The small Austrian forge Simplon has made a splash with two bikes. The carbon bikes "Razorblade" and "Stomp" set the current benchmarks for weight and stiffness. The "Lexx" test bike is still from the "old era" and comes with an aluminium frame. This seems unspectacular in the comparison group, but it doesn't have to be a disadvantage. The stiffness values are good, but the weight is at the upper limit of this comparison group. The Fox "Talas" fork has to be lowered on the climbs, otherwise the bike tends to rebound (mount a flatter cockpit). Downhill, the suspension was not harmonised due to the Rock Shox and Fox parts. The test riders were quick to suggest a solution: either the rear end with the Fox RP23 shock needs more travel to match the Fox Talas fork, or you can choose the Rock Shox Revelation fork from the Simplon modular system and get pure Rock Shox suspension. The bike feels stiff and precise on the descents. Overall, it has average handling characteristics without any major strengths or weaknesses. Good: five frame sizes.
CONCLUSION: more of a tourer than a sports bike. The "Lexx" leaves the marathon excursions to its rivals.
TUNING TIPInstall a flatter cockpit.
