The Escarpe has been updated for 2022 with a new frame and improved suspension kinematics, designed to make it better uphill and more fun on the descents.
Vitus have given the Escarpe 29 CRX a full-carbon chassis. The UK brand say the front triangle has been tuned to improve stiffness and tracking. Frame features include internal cable routing and carbon protection patches, as well as a threaded BB shell. The front and rear triangles are connected via a four-bar linkage that provides 140mm of rear-wheel travel.
This model comes with a top-drawer parts package. Factory-level suspension from Fox, including a 150mm-travel 36 fork, is paired with a full Shimano XT drivetrain and brakeset. The wheels on our bike come from Nukeproof’s Horizon line, although DT Swiss’s M 1900s are also on Vitus’s spec list – a sign of fluid availability. They’re encased in Maxxis Assegai and Dissector tyres. Nukeproof finishing kit largely finishes off the package.
Compared to other burly trail bikes in this test, the Escarpe climbs well. The geometry is spot on, with a steep 77.5-degree seat tube angle, while the rear suspension stays well-behaved in most pedalling conditions. When you get a bit more spirited, the shock’s lockout switch is easy to access. Grip levels are good, thanks to the supple early stroke of the suspension, while the Dissector rear tyre doesn’t seem to drag on smooth ascents too badly. There’s ample front-end room to balance grip and accurate line choice using bodyweight shifts.
On steep, slow descents, the stout front end is precise and the powerful brakes and grippy Assegai tyre make committing to crux moves a doddle. The rear suspension doesn’t collapse when you drop into a catch berm, so you can exit corners with absolute composure and, potentially, a bit of extra speed. On smo
