viathon bikes out of business

The pre-taped tubeless-ready rims are laced with Sapim double-butted spokes to easily-serviced sealed bearing hubs, and all told, they weigh a perfectly reasonable 1,644 g (claimed). Theyve played a monumental role in It confidently climbed over gravel, roots, and rocks. You can bet that when the product managers behind Viathon called manufacturers and name-dropped Walmart, the pencil was sharpened to a dangerously pokey point. For those people, being able to buy a high-quality bike online means they dont have to go into a potentially scary, elitist, unwelcoming bike shop where theyll be uncomfortable and possibly judged.. In Marquette, a trail network overlays the infrastructure of a mining town, with outsize pipes and brick walls crumbling in the trees. Like Remot, Viathon debuts with three offerings: one frame each in road, gravel, and mountain, with three levels of build kit. How long to recover from a calf heart attack. Specialized's highest-end hardtailthe S-Works Epiccomes in at a whopping $8,520, whereas Viathon's most expensive model starts at $6,000. August. The cable routing itself was fairly basic, too. Well, unfortunately, we had numerous issues with the build quality and were not sure if this is an issue of the actual bike, or simply an attack of the photo sample. We have incredible traffic on our site. [, Re: Did Wal Mart pull the plug on Viathon? The head tube feels firmly connected to the bottom bracket, and that to the rear axle. Heading out the door? I loved how this bike rides, said Spinhirne-Martin about the previous generation Stigmata. Fond of bikes, pow, and dogs. Going uphill, the shifting is buttery smooth. At its inception, Kevin Quan Studios assisted in designing frames. Getting this bike moving fast was intimidating. That fits the narrative of this bike overall: It may lack the personality of a racing bicycle that costs twice as much, but it shows up for work and does its job reliably. Performance, comfort, speed, agility, and other characteristics require in-person evaluation, which is tough to prove for a brand like Viathon, which is available only online. Hes also the founder and part owner of Knight Composites. The Viathon G.1 is the gravel rig of the bunch. Read more. This bike isnt perfect and its not as good as the bike its inspired by, but none of that really matters when you consider the US$2,300 pricetag. Earlier this year, Viathon Bicycles launched with a direct-to-consumer business model and a catalog of high-end carbon bicycles, taking an approach similar to the one Canyon has used. The bike reviewed here, the new G.1 GRX 600, provides a perfect example of those economies of scale. The Viathon would make for a great training steed, long-distance gravel grinder, or your next ultralightbike packing rig. So whats not to like? One, the fact the writer states that his review is skewed because he is an enduro rider. 68mm threaded bottom bracket. With a trendy 25 mm internal width, the welded alloy rims are wider than they are deep. While everyone seems to be hung up about the Walmart partnership, its a bit of a superficial distraction to the companys larger goal. So how does this high-value racer ride? And while low, Viathon pricing was at parity with any number of other name-brand carbon models, including Trek, Specialized, Cannondale and Canyon. I pitched the idea to my management as a way to more quickly enter the market and change our perception, he said. 1X drivetrains feel great, if youre riding your gravel bike exclusively on the trails. So, at a quick glance, the Viathon seems like a steal. The weird stem length, set-back seatpost and bar width dont matter. Viathon M.1 GX Eagle Mountain Bike Review | SRAM GX EagleI was amazed how light this bike was and how well it climbed!Viathon was kind enough to send me over. But the move that really set the cat among the industry pigeons was the Viathon sales strategy, which at least strongly hinted at distribution via Walmart.com. We are not focusing on the connection but not hiding it either, Spinhirne-Martin said. I have a few issue with this review. Canyons Exceed CF is $6,500 and has a comparable spec. In so many ways, the Viathon is like the middle manager whos tried to mimic their boss style on a tight budget. Currently, the bikes are not available in other markets. There are rack and fender mounts on the G1 frame, internal routing, and mounts for up to three water bottles, so it is possible to get pretty far from base camp on the G1, and theres frame clearance for bags and all that. Did Viathon offer some bold new technology,jaw-dropping value, or an irresistible brand story? GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Usually, they can change the bar width, stem length, and crank length, but Viathon hasnt been able to do this during the pandemic because of supply chain issues, and its not clear yet when theyll be able to offer this option again. The bikes look fine. Viathon's goals seem to be crystal clear with the R.1: Build a race-ready road bike for a high-end audience without the high-end price tag. The terrain varies from flowy cross-country trail to downhill-inspired gravity tracks. I also wanted all of my bikes to perform when pushed hard, said Spinhirne-Martin of the frames stiffness. As is so common with gravel bikes fitted with decently big-volume rubber, there was a small amount of toe overlap present on our 54 cm sample. For now, no. Take YouTuber KevCentral, for example, whose channel reviews bikes available at Walmart and Walmart.com and how to upgrade them. Mountain - M.1. Thus, I gave the Viathon a more thorough riding test. Per my more enduro-focused background, Id also opt for a shorter stem. Home; Shop. The bikes graphics are understated, which is fitting to the overall narrative of this bike. Meanwhile, the rear brake hose, which sits loose inside the down tube, had a tendency to rattle against the frame. Were partnering with the bike industry to deliver so we dont mess it up, said Spinhirne-Martin. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. Sure, its no Evil Chamois Hagar, and its perhaps even a tad smoother than the Cervelo Aspero, but only just, and certainly not through the front end. And that buying power is often used to competitive advantage: Walmart commonly cuts out the middlemen, and then out-prices and out-supplies its competitors across many industries. "We're trying to build a culture, building an education," Jordan said at the introduction. Viathon's G.1 carbon gravel bike is Walmart's attempt to capture some of the high-end, direct-to-consumer bicycle market. according to industry analyst Jay Townley. The Viathon is best suited for XC terrain unless youve got some real moxie to take it down some gnar. At the end of the day, we bike people live and work in a quirky, parochial and, more than occasionally, incestuous little industry, one with its own set of business realities. [Eroc43] That wont set it apart in a highly competitive market or bring high-end tech to a new market of people. With a feathery weight, effective geometry, and componentry to rival the best bikes on the market, the M.1 is a relevant consideration for serious riders with a cross-country bent." Viathon Photo. The only thing that caught my eye was the cable routing gathered around the head tube, which looks a little messy. Here are some features to keep in mind as you shop. But Quan is the only person mentioned in a team of top bicycle industry veterans with decades of collective experience. The only other real face behind Viathon is brand manager Zach Spinhirne-Martin, who spent nine years with the online retailer Competitive Cyclist before joining Walmart as its bike category manager. Its noon on Michigans Upper Peninsula, where I came to ride Copper Harbor and the IMBA-ordained network in and near Marquette. I didnt expect much from the Bokens, but they were predictable on dirt with a fast rolling speed. Marketing strategy comes out of Sun Valley, Idaho, with the CrankTank firm. Company 1999-2023 Slowtwitch, Inc., and Slowtwitch.comReproduction of material from any Slowtwitch.com pagewithout written permission is strictly prohibited. They seem to offer a solid value for a full carbon bike. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | Support us! Now that we know the 2023 IRONMAN WC is in Nice for men and Kona for women, reversed venues next year, which venue will you hope to qualify for? Are modern bicycles the end of DIY maintenance. But does it ride like one? The impetus for Viathon didnt come from Tom and Steuart Walton, avid riders, Walmart heirs responsible for the trail network in Bentonville, Ark., and investors in Rapha and Allied Cycle Works. The bike has a bit of a disjointed ride feel due to the stout front fork which is stiff in contrast to the forgiveness exhibited by the rear stays. And winner winner: theres a threaded bottom bracket shell. Best Bike Trails | Its name is Viathon. Viathons G.1 gravel bike requires the same build. But it gets the job done. Viathon says it wants to bridge Walmart's current low-price offerings to the bike-enthusiast business. For starters, despite its slim tube shape and dropped seat stays, the R.1 is definitely less compliant than expected. Its possible that was done on purpose to appeal more to a wider swath of riders namely, non-racers. They seem to offer a solid value for a full carbon bike. All these numbers are pretty well proven, and create a bike that walks the tightrope between controlled and quick. Thats a fine goal, but lets not kid ourselves: $2,300 is both a lot of money and also not appreciably cheaper than the pricing offered by a number of other brands. Viathon is for riders who appreciate uncontrived quality, demand craftsmanship but recognize value, who pedal for health yet savor the ride. The XX1 bike is around 21.5 pounds for a size M. The weight is competitive with other hardtail cross-country bikes in the same price range, and the price isnt wildly low. not open molds.) He proposed a private-label project, and hes bringing it to fruition. Viathon responded, Really positive! Partner of USATODAY Lifestyle/Action Sports, A First Look at Viathon, Walmarts new Mountain Bike, shaping their hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas into a mountain biking haven. About Us | It will be interesting to see if Viathon can find a foothold in a high-end market that often relies on name snobbery above all else. You could, of course, upgrade your cockpit to achieve that svelte, hidden-cable look, but you wont get it with the stock model. Quan was with Cervelo from 2004 to 2008. These are just my opinions. All three are made of carbon fiber,. The flipside of that is a frame that pounces forward when you ask it to do so. Some of the editors at GearJunkie wondered why Viathon launched with a 29er hardtail as its flagship mountain bike. Thats according to brand manager Zach Spinhirne-Martin, who wrote a white paper and a business case in 2017 to bring Viathon to life. We decided to give it a test at Outerbike to find out. Check Out Continue Shopping. As we continue to build out the platform, we welcome other brands, said Spinhirne-Martin. Its also worth noting that Viathon designs their own frames, as opposed to using open molds. Thats one of the wonderful things about this bike: You get reliable bike with a great build for less money. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. Well, so much for that. A famous trail, Eh Line, swooped on dirt banks and over gaps. After every order is placed, a customer service agent calls the customer to confirm the order and determine the stem and crank length, handlebar width, and seatpost offset to ensure the customer gets the best fit possible, said Zach Spinhirne-Martin. shaping their hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas into a mountain biking haven. Those reach figures put you into an efficient road-like position, and just like the Stigmata, its all sensible, non-offensive, and somewhat plain in approach. He employs six engineers and designers at his Toronto-based studio. That also translates to some good pep when youre climbing out of the saddle. The Zipp Service Course stem, handlebar and seatpost are in the same camp: quality, name-brand components with a proven track record. So, what does Viathon say that the G1 is? Spinhirne-Martin says yes, and reiterated that he wants to grow the bike industry, not put other brands or bike shops out of business. At least on paper, the value for money is unquestionable, but a great bike is always more than a sum of the parts bolted to it. On top of the frame features, the G1 comes with a pretty respectable build kit. The history of the bicycle business is, in one sense, a history of powerful outsiders coming in to teach us dumb yokels how things are done in the Big Leagues. Both are well-qualified bike industry veterans, but its not a riveting founder story like, for instance, that ofAllied. The quick and dirty synopsis? . Online, Viathon has three offerings to choose from: hardtail, gravel, and a road bike. But the company would not release sales data. | Need a Doctor in the LA/SD area who specializes in Endurance Athletes Platelet-Rich Plasma injections (PRP Injections), High Hamstring Tendinopathy Rehab Protocol. At the beginning of the pandemic, governments and mountain bike organizations made it clear to all of us that we should be sticking close to home, and refraining from unnecessary risks. Theres a low 69mm of bottom bracket drop, making for increased stability and cornering, and a 74 seat tube angle and a 71.5 head tube angle. For a new, and relatively small brand, Viathon stirred the pot with their debut. I have been swapping parts around and will finally get to ride it today. All throughout the ride, I found the Rockshox Reverb Stealth pretty slow to react, which is, unfortunately, a notorious problem for this dropper (the most current version promises to fix this). Why Ultralight People Need to Chill Already, Kershaw Iridium Review: A Great Flipping Knife Under $100. To build its carbon frames,. Its also not the Bike Utility Vehicle that you get out of a Salsa or even the Santa Cruz Stigmata, with their functional braze-ons intended to extend time away from home base. Some bikes immediately bear their souls to its rider. [trail] All of these issues, perhaps barring the selected gear cables, are things that Viathon will likely now correct before it becomes your problem. It will be an uphill battle for a brand that could use a bit more personality. 1600 Pearl St., Ste 300Boulder, CO 80302This website copyright 2023. A couple weeks ago it seemed like they were blowing out all the bikes on the website, last week they all showed sold out, and today I noticed the Viathon site is gone (does not even show up on google if you search for it) They still have a landing page on Walmart site. For anyone familiar with the beer industry, this is like Anheuser-Busch creating Shocktop, not Anheuser-Busch buying Goose Island or Elysian. Without the curiousness of the Walmart link, I wouldnt even be writing about Viathon. He explained, It has less setup and maintenance than a downhill bike, and as an entry point into the industry, this makes an ideal start for us to grow on.. Not a whole lot. Brothers Tom and Steuart Walton are passionate cyclists, and the Walton Family Foundation has helped build the Bentonville area into a world-class destination for mountain biking. This carbon bike is set up for dirt road adventures but doesn't mind how much pavement you mix in. Of all the GRX bikes on test, this one shifted with the worst lever feel. The same, except a 2 mm shorter offset fork (50 vs 48 mm) results in an ever-so-slightly-slower 68 mm trail figure. Specializeds highest-end hardtailthe S-Works Epiccomes in at a whopping $8,520, whereas Viathons most expensive model starts at $6,000. Watch to get professional road cyclist Joe Dombrowskis view. If youre after more stability and prefer a bit of forgiveness in your handling, youll be comfortable here. Such a purchase sight-unseen typically favours the experienced; those who know their preferred setup on a bike and understand why 10 millimetres here or there is a big deal. Adult Mountain Bike, 21 Speed Shimano Drivetrain, 26 Inch Wheels, Aluminum Frame, Lock-Out . Why Ultralight People Need to Chill Already, Kershaw Iridium Review: A Great Flipping Knife Under $100. The result is a bike covered in proven, quality, big-name components at a price thats approximately a third less than its more established competition, and really, not much more expensive than a bare frame. [, Re: Did Wal Mart pull the plug on Viathon? MTB Podcast | Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. The frames are engineered and designed in partnership with Kevin Quan, a longtime designer whos responsible for well-known bikes from well-known brands like Cervelo, Parlee, and Pivot. But when people saw these bikes here, it was like, 'Hey, these are real bikes! And that really summarises the G.1 quite nicely. Theyre numbers that are ideal for tackling a variety of terrain and doing it all efficiently, and overall, the G.1 behaves like it wants to be the only drop-bar bike in your garage. Industry watchers may remember the last time Walmart tried to get into the carbon bike game, which as I recall was about ten years ago. MSRP on the G1 with SRAM Rival 1 is $2498.00 USD. When compared to its fellow direct-to-consumer brands like Canyon, the price point doesnt really feel that out of the ordinary. I am a professional mechanic, and have a hand built over 175 custom frames from steel or Ti. And then theres the fact that the established brands the Giants, Treks, Specializeds and Cannondales of this world typically supply the bikes with components that are already damn close to being right for each respective size to begin with. Bike shops could benefit from more riders on more bikes. Im not mad, just disappointed. The M1 carbon hardtail, with a SRAM GX Ealge driveterain comes in at a bargain price of $2,200, with the top-level SRAM AXS electronic drivetrain equipped model hitting $6,500. ), while James wasnt stoked by the lack of a cable access hatch at the bottom bracket if you want to reroute or replace gear housing. Theyll know youre copying them at a fraction of the price, and if theyre really savvy, theyll know their stuff is marginally better and the reasons why. Its worth mentioning that I myself am an enduro-style focused mountain biker, and Id be lying if I didnt say that it influenced my overall impression of the bike. Any Canadians with/had a hip labral tear here? Kev has 43,000 subscribers. Privacy Policy The stiffness of the Viathon G1 is where the bike feels like its ready to be more competitive as a gravel race bike, rather than something for adventure. A 69.5-degree head angle and 73.6-degree seat tube angle are what many brands had a few years ago. And, its certainly not the Evil Chamois Hagar. Theres a complete Shimano GRX 600 211 group on this bike, right down to the Ultegra-level Center Lock brake rotors and Shimano threaded bottom bracket. Its for someone who wants to ride the whole mountain, up, down, and everything in between., The new face of a Walmart bike? Turner Bikes - Titanium Mountain & Gravel Bikes Born To Perform Turner Bikes COME SEE US AT THE 2023 SEA OTTER CLASSIC, APRIL 20th - 23rd at Booth B15 & Meet our newest bike - The Scrub! Not because its not important, but because Viathons business model is to swap out these components to your preference upon ordering the bike, all with no additional cost. I asked how it was all going and how many bikes have been sold. The question is, does a bikes soul matter more than its value and performance? Walmart will sell bikes under this brand soon with price tags up to $6,000. My time was limited to two hours, so this isnt an exhaustive review. Copper Harbor grants massive descents on rocky hills. Amazon Pick: Up to 20% Viathon Bicycles Products and Competing Brands at Amazon.com. Where the Viathon differs from the Stigmata is in its bottom bracket height, with the G.1 sitting some 3 mm higher in the air. It turns out that Walmart bike buyers, as much as theyre dismissed or even ridiculed, include some passionate fans. . A. Illiac Artery Endofibrosis - I've got it. I weighed the M.1 later with a handheld scale. The Viathon fulfillment center is in Carlsbad, California. I just noticed that as well (website pretty much gone). The GRX 600 build also has Mercury G3 wheels, with a 25mm internal width, and IRC Boken 700x40c tires, for a setup that should provide a wide footprint. Hardtail mountain bikes with front suspension, Viathon notes, are the second-largest category, according to NPD. Now the town is sharing a decade's worth of inspiration. The new brand is launching with carbon road, mountain and gravel bikes. Viathon opted for a low-geared 46-30T chainring matched with a 11-34T cassette. Buyers have 60 days from purchase to return the bike, and it can be new or used. Considering the Walmart shopper and what bike theyre on now, the answer is probably yes. and Zipp Service Course cockpit, the G.1 Rival gets down to business. And while its far from a silky-smooth ride (Ill come back to this), frame compliance was a design factor. Tiny issue, sure, but its the smallest of details that often separate great bikes from good bikes. Why was one of the worlds most budget-driven companies focusing on the upper echelon of the bike world? Viathon bikes use carbon frames and are high . The G.1 RED eTap AXS that is the subject of this review is Viathon's newest gravel model and will be available sometime in September. This stood out on the mostly black bike and feels like one of those small details that wouldnt be overlooked by more established brands. The company cited industry data. A RockShox 120mm fork and speedy Continental tires respectively absorb and grip the ground. Hed been with the online retailer for 10 years. Fast as a road racer, rugged as a mountain bike, and priced beyond compare.. Thats not to say this bike is cheap. I ride over ladder bridges and into dense trees. Even more interesting was Jordan's underlying premise that at least some of those hundreds of millions of Walmart customers would for reasons unknown and perhaps unknowable leap at the opportunity to purchase a full-dress carbon bike with a price tag northward of $3,000 precisely because they didn't have to go into a brick-and-mortar bike shop to purchase it. Two days later, Im pedaling steep singletrack above Lake Superior. The Viathon G.1 Family. Geometry on the G1, like the M1, is fairly conservative. Also what is the complete weight? Lightweight carbon frames: Viathon bikes, including the Dura-Ace road bike, Ultegra model, R.1, and G.1 bikes, are crafted with durable, lightweight carbon frames to give you an edge over riders with . Theres the usual tapered steerer fork, 12 mm thru-axles, flat mount brake mounts, internal cable routing (using full-length cable housing), and asymmetrical chainstays to increase tyre clearance. Basically, just a gravel bike. This is pretty similar to the BMC URS, and realistically those under 5 6 (170 cm) are likely out of luck here. The graphics leave much to be desired, and the brand name lacks some enthusiasm. Theres nothing wild going on in the tubing no weird bends, or protrusions. I will start by saying I am a long time bike industry employee. 1 - Walmart didn't buy Viathon. A few things are apparent with Viathon. By July, barely 90 days from its glitzy premiere, Viathon had announced via direct mail and on its website that it was dropping prices on all models by as much as $1,000 per bike, to as low as $1,998. Who makes Viathon frames? At this writing, the various models are listed at "Summer Sale" prices on the Viathon website. Internal cable routing keeps the frame clean and streamlined. My final complaint is the comment about the 70mm stem feeling twitchy and switching it out to a short stem. Should brick-and-mortar or other online retailers worry? [, Official FIT ASSISTANCE for Canyon Speedmax CFR, CF SLX, and CF (disc & rim brake), Official Canyon Speedmax CF Owners Thread, Official FIT ASSISTANCE for Cervelo TT and Triathlon Bikes. And the two price points for Dura Ace and Ultegra place the Viathon alongside some of the budget-friendly racing bikes from Canyon that feature equally impressive component specs. Fortunately for Viathon, the R.1 has a quality spec and a respectable though not exactly inspiring ride quality. Probably will be a while before I get out on it again :(.

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