Vitus' new Vitesse Evo race bike has been completely redesigned from the ground up to provide a pretty impressive set of performance numbers in comparison to the outgoing version.
Normally when a brand launches a new version of its top level race bike you can expect improvements to be touted in most aspects of performance. Normally these figures might be a handful of percentage points increase or decrease dependent upon which way you look at it - but not Vitus. To quote the brand itself, the new Vitesse Evo's frameset "blows its predecessor out of the water" in terms of its performance gains.
The new frame has undergone a radical change.
(Image credit: Vitus)
The frame is virtually unrecognisable from the existing version and has had every frame tube tweaked to create a more aero profile and yes, those are dropped seatstays. Vitus has also kept things a little simpler in terms of user-friendliness as gear cables and brake hoses are not integrated into the bar and stem like many of Vitus' rivals frame designs.
The original Vitesse Evo had power transfer at the fore thanks to the input of Sean Kelly and his An Post race team. This new Vitesse Evo takes that emphasis and turns it to 11. According to Vitus the new carbon layup boosts average frame stiffness by a staggering 34.9% and, get this, bottom bracket stiffness is up by a whopping 50.2% - when you factor in the existing version is no wet noodle, these claims are pretty impressive. Rear triangle stiffness is also increased by a more usual 8.9%. So if you want a bike that should put all your effort down onto the road, the Vitesse Evo should work pretty well.
A 69.5% increase in fork stiffness eliminates brake rub and provides razor sharp handling traits.
(Image credit: Vitus)
The front end has also received plenty of attention with significant increases in headtube and fork stiffness. How significant? How does a 69.5% increase in fork stiffness sound? Vitus quite rightly claim that handling and stability has been markedly improved. It is also claiming that disc rub has been "virtually eliminated" on this new fork.
To counter the increase in frame stiffness the new frameset features those aforementioned dropped seatstays and also adopts an incorporated seat clamp to induce more forgiveness and flex out of the seatpost and rear end.
Dropped stays and an integrated seat clamp add a bit of much needed compliance into the stiffer frame.
(Image credit: Vitus)
Vitus has also adjusted the geometry of the new Vitesse Evo after input from the riders of Vitus Pro Cycling Team. Rather than pushing things in the way of the current thinking of more stack and less reach, Vitus has increased the length of the top tube and shortened the head tube to create a more aggressive, race ready position "capable of winning the worlds biggest races".
All of these changes have resulted in a frame that weighs in at 840 grams (medium, claimed). A 15% reduction in weight over its predecessor.
James Bracey's career has seen him move from geography teacher, to MBR writer, to Cycling Weekly's senior tech writer and video presenter. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of bicycle mechanics, as well as bike fit and coaching qualifications. Bracey enjoys all manner of cycling, from road to gravel and mountain biking.
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