If you didn't know any better, you'd think Nils and Filip's ears had gone up for a moment. Even while testing with the BIKE team at Lake Reschen, the two were constantly grinning from left to right ear. The fact that they were then allowed to ride the two selected bikes for a further six months topped it all off.
The Drag Ronin for 2290 euros and the Rock Machine Blizzard for 2399 euros are clearly aimed at young bike aspirants like Nils and Filip. The long-travel bikes are even suitable for first bike park visits. Until now, the two of them have only honed their riding technique on hardtails. While BIKE usually meticulously pulls out the logbook during an endurance test and notes every kilometre and elevation gain, in this case we turned a blind eye. How do you measure kilometres when the front wheel is up in the air most of the time? So we just let the boys do it. Various bike park visits and countless laps on the home trails were on the programme. Always with the motto: first riding technique, then fitness.
At least Filip still managed to put in a few kilometres. Nils, on the other hand, unfortunately had to take an early break. He broke his foot in an accident in the trampoline hall and then had to take a break for two and a half months together with Drag Ronin. That's the life of a tester. But after that, there was still enough time to improve a lot. When asked about their favourite tricks, the boys didn't answer with wheelie or bunny hop, but with seat grab, one-hander or even manual.
Just as surprisingly, they came to terms with the weight of the bikes. In the smallest frame height, both bikes were suitable for riders over 1.60 metres, but weighed in at 15.9 and 16.2 kilos respectively. "The Ronin is lighter than the hardtail I ride to school," said Nils, unimpressed by the weight of his fullys. If you are also looking for a fully in the all-mountain/enduro segment for smaller riders, you should also take a look at the six bikes on page 99. Some of them even weigh less than 15 kilos.
The complete story is also available as a video under webcode #42716.
SMALL CRAM ONLY
Our two endurance test bikes have not covered too many kilometres, but have had a lot of air put under their tyres. The damage balance is extremely positive.
Test result Drag Ronin Pro SLX
Despite 29-inch wheels and size M as the smallest possible frame, the Drag Ronin is already suitable for smaller riders. After initially trying it out and swapping bikes during the test in Nauders, Nils ended up grabbing the bike with the larger wheels. At 1.68 metres, he towers over Filip by a hand's width. The Drag brand, which is still relatively unknown here, comes from Bulgaria and focusses on fairly priced bikes. The Ronin we tested is the latest model in the range and was designed by German constructor Andi Heimerdinger. With its 150 millimetre fork and 142 millimetres of rear suspension travel, the Ronin ranks in the all-mountain class.
At 2245 euros, the Ronin Pro SLX is the second cheapest model on offer. For this, the customer already has the reliable Shimano SLX groupset. Comfort is provided by Rockshox suspension. The 35 Gold suspension fork is also fitted to the Rock Machine, but is one of the cheaper models. Wide WTB rims and good rolling tyres complete the robust Ronin. At almost 3500 grams, the four-link frame alone is quite heavy. The total weight adds up to 15.6 kilos without pedals. Compared to Nils' old hardtail, the Ronin nevertheless turned out to be a lightweight. The standard Kindshock dropper post also earned the title of "mega-cool" and worked reliably without any failures. But there was also some criticism from Nils. On the one hand, the grips wore out extremely quickly and the Shimano brakes were only convincing in dry conditions. In the wet, the inexpensive MT501 braked significantly worse. The long chainstays also make it difficult to pull the bike into the manual.
CONCLUSION from long-term tester Nils:
The Drag Ronin definitely convinced me. I didn't have to change anything and was able to greatly improve my riding technique. The bike is durable and quiet to ride. As it makes a high-quality impression, I have also recommended it to a friend who now wants to buy the Ronin.
Technical data and ratings:
Weight / front/rear suspension travel / tyre size 15.6 kg / 151/142 mm / 29"
Price 2245 Euro*, mail order
Frame material Aluminium
Frame size M / L / XL (43 cm)
MEASURED VALUES
Weight without pedals 15.59 kg
Frame weight without damper 3456 g
Weight of wheels 5662 g
Handlebar width 780 mm
EQUIPMENT
Fork Rockshox 35 Gold RL
Damper Rockshox Deluxe Select+
Cranks Shimano FC MT610
Circuit Shimano SLX 1x12
Translation / bandwidth 32; 10-51 / 510 %
Brake system / Disc (front / rear) Shimano MT501/500 / 180 mm / 180 mm
Telescopic support / stroke / diameter Kindshock Rage / 150 mm / 31.6 mm
Impellers Shimano MT400/510 hubs; WTB ST i29 rims
Tyres Schwalbe Hans Dampf Perform. 29 x 2,35
*Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
Test result Rock Machine Blizzard 50-27
With the Blizzard, the Czech brand Rock Machine has a flawless enduro bike with steel spring shock absorbers in its programme. In the smallest frame size (M), it was a perfect fit for 14-year-old Filip. Contrary to current trends, the Blizzard uses 27.5-inch wheels. Smaller riders in particular benefit from this size and the associated 426 millimetre short chainstays. Thanks to the compact wheelbase, the Blizzard remains manoeuvrable despite the slack steering angle and is willing to get onto the rear wheel even with little physical effort. Perfect for honing your riding technique and learning tricks such as the manual. One of Filip's favourite tricks.
Even though the size of the bike was right, the steel spring shock was somewhat unimpressed by the 48kg rider weight. Even with the softest standard spring (350 lbs), the suspension travel was nowhere near usable. Only suspension tuner MRC-Trading was able to help out with a 250 lbs spring, with which the rear suspension finally responded smoothly and without pumping. However, the steel spring shock makes the Rock Machine weigh 300 grams more than the Drag. But Filip didn't mind the high weight either. "I'm not the uphill type anyway," says Filip. Due to the slightly higher mileage that Filip covered on the Blizzard, there were a few more problems. For example, the Sram SX Eagle rear derailleur shifted quite imprecisely early on. Even a new derailleur hanger brought little improvement. There was play in the parallelogram of the rear derailleur. After around 900 kilometres, the Bowden cable of the telescopic seat post broke, and the grips wore out just as quickly as on the Drag.
CONCLUSION from long-term tester Filip
The Blizzard is a solid enduro bike that is very good considering the price. Faster tyres would be useful for better touring capability. I would definitely recommend it, even though my favourite bike is a black Santa Cruz Nomad with AXS gears.
Technical data and ratings:
Weight / front/rear suspension travel / tyre size 15.9 kg / 160/154 mm / 27.5"
Price 2399 Euro, specialised trade
Frame material Aluminium
Frame size M / L / XL (42 cm)
MEASURED VALUES
Weight without pedals 15.89 kg
Frame weight without damper 3125 g
Weight of wheels 5809 g
Handlebar width 760 mm
EQUIPMENT
Fork Rockshox 35 Gold RL
Damper Rockshox Super Deluxe Select Coil
Cranks Sram X1 1000
Circuit Sram SX Eagle 1 x 12
Translation / bandwidth 32; 11-50 / 454 %
Brake system / Disc (front / rear) Shimano MT 401/420 / 180 mm / 180 mm
Telescopic support / stroke / diameter One 1 / 125 mm / 30.9 mm
Impellers Shimano MT400B hubs; WTB ST i29 rims
Tyres WTB Vigilante/Trialboss 27.5 x 2.5/2.4
ALTERNATIVES FROM 1900 TO 2700 EURO
These six mail-order bikes also offer suspension travel from 150 millimetres upwards and are suitable for riders around 1.60 metres tall. The Radon Jab for 2699 euros is even a very light carbon enduro bike.
1 Canyon Spectral AL 5.0
Weight / front/rear suspension travel / tyre size 2199 Euro I 160 mm/150 mm I 14.5 kg
The Spectral lies between the All Mountain and Enduro categories and has already shone in several tests. With 27.5-inch wheels, it is also suitable for riders under 162 centimetres in size XS. With Rockshox suspension and Sram NX Eagle gearing, it is said to weigh 14.5 kilos.
2 Commençal Clash Junior
Weight / front/rear suspension travel / tyre size 2299 Euro I 160 mm/160 mm I 15.5 kg
In the junior version, kids from 140 centimetres tall can grab the Clash. The bike comes with 27.5-inch wheels, a Rockshox Gold RL fork and a Deluxe Select+ shock. The gears are shifted with Sram's NX Eagle groupset. The rims are supplied by WTB from Andorra.
3 Radon Jab 9.0
Weight / front/rear suspension travel / tyre size 2699 Euro I 170 mm/160 mm I 13.5 kg
The Jab with 27.5-inch wheels may cost the most in this overview, but it is worth every cent. The lightweight enduro bike already has a full carbon frame and high-quality suspension with a Rockshox Lyrik Select fork and Deluxe Select+ shock. The gearing is also very good with a Shimano SLX/XT mix.
4 YT Capra Base
Weight / front/rear suspension travel / tyre size 2299 Euro I 180 mm/180 mm I 14.4 kg
The Capra is available in two different wheel sizes. With the smaller 27.5 mm wheels, the frames start at size S. In this setup, the YT offers an impressive 180 millimetres of travel and tends towards freeride. Rockshox Yari RC, Sram SX Eagle drivetrain and DT E1900 wheels are fitted.
5 Propain Tyee AL 27.5 Start
Weight / front/rear suspension travel / tyre size 2399 Euro I 170 mm/160 mm I 14.8 kg
Propain also offers its new Enduro Tyee in two wheel sizes. Bikers over 1.58 metres therefore opt for 27.5 inches. The entry-level model starts with an aluminium frame and Rockshox Yari RC fork. Together with a Sram GX Eagle drivetrain and ZTR Flow rims, the Enduro weighs in at 14.8 kilos.
6 Rose Root Miller 1
Weight / front/rear suspension travel / tyre size 1899 Euro I 150 mm/150 mm I 15.3 kg
The completely redesigned Root Miller has been equipped with more suspension travel and already rolls on 29-inch wheels. This makes the bike more of a potent all-mountain than an enduro bike. The price of less than 2000 euros is exciting. It comes with a Sram NX Eagle drivetrain and Rockshox suspension (35 Gold RL/Deluxe Select+).
You can find this article in BIKE 7/2020. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
