2023 Vitus Mythique New Review

This Vitus Mythique was a bike with good performance and an achievable price. Now, the brand published 2023 new catalogue which is made up of four bikes, the VR, VRS, VRX and AMP, each getting the option of 650b or 29in wheels. The entry-level VR has 130mm of front and rear travel, while the VRS, VRX and AMP feature 140mm. Both 29in and 27.5in wheel-size options are available on all models, except the AMP, which is only available with 29in mountain bike wheels.

Geometry updates

The new Mythique sees lots of updates over the previous model, with cleaner lines matched with modern geometry.

The head tube is half a degree slacker in a bid to up the control when things get steeper and more technical. This means the 130mm travel version of the bike will now have a head angle of 66 degrees compared to 66.5 degrees on the previous model. The same is true for the 140mm bike, with the head tube angle now at 65.5 degrees compared to the previous 66 degrees.Vitus says this provides more control while descending, boosting confidence on steeper and more technical terrain.

The effective seat tube angle is now steeper than the previous model with a 1-degree increase on the 130mm bike, from 76.7 degrees to 77.7 degrees. The 140mm bike now sits at 77.3 degrees, up from 76.1 degrees.

Vitus says this balances the increase in the head angle, and positions you further over the bottom bracket for more efficient climbing.

Horst-link suspension system

The Mythique uses a Horst-link suspension system that remains active under braking and is supportive from the midstroke to the end of its travel.

Vitus claims the updated system has an anti-rise figure that is around 5 per cent higher than the previous platform, resulting in a more balanced and less pitchy ride.

The new bike now uses a 185mm x 55mm trunnion-mount shock, which Vitus says has increased the leverage ratio, although progression remains at 22 per cent.

Frames updated

Vitus said the new Mythique's alloy frame full dropper post insertion, so all riders can maximise the amount of drop travel they can get. Elsewhere, there's a threaded bottom bracket, externally routed cables, a Boost 148 rear axle, and 44mm upper and 56mm lower headset bearings, both of which are pretty common.