At their recent dealer launch event, we spotted the latest iteration of the Momsen VIPA Trail. Scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2016, the Trail version will provide a longer travel option to the VIPA lineup with a “mild” and a “wild” build option.
The Momsen VIPA Trail is set up with a slacker geometry best suited for 120-140mm up front. In the rear it’ll give 111mm of travel with a 190mm eye-to-eye measurement.
It’s seen some exciting updates since the early prototype we had a look at in February. The biggest change is the revised all-alloy rear triangle. The exciting part? The added clearance means you’re able to run either 29 or 27.5+ wheels on the same platform.
In order to accommodate the plus sized tires Momsen have gone with the Boost standard front and rear (110mm / 148mm) to allow a bit more room.
The stealthy looking prototype was hiding away in the low lighting so we took it outside to get a better look…
This prototype was fitted with a standard Rockshox Pike, not the Boost version which would be specced on the bike to give a bit more clearance.
The new aluminium rear triangle is specifically designed to provide ample tire clearance. It’s likely that we’ll see a similar alloy rear end make its way into the standard VIPA lineup, adding an all alloy VIPA to the range at a lower price point.
This prototype was fitted with an earlier version of the seat stays lacking the bridge across the seat stays to provide stiffness. The newer version is undergoing a few minor tweaks.
29″ (left) vs. 27.5″ plus (right).
Thanks to the almost equal wheel diameter either wheelset can be run on the Rockshox Pike RCT3 29″ (the 27.5″ rim coupled with the taller “plus” tire results in a diameter about the same as a 29″ rim and standard tire). The Boost model of the fork gives a bit more width to allow for fatter tires, although it is still possible to run slightly narrower plus tires on the standard version of the fork.
Why go plus?
Aside from being the latest hot topic in mountain biking, plus is said to offer something of a sweet spot between its “full fat” cousins and a standard mountain bike tire. More grip, stability and a smoother ride, without quite as much of the heft and clumsiness of a full on fat bike tire. While many dismissed fat bikes as a bit of a fad, it seems many of the major manufacturers are taking serious notice of the “plus” category.
We’re excited to get our hands on a production version of the Momsen VIPA Trail. Although the official launch date is set of the second quarter of 2016, we’re holding thumbs we might get a look in on it a bit sooner…
Those tyres are very very close to the frame and fork.
A slight buckle and you could have a problem.