The Vitus eMythique LT 297 is aimed at offering ebike race performance to a much broader spectrum of users with its lower asking price.
Pete’s spent a few months getting to know the Vitus eMythique LT 297 VR a little bit better and casts his verdict on this budget ebike race machine.
Photos by Pete Scullion.
Key features:
- SR Suntour Zeron36 160mm fork
- RockShox Deluxe Select R shock
- Microshift Advent X 10-speed drive
- Bafang M510 motor
- Bafang M510 630Wh battery
- Tektro HD-M535 4-piston brakes
- WTB ST Light i30 rims on Vitus KT hubs
- Brand-X Ascend dropper
- £3,299.99 RRP
- VitusBikes.com
Whilst it retains a familiar silhouette when compared to the Vitus eSommet, the tubeset of the eMythique LT lacks the same refinements in hydroforming and butting, but still offers plenty in terms of strength and stiffness. The idea behind the bike is to offer real-world long travel ebike performance at a lower price point, making this accessible to more riders.
The eMythique LT is powered by a Bafang M510 motor. That motor is fuelled by a Bafang 630Wh battery. Microshift’s Advent X 10-speed drive deals handles that power. Suspension units are an SR Suntour Zeron36 fork and a Rockshox Deluxe Select R shock. Brakes are Tektro HD-M535 4-pot units that bolt to Vitus’ own KT hubs, laced to WTB ST Light i30 rims. Tyres are Vee Tire Co. Attack HPL, both co-designed in compound and casing with Vitus to offer good grip and support without braking the bank. Finishing kit is Nukeproof and Brand X.
Geometry
The Vitus eMythique is available in S, M, L and XL.
With the 297 VR model coming with a 160mm fork, 10mm less travel than the higher spec models, some geometry figures are different for this bike.
Reach on the M is 456mm with a seat tube of 410mm. Head angle is 64 degrees with a seat tube angle of 78 degrees. Chainstay lengths are 445mm across the sizes with a wheelbase on the Medium of 1244mm.
When I last checked in, the Vitus eMythique LT 297 VR was doing sterling work at home, having enough power and range to see me running out of juice before the bike did. Only a slightly twangy fork seemed to stymie the forward momentum but this was only in certain situations and didn’t put me off too much.
As the speed began to rise, so did my confidence. The Tektro 4-pots were mostly unknown to me and despite lacking a bit of feel, they were more than worthy adversaries for reeling in the heft of the eMythique. The Advent-X drive train had been faultless and managed the 95Nm of torque that the Bafang motor thumped out with ease.
I didn’t have more deflection issues with the Suntour Zeron fork but did feel that they were lacking in suppleness but they did hold up fairly well against bigger hits and big braking bumps. I was really impressed at the rear suspension and the ability of the Rockshox Deluxe shock to manage the hits. I didn’t feel that bottomless travel feel like you’d get on many ebikes, but it held up well to all comers and rarely felt overwhelmed. Proof positive that you don’t need the fanciest kit to ride hard.
The Bafang motor and battery were almost without fault. Power was always on tap in the numerous modes used, and I didn’t once come close to rinsing the battery. That’s the job of being sub-60kg on a full fat ebike. Range for days. My only gripe with the Bafang setup is the display connections.
The wires that plug into the base of the display don’t have an overly positive detent to hold them in and they can therefore they can wiggle loose under vigorous riding or if you’ve leant the bike down. Any connections that aren’t fully secure means that the bike simply won’t turn on, and as the connections don’t feel especially loose if they’ve not been removed altogether, diagnosing the issue can be tricky.
When grip is generally low, the Vee Tire Co. rubber can feel a little overwhelmed. The stiff carcass doesn’t deform all that well to the trail meaning things can get a little wild at times. My only major grumble with the tyres is the rear tyre rolls very slowly indeed. The Attack HPL fitted to the front is a solid choice, but running the same tread pattern on the rear means that on flatter and smoother trails. Something a little faster-rolling on the back would likely bring an extra turn of speed to the eMythique LT.
Generally speaking however, the eMythique LT 297 VR is a whole lot of bike for the money. Any attempt to offer this amount of performance at a lower price point is going to require compromises and I think that Vitus have navigated this well.
What do we think?
Vitus have brought long travel ebike performance to a much wider range of riders. The eMythique LT is plenty of bike for all day missions or banging out the laps, and provides an excellent base for future upgrades.
We love:
- Competes with bikes that ask double the money
- Solid spec
- Confidence-inspiring geometry
Could do better:
- Tyres feel a bit wooden
- Rear tyre does not roll quickly
