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Nov 01, 2023

The Veli is an unconventional cross

New XC bike features seatstay suspension, external cables and tri-spoke

New XC bike features seatstay suspension, external cables and tri-spoke wheels

This competition is now closed

By Nick Clark

Published: February 16, 2023 at 4:00 pm

The new Veli is a cross-country mountain bike designed around a unique suspension system that sits at the rear of the chainstays.

The swingarm pivots around a point where the chainstays and seatstays meet on the shortened rear triangle. The shock is mounted on the left-hand side, connecting the stubby swingarm to the seatstay.

Veli claims the full-carbon monocoque frame, including the rear shock, tips the scales at 1,800g in an unspecified size.

The bike has 120mm of front-suspension travel provided by a Fox Factory 34 SC fork, while the rear features a custom-tuned Fox Factory Float DPS to control the 112mm of travel.

Unconventionally, the Veli employs a mixed wheel-size setup, bringing mullets to the world of cross-country bikes.

The bike is only available in one size and is priced at AU$13,700. Veli says the bikes will be available to ship at the end of May.

The Vasttech suspension system has been in development for four years, since its concept was first unveiled at Eurobike 2018. The Veli is the first and only bike to feature Vasttech suspension linkage on the market.

The system puts the pivot point on the chainstays, with the shock positioned on the seatstay controlling the swingarm.

Vasttech says this enables it to use a standard double-diamond frame, which the brand believes is stronger and lighter than other full-suspension frame designs.

Vasttech claims the system offers a significant reduction in unsprung mass, improving the bike's small-bump sensitivity.

It also claims the kinematics of the system reduce pedal bob, providing quicker acceleration because the rear end squats less on steep climbs and sharp accelerations.

The system also provides a rearward axle path, which Vasttech says helps in absorbing square-edge bumps.

In its search for performance gains, Veli says it decided on external cable routing to keep the frame as stiff and strong as possible without adding weight by reinforcing cable ports.

The brand also says external cable routing is beneficial for owners, simplifying servicing and removing the frustration of threading cables through the frame.

The Veli features internal routing for a dropper post.

The bike is available in a single frame size with a 454mm reach. The brand says it intends to release additional sizes in 2024.

The Veli has a head tube angle of 68 degrees, which is similar to other modern cross-country bikes.

A set of carbon monocoque three-spoke wheels are custom-made for the bike, which Veli says are optimised for suspension kinematics and feature oversized Enduro wheel bearings.

The Veli is available in a single-build option with components from Veli's sister company, Atoll Bike, including carbon handlebars and stem, as well as an aluminium crankset.

Digital Writer

Nick Clark is a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all things mountain bikes. Having raced XC for most of his youth, he has a deep understanding of the sport and loves bounding around the UK to spectate at events. A mountain biker at heart, Nick helped create a community of trail builders in his local forest in North Wales. Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. Described as having a good engine in his racing days, it's now common to see Nick wheel-sucking on club rides and sprinting for town signs. He also enjoys bike touring and has completed numerous travels on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff. Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame up and has a keen eye for technical detail. He is currently riding a YT Capra on the trails and a Focus Izalco Max for the road.

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