Vitus Energie Microshift, argento

Controlled, comfortable and reliable, and with a race pedigree passed down from its full carbon siblings, the Vitus Energie VR MicroSHIFT is every bit the capable race bike you need for fun and fast cyclocross.

This discipline is all about trust - knowing how the bike will feel on slippery grass, knowing that when you press hard on the pedals the acceleration will come, knowing that the steering will be responsive if you hit loose gravel or sand and knowing that even the thickest mud won’t hamper your performance. Know that this bike has got your back so you can focus on enjoying the thrill of race day.

Whether racing for a position or with a keenness to cross the finish line, the frame is loaded with thoughtfully engineered features that are uniquely designed and refined for the demands of cyclocross. If you need to carry the flatter top tube sits comfortably into the shoulder and internal cable-routing reduces penetration of dirt so that performance is not reduced by wet conditions or a jet wash. The 10-speed MicroSHIFT groupset offers a great range to suit any course and if you come into a corner too hot the powerful Tektro mechanical disc brakes will help keep the rubber down. At the front, a full carbon fork keeps the front end light and enhances comfort, reducing stress on your body as the race progresses. With geometry shared from the top-tier Energie range, the top tube is also slightly longer and the stem a touch shorter, keeping weight distribution slightly back from the front end so the handling feels snappy - immediate control in all conditions. Frame clearance around the wheels is vast, so your speed won’t be slowed, nor the bike weighed down by mud. It also makes the bike easy to clean so when the racing is done you can spray it down quickly and put it straight into the car.

A Vitus is always best being ridden, not hanging on a wall, waiting or posing. So when you’re not lining up for cyclocross, thanks to integrated mudguard mounts you can carry on with your winter training, exploring new roads and year-round commuting. However you ride, with the Energie the fun is always turned right up. Why wouldn’t you want to keep riding this bike?