Australian Mountain Bike — December 01, 2017

http://www.ambmag.com.au - 83

MATT NAUTHE

RIDER BIO

Riding Experience: Over 15 years on

mountain bikes, riding worldwide

Generally Rides: Santa Cruz Nomad,

Salsa El Mariachi, Curve GMX

Height: 183cm

Weight: 75kg

Bike Test Track: Mt Coot tha & surrounds,

Brisbane. Nerang, Gold Coast

TESTED

PHOTOGRAPHER: COLIN LEVITCH TESTER: MATT NAUTHE

PUT THE

SQUEEZE ON PLUS

REID VICE FS 3.0

Eight years ago Reid entered the market

with a single model - fast forward to

the present and you will see a company

that has expanded into one of the main

companies in the Australian market. With a

keen eye on the price tag, Reid established

a loyal customer base for those looking to

upgrade to their first proper mountain bike.

2018 sees the expansion of the wildly

popular 27.5+ (Plus sized) range to include

two full suspension models. Still offering

the same sharp pricing that Reid has

become renowned for, these new models

have undergone intensive R&D on home

soil to ensure they are up to the task.

The Vice 3.0 FS sits as the top dog in the

Reid Plus size range of two full suspension

and three hardtail options. Both dual

suspension models run the same frame,

with the 3.0 being up-specced with

RockShox suspension and higher level

drivetrain for an extra $500 - which is

money well spent in most people’s books.

This top model will set you back $2,399

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The Vice 3.0 FS is a simple 4 bar linkage

design that has been tweaked and refined

on the Australian trails. The burly tubing

NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO

BE A RACER, THIS IS THE

BIKE FOR THE WEEKEND

WARRIOR OR ANYBODY

PLUS SIZE CURIOUS.

and turquoise colour come together to

present a bike that looks like a fun time.

Under the hood the Kinesis made frame

is a mix of double and triple butted 6061

aluminium with all mod cons that you

would expect from a bike in 2018: Boost

spacing (148x12mm) rear end, tapered

head tube and all sealed pivot points.

There is an adaptor if you want to run a

front mech, which is probably not a bad

thing on the 1x10 drivetrain. This does add

versatility to the bike, and may be essential

if you decide to load it with gear and head

into the great unknown. Be mindful that a

front mech may limit tyre clearance.

The Vice is specced sharply for a bike in

this price bracket - the $2,399 price tag

is certainly not reflected when looking

at the parts sheet. Conscientious specs

sees some big brand technologies from

RockShox, Shimano and KS components

blended with in-house and OEM parts.