Rotwild R.X2 Trail Core in the BIKE test

Peter Nilges

 · 22.10.2018

Rotwild R.X2 Trail Core in the BIKE testPhoto: Wolfgang Watzke
Rotwild R.X2 Trail Core in the BIKE test
The Rotwild R.X2 Trail Core is a playful and comfortable touring bike with a high-quality frame. The equipment and suspension can't keep up with the best competitors in the test.

Heidi has a photo for you! The Rotwild would certainly hear this sentence if it were a TV presenter and not the BIKE test crew passing judgement. No question: the Rotwild is definitely an eye-catcher. The frame is high-quality and beautifully designed. However, the spec of the R.X2 falls a little short. The SLX components are below the level of the test group. The Rotwild is versatile when it comes to wheel choice. 29-, 27.5-inch and 27.5+ can be ridden.

Comfort is the order of the day on the descent. The fork and rear suspension absorb impacts from the trail homogeneously. The manoeuvrable Rotwild playfully weaves through winding trails. At a sportier pace, however, the R.X2 quickly reveals its limits. The suspension offers little counter-pressure and quickly releases its travel. The lightweight Continental tyres also lack grip and squander potential. The SLX brakes with 180 mm discs also quickly reach their limits. On climbs, the sensitive rear suspension tends to bob. Here it makes sense to use the easily accessible shock platform.


Test summaryThe Rotwild R.X2 is a playful and comfortable touring bike with a high-quality frame. The equipment and suspension can't keep up with the strong competition on all-mountain bikes.

  Rotwild R.X2 Trail CorePhoto: BIKE Magazin Rotwild R.X2 Trail Core  Rotwild: The chainstay length of the R.X2 can be changed by 12.5 millimetres using interchangeable inserts at the dropout. With this option, all wheel sizes from 27.5 to 27.5+ to 29 inches can be ridden. However, the bottom bracket height cannot be equalised.Photo: Georg Grieshaber Rotwild: The chainstay length of the R.X2 can be changed by 12.5 millimetres using interchangeable inserts at the dropout. With this option, all wheel sizes from 27.5 to 27.5+ to 29 inches can be ridden. However, the bottom bracket height cannot be equalised.  Red Deer: Compared to the fork characteristic, the rear suspension sags a little more and releases travel quickly.Photo: BIKE Magazin Red Deer: Compared to the fork characteristic, the rear suspension sags a little more and releases travel quickly.  Rotwild R.X2 Trail CorePhoto: BIKE Magazin Rotwild R.X2 Trail Core  Rotwild R.X2 Trail CorePhoto: BIKE Magazin Rotwild R.X2 Trail Core


You can read this article or the entire BIKE 5/2018 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:

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