The equipment is also not as harmonised as that of the competition. Votec uses thin Schwalbe Performance "Muddy Marys" tyres with inadequate puncture protection. These are not downhill tyres! We fitted Conti's "Kaiser" tyres. The practical impressions confirm the geometry data: With its high front end, the bike feels comfortable on steep, technical terrain and is fun to ride. Here it scores points with its liveliness and agile handling. However, when it gets fast, it reaches its limits.
The "VF 195" doesn't develop the necessary smoothness, gets nervous early on and fat hits are hard on the rear end. The rear end lacks end progression. Even on the gentle downhill in the Osternohe bike park, the rear end rumbles. On the rough descent on the Geißkopf with its rock steps, the metallic impacts become a constant background noise. Due to the high bottom bracket, the four-bar linkage with its steep steering angle is less supportive and stumbles more quickly - speed jumps drive the heart rate up. Annoying: We lost the rear derailleur in the dip and bob. The shaking ripped the too-short bolts out of the frame. The brake system ("Elixir 5") also failed to convince us.
Conclusion: You can undoubtedly have fun with the Votec. It is the old-school freerider in the test field. Compared to the modern competition, its weaknesses quickly become apparent.
Johannes Fischbach (26):
"The Votec is stuck at the 2008 level. Visually as well as from the geometry data. The steering angle seems steep - you can feel that the fork is more underneath you. The rear end responds well to small, fast hits. When it gets rougher, it punches through."
This test was published in FREERIDE issue 2/2014.
Buy edition here!
