The Priority Vanth represents an interesting mechanical trade off. It pairs a high-pivot suspension layout with a Pinion C1.9i Smart.Shift gearbox and a Gates belt drive, eliminating the rear derailleur and cassette entirely. While this setup promises low maintenance and composure on descents, it comes with a 19.5 kg weight and a measurable efficiency penalty. Specifically, tests showed around 12% more rider power input compared with a conventional derailleur enduro bike under the same conditions.
For a Factory build costing 8,433 Euro in Europe, that is a significant tax on climbing. It is a bit ironic to pay a premium for a high-end build and then immediately spend more to upgrade the stock brake pads and tires before riding aggressively.
Is the promise of a low-maintenance drivetrain and superior downhill traction worth accepting a 12% increase in power input and a nearly 20 kg curb weight?