And, its certainly not the Evil Chamois Hagar. Theyve taken notes about the shoes, style of jeans, shirt design, right down to the style of watch. In the meantime, Viathon offers the . Over the past several years, Canyon Bikes has gotten attention for its direct-to-consumer model that allows it to sell high-end bikes at competitive price points. Lets look at the numbers. The Viathon G.1 is the gravel rig of the bunch. Nov 01, 2020 There is no denying that gravel bikes have taken the cycling world by . 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. In that sense, Viathon hit the nail on the head. If theres a model for how to build a mountain bike community from next to nothing, Bentonville is it. By signing up for email newsletters, you agree to GearJunkie's, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). This stood out on the mostly black bike and feels like one of those small details that wouldnt be overlooked by more established brands. But it gets the job done. While everyone seems to be hung up about the Walmart partnership, its a bit of a superficial distraction to the companys larger goal. And winner winner: theres a threaded bottom bracket shell. These are just my opinions. That tyre clearance is far, far more generous than the 700 x 40 mm (or 650B x 53 mm) wide numbers that Viathon claim. Walmart is also the largest grocer in America and possibly the world. With the tire clearance limited to a 40c wide tire though, the G1 reminds me again that its intentions rest on dirt roads. Andy reports that the bike has razor sharp handling and when one puts the pressure on the . 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. TGR Staff Writer and photographer. I have been swapping parts around and will finally get to ride it today. The dropper post was pretty finicky as well. The frame features are exactly what youd expect of a modern frame. 3 for online traffic after Google and Amazon. The round seatpost is held by a regular old banded seat clamp. Slowtwitch approved IT Band rehab? One, the fact the writer states that his review is skewed because he is an enduro rider. Viathon Bicycles made waves at its launch earlier this year as a premium bike brand incubated under an unlikely source. A few months later in June, we got to take the M1 hardtail for a spin in Idaho. That wont set it apart in a highly competitive market or bring high-end tech to a new market of people. Viathon G1, Rival, 56cm, Disc, 700C, Matte Black/Silver - Walmart Singletracks Merch | Their $18 million investment went a long way for the areas trail infrastructure, making it an unsuspecting cycling mecca nestled into the Ozark Mountains. I didnt expect much from the Bokens, but they were predictable on dirt with a fast rolling speed. Add up the component costs, frame, and build, and budgeting that kind of money might make sense for the committed rider. Also what is the complete weight? 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.. And really, we suspect a 700 x 45 mm will squeeze in if youre less fussed about mud clearance. 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. shaping their hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas into a mountain biking haven. Because all XC bikes are light compared to enduro. So the supplied contact points of the bike werent a good fit for us, but paying customers will at least be given the option to fix this. Like Remot, Viathon debuts with three offerings: one frame each in road, gravel, and mountain, with three levels of build kit. Its for someone who wants to ride the whole mountain, up, down, and everything in between., The new face of a Walmart bike? To find out, I snagged a Viathon M.1 | XO1 for a ride while out at Sun Valley. Kev has 43,000 subscribers. That also translates to some good pep when youre climbing out of the saddle. 68mm threaded bottom bracket. Theyve played a monumental role in This doesnt sound like much, and in reality it isnt, but its just enough to make the G.1 feel a little more jittery in how it tips into corners, while the Stigmata felt that little more planted something the ride quality certainly factors into, too. M.1 | XX1 Eagle AXS; M.1 | XX1 Eagle ; M.1 | X01 Eagle ; . In reality, thats probably enough to realise any manufacturer defects, and Viathon does also offer a crash replacement policy, but its something to consider nonetheless. Viathon builds a quality bicycle at a competitive price. Both the Stigmata and the G.1 feature 425 mm chainstays, while the reach and stack figures are also closely aligned. Viathon says it wants to bridge Walmart's current low-price offerings to the bike-enthusiast business. Okay, aside from that, yes, youre riding a high-end race bike, so you generally know what to expect. A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine 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. The company cited industry data. Amazon Pick. Viathon riders, like every other bike customer, will need service. Its certainly not severe, and despite riding the G.1 in some rocky, tight, and twisty terrain, it rarely presented itself as an issue. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. The 70mm stem felt a bit squirrely, and any minor movement was transferred into the handlebars going downhill. Viathon-via-FB wrote: Hello, we are not out of business, our website is down due to some technical issues and while it is down we are taking the opportunity to make some changes. Walmart is hoping to entice customers to Viathon with a no-questions-asked return policy. Viathon Launches New Direct-to-Consumer G1 Carbon Gravel Bike 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. Viathon Viathon bikes are currently 30 percent off at Walmart. Its also important to note whats not in the current lineup: womens bikes, utility bikes, and e-bikes. In other words, it was in the business of making inexpensive bikes made for the mass market. Viathon is a new direct-to-consumer bike brand owned by Walmart that launched this week with a line of carbon bikes that sell between $2,300 and $6,000. . The average person is a Walmart shopper, he says. The bike thats getting the most attention is Viathons new hardtail mountain bike, though Walmart is also launching with road and gravel options. Per my more enduro-focused background, Id also opt for a shorter stem. So I have plenty of experience with frame geo and mechanics. $$$ Outdoor & Sporting Goods Company Privacy Policy Photos See all Videos See all 0:11 Viathon's G.1 carbon gravel bike is Walmart's attempt to capture some of the high-end, direct-to-consumer bicycle market. 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. I pitched the idea to my management as a way to more quickly enter the market and change our perception, he said. At its inception, Kevin Quan Studios assisted in designing frames. But thats not necessarily a bad thing. Online, Viathon has three offerings to choose from: hardtail, gravel, and a road bike. For the last update and a link to the introductions, Click Here. Viathon opted for a low-geared 46-30T chainring matched with a 11-34T cassette. And in this case, all of these added up to make the bike feel like it was a size or two larger than expected. Members get 15+ publications right in your pocket. By signing up for email newsletters, you agree to GearJunkie's, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). 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.. Wealthy enthusiasts? 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. Viathon G.1 105 First Ride Review | Road Bike, Cycling Forums I have a few issue with this review. Im in GearJunkies Minneapolis office, a small blade in hand, ready to unbox a bike. How long to recover from a calf heart attack. To build its carbon frames,. Meanwhile, the rear brake hose, which sits loose inside the down tube, had a tendency to rattle against the frame. It will be back soon. Thats not to say this bike is cheap. Viathon Photo. The parts kits feature quality components from premium suppliers like Fizik, Hed, and Zipp, and the pricing is competitive with a number of brands. [, Re: Did Wal Mart pull the plug on Viathon? And 2 years ago, the company hired Zach Spinhirne-Martin, a senior buyer at CompetitiveCyclist.com. On its own, Viathon strikes me as a modestly interesting enthusiast brand with some solid, value-oriented bikes that feature industry-standard design and technology. My 54cm Viathon G1 without pedals weighs 19.6lbs. Im guessing thatwithout the connection to the largest retailer in the world, Viathon wouldnt be getting nearly this level of attention. 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. If youre looking to buy a high-end carbon XC bike and would like to save $2,000which you could put towards another bikethe Viathon might be a good fit for you. So, at a quick glance, the Viathon seems like a steal. Viathon responded, Really positive! The cables just felt like they were being dragged through molasses, and the full-length housing runs meant there was a fair bit of compression leading to a mushy feel at the lever. Still, Viathon is getting a fair bit of press, with stories on a number of cycling-enthusiast and outdoor sites. Here's the Viathon M.1 in action with some catchy tunes. 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. Some cyclists are extremely brand-loyal, willing to pay a premium for pride in heritage brands like Bianchi or Pinarello. Walmart didnt opt to adopt more modern geometry, possibly because its current customer base will have to take a few steps to catch up to the rest of the bike market. To be fair, that latter element is fairly common on a number of high-end bikes and isnt much of an issue, but it does point to a simpler frame construction. Illiac Artery Endofibrosis - I've got it. I wondered, who is the target audience for Viathon bikes? The Viathon fulfillment center is in Carlsbad, California. I set up the G1 with a quick home fit, and away I went. 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. Read more. Viathon R.1 Red eTap AXS review: Great performance, but with Walmart The Shimano Dura-Ace R9120 groupset, with mechanical shifters and hydraulic disc brakes, is the same youd get on many high-end bikes out there, which means youre judging this bike based on the frame and fork, and how those two components interact with the build. Shop Nitrous Shop Cyclosys QUALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE Since 1994 these are the words that continue to resonate within us. All these numbers are pretty well proven, and create a bike that walks the tightrope between controlled and quick. And while Walmarts involvement with the cycling world has traditionally been one of mass-market and low-cost bikes bought in-store, Viathons entry signals a new age. Equipped with a SRAM XO1 Eagle drivetrain that shifts seamlessly, Stans 29 carbon wheels, and an FSA K-force carbon handlebar, this thing was designed to climb. Internal cable routing keeps the frame clean and streamlined. 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. Steering responsiveness feels more akin to an endurance or aero bike than that of an all-around bike. [, Re: Did Wal Mart pull the plug on Viathon? With a trendy 25 mm internal width, the welded alloy rims are wider than they are deep. Well, its a lot like the Santa Cruz Stigmata it was modelled after, just not quite as refined. Since the news was announced last week, fans have been coming out and saying that this is what theyve been waiting for. Join Outside+ to get Outside magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Viathon Bicycles - Home | Facebook Walmart thinks so, and the retail juggernaut is betting its customers do too. 2 - You can't buy these bikes at a Walmart. Its a private brand being managed within the e-commerce merchandising team based in San Bruno, California. So were considering lateral stiffness, vertical compliance, weight, ride feel, cornering stability, and even the finish. & But the company has connections to the industry, including the support of trail networks notably, the network around Bentonville, Arkansas, near Walmart headquarters. Almost all carbon frames come from Asia, and different brands often subcontract with the same large producers. 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. Plan to post in the forums? Our biggest issues were certainly related to the cabling. 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. And then to be a little petty, our sample came with silver stainless steel bolts covering the various bidon, fender, and rack mounts. 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. As I rode the G1 down some green- and blue-rated trails, the straight and narrow bars stuffed my wrists into an uncomfortable position. $6,000 Walmart Bike: Box Store Launches Premium 'Viathon' Cycles Hed been with the online retailer for 10 years. Those interested in this bike should also take a close look at the Canyon. Walmart Slashes Prices on Viathon Bikes for Pre-Black Friday Sale He noted, Ive ridden and owned basically everything they sell over that time: Yeti, Santa Cruz, Ibis, Ventana, Pivot, Open, Pinarello, Wilier, Cervelo, Ridley.. Viathon swears its the latter. It can take 650b wheels with up to 2.1-inch tires, or 700c wheels with up to 51mm tires. 1 - Walmart didn't buy Viathon. Viathon Is Walmart's New High-End Bike Brand - Outside Online Viathon is for riders who appreciate uncontrived quality, demand craftsmanship but recognize value, who pedal for health yet savor the ride. 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. 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. We are not focusing on the [Walmart] connection but not hiding it either, Spinhirne-Martin said.Spinhirne-Martin said he came up with this bike while living in Park City, Utah, between 2011 and 2017: The bench-cut trails with tons of climbing lent themselves to a light, efficient climber with a bit more up front to smooth out the fast downhills.. All rights reserved. The only thing that caught my eye was the cable routing gathered around the head tube, which looks a little messy. Why was one of the worlds most budget-driven companies focusing on the upper echelon of the bike world? Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Viathon offers so much for the money, but there are obvious trade-offs. Viathon G.1 Gravel Bike | Viathon Bikes by Walmart YT Szepter first-ride review: a gravity MTB brand goes gravel, Ridley Grifn first ride review: Blurred lines. Good question, Dan, and one we'll come back to in just a minute. Filter bikes by year, weight, components, price, and performance. Currently, the bikes are not available in other markets. Hardtail mountain bikes with front suspension, Viathon notes, are the second-largest category, according to NPD. Vosper: House of carbon cards, chapter two: Viathon revisited It appears the newswas first mentioned in a Pinkbike story. Of all the GRX bikes on test, this one shifted with the worst lever feel. The terrain varies from flowy cross-country trail to downhill-inspired gravity tracks. 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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Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. 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. For now, they only offer a hardtail, but Spinhirne-Martin isnt opposed to someday expanding their line to include a full-suspension bike. In many ways, this is exactly what a good bike store would do for you when buying a bike. 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. Re: Did Wal Mart pull the plug on Viathon? At this writing, the various models are listed at "Summer Sale" prices on the Viathon website. It will be an uphill battle for a brand that could use a bit more personality. All the frames are carbon fiber, and the gravel and road models fit solidly within current design trends that prize features like disc brakes and clearance for wider tires. Viathon G.1 GRX 600 gravel bike review: Carbon at alloy pricing Its difficult to separate the Viathon from its business connection to the retail giant Walmart. And failing. Its noon on Michigans Upper Peninsula, where I came to ride Copper Harbor and the IMBA-ordained network in and near Marquette. The bikes look fine. 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. Teton Gravity Research The R.1 does feel responsive and supportive when you stand up to sprint. For a new, and relatively small brand, Viathon stirred the pot with their debut. This is a workhorse groupset that simply adds better ergonomics and a more suitable gearing range to what was the most popular road groupset on the market. This latter element is certainly somewhat surprising when you consider Viathon R.1 road frame uses a PF30 shell, and that the use of a threaded shell arguably inhibits the available width for tyre clearance. transition-DOT-area-AT-slowtwitch-DOT-com. The head tube feels firmly connected to the bottom bracket, and that to the rear axle. The spec matters a whole lot on a bike like this, and really, its a significant part of Viathons value proposition. While thats a noble notion, is the Viathon bike really that groundbreaking? So how does this high-value racer ride? And I suspect Viathon isnt relying on a deep tech story to market its bikes for a simple reason: the frames dont seem to offer clear innovation in design or materials. Viathon Bikes Walmart's proprietary bicycle line offers high-quality road, mountain, and gravel bikes that have totally negated the cheap "Walmart Bike" stigma. Viathon M.1 XX1 Carbon Eagle Mountain Bike, Medium, Copper - Walmart GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. The mastermind behind the frame designer is Kevin Quan who drew from his previous experience with Diamondback, Cervelo, and Parlee bikes. "We're trying to build a culture, building an education," Jordan said at the introduction. The R.1s trail figure measures 59.7mm, which is quite long for an all-around bike. Said to be a pre-production photo sample, our tester came equipped with a long 110 mm stem, wide 440 mm bars, and 20 mm setback seatpost. A handlebar with any degree of flare through the drops would be nice as well to widen the riders stance going downhill. My 54cm test bike has 382.8mm of reach, coupled with a 110mm stem. Viathon's brand manager is Zach Spinhirne-Martin out of San Bruno, California. Its possible that was done on purpose to appeal more to a wider swath of riders namely, non-racers. Viathon ships high-end carbon bikes from a Walmart - Bikerumor The bikes launched last April, and when word got out that Walmart was quietly supporting the brand, it caused quite the stir. While this might be true for the climb up, it would be a stretch for going downhill. Ok Fishes, here is the interview we were all waiting for!! Are modern bicycles the end of DIY maintenance. 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. Change your default forum handle here! [, 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. Now it has a toe in the high-end market and the chance to show that itscapable of making quality stuff. Privacy Policy Viathon says it wants to bridge Walmarts current low-price offerings to the bike-enthusiastbusiness. 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. I lifted the bike from its box, the staff leaning in for a first look. As we continue to build out the platform, we welcome other brands, said Spinhirne-Martin. Updated, 4/9. Walmart are best known for their $300-$500 bikes that. And when you have fun, you ride more." Everyone knows that Black Friday is this week, but Walmart and Viathon can't wait until then to. My time was limited to two hours, so this isnt an exhaustive review. 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.. Its name is Viathon. The quick and dirty synopsis? Basically, just a gravel bike. So far, Viathon isnt saying much about what makes its bikes different, nor is it telling much of a brand story. I just got a G1 1x Rival a few weeks ago, and really enjoyed on the the two rides I got in before the 12+ inches of snow last night and today. And its partnering with shops, mobile shops, and more, as well as creating an online fit calculator. Need a Doctor in the LA/SD area who specializes in Endurance Athletes Platelet-Rich Plasma injections (PRP Injections), High Hamstring Tendinopathy Rehab Protocol. It confidently climbed over gravel, roots, and rocks. Should brick-and-mortar or other online retailers worry? Personally, given the sporty nature of this ride, Id have preferred to see the larger 48-31T chainring combo used. I am a professional mechanic, and have a hand built over 175 custom frames from steel or Ti. Still others are simply doing their best to sort through the marketing-speak to make a performance-to-value calculation on the best tool to get on the roador into the woods. The question is, does a bikes soul matter more than its value and performance? For sure we are also undergoing huge changes; times are tough now and likely to get tougher before they get better. Its wise to see if that character fits with yours. This carbon bike is set up for dirt road adventures but doesn't mind how much pavement you mix in. by Rick Vosper. Not a whole lot. Viathon Photo. Lets be honest. 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. A Viathon representative told me that Walmart simply wanted the story to be more about the bikes than the company behind them. Viathon G1 Bike: At The Finish - Riding Gravel Two days later, Im pedaling steep singletrack above Lake Superior. "Of course, there was some backlash with the Walmart connection,'' said Mark Jordan, whose CrankTank marketing group staged the Viathon launch and was quoted in Yobbi's original article. Two Walmart heirs, Tom and Steuart Walton, are themselves highly enthusiastic riders who have invested in cycling companieslike Allied Cycle Works and Rapha, and they directed the trailbuilding grants that have helped transformWalmarts home base of Bentonville, Arkansas, into a world-class mountain-bikingdestination. Walmart is not just a brand of box stores that populates every U.S. state. Reports of a top-end race build with a $6,000 price tag cast a cognitive dissonance across the office. Viathon seems to have taken a conservative aesthetic approach on all of their bikes, including the G1.
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