Iwan Kemp Posted October 22, 2013 Author Posted October 22, 2013 So what can you compare it to? A bullet. A bullet strapped to a rocket. A bullet strapped to a rocket that's flick-able. Yes, that's it. It's a bullet strapped to a rocket that's flick-able. Even the French could win a war with one of those! Strapping the 120mm fork to the front and dropping a dropper down the tube has transformed the bike into a ripper! Riding up Jonkers single track is no issue either. Was very (pleasantly) surprised the short stem and higher front end did not unweigh the front nearly as much as I would've thought. I have quite a bit of data riding Tokai, Jonkers, Majik and Koeberg on similar bikes and I've been killing all those times. And now with the extra 20mm travel and a dropper the "heading back down" times have been slashed. And this after months of no proper riding and lots of winter eating! Roll on summer! Safe to say it's fast. NB: Tokai times are a bit useless now with the trails changing (for the better!) so I'm not comparing those and I must still do an Oak Valley or three to see how it compares on a trail with 80% single track. But first, it's getting a std offset fork to compare the wonders of 51mm offset.
Iwan Kemp Posted October 22, 2013 Author Posted October 22, 2013 Couple of points on Momsen's attention to detail while I'm staring at my bike post-ride... Internal routing for a dropper is the shiz! They have been clever enough to ship the frame with an open and closed "cable port". Std seat post? No problem. Fit the closed port and no muck will get in the frame. Running a dropper? Perfect. Swap out the ports and KABAM you have a neat solution for running it's hose inside the frame. Frame ships with pre-cut microfibre frame protection along with a full guide on how and where to apply what. Brilliant. Vipa also ships with a hardback owner's manual that covers everything from torque settings, spare parts guide (incl part numbers), cable routing guide and a host of other nice to knows. Downtube's 2-in-1 cable guides is a high-class touch. I've seen plenty of boutique frames with cables guides and routing that's absolutely rubbish. You can tell someone too their time in deciding the final touches. No after-thoughts.
Hairy Posted October 22, 2013 Posted October 22, 2013 A bullet strapped to a rocket that's flick-able. Yes, that's it. It's a bullet strapped to a rocket that's flick-able. Even the French could win a war with one of those! ............so the brakes don't work then .. how the hell do you stop a bullet strapped to a rocket, hopefully not the same way While Cyote does http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2vjUhoB2ELY/TAXkq-cakSI/AAAAAAAABNQ/XbMkxEYCB40/s1600/1-wile_e_coyote.jpg
Iwan Kemp Posted October 22, 2013 Author Posted October 22, 2013 Stupid Coyote! He's still riding a pre-production. See finale version below with internally routed fuse and aerial.
(Deon) Posted October 22, 2013 Posted October 22, 2013 A bullet strapped to a rocket that's flick-able. Yes, that's it. It's a bullet strapped to a rocket that's flick-able. Even the French could win a war with one of those! ............so the brakes don't work then .. how the hell do you stop a bullet strapped to a rocket, hopefully not the same way While Cyote does http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2vjUhoB2ELY/TAXkq-cakSI/AAAAAAAABNQ/XbMkxEYCB40/s1600/1-wile_e_coyote.jpg Ha ha, snap, I had the same picture in my head.. ! Check, he's on Rampage..
Iwan Kemp Posted October 23, 2013 Author Posted October 23, 2013 Have you worked out what type of suspension/linkage it uses yet? Would be interesting to know since Pat had just come off the split pivot project.. The VIPA is a single pivot with a linkage-driven rear shock. We all know there is A LOT of marketing out there, but after a couple of trail rides I took to YouTube to hear what Patrick Morewood and Victor Momsen had to say about the intended feel and ride of the bike. I must say I couldn't agree more. It was immediately obvious that the bike is plusher than what it's 80mm of rear travel would suggest. When Merida launched their 96 (Mission replacement) they said that they designed and tuned the suspension to ride like their hardtails. What a waste of a shock that was! I wasn't surprised when the redesigned that shortly after. Saying that to hightlight how the Vipa's 80mm can be tuned and optimised to give a specific feel when compared to the 96mm of the Merida.
Iwan Kemp Posted October 23, 2013 Author Posted October 23, 2013 Couple of interesting vids: First Prototype Ride and Discussion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKVrhtuunHU
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 23, 2013 Posted October 23, 2013 Stupid Coyote! He's still riding a pre-production. See finale version below with internally routed fuse and aerial. Bahahahaha!
Iwan Kemp Posted October 28, 2013 Author Posted October 28, 2013 Namib@RP , hoe gaan dinge daar in Namib met jou Vipa?
(Deon) Posted October 28, 2013 Posted October 28, 2013 Ja, not seen much from 'ol Namib since you and Hairy suggested strapping a rocket to the bike. Namib?
DJR Posted October 28, 2013 Posted October 28, 2013 ...................A bullet strapped to a rocket that's flick-able. Yes, that's it. It's a bullet strapped to a rocket that's flick-able. ........................ Crow, sorry to mention this, but what you said above sounds very much like my road bike.......
Iwan Kemp Posted October 28, 2013 Author Posted October 28, 2013 Crow, sorry to mention this, but what you said above sounds very much like my road bike.......
Namib@RP Posted October 28, 2013 Posted October 28, 2013 Namib@RP , hoe gaan dinge daar in Namib met jou Vipa?Middag The Crow Nee wat ek loop soos stroop.Ek is om trent elke dag/middag op die Viper en wat n plesier.Vir van julle is dit nie so maklik soos vir my nie.As ek by my hek uit ry lyk dit sohttp://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy170/Namib2010/WP_20131028_006.jpgSo daars min wat my elke middag keer om te ry.Die Viper is my hart se punt.... :clap:Pain or shine; "ol'Namib" nee wat hy like sy Viper. Die remme kan ook maar af kom, man verloor net spoed as jy hulle raak .Gooi hom rond ,Viper gaan waar jy wil he ,met min moeite .
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