The newcomer is described on the website as a "touring fully for moderately difficult terrain", and that fits. The ingredients: 27.5-inch wheels, 130 millimetres of suspension travel, aluminium frame, plus the chic new Rose design language. Our test lab determined a relatively high frame weight, decent stiffness and good workmanship for the new design. The long top tube, combined with the long stem and flat handlebars, stretches the rider into a sporty riding position. For the Lake Garda tour, we turned the stem upwards for better control. The Ground Control climbs like it rides: unobtrusively but confidently. A real all-rounder. Our tip for the configuration: add Shimano XT shifters, Nobby Nic tyres and a shorter stem. We could do without the fork lockout on the handlebars.
ConclusionThe Ground Control is a classic touring fully. Balanced riding characteristics, high-quality equipment and, as a plus point, the configurator for customised set-up.
PLUS Five frame sizes, high-quality equipment, equipment can be selected in the configurator (test bike upgraded with Reverb and XT brakes)
MINUS Long seat tube (be careful when choosing the frame size)
The alternative: The Granite Chief model offers more travel (150 mm, test in BIKE 2/15), and here too you can put together your dream bike yourself using the configurator. Reasonably equipped, it is priced at 2300 euros.
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 5/2015 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
