Vitus Nucleus VR – Best Budget Lockdown Bike?

Vitus Nucleus VR – Best Budget Lockdown Bike?

As the UK goes crazy for mountain bikes during lockdown, this bargain Vitus offers fantastic value for a capable mountain bike to get you on the trails and out and about during lockdown. We think this is the best bike for under £600!

At this price point there isn’t much in the way of competition. Offerings from Voodoo and Boardman are specced with good OEM parts and components but offer poor frames, with outdated geometry and ill thought through platforms. If you want a bike to ride not only now but in the future, maybe an idea to steer clear of Halfords!
This is Vitus’ cheapest bike in their range and takes inspiration from its more expensive brethren, as a brand they are light years ahead of Halfords own brands like Voodoo and Boardman.

The Vitus comes with a solid groupset from Shimano Altus and hydraulic brakes from Tektro, nothing amazingly fancy in terms of brand but both competent and workable. 180mm front rotor is a nice little touch, for increased performance.

There is a choice of 27.5 wheels and 29 wheels. Personal preference and a simplified view but; 29″ wheels are more suited to a mix trail and road, 27.5″ wheels are more suited to fun, jump and skids. Your choice!

The Suntour suspension forks offer 120mm of travel and are air sprung. Suntour as a brand have come along way in the past 10 years and although they don’t have the same brand recognition as RockShox, these budget forks are more than a match for the budget RockShox models specced on equivalent bikes at this price range.

WTB wheel rims and Tyres are a nice spec. Wheels will manage quite a lot of abuse and the tyres are fine for path and trail. The tyres are possibly one area you may want to upgrade on, depending on what riding you are doing and what trails you are hitting. Schwalbe Magic Mary Bikepark tyres are a great upgrade for riders looking to do more serious off road duties.

Finishing kit on the Vitus looks tasty, with good sized Nukeproof Bars and nice Nukeproof Saddle, Vitus own brand stem is a good size and even the Vitus Grips are lock-on and won’t need an upgrade.

This is the perfect beginner bike and a fantastic bike to start your mtb adventure on. The frame offers a great base to upgrade on should your riding warrant it at a later date. Plus unlike some other brands Vitus are well respected in the mountain bike world and find good resale value should you want to sell on your bike in the future.

The Vitus is available for just £550  exclusively from CRC

 

 

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