performance. Low anti-rise also stops the bike pitching forward, as well as staying fully active under braking.
The flip chip allows a +/- 0.5 degree head tube angle change, along with a 6mm BB drop.
Geometry
On the size Medium Sommet 27, you get a 449mm reach with a 410mm seat tube. You get a 64 degree head angle and a size-specific seat tube angle of 76.5. Chainstay length is fixed at 435mm across the sizes.
The numbers stay the same on the Sommet 29, other than a slightly shorter 443mm reach and a 440mm chainstay.
2021 Vitus Sommet Models
Vitus Sommet CR
Key features:
- Rockshox Yari RC 170mm fork
- Rockshox Super Deluxe Select R shock
- Shimano Deore 12-speed drive
- Shimano Deore 4-piston brakes
- WTB KOM Trail i30 on Vitus KT hubs
- Brand X Ascend dropper
- £2,399.99 RRP
Vitus Sommet CRS
Key features:
- Rockshox Lyrik Select 170mm fork
- Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+ RT shock
- Shimano SLX 12-speed drive
- Shimano SLX 4-piston brakes
- DT Swiss E1900 wheels
- Brand X Ascend dropper
- £2,899.99 RRP
Vitus Sommet CRX
Key features:
- Fox 38 Factory GRIP2 170mm fork
- Fox Float X2 Factory shock
- Shimano XT 12-speed drive
- Shimano XT 4-piston brakes
- DT Swiss E1700 wheels
- Brand X Ascend dropper
- £3,599.99 RRP
2021 Vitus Escarpe
The Escarpe never got the carbon fibre treatment prior to the 2021 range, so it’s definitely brings a firm Wideopenmag favourite another string in its bow. If the Escarpe can retain all its positives from 2020, with lower weight, then it will be a tough bike to beat.
Getting the same updates as the Sommet will also help make it even more of a bargain all-mountain machine.
Travel sticks with 140mm out the back again, as well as the 27.5 and 29″ options. The frame comes in the T700 carbon front and 6061 alloy rear triangles like its big brother.
Geometry
You get a 455mm reach and a 410mm seat tube on the 27.5″ Escarpe in size Medium. Head angle is one degree steeper than the Sommet at 65 degrees with a suitably steep 77 degree seat tube angle, again, size specific. Chainstays are fixed at 435mm.
Much like with the Sommet, the 29er has a slightly shorter reach in size Medium at 451mm, and the chainstays grow 5mm to 440mm.
2021 Vitus Escarpe models
Vitus Escarpe CR
Key features:
- Marzocchi Bomber Z2 RAIL 150mm fork
- Rockshox Deluxe Select R shock
- Shimano Deore 12-speed drive
- Shimano MT410 2-piston brakes
- WTB ST Light i30 on Vitus KT hubs
- Brand X Ascend dropper
- £1,999.99 RRP
Vitus Escarpe CRS
Key features:
- Rockshox Pike Select 150mm fork
- Rockshox Deluxe Select+ shock
- Shimano SLX 12-speed drive
- Shimano SLX 4-piston brakes
- DT Swiss M1900 wheels
- Brand X Ascend dropper
- £2,699.99 RRP
Vitus Escarpe CRX
Key features:
- Fox 36 Factory GRIP2 150mm fork
- Fox Float DPS Factory shock
- Shimano XT 12-speed drive
- Shimano XT 4-piston brakes
- DT Swiss M1700 wheels
- Brand X Ascend dropper
- £3,499.99 RRP
