shaping their hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas into a mountain biking haven. According to the designer and engineer, Kevin Quan of Kevin Quan Studios, Viathon manufactures frames at the factory, making the best bikes you can think of.. Were not trying to undercut the industry; were offering our bike line at a solid price, not a ridiculously low price, said Spinhirne-Martin. I loved how this bike rides, said Spinhirne-Martin about the previous generation Stigmata. At this writing, the various models are listed at "Summer Sale" prices on the Viathon website. Please enter your public display name and a secure password. The question is, does a bikes soul matter more than its value and performance? Will people buy them? The history of the bicycle business is, in one sense, a history of powerful outsiders coming in to teach us dumb yokels how things are done in the Big Leagues. Its a private brand being managed within the e-commerce merchandising team based in San Bruno, California. While thats a noble notion, is the Viathon bike really that groundbreaking? MAYBE pick a test person that is more XC based, as it is an XC bike. But does it ride like one? Teton Gravity Research But heres the kicker. Thanks to its featherlight framea mere 2.2 poundsthe Viathon was a dream to pedal. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Many of their arguments I can support, like lower costs and lighter frames, but claiming that full-suspension is often just overkill is a bit bold. I ride over ladder bridges and into dense trees. Viathon R.1 Road Bike For speed demons, Viathon's high-end R.1 Dura Ace road bike runs $5,850. For $2,300 (at Walmart.com), the G1 has a new Shimano GRX 600 groupset, an entry-level, gravel-specific drivetrain, with a hydraulic brake set. As to the inventory, we are out of bikes and can't restock at this time as a result of delays from our suppliers caused by the pandemic. Some of that is a function of the homogeneity of the modern bike-enthusiast business. The same, except a 2 mm shorter offset fork (50 vs 48 mm) results in an ever-so-slightly-slower 68 mm trail figure. Walmart isnt currently targeting the kind of customer who wants the latest carbon layup or the greatest new geometry, nor is it targeting customers who self-identify as cyclists. Of course, this all depends on your height, and those five available frame sizes only start at 52 cm. Terms of Use We are not focusing on the [Walmart] connection but not hiding it either, Spinhirne-Martin said.Spinhirne-Martin said he came up with this bike while living in Park City, Utah, between 2011 and 2017: The bench-cut trails with tons of climbing lent themselves to a light, efficient climber with a bit more up front to smooth out the fast downhills.. Its difficult to separate the Viathon from its business connection to the retail giant Walmart. . Viathon seems to have taken a conservative aesthetic approach on all of their bikes, including the G1. The round seatpost is held by a regular old banded seat clamp. not open molds.) In this case, carbon doesnt work entirely to its benefit, and the G1 is a little overly stiff, and calls at least for a more compliant set of handlebars. The GRX 600 is a 211, with a 50/34T up front, and an 11-34T cassette Viathon offers the GRX 800, SRAM Force, and AXS builds in a 1x configuration. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Im in GearJunkies Minneapolis office, a small blade in hand, ready to unbox a bike. With Walmart backing this brand, we can engage in a bike segment other brands wont touch.. The brand is starting with three models: the R1 road bike, the G1 gravel bike, and the M1 hardtail mountain bike. . Here's the Viathon M.1 in action with some catchy tunes. A RockShox 120mm fork and speedy Continental tires respectively absorb and grip the ground. The only thing that caught my eye was the cable routing gathered around the head tube, which looks a little messy. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Within each of these categories, there are a variety of builds to pick from all depending on how shiny you want the hardware to be. [natethomas] Gravel bikes can generally be ridden from home at a lower risk level than mountain bikes. Are bike shopsscary, elitist, and unwelcoming? The other risk is the warranty. . In reality, thats probably enough to realise any manufacturer defects, and Viathon does also offer a crash replacement policy, but its something to consider nonetheless. And failing. Photo by Josh Patterson . Others are concerned about how this will undercut bike shops. You can bet that when the product managers behind Viathon called manufacturers and name-dropped Walmart, the pencil was sharpened to a dangerously pokey point. Viathon made the G1 with certain features in mind: Thru-axles, flat mount disc brakes, and dropped seat stays for compliance. The Shimano Dura Ace build with hydraulic disc brakes costs $5,850, and the Ultegra disc brake model is $3,575. This latter element is certainly somewhat surprising when you consider Viathon R.1 road frame uses a PF30 shell, and that the use of a threaded shell arguably inhibits the available width for tyre clearance. Viathon's goals seem to be crystal clear with the R.1: Build a race-ready road bike for a high-end audience without the high-end price tag. Theyre quality products, but neither really belong on this bike. And that buying power is often used to competitive advantage: Walmart commonly cuts out the middlemen, and then out-prices and out-supplies its competitors across many industries. The road bike is 200 grams lighter than the gravel bike, with more aggressive geometry, 28c tires, and a stiffer frame. Viathons G.1 gravel bike requires the same build. At the GearJunkie office, we cut zip ties and packing tape. 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If nothing else, we've been surviving in this business for decades and we know the "easiest way to make a small fortune" in it a lesson which even the best-heeled outsiders have yet to learn. Though a cross-country bike, the Viathon gave confidence and control through almost every session on the U.P. Almost all carbon frames come from Asia, and different brands often subcontract with the same large producers. I also wanted all of my bikes to perform when pushed hard, said Spinhirne-Martin of the frames stiffness. Dont take this Bad Boy to the Bike Park: Viathons website proudly claims that few bikes carve up singletrack as effortlessly as the M.1. "We're trying to build a culture, building an education," Jordan said at the introduction. As I mentioned above, customers might be able to swap out the bars for something wider that will flex more, but the narrow 430mm bars clobbered my hands going over rough terrain. Theyve taken notes about the shoes, style of jeans, shirt design, right down to the style of watch. The bike reviewed here, the new G.1 GRX 600, provides a perfect example of those economies of scale. The spec matters a whole lot on a bike like this, and really, its a significant part of Viathons value proposition. Its wise to see if that character fits with yours. I normally would not take the time to write this stuff, but I was really interested in a review of this bike. Not because its not important, but because Viathons business model is to swap out these components to your preference upon ordering the bike, all with no additional cost. The IRC Boken tires and Mercury wheels were a good match for the Viathon as well. Widgets, Explore Even more interesting was Jordan's underlying premise that at least some of those hundreds of millions of Walmart customers would for reasons unknown and perhaps unknowable leap at the opportunity to purchase a full-dress carbon bike with a price tag northward of $3,000 precisely because they didn't have to go into a brick-and-mortar bike shop to purchase it. He employs six engineers and designers at his Toronto-based studio. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. At its inception, Kevin Quan Studios assisted in designing frames. ''', And indeed they were. Where the Viathon differs from the Stigmata is in its bottom bracket height, with the G.1 sitting some 3 mm higher in the air. Not surprisingly, its something we got along with well on the Santa Cruz. It lacks some of that impossible-to-define character that makes a climbing bike inspirational, especially when youre toiling away on a tough climb. The bikes graphics are understated, which is fitting to the overall narrative of this bike. Spinhirne-Martin tells me to look around the Laguna Seca Raceway, which is teeming with fans, baggy shorts-wearing bros, and Lycra-clad racers with rippling muscles. In so many ways, the Viathon is like the middle manager whos tried to mimic their boss style on a tight budget. Equipped with a SRAM XO1 Eagle drivetrain that shifts seamlessly, Stans 29 carbon wheels, and an FSA K-force carbon handlebar, this thing was designed to climb. So how does this high-value racer ride? Preventing Iliac Artery Endofibrosis - Cycling Overuse Injuries. View specs and technical data for all Viathon Bike Models. But the company has connections to the industry, including the support of trail networks notably, the network around Bentonville, Arkansas, near Walmart headquarters. The flipside of that is a frame that pounces forward when you ask it to do so. So far, Viathon isnt saying much about what makes its bikes different, nor is it telling much of a brand story. Both the Stigmata and the G.1 feature 425 mm chainstays, while the reach and stack figures are also closely aligned. "Of course, there was some backlash with the Walmart connection,'' said Mark Jordan, whose CrankTank marketing group staged the Viathon launch and was quoted in Yobbi's original article. As we continue to build out the platform, we welcome other brands, said Spinhirne-Martin. The Viathon G1 comes in five sizes ranging from 52cm to 60cm in 2cm increments. | Going uphill, the shifting is buttery smooth. Performance, comfort, speed, agility, and other characteristics require in-person evaluation, which is tough to prove for a brand like Viathon, which is available only online. Fond of bikes, pow, and dogs. The head tube feels firmly connected to the bottom bracket, and that to the rear axle. Also what is the complete weight? and Zipp Service Course cockpit, the G.1 Rival gets down to business. We tested the brand's top-end M.1 Mountain Bike for 6 weeks to gain an. A similarly specced Specialized Epic S-Works hardtail goes for about $3,000 more. Granted my personal bikes 150mm fork made it tough to have as much fun on the Viathons 120mm fork, I still felt unstable on the more technical parts of the trail with its steep 69.5-degree head tube angle. Walmarts immense buying power and pre-existing online sales channel means that for just US$2,298 (shipped, within the United States), this new brand can offer a full-carbon gravel bike equipped with quality components, including a Shimano GRX 600 groupset, Mercury G3C tubeless wheels, and Zipp Service Course cockpit components. Wealthy enthusiasts? 2 - You can't buy these bikes at a Walmart. All rights reserved. This carbon bike is set up for dirt road adventures but doesn't mind how much pavement you mix in. It's been just about four months since a line of consumer-direct carbon road, gravel and mountain bikes premiered from a new brand called Viathon, emerging out of the bright Sea Otter sunshine like the goddess Athena springing full-formed from the forehead of Zeus. Over mostly flat and undulating terrain, the G1 can actually be a little fun on certain trails, if thats what you enjoy from a gravel bike. "The negativity starts in-store with reports of forks installed backward. For the M.1, its the generalist MTB enthusiast, Spinhirne-Martin said. go tubeless they said it will be fun they said. By signing up for email newsletters, you agree to GearJunkie's, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). As it is, other brands are becoming wise to consumer demands for affordable, high-end bikes, so Viathon has enough competition to make one wonder whether this new brand can stick with the big boys. Right now, Viathon sits on the value end of the spectrum, alongside other house brands like Scattante or the now-closed Foundry: perfectly fine, but not particularly compelling. Thats exactly what we sought to answer with the high-value Viathon G.1, a carbon gravel bike thats backed by the biggest of big retailers Walmart. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. The frames are engineered and designed in partnership with Kevin Quan, a longtime designer whos responsible for well-known bikes from well-known brands like Cervelo, Parlee, and Pivot. The bike is not designed for a super short stem. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. Viathon expects stock on these bikes sometime this Fall. But rather than going out and buying the exact same flashy and high-end items, theyve sourced out the look-a-likes. Join Outside+ to get complete access to exclusive content on VeloNews, training plans for road and gravel, and more. And, its certainly not the Evil Chamois Hagar. As it happens, I prefer this kind of steering, which youll commonly find on aero bikes and endurance bikes with longer trail figures. I am a professional mechanic, and have a hand built over 175 custom frames from steel or Ti. It's been just about four months since a line of consumer-direct carbon road, gravel and mountain bikes premiered from a new brand called Viathon, emerging out of the bright Sea Otter sunshine like the goddess Athena springing full-formed from the forehead of Zeus. Is Viathon's new mountain bike the real deal? Steering responsiveness feels more akin to an endurance or aero bike than that of an all-around bike. There are rack and fender mounts on the G1 frame, internal routing, and mounts for up to three water bottles, so it is possible to get pretty far from base camp on the G1, and theres frame clearance for bags and all that. Performance or race-ready bikes are not a part of the stock in most Walmart stores or online. In some cases the customers know exactly what they want, but if they dont then the service agent can help determine whats best by running through a few questions about the rider and desired riding position.. Something like these Spank Vibrocore gravel bars we tested would certainly take the edge off. A 54 cm Stigmata offers a 71.5-degree head angle, 74-degree seat tube angle and trail figure of 66 mm (measured with 700 x 40 mm tyres). Turner Bikes - Titanium Mountain & Gravel Bikes Born To Perform Turner Bikes COME SEE US AT THE 2023 SEA OTTER CLASSIC, APRIL 20th - 23rd at Booth B15 & Meet our newest bike - The Scrub! So the supplied contact points of the bike werent a good fit for us, but paying customers will at least be given the option to fix this. Why was one of the worlds most budget-driven companies focusing on the upper echelon of the bike world? A handlebar with any degree of flare through the drops would be nice as well to widen the riders stance going downhill. The Viathon G.1 is the gravel rig of the bunch. Support us! I was excited to try out the G1 to get a better taste of what Viathon as a whole has to offer. Plan to post in the forums? Despite having all the good Shimano shifty bits, the full-length and low-cost Jagwire cables that connected them didnt do them justice. I understand the reviewer had limited time on the bike, but there is no real detail on how the bike rode. Perfect Portable Power Station: EcoFlow River 2 Pro Review, Watch Aldo Leopolds Passion for Conservation Take Root in Serve the Land, Best Overland Water Storage Containers for Long-Distance Travel, AI Hiking Bears Fascinate Internet, Scramble Human Brains, Civivi Conspirator Nitro-V Review: The Budget-Friendly Super Steel Youve Never Heard Of, Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Review: Mojave Road Overland Adventure, The Benchmade Narrows Resets the Engineering Bar, A Scope That Performs Without Breaking the Bank: Maven CRS.2 Review, The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2023, The Best Camping Mattresses and Sleeping Pads of 2023, From a Reclining Camp Chair to Kickass Layers: Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Moms, Best Gifts for Dad: Great Gear for Your Old Man, Best Fitness Gifts: 10 Must-Haves for the Outdoor Athlete. Lets be honest. Viathon is a new direct-to-consumer bike brand owned by Walmart that launched this week with a line of carbon bikes that sell between $2,300 and $6,000. For now, they only offer a hardtail, but Spinhirne-Martin isnt opposed to someday expanding their line to include a full-suspension bike. Racers? Its a bike that in so many ways aligns closely to what the premium Santa Cruz Stigmata is, however, the Viathon adds a little more versatility through additional mounting options. I weighed the M.1 later with a handheld scale.
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