Boutique, mechanical derailleurs don’t have to be heavy. In fact, Vivo’s new XC shifter and derailleur combo are surprisingly light. Light in an absolute sense, but especially light considering their robust and rebuildable design.
The centrepiece is Vivo’s new XC Air derailleur. While it will work with the New York-based brand’s existing shifter, there’s also a new a new XC Linear Stealth shifter. Together, the combo can offer a complete racer look without going wireless.
Vivo speaks the language of boutique builds, using intricate CNC construction and “tons” of Ti hardware and parts wherever possible on both parts. We still have a soft spot for mechanical shifting and for high-end, boutique parts over mass-produced options. We’re stoked to see Vivo continue pushing what’s possible with mechanical shifting.
Vivo XC Air derailleur
High end parts, as we have discussed, should be built to last. For an XC part, that means being light but also durable. And serviceable. Vivo’s new XC Air checks all those boxes, while also offering a stunning CNC-machined look that will help any race rig stand out in the pits.
Vivo uses extensively machined 7075 aluminium construction on the XC Air, shaving the derailleur’s weight down to just 276g. That’s a bit heavier than Shimano’s benchmark mechanical shifter, XTR 9100, which tips the scales at 241g. But Vivo is designed to be serviced and rebuilt, not just replaced. Vivo uses ceramic ball bearings to keep its 7075 alloy pulley wheels spinning smooth and fast. There’s a pair of sealed cartridge bearing at every linkage pivot, too.
Vivo, as mentioned, adds some bling and cuts weight with titanium linkage pivots, hardware and cable clamp. The low-profile clutch comes with a replaceable skid cover, to help keep your XC Air looking fresh.
With the XC Air, Vivo expands compatibility at both ends of the bike. The derailleur will work with 9-45 or 10-52 cassettes. It also works with Vivo’s existing F3 shifter or new Linear Stealth (LS1) shifter.
Vivo XC Linear Stealth shifter
To go with the XC Air derailleur, Vivo is releasing the new XC Linear Stealth shifter. The new compact, linear design aims to get an ultra-clean cockpit appearance, even with cables. It’s also designed to run cable housing parallel to bar to add to the clean look riders want from a modern bike.
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