Others are concerned about how this will undercut bike shops. When assessing the new Viathon R.1 road bike, I first chose to judge the proverbial book by its cover. Look for Viathon bikes online at ViathonBicycles.com in mid-May, and soon after at Walmart.com. But Quan is the only person mentioned in a team of top bicycle industry veterans with decades of collective experience. The only other real face behind Viathon is brand manager Zach Spinhirne-Martin, who spent nine years with the online retailer Competitive Cyclist before joining Walmart as its bike category manager. The question is, does a bikes soul matter more than its value and performance? While thats a noble notion, is the Viathon bike really that groundbreaking? 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. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. But what was remarkable about Viathon was the identity of the brand's owner: Walmart. Walmart hopes its own expensive bike will be proof of concept to attract mainstream brands to that marketplace brands that previously opted out, like Evil and Niner, which are both sold at Walmart-owned Moosejaw.com. Theres a low 69mm of bottom bracket drop, making for increased stability and cornering, and a 74 seat tube angle and a 71.5 head tube angle. The geometry, however, told a different story than what Viathon portrayed as the M1s intent, and it felt much more like an XC race bike, than an everyday trail bike. 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. Viathon Bikes launched to surprise, confusion and intrigue back in April, offering high-end carbon XC hardtails despite links to Walmart. not open molds.) That said, if carbon is your jam, you want a solid groupset, and dont spend a lot of time gravel biking on trail, or in real bumpy terrain, the G1 delivers. M.1 | XX1 Eagle AXS; M.1 | XX1 Eagle ; M.1 | X01 Eagle ; . Any Canadians with/had a hip labral tear here? It lacks some of that impossible-to-define character that makes a climbing bike inspirational, especially when youre toiling away on a tough climb. I ride over ladder bridges and into dense trees. Bike shops could benefit from more riders on more bikes. Its a bike that uses the exact same full-carbon frame as the more expensive Viathon G.1s in the range theres no tweak to the carbon lay-up, or cheapening of the fork for the various price points. I like my bikes to jump when I stand up and crank down on the pedals. Are bike shopsscary, elitist, and unwelcoming? For many consumers, budget concerns are only part of the equation. Viathon takes pride that every model indeed, every finished bicycle is at the top of its class for weight, technology, and quality. The M.1 is among a small 2019 line that includes road and gravel models, as well as two additional high-end mountain bike builds specced lower and with prices starting at $1,998. by Rick Vosper. 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. We have incredible traffic on our site. Not recovering IT Band Friction Syndrome!! At this writing, the various models are listed at "Summer Sale" prices on the Viathon website. Also the statement of light as a feather.is that compared to your Enduro bike? It picks up speed quickly like road bike quick and feels very responsive to cornering and rider input. The answer? Well, so much for that. Brand manager Spinhirne-Martin said a search of similar Trek, Specialized, or Canyon bikes will net a conclusion that they are all significantly more expensive for a similarly specced product., Spinhirne-Martin came to Walmart after 10 years working in the industry at Competitive Cyclist. The round seatpost is held by a regular old banded seat clamp. This bike isnt perfect and its not as good as the bike its inspired by, but none of that really matters when you consider the US$2,300 pricetag. Another new direct-to-consumer brand, Remot, alsolaunched this week with far less buzz, despite being owned by American Bicycle Group, the holding company for established high-end brands Litespeed and Quintana Roo. Its noon on Michigans Upper Peninsula, where I came to ride Copper Harbor and the IMBA-ordained network in and near Marquette. Members get 15+ publications right in your pocket. I didnt expect much from the Bokens, but they were predictable on dirt with a fast rolling speed. Shoppers will have four build choices per model. 68mm threaded bottom bracket. IMBA Epics | All these numbers are pretty well proven, and create a bike that walks the tightrope between controlled and quick. Were partnering with the bike industry to deliver so we dont mess it up, said Spinhirne-Martin. Viathon G.1 GRX 800 review Call it a 'Walmart' bike if you must. 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. I can always add larger volume tires and reduce the pressure for additional comfort when riding gravel or chip-seal, but a wet noodle frame is just painful when youre dying climbing for hours in the mountains.. The IRC Boken tires and Mercury wheels were a good match for the Viathon as well. Photo by Josh Patterson . The Viathon G.1 is the gravel rig of the bunch. Viathon M.1 GX Eagle Mountain Bike Review | SRAM GX EagleI was amazed how light this bike was and how well it climbed!Viathon was kind enough to send me over. Plan to post in the forums? They seem to offer a solid value for a full carbon bike. Tiny issue, sure, but its the smallest of details that often separate great bikes from good bikes. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. For Spinhirne-Martin, creating the brandwas about making high-end bikes more accessible to the general public, and Viathon hopes to do that through their price point. 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. But heres the kicker. When you need the fastest road bike, mountain-climbing bike, or racing bike, look to Viathon. All Viathon bikes come with a 2-year warranty. The XX1 bike is around 21.5 pounds for a size M. The weight is competitive with other hardtail cross-country bikes in the same price range, and the price isnt wildly low. So Viathon designed & engineered three bikes - the R.1, G.1 & M.1 - each new carbon frames unique to the brand (designs owned by Viathon, ie. The cables rub the head tube (BYO protective frame stickers! The pre-taped tubeless-ready rims are laced with Sapim double-butted spokes to easily-serviced sealed bearing hubs, and all told, they weigh a perfectly reasonable 1,644 g (claimed). For the hardtail mountain bike, thats a $2,000 frame, $2,400 GX Eagle build, $3,500 X01 build (which comes without a dropper), or a $6,000 XX1 option. Racers? After every order is placed, a customer service agent calls the customer to confirm the order and determine the stem and crank length, handlebar width, and seatpost offset to ensure the customer gets the best fit possible, said Zach Spinhirne-Martin. At least on paper, the value for money is unquestionable, but a great bike is always more than a sum of the parts bolted to it. Amazon Pick. Usually, they can change the bar width, stem length, and crank length, but Viathon hasnt been able to do this during the pandemic because of supply chain issues, and its not clear yet when theyll be able to offer this option again. Illiac Artery Endofibrosis - I've got it. Take YouTuber KevCentral, for example, whose channel reviews bikes available at Walmart and Walmart.com and how to upgrade them. We tested the brand's top-end M.1 Mountain Bike for 6 weeks to gain an. 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. Sadly the provided stem length and seatpost setback werent an ideal fit for the bike, or us. Will people buy them? It borrows heavily from both BMC's Teamelite cross country race bike and the Roadmachine to create a. Canyons Exceed CF is $6,500 and has a comparable spec. Speaking of rocks, the Viathons ride quality is certainly on the stiffer end of things, and those thin seatstays werent able to tame as much as the Salsa Warbird or even the Stigmata. For now, no. But Viathon is a Walmart corporatenot Waltonproject, intended to expand Walmarts current bike offerings to the specialty market. The bikes themselves, it was agreed, were competently designed and engineered, and marketed by respected industry professionals with big-brand credentials. I normally would not take the time to write this stuff, but I was really interested in a review of this bike. At the beginning of the pandemic, governments and mountain bike organizations made it clear to all of us that we should be sticking close to home, and refraining from unnecessary risks. Andy reports that the bike has razor sharp handling and when one puts the pressure on the . Both the Stigmata and the G.1 feature 425 mm chainstays, while the reach and stack figures are also closely aligned. | The mastermind behind the frame designer is Kevin Quan who drew from his previous experience with Diamondback, Cervelo, and Parlee bikes. Mimicking the Stigmata, the G.1 sits more toward the road end of the gravel spectrum with angles which are closer to that of an endurance road bike than a hardtail mountain bike of a decade past. I asked about the response to the brand launch from customers and the bike industry. The question is, what sets it apart from other high-end bikes at this pricepoint or higher, if anything? During Sun Valleys Outerbike event I had the chance to pick Viathon founder Zach Spinhirne-Martins brain about the genesis of the brand. Re: Did Wal Mart pull the plug on Viathon? Why Ultralight People Need to Chill Already, Kershaw Iridium Review: A Great Flipping Knife Under $100. Lets be honest. It will be an uphill battle for a brand that could use a bit more personality. Nope: while the bikes its offering look to be good quality and competitively priced, the reason that Viathons entry turned heads is whos behind it: Walmart. It has longer, slacker geometry than its road bike cousin and different tube shaping. Their $18 million investment went a long way for the areas trail infrastructure, making it an unsuspecting cycling mecca nestled into the Ozark Mountains. They seem to offer a solid value for a full carbon bike. With a network of green-rated trails down the street from my house, the G1 came into my hands at the right time. Viathon "believes that great bikes make riding more fun. 2 - You can't buy these bikes at a Walmart. And then theres the fact that the established brands the Giants, Treks, Specializeds and Cannondales of this world typically supply the bikes with components that are already damn close to being right for each respective size to begin with. In the meantime, Viathon offers the . Or at least, hasn't happened yet. 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! Meanwhile, the rear brake hose, which sits loose inside the down tube, had a tendency to rattle against the frame. Viathon says it wants to bridge Walmarts current low-price offerings to the bike-enthusiastbusiness. Garmin Garmin Edge 1030 Bundle. Launched earlier this year, its line blows the image of a "Walmart bike" out of the water. Walmart is also the largest grocer in America and possibly the world. CyclingTips global tech editor James Huang and I ended up testing, and enjoying, the bike with a 90 mm stem fitted, and would have preferred a straight seatpost, too. Are modern bicycles the end of DIY maintenance. Did Viathon offer some bold new technology,jaw-dropping value, or an irresistible brand story? One, the fact the writer states that his review is skewed because he is an enduro rider. Walmart is not just a brand of box stores that populates every U.S. state. Releasing some fluid from the system remedied this, but we can only hope production bikes dont need the same treatment. Theyll know youre copying them at a fraction of the price, and if theyre really savvy, theyll know their stuff is marginally better and the reasons why. And I suspect Viathon isnt relying on a deep tech story to market its bikes for a simple reason: the frames dont seem to offer clear innovation in design or materials. Walmart is hoping to entice customers to Viathon with a no-questions-asked return policy. The result is a bike covered in proven, quality, big-name components at a price thats approximately a third less than its more established competition, and really, not much more expensive than a bare frame. Hip Labrum Repair - How long did yours last? Mountain - M.1. [Eroc43] Thats a fine goal, but lets not kid ourselves: $2,300 is both a lot of money and also not appreciably cheaper than the pricing offered by a number of other brands. It's a full carbon gravel bike with modern geometry, an understated look, and a price that's refreshingly affordable. Ok Fishes, here is the interview we were all waiting for!! And yep, the frame can be setup with either 1x or 2x gearing. Also what is the complete weight? 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. With Walmart backing this brand, we can engage in a bike segment other brands wont touch.. If you think the pricing for the big mainstream brands is out of control, you'll be happy to hear that the Viathon's direct-to-consumer business model means an R.1 with all the fixings. I hit small drops and jumps on multiple runs. Many see this as an exciting window of opportunity - by tapping into Walmarts extensive consumer base, the sport might have a chance to grow as a whole. The 70mm stem felt a bit squirrely, and any minor movement was transferred into the handlebars going downhill. Earlier this year, Viathon Bicycles launched with a direct-to-consumer business model and a catalog of high-end carbon bicycles, taking an approach similar to the one Canyon has used. Viathon Bikes Walmart's proprietary bicycle line offers high-quality road, mountain, and gravel bikes that have totally negated the cheap "Walmart Bike" stigma. Said to be a pre-production photo sample, our tester came equipped with a long 110 mm stem, wide 440 mm bars, and 20 mm setback seatpost. The only thing that caught my eye was the cable routing gathered around the head tube, which looks a little messy. The Viathon G1 is a bike that is a high performance machine with a good set of components out of the box. To get a full carbon gravel bike with a Shimano GRX600 groupset for $2,300 is a pretty sweet deal, although there are still other great deals on gravel bikes, for those who like steel or aluminum. Viathon again drives a hard bargain with the G1. Its a private brand being managed within the e-commerce merchandising team based in San Bruno, California. Read more. Dont let the affordable price entice you if youre looking for a more well-rounded bike. but no links to product pages. 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. Theres a complete Shimano GRX 600 211 group on this bike, right down to the Ultegra-level Center Lock brake rotors and Shimano threaded bottom bracket. Our biggest issues were certainly related to the cabling. Im in GearJunkies Minneapolis office, a small blade in hand, ready to unbox a bike. And winner winner: theres a threaded bottom bracket shell. I was excited to try out the G1 to get a better taste of what Viathon as a whole has to offer. The R.1 feels like a high-end bike, except for one minor nitpick: While most high-end race bikes have taken great efforts to hide all cables, the R.1 has all four cables exposed around the cockpit. Viathon furthers those purchasing efficiencies by only producing the frame in a somewhat limited range of five sizes, and in many cases, even the rather simple two-tone paint is unchanged between the models. Hardtail race XC bikes seem to be going away in favor of short-travel, full-suspension options. If youre looking to buy a high-end carbon XC bike and would like to save $2,000which you could put towards another bikethe Viathon might be a good fit for you. Walmart isnt a brand most turn to for upgrading their bike, but Viathon could change that perception. And while the bikes may be sold on Walmarts website at some point, theres no mention ofselling in stores, which would put the bikes in front of a broader audience. 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. 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.

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