Continuous test performance 2,110 km, 23,800 metres altitude
"Well, you little muddy pig!" my girlfriend always says when I come back from cycling. The Isar circuit in the south of Munich is soggy for most of the year. It's wonderful when the high-speed rotating tyres throw the mud around your ears. Robust technology is important to me, which is why I opted for the Radon last autumn. Race geometry, willing suspension travel, favourable price. The Radon wants to be everything. And that's a bit of its problem.
The expensive main frame made of carbon requires cost-saving measures in terms of equipment, such as the brakes. The Formula stoppers require a lot of manual force and are annoying with their constant squealing. The hard-working suspension gets the Radon through any terrain, but stifles propulsion in cranky sections due to its oversensitive character. The bike can cover long distances quickly, but is not a marathon bike. It loves rough terrain, but is not a downhill specialist. It's a bike that can do everything, without having any real highlights. The kilometres ridden are not exactly plentiful due to the winter. But I wasn't squeamish. Every single metre was pounded into the chassis at full throttle on the rooty Isar trail. There were no technical failures. A few flat tyres. One brake bleed. That was it. Even the chain, Bowden cables and brake pads are still original.
Function ****
Shelf life *****
(max. 6 stars)
Conclusionundemanding everyday bike with a wide range of uses. Too heavy for a race bike, very sporty for leisurely tours. Absolutely stress-free!
DEFECTS / MODIFICATIONS:
1st stem and grips exchanged - 40 km: too crowded seating position. The 90 mm stem gives way to a 110 mm Tune stem
2nd brake bleed/rear end creaks - 230 km: The pressure point moves. Bleed - 1,745 km: Bearings cleaned, greased
3. chain worn - 2,100 km: chain must be replaced
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