Gravel bikes under 2000 euros on test: The Radon Regard AL 10.0 - Made easy
Julian Schultz
· 25.04.2025
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Compared to the competition, the Regard came onto the market relatively late, with Radon only launching its first bike in 2022, but the versatile gravel bike made an immediate impression. Then as now, the Regard AL 10.0 is characterised above all by its relatively low weight - a unique selling point in a test field in which the majority of bikes weigh well over ten kilograms on the TOUR scales.
The mail order company from Bonn is the only manufacturer to succeed in putting an aluminium bike under ten kilograms on its tyres. The basis for this is one of the lightest chassis made from this durable material: the frame weighs around 1800 grams, the carbon fork just under 460 grams. To the currently lightest aluminium gravel bike in the TOUR test, the Specialised Crux DSWThe Radon does leave a gap in the weight range; thanks to a patented manufacturing process, the off-road bike from the Americans saves a further 400 grams on the frame. However, the Radon Regard is significantly stiffer and - incidentally - also 700 euros cheaper.
Radon Regard: Genes of an all-rounder
"The sportiest model" of the platform, as the manufacturer characterises the bike itself, shows its strengths on the flat gravel motorway. Compared to its competitors, some of which are significantly heavier, the bike accelerates well. The Radon Regard shares the same smooth ride as many bikes in this category. The frame geometry doesn't quite fit in with the sporty concept, which dictates an emphatically upright riding position. On the other hand, this makes the Regard interesting for gravel bike newcomers who are coming into contact with curved handlebars for the first time and may well welcome the comfortable riding position.
What's more, experience has shown that cycle travellers, bikepackers and commuters also prefer to sit a little more upright. With mounts for bags, mudguards and pannier racks, the bike is equipped for many of these purposes. Two variants such as the Regard AL 9.0 FE are already available with full equipment ex works. For adventurers and rides off the beaten track, however, the suspension comfort of the bike is somewhat limited, although the fitted Conti tyres can also be used tubeless to get a little more suspension travel out of the set-up. The frame set is approved for tyres up to 45 millimetres wide and the standard tyres fit under mudguards.
The all-terrain 1x12 groupset from Shimano is almost completely assembled. Radon only uses a simpler version for the brake discs, which doesn't quite match the performance of the top brakes. However, many other manufacturers do the same. The gearbox with extreme reduction in the lightest gear is primarily intended for mountainous terrain. The Bonn-based company only offers a two-speed drivetrain with finer gear ratios for commuters equipped with lights, mudguards, pannier rack and side stand. The somewhat dull appearance and rough weld seams detract from the otherwise well-rounded look of the bike. Nevertheless, the classic Ahead stem and the external cable routing make maintenance and assembly work easier.
The basic model with the modular Cues groupset from Shimano is available for 1299 euros. Together with two new titanium versions (from €4999), the platform comprises six models. The introduction of the abbreviation AL in the model name also indicates that Radon will soon be presenting variants with carbon frames.
Radon Regard AL 10.0: Info & test grade
- Price: 1999 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 9.8 kilos
- Frame sizes: 50, 53, 56, 58, 61 (test size bolded)
- TOUR grade: 2,2
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 496/560/165 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 614/377 millimetres/1.63
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 664/543 millimetres/1.22
- Wheelbase/caster: 1,040/69 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 820 (1x12; 40, 10-51 t.) | Grade: 2.5
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 820 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
- Tyres: Continental Terra Speed TR 40 mm (eff.: 40 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: DT Swiss G 1800
- Impeller weights: 1,719/2,355 grams (f./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 9,820 grammes | Grade: 3.7
- Driving stability: 8.8 N/mm | Grade: 1.3
- Rear comfort: 154 N/mm | Grade: 2.2
- Comfort front: 100 N/mm | Grade: 2.7
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 62 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Advantages and disadvantages of the Radon Regard AL 10.0
- Plus: Lightweight frame set, easy to maintain
- Minus: only five frame sizes
All 13 bikes in the comparison test
- Bulls Grinder 4
- Canyon Grizzl 7
- Carver Gravel 220 1by
- Cube Nuroad C:62 One >> available here
- Focus Atlas 6.7 >> available here
- Giant Revolt 0 >> available here
- Megamo Jakar 20 >> available here
- Merida Silex 400 >> available here
- Radon Regard AL 10.0
- Ridley Kanzo Adventure Alu
- Rose Backroad AL GRX RX400 >> available here
- Scott Speedster Gravel 10 >> available here
- Stevens Prestige >> available here
How TOUR tests
Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. We also show the wheel weights for orientation. The grading scale is set in such a way that a grade of 1.0 is technically achievable: we award the best grade for weights under 7.5 kilograms.
Rear comfort (20 per cent): A measure of compliance under road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads and off-road.
Comfort Front (10 per cent): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as for the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.
Front stiffness (10 per cent): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. The overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as it would when riding.
circuit (5 per cent): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. The gear range, but also, for example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain play a role.
Brakes (5 per cent): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is assessed, but the function of the interaction between the brake body, pads and discs: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how do they react in hot or wet conditions, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - as far as known from one of our independent tyre tests or based on driving impressions. The tyre width has no influence on the rating, as this is more a question of personal preference.
Lacquer (5 per cent): The TOUR paint test simulates stone chipping and allows a statement to be made about the durability of the protective top coat. A chisel simulates stone chipping or chain impact. Starting at a height of ten centimetres, the height is increased by ten centimetres until the paint gives way or the maximum drop height of 50 centimetres is reached.
Maintenance/adjustment (5 per cent): The test assesses how easy a bike is to maintain and adjust. Marks are deducted, for example, for special tools required, particularly complex detailed solutions, manufacturer-specific components or maintenance work that can only be carried out in specialised workshops.
The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Julian Schultz
Editor
