Vitus Release New E-Sommet eMTB

Nov 12, 2020
by Daniel Sapp  
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Vitus have announced the launch of their new and redeveloped E-Sommet eMTB today. The new E-Sommet features an internal battery frame design, updated geometry, and improved suspension kinematics. Vitus' goal with the redesign was to combine what they feel are the best components in the industry with their new frame to offer a capable eMTB while staying true to their customers with an accessible price point.

The E-Sommet features 167mm of travel and is designed as an all-mountain/enduro/freeride bike with a 27.5" rear wheel and 29" front wheel. The frame is made out of a 6061-T6 aluminum and sports either a Shimano EP8 or E7000 motor powered by an internal Shimano battery with 630wh or 504wh, depending on the model. The bike also has improved internal cable routing, a threaded BB shell, and SRAM's UDH derailleur hanger.

E-Sommet Details

• Wheel size: 29" front / 27.5" rear
• Rear wheel travel: 167mm
• 6061 aluminum frame
• Shimano EP8 or E7000 motor
• 64° head angle
• 77°/76.5° seat angle
• 442mm chainstays
• Claimed weight: 23.5 - 24.7 kg / 51.8 - 54.5 lb
• Price: € 4,200 - € 6,300
• vitusbikes.com


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Battery and Motor

The battery is now an integrated design, incorporating all aspects of the system in the frame. Vitus' engineers designed a battery door on the bottom of the downtube and added strength in key areas to ensure the frame kept the performance characteristics they were after. A larger 630Wh battery coupled to the EP8 motor has a claimed 36% less pedaling resistance vs the E8000 to give riders more range.

The new EP8 motor has a magnesium housing that offers greater assistance on a wide range, it also weighs 10% less than the previous E8000 motor and has 20% more torque, at 85Nm, to allow riders to tackle more challenging climbs and trails.

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Geometry and Suspension

Vitus have updated the geometry of the E-Sommet to provide what they feel is a more confidence-inspiring ride. There are slacker head angles and a reduced BB drop to aid in technical climbing. There is a steeper effective seat tube angle which progressively steepens as you go through the size range of bikes to give each frame size an optimal sagged saddle position.

Through measuring saddle height at saddle lay back, Vitus looked at the position of the saddle relative to the BB to ensure that the bike was in an optimal pedaling position at sag. The seat tube was steepened in larger sizes to ensure the saddle layback wasn't too far behind the BB.

The bike carries over the same fixed lower shock mount as the Sommet & Escarpe models. This allowed Vitus to refine the suspension kinematics. An improved progressive leverage curve gives a more consistent feel and better support. Lower anti-squat and anti-rise numbers also aid in suspension performance.

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The new E-Sommet features a straighter leverage curve and an increase in progressivity from 8% to 25%. This was done to improve small-bump sensitivity and mid-stroke support. The increase in progression also helos with end stroke control and allows better compatibility with coil shocks.
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The anti-squat has been reduced to work alongside the new leverage curve with more mid-stroke support.

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The E-Sommet is available in three different models. The VR uses a Shimano E7000 motor and Shimano Deore level drivetrain along with an X-Fusion Trace 36 RC 170mm fork and X-Fusion O2 Pro R shock. It weighs a claimed 23.5kg and sells for £3,599.99 or € 4,199.99.

The VRS uses Shimano's EP8 drive unit and a SLX/Deore level drivetrain. Suspension duties are handled by a RockShox Zeb Select RC 170mm fork and RockShox Superdeluxe Select R shock. It sells for £4,799.99 / €5,499.99.

The top of the line E-Sommet VRX has a Shimano EP8 motor and 630Wh battery, Shimano XT level drivetrain and brakes, and a RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork paired to a Super Deluxe Select+RT shock and sells for £5,499.99 or €6,299.99.

At the moment, the E-Sommet isn't available in the US, but plans are in the works to change that by early 2021.

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E-Sommet VR
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E-Sommet VRS

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E-Sommet VRX

The E-Sommet VR is now available and the VRS and VRX models will be available in January 2021. For more information, visit www.vitusbikes.com

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Posted In:
Reviews and Tech eMTB First Looks Press Releases Enduro Bikes Vitus Vitus E Sommet


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120 Comments
  • 59 7
 We don't want to criticize eMTBs too much, They might become a thing and Vitus in the ass later on.
  • 5 14
flag DaFreerider44 (Nov 12, 2020 at 7:55) (Below Threshold)
 No more puns. They put me in propain
  • 41 17
 Only came to see how many bawbag Ebike haters came to complain in the comments about a newly released Ebike article/advert they themselves chose to open.
Was not disappointed.
  • 17 9
 Come on, man. You know that outrage is the currency of the day. And they all have to virtue signal to their perceived chosen tribe.
  • 10 9
 @Chuckolicious: Don't let the buzzwords create a feedback loop in your echo chamber - it will melt your snowflake, bro.
  • 6 6
 @suspended-flesh: Err..what?
  • 16 25
flag digitalsoul (Nov 12, 2020 at 7:15) (Below Threshold)
 I only came here to see how many ebike loving idiots were complaining about the ebike haters. Was not disappointed.
  • 8 6
 @digitalsoul: Aww, what a mensch you are.
  • 6 7
 @digitalsoul: We have become a slave species to polarity. Ebikers 4 Tump vs AnarchoCommunists 4 Human Power.
  • 4 1
 @suspended-flesh: its the haters refuting science and making up arguements without proof though
  • 2 1
 @suspended-flesh: maybe you! Me, I ride eMTB and non-motorized MTB - what now???
  • 1 0
 @Heidesandnorth: Ross Perot
  • 2 1
 @Chuckolicious: "I'm all ears"
  • 23 4
 Vitus doing some neat stuff lately
  • 7 0
 Killing it '21
  • 17 3
 Here is my opinion....
  • 11 2
 I think that..
  • 13 1
 I agree, and very nicely worded too.
  • 12 2
 Let me tell you why you are dead wrong
  • 3 1
 Your opinion is based on fake news so...
  • 1 0
 30 psi in my Minions...
  • 8 2
 While de analog bikes are very well priced, the Motor ones, are way of their head.

Seriously , why would I pick the VRS at 5.500 euros over the Meta Power at the same price : www.commencal-store.com/meta-power-29-essential-c2x31374356
  • 6 1
 Meta Power is a nice bike, the E-Sommet VRS is Zeb/Super Deluxe vs Fox 38, and does have a Shimano Crankset, full DT Swiss H1900 wheels, Shimano SLX 4pot brakes, Acros headset with integrated cable routing, Maxxis DD tyres and Nukeproof kit.

Both would be great out on the trails though so win win
  • 2 3
 @chillescarpe: parts are comparable but the frame is just one step above at commencal.
  • 1 2
 How does anyone afford any one of these bikes?
  • 2 6
flag bogdanc (Nov 13, 2020 at 5:29) (Below Threshold)
 @colincolin: that's why 90% of owners are fat dentists in their fifties or over
  • 2 0
 I like the Commencal option but smaller rear wheel and shorter chainstay are appealing features to me for more playfulness. I wish commencal had designed a mullet for 2021... i have a meta power 29 from ‘19, i love it but a shorter chainstay would be a plus for the twisty and technical terrain i ride.
  • 18 9
 FYI @pinkbike, ebike filter isn't working for this one
  • 1 0
 Halppp
  • 5 1
 @pinkbike: how about an eBike-hater filter? Or even better: a filter that filters out everything I do not like, kinda FB-style. That world out there upsets me so much, please create a cozy, pink unicorn & rainbow-filled safe place for me!!!
  • 1 1
 @Heidesandnorth: hahha, you nailed it..if you want people to stop hating on e-bikes, then aren't you asking for a safe space?? Ahhhh inception!!!
  • 10 4
 I'd really like one. Sorry not sorry
  • 2 0
 These look great, but I was hoping for better spec, when Vitus announced the new analogue bikes, those are amazing value, £3.5k the escarpe or sommet have a spec that I would never feel a need to change. The ebikes are well priced compared to the competition but not amazing. Anyway academic, CRC is the only seller, the lower spec one, released yesterday now only 5 left in stock of the large.
  • 2 0
 I would want the £4.5k version to have the same spec as £3.5k analogue, I dont see why a battery and a motor should cost more than an extra £1k.
  • 1 1
 And the carbon front end
  • 2 0
 Those e-screens do seem particularly vulnerable to getting smashed when a bike tomahawks. I run my bike light upside down beneath the bar where it's protected; it works like a charm.
  • 5 1
 Reduced bb drop is a tricky statement. Should read - higher bb.
  • 10 10
 Why is the weight of this bike not in the details list? Considering people interested in E-bikes are waiting for the weight of these bikes to come down it’s very important. Put the weight in kg and lbs in the details list. If mister bike manufacturer man won’t give you the weight then no front page coverage.

So sick of this “hide the weight” approach by the MTB world. Just give us the weight of all MTB’s in the details list. The people will decide if it’s worth further investigation.
  • 5 3
 The problem is the motors and battery weigh roughly the same, so it comes down to parts list really, and that varies greatly on what you choose. On a regular bike you are in a constant battle between weight and function, sure you want the bigger tires and suspension but do you want to pedal it up. I have over 26,000km now on the devinci it is 56 pounds ready to ride with cush core's and it feels like a 25 pound bike now, it has 180mm travel and everything you do want fo sick downs and it climbs like my old race bikes. The weight matters most who have not spent time on them. It is why so many guys love the idea with the lighter sl etc, but they are spec'd with super light tires rims etc that just wont stand up to the ripping you will do and once you ride against someone with equal fitness , the more torque and powerful motor does more and can do steeper ups for longer...some of the top ews bikes are 37 pounds so the disparity is not as much as most riders believe.
  • 10 1
 Let me save you the hassle - it'll weigh about 23Kgs - the same as most eMTBs with f&r susslers that use 90% the same componants.
And to be honest, 22kg or 24kg, it doesn't make much real difference on an eMTB
  • 7 0
 @shredb4dead, we always try put the weight of a bike in the details list if we actually have one one hand to weigh. There's no hide the weight conspiracy - if you look back at most of our First Looks / First Rides you'll find it clearly listed.

In this case, that wasn't possible, but the claimed weights are in there now. @IllestT was right on the money.
  • 8 0
 Because it doesn't matter. I'm 40 and have ridden most of my life, always cared about weight but could care less on my ebikes. I like them on the heavier side as you can just smash descents faster.
  • 1 3
 @IllestT: Yeh the real issue is the weight of the rider.....
  • 2 1
 Nice work Vitus on the E-Sommet, looks great and Geo numbers look spot on. Can wait for some ride reviews. To be honest with all of the eMTBikes and eMTB relate stuff Pinkbike should create a new website just for eMTBs.
  • 2 1
 I like the sound of that. But I'm show people will still go out of their way to leave negative comments about the articles...
  • 2 3
 Hopefully e-bike riders can create there own trails the no one will have to moan about all the lazy crap riders riding them like Allen.
  • 2 1
 @holdandhope: Cool story.
  • 1 2
 @Allen82: Thanks, hopefully it will help people just starting to ride like you.
  • 1 0
 @holdandhope: Whats the matter. You seem angry.
  • 1 0
 @holdandhope: Can I ask your age also?
  • 1 1
 @Allen82: I am eMTBer, but I do find the comments from the haters to be funny. I also find it funny when I pass a MTBer on a climb or decent and yell out "eMTBer coming thru"Smile
  • 2 0
 Looks good, but way more expensive than the previous version which also had high spec parts...
  • 4 0
 Welcome to 2021 bikes
  • 2 0
 @rockroll:
Thing is the non E new vitus summet and eacarpe are exceptional value. With wiggle platinum discount its cheaper than a YT, canyon or anything else build for build.

My guess is Shimano are charging a fortune for their new duff motors....
  • 1 0
 @rockroll: so has the covid bike boom of 2020 already resulted in price hikes?
  • 1 0
 @nvranka: I’ve noticed 2021 Giant and Trek bikes are 10-20% dearer. Eg Trance Advanced Pro 29 1, 2020 $6599. 2021 $7999. Only a change from GX and guides to XT. $NZ. Probably COVID related somehow
  • 1 0
 @rockroll: damn. Yeah all my local spots are PACKED, and new bikes seem to be largely sold out...
  • 2 0
 Not bad except for the weight which should be near 25 kg for the higher speced models in a size Large.
  • 4 1
 Looks like someone forgot the e-bike tag...
  • 1 0
 I'm not gonna critic ebike, but I'm often surprised at how much last year's bike's curves suck big time compared to the new one.
  • 7 9
 Great advertisement for the bike, engages boost, rides 3 pedal strokes then no more pedalling down the hill!
That was a great use of boost...

Cant wait for there to be sub 40lb e-bikes with small batteries that are detachable and ideally a motor that can be removed too.

? How many e-bike companies have a connector for night lights (bar mounted of course) and night lights that connect to that connector. This would be great for the winter riding. Add in some hand heater options too to get the best use out of that battery. How about putting some descending regen energy back into recharging a small battery if selected...
  • 4 4
 you're too ahead of your time. That will come in gen 2,3,4,5,7 so on and so forth respectively so they can gouge you for money.
  • 4 4
 Maybe add in some indicators, a radio, 3 way electric adjustable seats, aircon, airbag, satnav, cruise control...
  • 2 2
 @Gerlewis: Auto driving feature like Tesla's. Those double blacks won't even be hard
  • 1 1
 @Gerlewis: too innovative.

I will stick to R&D in a bigger company... I mean, paperwork and tiny changes, cost improvements...

Once upon a time I worked for a small engineering company, world firsts (some good motor drive stuff too), small amount of paperwork, lots of real design work Frown
  • 3 0
 check out the bikes with fazua motor, for example lapierre ezesty. the drivepack which contains the motor and battery connects to some sort of transmission in the bb shell and is removable which should turn the bike in a regular pedal bike, albeit a bit heavier.
  • 4 0
 Not sure about other brands, but Shimano and Bosch have sockets available for plugging lights into (and have done for years).
Information on such aftermarket plugins is extremely thin on the ground though.
Its not straightforward either. Bosch requires the motor cover to be removed and connecting by wire to a computer with Bosch USB key in order to activate the power to the sockets.
Shimano is a bit easier, you can plug lights into the spare socket behind the head unit (by removing the blanking peg) and activating the power using the eTube phone app (which is awful by the way!)
  • 25 23
 oh look, another Electric Moped
  • 6 4
 oh look, another comment saying 'Electric Moped'.
  • 1 1
 @bigtim: Yeh he should say bike with a motor to be correct. x
  • 2 0
 A Threaded BB shell....? Are you sure about that statement?
  • 1 0
 I thought exactly the same and came hunting for comments. It's like a proud statement.... All well and good if it were true and yet, not actually physically possible.
  • 1 0
 If these become available before the acoustic Sommet that was launched three weeks ago...
  • 2 1
 That was fun having a peek into the Ebike scene I don't see anymore. but I don't really want to see any more.
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Norco Sight EBike. Nope, not like a Session!
  • 4 3
 Looks like a rail killer if your in the market.
  • 5 6
 Geometry and price look good, a decent alternative to the kenevo. Vitus are killing it in 2021 with their ebikes and snailbikes.
  • 1 0
 That screen looks vulnerable to being smashed after a bike tomahawk.
  • 1 0
 Anybody knows where is that beautiful bikepark? Tks
  • 1 0
 North Wales
  • 1 0
 Revolution Bike Park Perfect conditions to ride in featured in that video!
  • 1 0
 @IOMHENDO: Thanks
  • 1 0
 @bigtim: Thanks
  • 11 12
 Really don't get why your filming a video on an e-bike at revolution when your not even allowed to ride them up there...
  • 11 3
 They've done Ebike days in the past and i think they might do more of that sort of thing in the future Smile
  • 4 7
 Hopefullly not....
  • 1 1
 @holdandhope: yawn...
  • 3 5
 Xfusion is still in business?
Whale oil beef hooked
  • 3 0
 I've used metric not so long ago, it was one of the plushest fork i ever used. İf you are a heavy guy one sizr negative spring causes some problems tho
  • 5 0
 they make one of the best dropper imho.
  • 4 0
 @Alexh1983: Totally! I have one and I never has any problems and it is super easy to push down and comes up at a nice speed. (not like a specialized command post!)
  • 1 3
 Looks like a session
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