Matt Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 We’ve had a Momsen VIPA AC in the office for a little while now. Since my own carbon VIPA XT has been sitting in pieces pending a rebuild it was a perfect time to put in some testing.Click here to view the article
NicoBoshoff Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 What is this witchcraft??? A decently kitted bike for under R40k????Bang for your buck this!
rock Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 so that's R20k less than the one with a carbon front triangle. seems obvious. Hairy 1
Shepherd Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 "Differences versus the 2016 model? Looking at only the frame the most significant change is the inclusion of a second bottle cage mount in the front triangle (M, L and XL only)." Not so sure this is correct, I mailed Momsen asking specifically about this and they said it was not included in the AC version of the frame. You can even see in the photos as well that they dont have the bolt holes on the upright of the front triangle to be able to attach their special adapter for the additonal bottle holder... Having said this, amazing looking bike!!
buffalosoldier Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 Just received a replacement 2016 frame and it doesn't have a 2nd bottle holder on vertical section.
Matt Posted November 10, 2015 Author Posted November 10, 2015 "Differences versus the 2016 model? Looking at only the frame the most significant change is the inclusion of a second bottle cage mount in the front triangle (M, L and XL only)." Not so sure this is correct, I mailed Momsen asking specifically about this and they said it was not included in the AC version of the frame. You can even see in the photos as well that they dont have the bolt holes on the upright of the front triangle to be able to attach their special adapter for the additonal bottle holder... Having said this, amazing looking bike!!We'll query this with them. According to their website the 2016 Vipa AC does have the second bottle cage mount and the photos there confirm it.
Shepherd Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 We'll query this with them. According to their website the 2016 Vipa AC does have the second bottle cage mount and the photos there confirm it.Thanks for the feedback team, looking forward to what they say... Its a bit silly to have the AC NOT have the dual bottle cage, that to me is a HUGE plus to this bike. I dont like backpacks, and sticking bottles in my back pockets.. My only drawing card to an Epic, which I cant afford as they are ridiculously over priced for what you get...
Shepherd Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 P.S...I looked at that link, a bit blind from Momsen for putting that photo up as you can see thats the carbon front triangle and not the Alloy one (No welding lines...)
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 P.S...I looked at that link, a bit blind from Momsen for putting that photo up as you can see thats the carbon front triangle and not the Alloy one (No welding lines...)Which, the black one? If so, there are DEFINITELY weld lines there...
nonky Posted November 11, 2015 Posted November 11, 2015 Any issues with seat-stay bridge and tyre clearance? I've heard this is a problem with wider tyres on a vipa - is it true?
nonky Posted November 11, 2015 Posted November 11, 2015 Thanks for the feedback team, looking forward to what they say... Its a bit silly to have the AC NOT have the dual bottle cage, that to me is a HUGE plus to this bike. I dont like backpacks, and sticking bottles in my back pockets.. My only drawing card to an Epic, which I cant afford as they are ridiculously over priced for what you get... 2016 Aluminium Epic (with rear Brain) is RRP <ZAR40k - checked the price this week for a riding buddy who's buying one. (that's AFTER the huge price increases for 2016...) Shepherd 1
Matt Posted November 11, 2015 Author Posted November 11, 2015 Any issues with seat-stay bridge and tyre clearance? I've heard this is a problem with wider tyres on a vipa - is it true?I run 2.25's on my VIPA XT (same rear end) with no major issues. In some seriously clogged up muddy conditions I have had a bit of scuffing on the frame from debris on the tyre, but nothing I'm overly worried about. I've recently tested out the same tyres on some wider rims (28mm internal) with no issues, but clearance is tight. Anything wider tyre wise could be a problem, but it's unlikely you'd want to run a much wider tyre on what is essentially an XC / Marathon bike.
Lefty V Posted November 11, 2015 Posted November 11, 2015 The comment about the skinny Honey Badgers I found interesting: Best tyres I have owned to date in 26 years of mtb. I suspect the sizing is weird - their 2.2s are HUUUGE and the 2.05s looked and felt similar to the 2.2 Vitorias I run now. Matt 1
Shepherd Posted November 12, 2015 Posted November 12, 2015 Which, the black one? If so, there are DEFINITELY weld lines there... Not on this photo indicating the double bottle cage, which is listed in thier AC gallary. You can see where the top tube meets the down tube. Further the suspension pivot mount on the down tube. You can also tell on the upright tube the carbon fiber lap lines, I have the same ones on my Spec StumpJumper Carbon HT. In my opinion, and I could be wrong, but this is a carbon bike... Which would match up with the feedback I got from Momsen prior to this review being posted.
Hilton. Posted November 12, 2015 Posted November 12, 2015 (edited) Not on this photo indicating the double bottle cage, which is listed in thier AC gallary. You can see where the top tube meets the down tube. Further the suspension pivot mount on the down tube. You can also tell on the upright tube the carbon fiber lap lines, I have the same ones on my Spec StumpJumper Carbon HT. In my opinion, and I could be wrong, but this is a carbon bike... Which would match up with the feedback I got from Momsen prior to this review being posted. I think you two are talking about two different pictures on that same web page. And Momsen made a mistake with the second picture The big main pict at the top of the page is clearly the alu Vipa. Clear weld lines. The smaller picture further down the page, in the pic carousel, where you have to click the 5th small picture to enlarge, does seem to be a carbon front triangle, as Shepherd described. Nonetheless, it does seem like the Vipa AC, with the alu front triangle, should be able to accept the 2nd water bottle in the front triangle. It will just need that new engineered parallelogram bracket Momsen have recently come out with. Edited November 12, 2015 by Hilton. Captain Fastbastard Mayhem 1
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted November 12, 2015 Posted November 12, 2015 Not on this photo indicating the double bottle cage, which is listed in thier AC gallary. You can see where the top tube meets the down tube. Further the suspension pivot mount on the down tube. You can also tell on the upright tube the carbon fiber lap lines, I have the same ones on my Spec StumpJumper Carbon HT. In my opinion, and I could be wrong, but this is a carbon bike... Which would match up with the feedback I got from Momsen prior to this review being posted.This one? If so, you can clearly see the top / head / down tube junctions and the weld points at the top / seat tube and shock mount. http://momsenbikes.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MOMSEN-VIPA-AC-Side.jpg A pic of the welds on the head tube junctionhttp://momsenbikes.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MOMSEN-VIPA-AC-ROCKSHOX-1920x900.jpg Adn the shock mount http://momsenbikes.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MOMSEN-VIPA-AC-Toptube-1920x900.jpg THIS one though... THIS is carbon... http://momsenbikes.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Prototype-with-Bottle-S-1920x900.jpg
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