It isn't that bad. But if you are a heavyweight rider or super aggressive or anal about flex then yeah, the frame is not for you. I am light and love my VPX and Socom (same rear triangle). I am not buying into these super stiff frames, somehow a little flex makes a frame track better. But the VPX is definitely on the side of softer frames, even for me. Super fun bike though, especially with the slacker dropouts.
its not. i was 220lbs when i had mine (with 150 rear end) and didnt notice any significant flex
Are you high? The Session does not exactly have the seat tube angle to climb well and there is no way a Remedy can take as much abuse as a VPX. The VPX is a big bike that can be pedaled uphill. It works surprising well over a wider range of conditions than it was meant to cover. Interestingly, you compare it with a Session and a Remedy but you should compare it to a Scratch. Which proves that it is quite versatile.
With slacker dropouts the geometry is quite current. Only problem is the weight (and maybe the flex).
I haven't found that to be true, however I have noticed that you often won't notice the detriment of a frame or fork with more flex until you ride something stiffer (for a significant period of time - i.e. own it) and then try to go back. If you never do that, then you'll probably never have a problem with it.
Are you high? The Session does not exactly have the seat tube angle to climb well and there is no way a Remedy can take as much abuse as a VPX. The VPX is a big bike that can be pedaled uphill. It works surprising well over a wider range of conditions than it was meant to cover. Interestingly, you compare it with a Session and a Remedy but you should compare it to a Scratch. Which proves that it is quite versatile.
I have found that too stiff of a frame or fork doesn't work for me. I only remember one frame that I thought was too flexy (Intense 6.6) but many that felt too stiff. With forks it is even worse. Old Dorado was fine, 32 mm Boxxer was fine, new 35 mm is optimum IMO, 40 is too stiff. I am on the fence with the BOS. Still haven't completely dialed it in yet but it somehow bounces off rocks sideways. Trying to remedy this with damping adjustments, change in cockpit setup and tire change didn't result in a significant improvement.
Fair enough. I just can't see how you can ever climb a Session more efficiently then a VPX while in the saddle. A friend rides the Session 88 FR (the Session with the Totem) and you sit waaaaayy over the rear wheel when you raise the saddle into a climbing position. You are right, I didn't own both but think I still have a good feeling for the differences between the bikes.
Perhaps that's personal preference combined with what you have spent more time on.I have found that too stiff of a frame or fork doesn't work for me. I only remember one frame that I thought was too flexy (Intense 6.6) but many that felt too stiff. With forks it is even worse. Old Dorado was fine, 32 mm Boxxer was fine, new 35 mm is optimum IMO, 40 is too stiff. I am on the fence with the BOS. Still haven't completely dialed it in yet but it somehow bounces off rocks sideways. Trying to remedy this with damping adjustments, change in cockpit setup and tire change didn't result in a significant improvement.
What's your hub and axle setup? As suggested above already, switching to a 12mm through-axle if you haven't already will probably help a lot.
I got two words for you: slacker dropouts!
This is why I said 'doesn't work for me'.
Just to point out the obvious: with their suspension setup I would be bouncing all over the place, so I think the least of my problems would be frame or fork flex.
Wasn't available way back when I had it. Neither was Angleset. With both you can probably get it slacker and lower. Don't know by how much without doing the math.I got two words for you: slacker dropouts!
I think the slacker dropouts changed the HA half a degree and the lowered the bb less than half an inch. It helped but did not fix it. When you're starting out with a 15" BB height and 67 degree HA it's gonna take more than moving the rear axle down a half inch...Wasn't available way back when I had it. Neither was Angleset. With both you can probably get it slacker and lower. Don't know by how much without doing the math.
You still have the issue of high leverage ratio and short wheelbase.
A friend still rides one. My brother has his VPX frame in the garage somewhere as a backup. And a couple of my buddies still like and ride their Santa Cruz VP Free which is very similar.
Mine sits at 14" BB (depending on tires) and a 66.x° HA with a Sherman fork. I know, it is not the cool 58° HA and 11.32" BB height everybody on here rides, but it works quite well for me and what I do with the bike.