Vitus ZX-1 EVO CRS eTap AXS £4,199.99 | 8.4kg

Stefan Abram reviews an aero rig offering plenty of clout for your cash

- Stefan Abram

The ZX-1 EVO is Vitus’s aerodynamically optimised racing platform which has recently been given a revamp to bestow the bikes with a spec and aesthetic that is every bit the match of those from more established brands.

As the in-house bike brand of retail giant Wiggle there has been a strong emphasis on value, with the ZX-1 EVO coming in significantly cheaper than a quick glance at the spec might suggest.

Frameset

Vitus claims that the ZX-1 EVO “exhibits up to 45 per cent less drag than the previous ZX-1 when built as a full bike,” although no extra detail is provided on how the testing was carried out. That said, with wider and deeper rims, dropped seat stays, a one-piece handlebar/ stem and no exposed cables around the cockpit, all the hallmarks of an aerodynamic bike are certainly there.

It’s quite clear that the focus of this bike is power transfer and aerodynamic efficiency, with weight and compliance of secondary concern – although not entirely forgotten: at 8.4kg in a size medium on our scales the ZX-1 EVO is still not overly heavy.

Tyre clearance is officially at 30mm, but the clearances are very generous so that recommendation seems a little conservative.

Regarding the geometry, in size medium the stack stands at 543mm and the reach at 387mm. This puts it well within the range we’d expect for a race-oriented bike.

The head angle is 72.4° which is slacker than you might typically see, but not enough to radically change anything.