After the bike with a ten-speed cassette and dropper post landed in our editorial office, we realised that it didn't really fit into this test. Radon also offers the "Swoop 175" with a dropper post, Fox "36" and mountain-ready gearing. Bummer. It was too late to change, too bad to leave it out. So we took it with us to Bolzano and Finale - and didn't regret it. Of course, there were deductions in the B grade, because climbs are only possible to a limited extent and longer journeys to the home spot with the barely retractable seat post are only possible with aching knees.
A shame really, because the "Swoop 190" can do a lot on the descents: with its long reach, short rear end and slack head angle, it was the only bike in the test that was hot on the Kona's heels. It benefited from the slightly more sensitively tuned compression damping of last year's Fox "36 Talas Fit", which works just as well as the "Lyrik" with its very linear and supple suspension function and is a perfect match for the plush and sensitive rear end. However, the slightly lower front makes direction changes easier to control than on the Kona. The pressure on the front wheel is right even without much physical effort. Even with the standard "Hans Dampf", which we usually banish to the rear wheel, we were able to generate good grip. "Like on rails" is the admittedly somewhat worn description of cornering performance. But it fits really well here.
ConclusionThe Radon can park and downhill - and it does it really well. Only the Kona was just as fast and safe to ride downhill. The rear suspension and fork harmonise, the riding position is ideal for mini downhill missions and fast descents. With 1x11 gearing and a telescopic seatpost with 100 millimetres of travel, it would be a great freerider. However, the range of use remains limited.
PLUS - Smooth running - Chassis - Fork
MINUS - no touring - seat post can be lowered
Manufacturer information
Distribution H&S Bike Discount GmbH www.radon-bikes.de
Material / Sizes Aluminium / 16, 18, 20"
Price / weight without pedals 2999 Euro / 15 kg
Measurement data
Front / rear suspension travel 180 mm / 190 mm
Rear suspension system Four-bar linkage
Equipment
Fork / damper Fox 36 Talas 180 Fit CTD / RockShox Vivid Air R2C
Cranks / gears RaceFace Atlas / SRAM X9
Brake system SRAM Elixir 9 Trail
Impellers Spank Spike 28 system wheelset, Schwalbe Hans Dampf SG TS / PS 2.35, tyres
