With the organisation of the Gravel-Fondo event German bike brand, Votec caused some serious hype in the gravel and road cycling scene. Naturally, the brand believe the ultimate weapon of choice for these events is its Votec VRX Elite, a rig that also promises to usher in a new generation of road bikes. But is this all hot air, or is there more behind Votec’s claims?
Here you’ll find our current group test on the best gravel bike.
Fairly understated in terms of its visuals, Votec clearly knew no limits when it came to speccing this bike. The beautifully made aluminium frame comes fitted with a SRAM Force 1×11 drivetrain and hydraulic brakes with 160 mm rotors. Rolling on a SRAM Roam 50 MTB wheelset with 35 mm wide Schwalbe G-One tires, it’s topped off by a thoroughly solid Zipp aluminium cockpit. The Jagwire cables are the final flourish on what is an unquestionably well put together bike. With Votec’s direct sales concept, the retail price of € 2,599 is another welcome surprise.
Both the look and the performance of this bike are a killer demonstration of the hard work put in by Votec’s small development team. The integrated cables for a dropper post and the direct mounting of the new SKS Race Blade Pro XL mudguards are further testament to the genius behind this setup. The bike even comes tubeless ready with sealant and valves.
Off to a promising start on paper, it’s even more of a whirl when you first get on. With such playful handling, the Votec VRX Elite is a failsafe guarantee for a blast on the tarmac and the trails. Thanks to its very precise and responsive steering, the bike heads exactly where you want it to go. At 8.06 kg (frame size M), the Votec is lightweight, nimble, and keen to pick up the pace. Its character is probably best described as down to earth and predictable, which means its benefits in terms of stability and confidence are wide open to newbies as well as experienced riders. Votec’s own carbon seatpost and sleek seatstays add sufficient compliance to the aluminium frame. The Schwalbe G-One tires generate great grip on asphalt as well as hard-packed woodland, plus they’ve lot’s of traction, although their performance does deteriorate on loose or wet ground.
With the prowess of the VRX Elite, Votec are essentially proving that the industry isn’t tied to the most lavish equipment or the most far-out technology. And for a environmentally conscious (roadie) generation, aluminium even offers the better choice of material.
The Votec VRX Elite in detail
Drivetrain SRAM Force 1
Wheelset SRAM ROAM50 Tubeless Ready
Brakes SRAM Force HRD
Tires Schwalbe G-One Allround
Weight 8.06 kg
Price € 2,599
Geometry of the Votec VRX Elite
Conclusion
VRX – On road, off-road, repeat: The marketing claims from Votec are ones that we’ll happily cite. If you’re looking for a do-it-all bike then we consider the VRX Elite an inspired choice. Fun, fast, and fundamentally stable, this bike teams outstanding performance with a very decent price. Did we mention the well-considered spec, the style points, and the heart-stealing details? In our eyes this bike packs more punch for its price than anything else on the market, so we wouldn’t hang around before winter hits.
Tops
– Outstanding ride
– Top-notch, high quality spec
– Very fairly priced – grab your wallet before the bike sells out!
– Lovely details on the frame
Flops
– It’s not quite on a par with the Open…
More info at: votec.de
Here you’ll find our current group test on the best gravel bike.
All bikes in test: Festka One Gravel | Legor Cicli LWTUA | Merida Silex 9000 | Moots Routt RSL | Open U.P. | Rondo Ruut CF2 | Salsa Cutthroat Force 1 | Specialized Diverge Comp | Specialized Sequoia Elite | Trek Crockett 7 Disc | Trek Procaliber 9.9 SL RSL
Words: Robin Schmitt, Manuel Buck, Benjamin Topf, Hannah Troop Photos: Valentin Rühl
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