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Radon bikes 2019Touring newcomer Slide Trail

Florentin Vesenbeckh

 · 31.10.2018

Radon bikes 2019: touring newcomer Slide TrailPhoto: Jannis Dietrich
Radon bikes 2019: touring newcomer Slide Trail
Radon is known for its radical prices. The new 29er Slide Trail with 150 millimetres of suspension travel aims to cause a stir in the all-mountain segment. Also new: a freerider and a trail hardtail.

With the Enduro Jab, mail-order company Radon landed a direct hit a year ago. Excellent marks in the BIKE testBIKE readers also voted the bike "Bike of the Year" in the Enduro category. Radon has now presented the Jab's little brother. The Slide Trail comes with 150 millimetres of travel at the fork, 140 at the rear and rolls on large 29er wheels.

The striking carbon main frame is reminiscent of Radon's successful Enduro Jab. The Slide Trail is its little brother, so to speak.Photo: Felix Weber The striking carbon main frame is reminiscent of Radon's successful Enduro Jab. The Slide Trail is its little brother, so to speak.

The main frame is made of carbon, the rear triangle of aluminium. The striking look and the protruding head tube are striking. Both are reminiscent of the Jab. No wonder, the bikes come from the same mould. The Slide Trail is not only visually reminiscent of Radon's successful enduro bike, it also inherits some details from its big brother. The geometry can be adjusted using a flipchip (the steering angle changes by approx. one degree) and the cables run all the way to the dropouts inside the frame.

Now standard at Radon: geometry adjustment using a flipchip. On the Slide Trail, this is located on the linkage to the seat stay.Photo: Jannis Dietrich Now standard at Radon: geometry adjustment using a flipchip. On the Slide Trail, this is located on the linkage to the seat stay. Clean cable routing inside the frame. All cables disappear into the down tube on the left-hand side.Photo: Jannis Dietrich Clean cable routing inside the frame. All cables disappear into the down tube on the left-hand side.

The geometry of the new all-rounder bike is very modern, but not extreme. The reach is 464 millimetres in size L, the steering angle can be adjusted using a flipchip and is either a slack 65.6 or a moderate 66.6 degrees. Short 435 millimetre chainstays are designed to give the bike a playful feel. In contrast to the current trend, Radon relies on classic 2.35 tyres. The decision against the plus trend with 2.6 or even 2.8 tyres is a decision in favour of direct and agile handling.

The modern geometry of the Radon Slide Trail in figures.Photo: Hersteller The modern geometry of the Radon Slide Trail in figures.

The equipment variants of the Radon Slide Trail

The prices of the new All Mountain are typically hot for Radon. Starting at 2499 euros, bikers get XT gears, Rockshox suspension and Magura MT5 brakes. The heavily equipped top model is available for just 3999 euros.

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Slide Trail 8.0

  • Fork: Rock Shox Revelation Charger RC / 150mm
  • Shock: Rock Shox Deluxe RT3, Debon Air, Trunnion Mount
  • Wheels: DT M1900 Spline, 30mm
  • Brakes: Magura MT5
  • Rear derailleur: Shimano XT
  • Price: 2499 Euro


Slide Trail 9.0

  • Fork: Fox 36 Float Factory GRIP2, Kashima / 150mm
  • Shock: Fox Float DPX2 Factory, Trunnion Mount
  • Wheels: DT Swiss M1700 Spline, 30mm
  • Brakes: Magura MT5
  • Rear derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle
  • Price: 3199 Euro


Slide Trail 10.0

  • Fork: Fox 36 Float Factory GRIP2, Kashima / 150mm
  • Shock: Fox Float DPX2 Factory, Trunnion Mount
  • Wheels: Newmen Evolution SL A30, 30mm
  • Brakes: SRAM Guide RSC
  • Rear derailleur: SRAM X01 Eagle
  • Price: 3999 Euro
The Radon Slide Trail is in its element on flowing and playful trails. We have already been able to test the bike on moderate trails in the Palatinate Forest.Photo: Jannis Dietrich The Radon Slide Trail is in its element on flowing and playful trails. We have already been able to test the bike on moderate trails in the Palatinate Forest.

Radon 2019: more MTB innovations

In addition to the Slide Trail, Radon is presenting two other new MTB models that focus on trail fun. The Cragger is a trail hardtail with a 130-millimetre fork that is primarily aimed at beginners. Vario seatpost, slack steering angle, 29er tyres that are easy to roll over: The Cragger should feel right at home off-road. It starts at 1299 euros, the top model costs 1999 euros.

The Radon Cragger hardtail is designed to provide an affordable introduction to trail biking.Photo: Felix Weber The Radon Cragger hardtail is designed to provide an affordable introduction to trail biking.
The slack head angle of the Radon Cragger catches the eye. The data sheet provides clarity.Photo: Hersteller The slack head angle of the Radon Cragger catches the eye. The data sheet provides clarity.


Cragger 7.0

  • Fork: Rock Shox Revelation RC / 130mm
  • Wheels: Sun Ringlé Duroc, 30mm
  • Brakes: Magura MT Trail
  • Rear derailleur: Shimano XT
  • Price: 1299 Euro


Cragger 8.0

  • Fork: Rock Shox Pike RC / 130mm
  • Wheels: DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 30mm
  • Brakes: Magura MT5
  • Rear derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle
  • Price: 1999 Euro
All Cragger models come with 29er wheels, but can also be ridden with 27.5 Plus. Plenty of tyre clearance makes it possible.Photo: Jannis Dietrich All Cragger models come with 29er wheels, but can also be ridden with 27.5 Plus. Plenty of tyre clearance makes it possible.

Radon Swoop 170

At the other end of the suspension travel scale is the Swoop 170. The popular Radon freerider rolls on 29-inch wheels in 2019 and thus mutates into a mini downhiller. The entry-level model costs 2499 euros, the best equipment version 3699 euros.

170 millimetres of travel, 29-inch wheels: The Radon Swoop 170 29 joins the ranks of race-oriented enduro bikes.Photo: Jannis Dietrich 170 millimetres of travel, 29-inch wheels: The Radon Swoop 170 29 joins the ranks of race-oriented enduro bikes. We have already been able to test ride the Swoop 170. Conclusion of our sister magazine <a href="http://www.freeride-magazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">FREERIDE</a> : "Mini downhiller. The 29er swoop gives a lot of security and smoothness. The playfulness is somewhat lost compared to its predecessor."Photo: Jannis Dietrich We have already been able to test ride the Swoop 170. Conclusion of our sister magazine FREERIDE : "Mini downhiller. The 29er swoop gives a lot of security and smoothness. The playfulness is somewhat lost compared to its predecessor." The geometry of the Radon Swoop 170 29, which is available in three sizes.Photo: Hersteller The geometry of the Radon Swoop 170 29, which is available in three sizes.
Florentin Vesenbeckh

Florentin Vesenbeckh has been on a mountain bike since he was ten years old. Even on his very first tour, he focussed on single trails - and even after more than 30 years in the saddle of an MTB, these are still the quintessence of biking for him. He spent his youth competing in various bike disciplines and later his cycling career was characterised by years as a riding technique coach. Professionally, the experienced test editor now focusses on e-mountainbikes. In recent years, the qualified sports scientist and trained journalist has tested over 300 bikes and more than 40 different motor systems in the laboratory and in practice.

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