When Viral Bikes founder Steve Domahidy said he had a one-piece carbon/stem combo in the works I wasn’t quite sure what to think. When I saw it in person though, it generated quite a few thoughts.
It has a unique aesthetic that you can’t help but look at, and in my case, jump on the new Viral Bikes Skeptic all mountain hardtail it was mounted on to take it for a spin. It also happens to look way cooler than I would have expected!
The latest iteration of the Skeptic is 3/2.5 triple butted titanium frame featuring a Pinion C 1.12 12 Speed Gearbox with a 600% range. Set up with a 150mm Fox 36 fork, the bike is set to run anywhere from 130-150mm depending on the wheels size you choose to run. Compatible with 27.5+ or 29″ wheels it’s a fascinating take on the ideal bike for winters in the northwest.
The Pinion 12 speed gear box has all the gears you could possibly need in a low maintenance package. Placing the weight of the drivetrain low in the center of the bike should also make the bike hug turns.
Though I rode it around briefly, I’ll have to admit, with so much going on with the visuals of the bar and stem, I didn’t have a chance to fully feel out the handling of the bike.
A few of the deets:
2019 Viral Skeptic
- All-Mountain Hardtail
- 3/2.5 triple butted titanium
- Pinion C 1.12 12 Speed Gearbox w/ 600% range
- Gates Carbon Drive Belt
- Set up with 150mm Fox 36 (compatible with 130-150 depending on wheel size and desired travel/geo)
- 27.5+ or 29” wheel compatible
- Frame kit w/ C 1.12, CNC Cranks, Gates belt and cogs, and shifter is $4495
That bar though… a few details:
- Viral Combo Cockpit
- Carbon bar/stem
- 35mm reach
- 15mm rise
- 5 degree upsweep (based on 65.5 degree head tube angle)
- 9 degree backsweep
- 800mm width
- Suggested use on bikes with head tube angle between 65-67 degrees
- $295
I’m not sure if it pulls inspiration from a Klingon Warbird more, or a Cylon Raider, but it sure is cool looking. It cleverly incorporates a K-Edge Garmin mount in place of a top cap, maintaining the clean aesthetic.
The downside of integrated bar stem combos is you’re unable to adjust the sweep. That said, it had with a 5º upsweep and 9º of backsweep it felt pretty good. Steve says it’s optimized for a head angle of 65-67º or so.
For more info, check it out at Viral Bike’s webstore here.
