Kavenz VHP16 Review - Virtual High Pivot, High Performance

[@pernyberg2816]

Great review - and as an owner of a VHP16 in Large I must say I am surprised of how composed this, relatively, small bike is. Being a tall guy at 188cm, who likes to do a lot of labbing and testing, I have had a lot of back and fourth on bikes with a reaches from 460 to 515 I kinda felt at home on the bigger bikes. Big bikes felt like they fit me well, but were a fkn wrestling match in twistier trails. If you are familiar to the trails than there isnt any drawbacks with a long bike, really. You adapt and ride differently. But when you are racing or riding blind long bikes makes for a lot of extra work. But what big bikes have working for them, for me, is the high stack height! I am a big fan of high stack and find that it is more crucial for fit than reach. Stack isnt super high on a standard L (480mm reach and 110mm head tube) but with a high rise bar and a riser stem - it works really well. So what makes this bikes so damn fun to ride? Stiff enough fram coupled with a rear end that is just magic! It is not a super muted feel like a NUKEPROOF GIGA and not as harsh as a YT Capra. Instead you get feedback from what you are riding but it doesnt feel like you are forgot to flip the lock out switch when you are going fast through semi big rocks. It keeps you in line like a bigger bike but agile like a smaller bike. The first thing that hit me was how great it climbs. It does not get hung up on square edges and has a very "get up and go" kinda feel when putting the power down. The second thing I noticed was exaclty how little you feel that rearward axle path. This was my biggest concern when buying the bike...rearward axle path = stuck to the ground. This is somewhat true but the KAVENZ feels very "normal", in a good way, when going down hill. It can pop and does not feel that the CS grows in fast supported corners. It feels just like you have more grip - in all situations really. One thing that I have noticed though is that if you start to drift in the rear during a turn while braking, the rear end will move more to the side than if you had a longer bike with a longer CS. But this is just in really loose, unsuported tight turns where you need to brake in the corner to make it - and grab a bit too much brake. Another thing that I would have liked to see was external cable rounting. I understand that with the tube profile the frame has it is stiff and really strong and that external would have not been about as pleasing for the eye as being stung in the optics by an anagry WASP. I changed the rear brake yesterday to a Hayes Dominion with the thicker stiffer brake hose...it was not fun. Exdtra cudos to Kavenz that takes a lean iterative approach to their bikes - meaning that all updates are backwards compatible and the frame wont be out of date (I.E SUCK!) when a new version comes out. I have a V5 and the next release is the V7 with a new rear end with UDH mount and different CS length. This bike can also quadrouple duty as a bike park/ freeride bike (vhp18) Trailbike (vhp15) and soon a XC/DC bike (VHP12). So buy a mezzer or a coil fork and you can reconfigure your bike in a few hours to make it suite all kinds of terrain you might want to attack.

[@jymtb]

Great review. I’ll also be between sizes but am likely to size down if I end up getting a Kavenz. I like that you can go with shorter reach frame but still have a tall stack.

[@SsmAnyfeSt]

Hey I also like high rise and was looking for a rise stem but nowadays they all seem flat, 0° stem. 😢 I have a DMR that is perfect for that but I would like something else, do you have any brands/models to suggest!? And what rear shock are you running? Air, coil? Thanks a lot!

[@xaverymulholland5279]

Fantastic review. Everyone seems to only have good things to say about the Kavenz. On the short list for my next enduro bike!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thank you Xavery! It's hard to fault the Kavenz.

[@claritean]

very good job describing the suspension characteristics between these two high pivots. seems like nobody talks about that brake jack. I myself did not know until I rented a Kona Operator in the bikepark ..

[@gerritmai6393]

That was a very nice review, specially good move to compare anti rise to deviate bikes. Important note for me. Razer sharp camera resolution as well, enjoy.

[@Shotgoon]

Loving my medium! The chainstays might be a bit short in the larger sizes but they will be offering adjustable chainstays later this year.

[@TheLoamWolf]

That’ll be a great move 🤘🏼

[@BiecherBender]

Not only that, from what I have heard, they will also sell them as an upgrade part. So you don’t have to buy a complete new frame

[@maxiglauser5384]

How big are you, i am looking for some size recommendations, I’m 179cm and im not sure if i should ride a M or L

[@Shotgoon]

@@maxiglauser5384 if you’re buying direct from them I’d look into the semi custom 420 seat tube 480 reach

[@lightningshredder5605]

​​@@maxiglauser5384Did you get the bike? I have a bike with almost identical geometry just slightly less bb drop. I am 178cm and the bike fits very well but wouldnt go any bigger. I have short legs long torso so longer reach fits me better. (480 reach)If you are unsure get the smaller size and put a 50mm stem on it (I run a 40mm). Dont know if this was helpful at all😅 Hope you will love the bike!

[@galenkehler]

I saw this bike at Cycolo last weekend, looks even nicer in person. Maybe its he german in me but that minimal brushed finish is perfect for a MTB

[@TheLoamWolf]

It sure does. Brushed raw is one of our favorites too

[@koltface]

This thing looks so fun! What a great design.

[@TheLoamWolf]

It sure is! Thanks for watching

[@JMRBikeZone]

Got this minimalist looking frame a month ago and loving this

[@TheLoamWolf]

Awesome, thank you for sharing!

[@tomprevost2477]

nice job dude, clear and concise, like it.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thank you Tom, appreciate it and hope it was useful for you!

[@NB-ski]

great review! I am considering this for my next bike. How much did your bike weight as built?

[@Marcus221179]

Greetings from Billerbeck, Germany! Würde das Bike liebend gern hier in den Baumbergen bewegen.🤟

[@JaggedTusk]

Sweet bike! I'm curious how much sag were you running and what spring rate?

[@TheLoamWolf]

450lbs for 95kg body weight and roughly 30% sag. Worked good!

[@javisst44]

Nice!

[@guillermoqueirolo6533]

Great!!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thank you!

[@jackhadland864]

What a bike!! Great review, but where's the motor.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thank you Jack! No motor needed to have fun with this one.

[@xwadix]

Still curious about the shock linkage.. 😅😅😅.. Manage to take big drop or jump?

[@javisst44]

DH-rated frame so yes!

[@marklouieadame]

Is this hard steel?

[@TheLoamWolf]

It's aluminum. 7020 T6 to be precise.

[@marklouieadame]

Oh wow its is slim for alluminum classic look and looks tough and light sorry i commented without finishing the video haha

[@topchoice1621]

1st 🥇

[@topchoice1621]

1st 🥇

[@TheLoamWolf]

On it as usual

[@topchoice1621]

@@TheLoamWolf I try to be I love all ur videos but don’t get to see them as soon as they drop cause I’m at work or doing something else lol I like this bike and the ohlins suspension is nice I just hope I don’t have to sell more than one kidney to buy one lol 😂