Radon Regard 7.0 review: A lightweight gravel bike at a competitive price

Sporty look, impressive cockpit

​The Rhinelanders are known for their aggressive pricing policy. When we requested the bike for testing, the Regard 7.0 still cost 2,599 euros. Radon has now reduced the price to 2,199 euros, making the bike a real bargain. Had the manufacturer slashed the price a little earlier, even the higher-spec Regard 8.0 would have made it into the test – complete with SRAM’s Rival XPLR AXS wireless groupset, 13 gears and Newmen carbon wheels. Our verdict: This model is definitely worth considering. It’s even lighter and better at sprinting – a cracking deal! But the Regard 7.0 also cuts a fine figure. Particularly striking: it’s the only bike in the test line-up to feature a one-piece carbon cockpit, where the handlebars and stem merge into a single unit. This gives the bike a sleek, uncluttered look – some might even call it sexy. Thanks to its flattened profile, the handlebars feel comfortable in the hands. At 400 millimetres, it’s the narrowest in the test field, yet still offers sufficient leverage when accelerating. It also has a shallow drop, making it easy to switch to the lower part of the handlebars, and enough flare to ensure the brake levers remain particularly ergonomically accessible there.

An all-rounder with plenty of climbing potential

Radon describes the only carbon gravel bike in its range as a “sporty all-rounder” – and that sums up the bike’s character pretty accurately. The range comprises four models, with prices ranging from 2,199 to 3,999 euros for the top-of-the-range model. All share the same clean look, with fully integrated cable routing and a single-chainring drivetrain. On the test bike, the 12-speed derailleur is mechanically operated. Although the cassette, with 10 to 51 teeth, results in slightly larger gear steps, it also offers particularly low gears to ensure you don’t get stuck even on steep inclines. However, anyone who mainly cycles in the flat north of the country won’t be entirely happy with the gear ratios. The 45-millimetre-wide Continental tyres seemed perfectly adequate to us. According to the manufacturer, however, the Regard can also accommodate tyres up to 50 millimetres wide. That would further enhance riding comfort on rough terrain.

Lively on classic gravel routes

The Regard is perfect for classic gravel biking. In other words: farm tracks and gentle terrain. This is where the bike really shines, with lively acceleration. Weighing just over nine kilos, it’s second only to the Cube in terms of weight. Great: the Regard rides beautifully quietly, and the woodland creatures will thank you if the freewheel doesn’t roar like a chainsaw during a rapid downhill ride. Because the moderate comfort ratings drag down the overall score, the Regard was penalised slightly by our testing system. That’s a shame, because the testers’ subjective riding impressions don’t quite match this. The sporty Radon was great fun and really spurred us on to get out of the saddle and sprint off.

​Conclusion by Dimitri Lehner, BIKE test editor

The Radon fits my definition of gravel biking to a tee. The bike feels light, accelerates briskly and impresses with its agile handling. The cockpit is particularly stylish. For me, it’s the bike with the highest fun factor.

Technical Specifications

Info radon-bikes.de
Frame sizes XS, S, M, L, XL

Geometry

Seat tube / top tube / head tube 500/560/150 millimetres
Stack/Reach/STR 593/387 millimetres/1.53
Stack+/Reach+/STR+ 663/539 millimetres/1.23
Wheelbase/steering angle 1,040 millimetres/71.5°

Facilities

Drive/Gearbox Shimano GRX 820 (40, 10–51 t.)
Brakes Shimano GRX 820 (160/160 mm)
Tyres Continental Terra Speed TR (45 mm)
Bicycle wheels Newmen Evolution SL.X.R.25
Impeller weights 1507/2228 grams (w./h.)

Measurements

Weight of complete bike 9,070 g
Driving stability 7.9 N/mm
Rear comfort 198 N/mm
Comfort Front 116 N/mm
Start-up/bottom bracket stiffness 62 N/mm 1.0

What’s good, and what isn’t?

+ stylish one-piece cockpit design, price, acceleration
- lack of smoothness when driving off-road