First Impressions - Knolly V-tach
Words and photo by Mark Steinebach

Boutique bikes are cool. Boutique bikes born and bred on the Shore are cooler yet. When I was asked if I wanted to test the V-tach I had to take a couple of hits off my puffer just to gain my composure. I have seen the bike and spoken with Noel Buckley, venerable good guy behind Knolly bikes, about this rig and now I have my paws on one. Noel knows his stuff and has had his ear to ground on the Shore for a long, long time. He has taken this bike-wisdom and conjured up the V-tach; a big bike with a difference.


The Knolly V-Tach - built for 'agressive freeride'
Knolly Bikes' first foray into the world of mountain bikes was with the V-tach which they have dubbed “aggressive freeride.” Knolly also tells us this bike is the 'ultimate park bike.' The V-tach is touted to be quick and manoeuvrable (can you say “skinny”) with DH stability and a “pedal-friendly” demeanour. The Knolly folks have written a tall order to fill. The buzz from those already riding this bike is that the Knolly folks have not been unduly blowing their own horns.

First impressions are important and the V-tach does not disappoint. Workmanship is verging on artistry with no detail too minor to be fussed over. From the ultra-tech 4 by four linkage - that makes way for the uninterrupted seat tube - to the bottom bracket with its incorporated CNC artistry, this rig turns heads.


A drive side view of the '4 by four linkage'
While the V-tach can be purchased as a frame only, Knolly provides build-kits that complement their frame. The ride I was provided with had suspension duties handled by a Manitou Travis single with Intrinsic damping and a Fox DHX 5.0 keeping the rear wheel planted. Power gets to the ground through Race Face Diabolus cranks driving a Shimano XT front derailleur and E.13 guide back to a Sram X-9 on the back. A DT Swiss wheel set with Big Earl meats should get the power down to terra firma where it belongs. When its time to wind down that speed, Magura Louise FR brakes are there to handle the task.

V-Tachs come standard with a 1.5" steerer.  You can run a 1.5" fork or use a reducing headset and a 1 1/8" model.
The frame comes in x-small (are you 5 foot, 1 inch tall??), small, medium, and large. It weighs a Rubenesque 12.7 pounds (with DHX 5.0), comes in a myriad of colours and sells for $3595 Canadian. You can have it optionally equipped with the new Marzocchi Roco shock.

Built to take whatever you can dish out - and with an uninterupted seattube so you can climb to the trailhead.

This bike will be spending considerable time at Whistler Bike Park, on local trails, at the Woodlot and on Vedder Mountain. She will get put through her paces. I will even be putting the pedal-ability to the test as I have been known to turn down a shuttle ride for the pure burn of the climb. We all have to pay for our fun somehow. Stay tuned for full test results.

Mark Steinebach