Solid against Votec. One of the veterans of the German downhill forges against the stand-up man of the bike industry. The guys from Solid still have a score to settle with us. We didn't like their downhill bike "Mission" and therefore awarded it few points. The Votec wasn't our favourite in the last big bike test either. The Votec enters the duel renovated. Solid sends a completely new design. And what a new one: We criticised the outdated geometry of its predecessor. Too high, too short, not very secure. The "Strike Elite Pro T22" is now the complete opposite in terms of geometry. Votec has also tweaked the frame values, which we previously found too short, and, just like Solid, they have given the "VD Elite" larger 650B wheels. Both mail order companies rely on one of our favourite forks at the front: the Manitou "Dorado" may be too imprecise for World Cup riders. We appreciate it for its enormous comfort and the smooth ride that the elasticity of the construction brings. And both manufacturers use a RockShox "Vivid R2C" air shock, which is - still - an unusual choice. However, Aaron Gwin has just achieved his miracle victory in Lourdes on an air-sprung bike with such a shock. Nothing stands in the way of the run on air-sprung downhillers. Pleasant: The air bushings make it much easier for us to set up the bikes. You also get a lot of quality for your money for € 3000: top brakes, good components here and there. Only the Sun Ringlé wheels of the Votec have often annoyed us in the past with nipples breaking off and this time was no different.
Duelling ground
With two big bikes battling it out for the downhill crown, there could only be one suitable test track: Over the years, erosion has turned the 4er trail in Bolzano into a steep scree desert of the worst kind. Testing here is hard work - especially when the bike is weak. 15 minutes of non-stop bumps: each bike had to endure four descents of this knobbly track.
Duellist 1: Solid "Strike"
Elite Pro T22
Short tuning marathon at the start. The fork is quick, we know it well. The damper is even quicker: say set, all buttons open and still the thing is as tough as dough - wrong basic tune from RockShox? Error in the Matrix? The descent will show. And after the first hundred metres we are pleasantly surprised. No dough, steamroller! The "Strike Elite Pro T22" (stupid name, sorry Solid!) is one of the very few candidates that manages to take the fear out of the horror trail on the Kohlern. The suspension is extremely plush and reacts to large and angular rocks with a relaxed, plush feel. You sit comfortably on the bike and far behind the 27.5 mm front wheel, which rolls well. The geometry conveys composure even in critical riding situations. You'll get faster very quickly on this bike. And braver. And perhaps more beautiful too. However, the shock tune is at its limit if the rider is lighter than 70 kilos, as the rebound can't be any slower. The character of the bike fits perfectly with the supple "Dorado", which supports the smoothness of the frame in desolate scree deserts because it filters out lateral impacts and allows you to hold your line well. In short: The Solid is now a great downhiller for really nasty trails and riders who also want to use their bike in competition. It's hard to avoid the fact that the liveliness falls by the wayside. The very long rear triangle actively counteracts spontaneous front wheel lift. Bunny hop? Drops from slow speeds? Better not. On jumps, the bike is super stable again, but here too the rider is more of a passenger than an active rider. Whips are easy to pull off. Furthermore, aerial acrobatics are not the métier of this genuine racing machine.
Duellist 2: Votec "VD"
Elite
A basic set-up is also quickly found on the Votec. Here, the shock works optimally with three clicks of low-speed rebound at a rider weight of 70 kilos and 35 per cent sag. Fits. On the aforementioned horror trail, the Votec presents a different but harmonious picture: despite its plush suspension, it provides a little more feedback from the ground, is much more manoeuvrable and playful, but still cuts a good figure at high speeds. The difference in class is only noticeable when switching directly from the Solid. Here is a high-speed machine that simply offers more potential for best times on the downhill, there is a playmate that likes to jump over a root, goes willingly into the manual and also gets round corners well in tight bends. With the "VD", not only downhill trails are fun in the bike park, but also jumpy trails and wooden stunts. We found the performance of the "Magic Mary" tyres to be more balanced and easier to control at the limit than the "Highroller" on the Solid.
Conclusion: Even in a duel, both rivals can remain standing at the end. The Solid is the better downhiller, the Votec the better all-rounder. Both are very good. A draw.
SOLID Strike Elite Pro T22
Manufacturer information
Distribution Solid Bikes Europe, www.solidbikes.de
Material/sizes Aluminium/S/M, M/L, L/XL
Price/weight without pedals 3199 Euro/17 kg
Measurement data
Front/rear suspension travel 200 mm/200 mm
Rear suspension system VPP Float Link
Equipment
Fork/damper Manitou Dorado Pro/RockShox Vivid Air R2C
Cranks/gears Reverse Evo DH/SRAM X9
Brake system Avid Code
Impellers Reverse 27.5 Evo Nine Disc system wheelset, Maxxis Highroller 2 2.4 tyres
VOTEC VD Elite
Manufacturer information
Distribution Internetstores GmbH, www.votec.com
Material/sizes Hybrid/S, M, L
Price/weight without pedals 2999 Euro/16.4 kg
Measurement data
Front/rear suspension travel 200 mm/210 mm
Rear suspension system Four-bar linkage
Equipment
Fork/damper Manitou Dorado Pro/RockShox Vivid Air RC2
Cranks/gears eThirteen LG1/Shimano Saint
Brake system Shimano Saint
Impellers Sun Ringle Pro A.D.D. system wheelset, Schwalbe Magic Mary Evo SG 2.35 tyres
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
