We Rode the Priority Vanth: Can This $9,000 Gearbox Trail Bike Deliver?

Robert Wilson · 2026-07-31

The Priority Vanth grabs you straight away. No rear derailleur, a swingarm the size of a small country, a massive sprocket perched above the bottom bracket, and a silver finish that makes it look like nothing else on the trail. Almost everything about it feels different, new, and just a little bit intriguing from the off. But where, exactly, have Priority put their priorities? ### A New Kind of American Enduro Machine Priority Bikes are a relatively young brand out of New York City, focused almost entirely on direct-to-consumer belt drive bikes that punch above their price. With the Vanth, the American manufacturer steps beyond the commuter and leisure crowd into something new: a premium enduro bike built for serious trail riding. Featuring 6.7 inches of travel up front and 6.5 inches out back, a mullet wheel configuration (29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear), their proprietary Still Point high-pivot suspension platform, and a Pinion Smart.Shift 9-speed gearbox, the Vanth breaks new ground in several areas. Above all else, it promises one thing: downhill performance. Equipped with FOX suspension and a starting price of $8,100 (plus roughly $900 for shipping, customs, and import charges, bringing the total to about $9,000), it certainly isn't cheap. But given the sheer amount of innovation on board, the price feels fair. We put the Priority Vanth through its paces, and it certainly got us excited for bike park season. ### The Mythology Behind the Machine The bike takes its name from Etruscan mythology. Vanth is a benevolent demon who guides souls along their unknown journey into the afterlife. For those of us who prefer riding bikes to visiting the underworld, the Priority Vanth is the companion that's meant to guide you safely down the most intimidating trails. That's a fitting name for a bike that weighs in at a hefty 43 pounds in size S2, yet somehow manages to feel nimble when the trail points downhill. ### Make Cycling Simple: The Brand's Mission The New York brand has a clear mission: "Make Cycling Simple." By that, they mean building bikes that require as little maintenance as possible. The company name, though, reflects founder and CEO Dave's own shift in priorities when he started the business. His goal was to spend more time with his family without giving up his passion for cycling. Fair enough. Sometimes the only solution is to start your own company. Founded in 2014, Priority Bikes got off the ground through three successful Kickstarter campaigns, with every bike reportedly delivered to its backers on schedule. That track record of reliability extends to their components and design philosophy. ### What Makes the Vanth Different Most of the brand's bikes feature a belt drive paired with either a singlespeed drivetrain, an internally geared hub, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) hub, or a Pinion gearbox integrated into the bottom bracket area. Priority's claims of "Quality Parts" and "No Overhead," combined with their direct-to-consumer sales model from the US, are reflected in the specifications and pricing across the range. The line-up is primarily made up of commuter and recreational bikes priced between $540 and $3,900, not including import costs. The new Priority Vanth is something of an outlier in the range, opening up an entirely new category while standing out clearly in both price and performance. It's a statement piece that says, "We can build a serious trail bike too." ### On the Trail: Where It Shines Here's what impressed us most during our testing: - **Sensitive suspension performance**: The high-pivot design absorbs square-edge hits like a sponge, keeping the rear wheel glued to the ground. - **Remarkably neutral pedaling**: Despite the gearbox and high pivot, there's minimal bob or kickback when you put power down. - **Quiet, low-maintenance drivetrain**: The combination of the Pinion gearbox and Gates belt drive means zero chain slap, no derailleur adjustments, and almost no noise. - **Centrally positioned mass**: The gearbox shifts weight toward the middle of the bike, which improves handling and makes it feel more balanced in the air. The Vanth isn't just a novelty; it's a genuinely capable enduro weapon that could convert even the most skeptical gearbox detractors. If you're looking for something that stands out in the bike park parking lot and delivers serious performance, this is worth a closer look.