Vitus’s newest Vitesse Evo bikes are very light, very good value and very well outfitted

Latest range from direct-to-consumer brand Vitus
Created with input from the ProConti Vitus Pro Cycling Team, and certified by the UCI for elite racing, Vitus claims its new Vitesse Evo chassis is lighter, stiffer, more aerodynamic and more comfortable than its predecessor.
While we’ll withhold final judgment until we’ve done a few more miles on our current test bike, we can say the whole range is pretty stonking value.
Based around an 840g frameset (size medium), the latest version of the Vitus Vitesse platform accommodates disc brakes into a frame that’s slick looking and forward-thinking. With race-focused geometry, all the bikes feature reasonable tyre clearance alongside wide-ratio gearing.
Spanning five models from £2,000 to £4,800, each is kitted-out with lightweight finishing kit along with wheels from either Prime or Reynolds.
With carbon wheels on all but the entry-level model, the direct-to-consumer brand looks to have pushed its suppliers incredibly hard to secure wishlist builds across the range.
Here’s a quick rundown of the range 2021 Vitus Vitesse range
Vitus Vitesse Evo CR 105, £2,000

The cheapest of the quintet, Vitus’s entry-level model comes with a full 11-speed Shimano 105 groupset with hydraulic disc brakes.
Using an 11-32t cassette and compact chainset, its wide ratios combine with a low overall weight of 7.8kg to ensure it’s happy heading into the high mountains.
Rolling on Prime’s Baroudeur wheelset, their lightweight rims are tubeless compatible – as are the 25c Schwalbe One Performance tyres in which they’re wrapped.
Buy now from Wiggle for £2,000
Vitus Vitesse Evo CRS Ultegra, £3,000

Another thousand pounds invested sees the Vitesse level up to an Ultegra groupset. However, more important to the bike’s performance, the wheels also get an upgrade.
Switching over to Reynolds AR29 carbon models, these alone retail for a cool £1,100. Cutting mass from the most critical area of the bike, further savings are made thanks to the inclusion of Prime’s Primavera X-Light carbon handlebars.
The result is a complete weight of just 7.65kg.
Buy now from Wiggle for £3,000
Vitus Vitesse Evo CRS Di2 Ultegra, £3,700

For riders hunting after electronic shifting, this model sports Shimano’s eponymous R8000 Di2 groupset. With the battery hidden inside the specially adapted carbon seat post, installation is kept neat thanks to internal cable routing through the frame.
Buy now from Wiggle for £3,700
Vitus Vitesse Evo CRS Etap AXS, £3,750

A build featuring a full Force eTap AXS 12-speed electronic groupset. This version of the Vitesse uses Sram’s radical compact 48/35t crankset married to a wide ratio 10-33t cassette.
Providing a huge range of gears, this miniaturised drivetrain system looks great and also cuts weight.
Buy now from Wiggle for £3,750
Vitus Vitesse Evo CRX Etap AXS, £4,800

The end-point of the Vitesse range, this 7.4kg build uses Sram’s Red eTap AXS HRD wireless electronic groupset. With no connecting cables to clutter the bike, the result is a machine that’s as slick looking as it is light.
The Reynolds AR29 DB carbon wheels from the other bikes carry over, as do Prime’s carbon seatpost and bars, along with its titanium railed saddle. The result is a bike that weighs 7.4kg and should be ready to race at the highest levels.