Priority Bicycles isn’t a big name in the MTB world today, but after 11 years of building their brand with exclusively belt-driven bikes, they’ve just announced a full-suspension enduro bike. The all-new Vanth will surely catch your eye, featuring Gates belt drive, a Pinion gearbox, and Priority’s own patent-pending Stillpoint high pivot suspension linkage.
With Gates’ offer of 100,000€ to any elite racer who wins a UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup race on a belt-driven bike, belts and gearboxes are seeing a new level of adoption in DH racing. After four years in development, the timing was right for Priority to launch the Vanth enduro bike.
Priority Bicycles Vanth – Frame Features
The all-new Vanth frame features an aluminum front end and a carbon rear. It is designed to run MX wheels (and is not compatible with a 29” rear wheel).
The Vanth offers 165 mm of rear travel via Priority’s Stillpoint high pivot suspension linkage. 170mm forks are stocked on all models.
While Priority as a brand has no prior experience with full suspension bikes, they brought in some expertise to create this one. The Vanth was designed with input from Mike Schwartz, founder of Morpheus Bikes, and Fabien Lemasson, an engineer with experience in MTB and automotive design.
The Vanth’s second ‘seat tube’ exists because Schwartz insisted on having the upper pivot points and idler pulley exactly where they are. The frame was then designed around the pivot locations, and adding the third frame member made it all possible.
The Stillpoint linkage’s main pivot location aims to deliver the benefits of a high pivot suspension platform, primarily excellent traction and momentum through rough terrain. However, Priority was careful to ensure the linkage maintains solid pedalling efficiency, produces very little pedal kickback, and offers optimized braking performance with controlled anti-rise.
The Vanth’s linkage produces a rearward axle path, which enhances stability in corners and whenever the suspension is compressed. The linkage also remains highly responsive due to the reduced unsprung weight on the Vanth’s rear end. If you’re a fan of coil shocks, the Vanth is compatible.
If you’d like to know more about the patents behind the Stillpoint High Pivot Platform, check out our recent Patent Patrol article covering the intricacies of the design.
I was told designing the Vanth’s monocoque rear end wasn’t an easy job, but it enables the belt to be removed or replaced without the typical coupler in the chain or seat stay. The Vanth runs a boost 148mm rear axle, and offers tire clearance for up to 2.6” treads.
Cables are routed internally, and all frame sizes can fit a full-sized water bottle in the front triangle. Another advantage of the frame’s extra tube is that it leaves the Vanth with a full-length, straight seat tube to accommodate long travel dropper posts. The frame features an accessory mount on the underside of the top tube, and all bikes include a OneUp Components EDC strap to carry tools, supplies, etc.
Priority will cover the Vanth frames with a lifetime warranty against material or workmanship defects for the original owner.
Gearbox/Belt
The Vanths are equipped with Pinion’s 9-speed C1.9i Smart.Shift gearbox, which provides a 568% gear range and features electronic shifting. Gears can be shifted while you’re pedalling, coasting, or at a full stop. The gearboxes are sealed for protection against the elements, and they only require an oil change every 6000 miles. The battery only needs to be charged every 20,000 shifts.
Paired with the gearbox is a Gates CDX Belt Drive. The carbon reinforced belts run quietly, eliminate chain slap, shed mud effectively, and last three times longer than a typical bike chain. The belts require no lubrication and can be sprayed with a hose after messy rides for easy cleanup. And, of course, there is no rear derailleur to worry about smashing!
The gearbox and derailleur-free belt-driven drivetrain both reduce unsprung mass and contribute to centralizing the bike’s weight. This results in a very stable, composed feeling bike.
Geometry
The first thing to note about the Vanth is that it has fixed frame geometry (and kinematics). There are no flip chips or integrated suspension curve adjustments.
The Vanth will be available in three frame sizes, fitting riders from roughly 5’4” to 6’4”. Priority says the front-end lengths were chosen to center the rider’s weight over the bike, ensuring comfortable climbing, plus maneuverability and stability on descents.
The chart above shows all the figures, but a few key specs include reach numbers at 440/475/510 mm for S1/S2/S3 frames, and rear end lengths of 448 mm across all sizes. The Vanth’s head tube angle is 64°, and the seat tubes sit at 78.5°.
To ensure the Vanth’s radical design truly hit the mark, Priority held a demo event where professional and recreational riders got to ride chain and belt-driven prototypes in a bike park. Through post-ride interviews, Priority found riders preferred the gearbox/belt-equipped bike, so the Vanth project went forward.
“We weren’t going to do this if the bicycle couldn’t stand on its own merits,” says Benjamin Chou, Priority Bicycles’ VP of Operations.
Model Lineup
Priority is offering three models of the Vanth. All feature the Pinion C1.9i gearbox and Gates CDX belt drive. Priority says a complete size S2 Vanth weighs approximately 40.5lbs.
Prices are as follows: Performance Elite – $5999, Factory – $6799, Podium – $7999.
The Vanth will be available exclusively through Priority Bicycles’ website as of January 16th. Bikes are delivered 95% assembled and shipped out the next business day.
A few weeks ago, I got the chance to ride a prototype Vanth in the Whistler Bike Park, so be sure to check out my first ride article to see how it handled the trails.
