Its possible that was done on purpose to appeal more to a wider swath of riders namely, non-racers. The G1 gravel bike starts at $100 more than the M1. The bikes will be available to order within weeks. 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. Should brick-and-mortar or other online retailers worry? Still, Viathon is getting a fair bit of press, with stories on a number of cycling-enthusiast and outdoor sites. "The negativity starts in-store with reports of forks installed backward. The cables rub the head tube (BYO protective frame stickers! For those riders hoping for a super-reactive bike that follows your every twitch, I suggest you look elsewhere. I have a few issue with this review. 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. Spinhirne-Martin says Walmart is launching with the hardtail to fill in holes in what they already offer on the Walmart.com marketplace. This carbon bike is set up for dirt road adventures but doesn't mind how much pavement you mix in. Battle of the frames: Felt IA 10 vs IA 1? Not a whole lot. 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 . About Us | Specializeds highest-end hardtailthe S-Works Epiccomes in at a whopping $8,520, whereas Viathons most expensive model starts at $6,000. Viathon R.1 Road Bike For speed demons, Viathon's high-end R.1 Dura Ace road bike runs $5,850. The Fizik Tundra M3 saddle was not comfortable in the slightestespecially on longer climbs. Viathon takes pride that every model indeed, every finished bicycle is at the top of its class for weight, technology, and quality. The M.1 is among a small 2019 line that includes road and gravel models, as well as two additional high-end mountain bike builds specced lower and with prices starting at $1,998. Walmart is hoping to entice customers to Viathon with a no-questions-asked return policy. But Im a little mystified that the mountain bike is a cross-country hardtail 29er, a style of bike thats pretty out of fashion at the moment. 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. 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. Re: Did Wal Mart pull the plug on Viathon? As technical editor Dan Cavallari pointed out in our sister publication VeloNews, "Viathon ticks almost all the high-end boxes for a bike with a lower pricepoint. $$$ Outdoor & Sporting Goods Company Privacy Policy Photos See all Videos See all 0:11 Over mostly flat and undulating terrain, the G1 can actually be a little fun on certain trails, if thats what you enjoy from a gravel bike. For the hardtail mountain bike, thats a $2,000 frame, $2,400 GX Eagle build, $3,500 X01 build (which comes without a dropper), or a $6,000 XX1 option. I can always add larger volume tires and reduce the pressure for additional comfort when riding gravel or chip-seal, but a wet noodle frame is just painful when youre dying climbing for hours in the mountains.. And while the bikes may be sold on Walmarts website at some point, theres no mention ofselling in stores, which would put the bikes in front of a broader audience. Copper Harbor grants massive descents on rocky hills. but no links to product pages. This is pretty similar to the BMC URS, and realistically those under 5 6 (170 cm) are likely out of luck here. He noted, Ive ridden and owned basically everything they sell over that time: Yeti, Santa Cruz, Ibis, Ventana, Pivot, Open, Pinarello, Wilier, Cervelo, Ridley.. The brand is starting with three models: the R1 road bike, the G1 gravel bike, and the M1 hardtail mountain bike. Currently, the bikes are not available in other markets. The Viathon G.1 is the gravel rig of the bunch. The Viathon is best suited for XC terrain unless youve got some real moxie to take it down some gnar. Statins: experience training and racing on them, Swimming-Related Injuries: A literature review and injury risk screening, New Tacx Neo Smart vs Wahoo Kickr trainers, school me on finding correct pressures with tubeless. In fact, the only example I can think of where a large outside brand has achieved even modest success is Dorel Industries, with its serial purchases of Pacific, Cannondale, Schwinn, GT and related brands. At this writing, the various models are listed at "Summer Sale" prices on the Viathon website. Both the Stigmata and the G.1 feature 425 mm chainstays, while the reach and stack figures are also closely aligned. As to the inventory, we are out of bikes and can't restock at this time as a result of delays from our suppliers caused by the pandemic. Review: Viathon G.1 Carbon Gravel Bike - Cyclocross Magazine Viathon "believes that great bikes make riding more fun. The savings come from consumers completing the final assembly and cutting out local retailers' costs, but at the expense of their expertise, service . A 54 cm Stigmata offers a 71.5-degree head angle, 74-degree seat tube angle and trail figure of 66 mm (measured with 700 x 40 mm tyres). Viathon Bikes On Sale | Best Walmart Bikes And failing. Viathon G.1 GRX 600 gravel bike review: Carbon at alloy pricing 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. A few things are apparent with Viathon. Viathon G.1 GRX 800 review - VeloNews.com So whats not to like? Heading out the door? For many consumers, budget concerns are only part of the equation. I asked about the response to the brand launch from customers and the bike industry. 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. 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They are a close second to full-suspension in terms of dollars, but hardtail mountain bikes make for a significantly larger share in terms of units sold. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! In this case, carbon doesnt work entirely to its benefit, and the G1 is a little overly stiff, and calls at least for a more compliant set of handlebars. 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. As mentioned, this is the lowest-cost complete bike in Viathons G.1 range, but that doesnt mean the parts are low-cost. Now it has a toe in the high-end market and the chance to show that itscapable of making quality stuff. The Viathon fulfillment center is in Carlsbad, California. 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 Is Walmart's New High-End Bike Brand - Outside Online Walmart thinks so, and the retail juggernaut is betting its customers do too. Need a Doctor in the LA/SD area who specializes in Endurance Athletes Platelet-Rich Plasma injections (PRP Injections), High Hamstring Tendinopathy Rehab Protocol. YT Szepter first-ride review: a gravity MTB brand goes gravel, Ridley Grifn first ride review: Blurred lines. Viathon Bikes launched to surprise, confusion and intrigue back in April, offering high-end carbon XC hardtails despite links to Walmart. The $5,850 price tag for the Dura-Ace build is still a lot of money for many consumers. Brand manager Spinhirne-Martin said a search of similar Trek, Specialized, or Canyon bikes will net a conclusion that they are all significantly more expensive for a similarly specced product., Spinhirne-Martin came to Walmart after 10 years working in the industry at Competitive Cyclist. Singletracks Merch | [, Re: Did Wal Mart pull the plug on Viathon? But the company has connections to the industry, including the support of trail networks notably, the network around Bentonville, Arkansas, near Walmart headquarters. But rather than going out and buying the exact same flashy and high-end items, theyve sourced out the look-a-likes. While so many of the established brands offer anything from a five-year to lifetime warranty on their frames, Viathons come with just two years of coverage. 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. The S-Works Epic only comes with an 11-speed groupsetthe Shimano XTR Di2so the Viathon wins in our books with the snazzy eagle. This is the first bike weve had with Mercury wheels fitted, and the equipped G3C DISC is a quality US$799 item. Its for someone who wants to ride the whole mountain, up, down, and everything in between., The new face of a Walmart bike? The R.1 feels like a high-end bike, except for one minor nitpick: While most high-end race bikes have taken great efforts to hide all cables, the R.1 has all four cables exposed around the cockpit. In that sense, Viathon hit the nail on the head.. Specialized's highest-end hardtailthe S-Works Epiccomes in at a whopping $8,520, whereas Viathon's most expensive model starts at $6,000. Without the curiousness of the Walmart link, I wouldnt even be writing about Viathon. If nothing else, we've been surviving in this business for decades and we know the "easiest way to make a small fortune" in it a lesson which even the best-heeled outsiders have yet to learn. I just noticed that as well (website pretty much gone). Get This Deal. Further build quality issues included the GRX brakes being over-filled with fluid, something that resulted in an uncomfortably short lever throw. Walmart Black Friday Deals 2019 | Deals for Cyclists - Bicycling Will people buy them? 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. It has longer, slacker geometry than its road bike cousin and different tube shaping. Thus, I gave the Viathon a more thorough riding test. If you think the pricing for the big mainstream brands is out of control, you'll be happy to hear that the Viathon's direct-to-consumer business model means an R.1 with all the fixings. Enter the gravel bike. As we continue to build out the platform, we welcome other brands, said Spinhirne-Martin. Heading out the door? The road bike is 200 grams lighter than the gravel bike, with more aggressive geometry, 28c tires, and a stiffer frame. Viathon is jumping out of the gate with three model families to start. Its marketed as one of the lightest, fastest mountain race machines that money can buy, and that claim seemed hard to dispute by the end of my first week. Marketing strategy comes out of Sun Valley, Idaho, with the CrankTank firm. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! During Sun Valleys Outerbike event I had the chance to pick Viathon founder Zach Spinhirne-Martins brain about the genesis of the brand. He designed Turner and Cube bikes, the first Pivots, and Diamondbacks for 5 years. Fond of bikes, pow, and dogs. 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. The weird stem length, set-back seatpost and bar width dont matter. Since the news was announced last week, fans have been coming out and saying that this is what theyve been waiting for. For starters, despite its slim tube shape and dropped seat stays, the R.1 is definitely less compliant than expected. 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. Viathon again drives a hard bargain with the G1. The geometry, however, told a different story than what Viathon portrayed as the M1s intent, and it felt much more like an XC race bike, than an everyday trail bike. 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. In an interview last week at Sea Otter, a bicycling industry gathering in Monterey, Calif. I came to Walmart to grow the bike industry. Viathon Photo. 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. $200 Off. The Viathon G1 has been ridden a couple of months now by Andy T, and so we are ready to give the final verdict on this Walmart distributed bike. Turner Bikes - Titanium Mountain & Gravel Bikes You could, of course, upgrade your cockpit to achieve that svelte, hidden-cable look, but you wont get it with the stock model. 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. But don't count the traditional players out yet, on either the supply or retail ends of the supply chain. All Viathon bikes come with a 2-year warranty. So how does this high-value racer ride?