Up to 170 mm: Votec VE can do Enduro and Freeride [Video]

The Votec VE is flexible. Enduro or freerider? 160 millimetres at the rear or 170? Flat or steeper angles? Votec gives you the choice. Geometry and suspension travel adjustment by means of a flip chip on the shock rocker makes it possible. If you change the flip chip from the high to the low position, for example, the steering and seat angles flatten by 0.5 degrees and the bottom bracket moves down by five millimetres. The geometry becomes even slacker with a 180 mm fork on the Elite and Evo models. Our test bike also came with the Product presentation at the Eurobike 2015 sticky downhill tyres, which clearly shift the range of use towards freeride and bike park.

A focussing that, in the eyes of the Votec product managers, probably went a little too far beyond the target for the masses. The Votec VE is now supplied with different tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary at the front and Hans Dampf at the rear, each with a snakeskin casing and Trail Star compound. Compared to the Super Gravity versions, these tyres save a good 400 to 500 grams on the wheels, are more flexible and roll more easily. We have already had the opportunity to test the entry-level Votec VE Pro model.

First test of the Votec VE Pro

The price is hot: Votec is asking 2599 euros for its entry-level enduro bike - a tempting sum. As usual with direct sales, you get a lot of bike for your money. The equipment looks complete and functionally robust. The aluminium frame and fork already feature the new Boost standard.

A second glance reveals weaknesses in the concept: even on the size L bike we tested, you sit more upright than sporty on the climbs. Although the suspension behaves inconspicuously under chain load, we missed the platform lever on the shock for more efficient climbing. This is only available on the Monarch Plus RC3 of the next most expensive Elite model for 3099 euros.

What the heck, the 15-kilo VE Pro won't be a mountain goat either way, it's all about downhill fun. Grippy tyres, wide rims and the long-travel suspension leave no room for doubt. On steep and rough trail sections, the bike shows its advantages as planned and reliably absorbs rough obstacles underneath the rider.

But: The wheels weigh five kilos complete with the fat Magic Marys (high, unsprung mass!), the Super Gravity carcass feels very rigid in combination with the inner tube. Even the Vert-Star compound, which actually damps well, doesn't compensate for this. Smaller impacts penetrate through the chassis into the wrists and ankles. When things get tight and twisty on the descent, the VE Pro can only be moved from bend to bend with pressure. This is not enduro-like (tip: fit tubeless tyres). The bike becomes a real freerider if you convert the rear suspension to 170 mm travel and fit a 180 mm fork. Votec explicitly offers this.

Conclusion: A lot of bike for the money. But: The Votec VE Pro is too heavy and sluggish for an enduro bike. Thanks to the choice of tyres and its adjustable geometry, the tested version of the Votec is better suited to the freeride and bike park segment.