Key Points:

• Vitus releases first carbon enduro bikes
• Cheaper CR model for £2,565
• Higher spec CRX model for £3,800
• Both bikes available in May

What is Vitus?

Vitus is Chain Reaction’s in-house brand. We’re big fans of it’s affordable and well specced bikes and its Escarpe 290 Pro bike only missed out on being included in our Bike of the Year shortlist as we tested a discounted version and its Sentier VRS won our Hardtail of the Year test.

What about this new bike?

Vitus has announced its first carbon enduro bike building on the success of its 155mm Sommet enduro platform that we reviewed in our enduro bikes test a year ago. The big news is that it will be offering its Sommet CR model for £2,500 – that’s cheaper than the budget offerings of both Canyon and YT Industries and has us very interested indeed.

300 grams has been shaved off the aluminium frame

What can you tell me about it?

The Vitus Sommet CR (and the higher specced CRX) feature a full carbon front triangle that has slashed 300 grams off the weight of the bike. The complete CR model has a claimed weight of just 13.06kg (28.8lb) which is bang in line with the competition.

The Sommet CRX is available in green or red

Are the specs poor then?

Not really. Both models come with RockShox Pike fork,  RockShox Monarch RC3 Debonair shocks, Shimano XT brakes and SRAM X1 1×11 drivetrains. The main difference between the two is the wheels – the CR has WTB KOM/ Novatec whereas the CRX rolls on Mavic Crossmax’s.

So when can I get my hands on one?

The bikes will be available to order in May, with the Sommet CR costing £2564.99 and the CRX £3799.99, however Chain Reaction Cycles is currently running a competition you can enter to win one here