The facets of mountain biking are limitless: long tours, relaxed cruising on gentle trails or the fast-paced downhill chase are just the most common types. However, the trend towards maximum downhill fun is currently dominating. At the same time, suspension travel is increasing, geometries are becoming more aggressive and bikes are getting beefier. But where is the fun off the fast descents? The developers at Kavenz have also considered this question. The German forge provides the answer with the two new models VHP12 and VHP14. True to the motto "less suspension travel, more riding fun", the two high-pivot bikes, with 120 and 140 millimetres of suspension travel respectively, are designed to master all types of mountain biking and thus ensure maximum riding fun. Whether on technical descents, cross-country trails or long day tours.
What are high-pivot bikes anyway?
As the name suggests, the main pivot point of the rear triangle is not located near the bottom bracket as usual, but much further up. This increases the distance between the bottom bracket and the rear wheel axle during compression, causing the rear wheel to move backwards to avoid the obstacle instead of getting "stuck" on it. The disadvantage: The longer the chainstay length, the more the chain pulls the chainring back during compression. Depending on the chain tension, this leads to negative effects on the chassis and pedal kickback. In order to decouple the chassis from these drive influences, the chain on high-pivot bikes usually runs over a pulley near the pivot point.
Kavenz VHP platform: one frame, five bikes
The new models are not new developments in their own right, but merely an extension of the existing VHP platform (V7). Thanks to different shock mounts and adapted suspension specifications, it is possible to transform the enduro VHP16 (160 mm suspension travel) into the down-country bike VHP12 with one and the same frame platform. The VHP14 trail bike variant is also new. It can also be set up as a freeride, all-mountain or downhill bike. Thanks to variable dropouts (+10 mm or +20 mm), all models - with the exception of the VHP12 - can be ridden with 29er wheels or in a mullet set-up. Typical Kavenz: all bikes are made from aluminium.
The facts about the VHP frame platform
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
- Suspension travel: 120, 143, 150, 160 or 180 mm depending on shock mount, installation length and stroke
- Trunnion mount
- Maximum tyre clearance: 29" x 2.60
- Seatpost diameter: 31.6 mm
- Weight: 3.28 kg in size M
Kavenz: Availability and prices
Both the VHP12 and the VHP14 are now available on the Kavenz website. The price for the frame of both models is 2795 euros. The VHP12 is also available as a frameset with a Fox Float X shock for an additional € 470. With the VHP14, the frameset includes the Hover shock from Intend. Surcharge: 1079 euros. You also have the option of customising your own complete bike on the manufacturer's website. Available frame sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL.
Kavenz VHP12 - small but powerful!
The shortest travel bike in the Kavenz line-up also has the genes of the proven VHP16 enduro bike. Only with 120 mm suspension travel. This means: more traction on steep climbs than other XC bikes, but also a little more weight (3.28 kg frame weight size M) and friction losses due to the complex rear triangle design. However, the real advantages of the high-pivot design only come to the fore on the downhill. Here you can hope for a lot of riding safety at high speeds. This is because the rearward-facing wheel lift curve of the high-pivot rear triangle extends the wheelbase during compression. This stabilises, but also inhibits playfulness. The VHP12 is therefore more likely to be recommended for technical trail tours than for long marathons or XC races.
Enduro-Light: Kavenz VHP14
The Kavenz VHP14 is the slimmed-down version of the VHP16 enduro bike. The only difference between the two bikes is slightly less shock travel and a shorter fork. The shock mount remains the same. According to Kavenz, the mixture of enduro geometry and slightly less suspension travel (140 millimetres) is perfect for enduro riders who also want to have fun on their tamer home trails. Because with a little more support in the suspension and less reserves, even moderate trails offer challenges and fun potential.
Max Fuchs
Editor
