An Exclusive First Look at the New Viral Optimist 145

It turns out Steve from Viral Bikes was planning on showing more than just his new titanium Pinion cranks at the Sea Otter Classic. Unfortunately, shipping delays meant his show bike didn’t arrive in time for the expo, so we were left trying to imagine what his upcoming full-suspension, titanium Pinion-equipped mountain bike might look like. As luck would have it, the bike showed up the day after Sea Otter wrapped up, and I was still around to meet up with Steve for a beachside photoshoot. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see.

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At its core, the Viral Optimist 145 is a 145mm rear travel, 150mm front travel trail bike. While it might seem a little outside our usual scope, I could see a bike like this excelling in big, backcountry terrain where you want all the travel you can get, but you also benefit from a sizeable main triangle for multiple bottles or a frame bag. It’s a unique bike.

Optimist 145 features a full-titanium front triangle with 3D-printed lugs welded to titanium tubes, which Steve says offer incredible damping. The rear triangle is made from fully CNC-machined alloy. The machined cutouts face outward, which not only shows off the construction but, as Steve explained, makes it easier to clean compared to having them face inward toward the tire.

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The seat stays are joined by a titanium flex plate, positioned to achieve the ride quality Steve was after. The flex plate bolts into place, providing a passage for the Pinion’s belt and allowing Steve to adjust the thickness, stiffness, and flex as needed. The plate is keyed so that the pivot is isolated to up/down movement, and there is no torsional flex with the design. Steve explained, “Titanium can almost be infinitely flexed in this use case without loss of strength, so it’s the perfect flexation material.”

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The Launch Edition Optimist 145 will come with an Intend suspension fork and rear shock, a wireless SRAM AXS dropper post, Industry Nine carbon wheels (with custom fade spokes and hub color), Canada-made NSB cranks, Vittoria tires, and Intend brakes. Other launch edition partners include Zirbel shifters for both the Pinion gearbox and the dropper post lever.

The dropper post Zirbel shifter is pretty unique, with AXS internals hidden inside the left grip. A left-side toggle, either up or down, will activate the AXS dropper post. The build has OneUp carbon bars, a Chris King headset (the launch bike has a titanium headset, but the production “Launch Edition” version will come with a standard alloy Chris King headset), and a Fizik 3D-printed saddle.

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Viral Optimist 145 Geometry

The Optimist 145 is available in three sizes. Although these are estimates, V3 is suited for 5’3″ to 5’9″ tall riders, V4 is 5’8″ to 6′, and V5 is for those over 6′ tall. All sizes have a 64.5° head tube angle, 40mm bottom bracket drop, and 440mm chainstays. Steve let us know that the bike is designed for 29 x 2.5″ tires, but some 2.6″ tires may work, depending on the rim and tire combination. Dig into the complete geo chart below.

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This version isn’t cheap, and Steve was honest about it. It will cost $14,500 USD, but Steve says, “I would argue that the Optimist is one of the most advanced bikes in the world with one of the most advanced specs in the world. There really wouldn’t be a way to make it nicer.”

Learn more and pre-order yours at Viral.Bike.

Further Reading

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