It's no coincidence that the Propain Spindrift 5 is a freeride bike through and through. Gravity is in the blood of the Propain engineers. The idea for their own bike brand with the first big bike came to the founders on a holiday in Whistler in 2006. So it's no wonder that the German label has consistently had a model for radical bike park action in its programme for years. Freeride has never been dead at Propain and is set to be revitalised with the recently updated Spindrift. The bike can be ordered with either a carbon frame or an aluminium frame weighing around 700 grams.
In order to equip the aluminium frame of the Propain Spindrift 5 AL with high fatigue resistance and strength for relentless landings, Propain relies on a specially developed metal mixture called Blend-Alloy and robust stainless steel bearings. Customers can use the configurator to put together which parts they want on the complete bike. All established wheel sizes are available: Full Twentynine, 27.5-inch front and rear or Mullet. In the Park version, a 200 millimetre double bridge fork can also be specified. It starts at just 2999 euros. If you choose the carbon frame and set all the controls to high-end, you can invest up to 9184 euros. More variability is really not possible.
Details of the Propain Spindrift 5 AL
- Purpose: Freeride
- Suspension travel: 180 / 180 mm
- Wheel size: Mullet (29" / 27.5")
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Weight: 17.0 kg
- Price: 3279 Euro
- Distribution channel: Direct shipping
- Warranty: 2 years
- Special features: Online configurator, various wheel sizes possible, double bridge compatibility, Propain Pro10 rear suspension system, Blend Alloy aluminium frame
Jumping devil: The Freerider from Propain takes off
By moving the shock absorber in front of the seat tube, the the tried-and-tested Pro10 rear triangle is more compact than before. For spontaneous turns and rear-wheel play, they are much better than the Specialised status 10 millimetre longer chainstays can still be clearly felt. Without the kicker, it takes more physical effort to pull off. Help comes from the suspension. It has better support and provides the Spindrift with purposeful airtime despite its high weight.
On the jumpline, the Propain Fully is extremely confident in the air. Integrated in the centre of the discreet reach value, the fear of a dead sailor is a thing of the past. The flying position is somewhat less complicated than on the longer Specialised. The rear suspension digests brute impacts without grumbling. The end progression at the front also fits in principle. It's just a shame that the fork hardly wants to utilise its full travel, even at significantly lower air pressures than recommended by the manufacturer. The ZEB Base is the cheapest freeride fork from Rockshox and can cause tired forearms on long, rough downhills.
Steamroller: Downhill on the new Propain Spindrift AL
Although the suspension elements on our test bike are entry-level and the fork struggles to fully utilise the specified 180 millimetres of travel, the softeners are not stingy with sensitivity. On smaller bumps, the Propain Spindrift generates more traction than the Specialised status. Supported by the high suspension control, the slightly shorter bike can be positioned precisely in the fall line. We rarely get to see the Formula Cura 4 brakes on test bikes. "Unfortunately", we have to say, because the Italian stoppers have a reasonable amount of power. Although they are inferior to the powerful TRP brakes on the Specialized in terms of braking power, they have a slightly softer, more controllable pressure point.
The massive Continental tyres on our Propain test bike are a real bank, puncture protection and self-damping are beyond any doubt. Where the Specialised When the Propain is already drifting, the Propain grips further and makes a really radical line choice possible. The downside of the soft tractor tyres is their high rolling resistance. If you want to crank up to the start gate yourself, you should book a few extra hours in the leg press. The rear end bobs constantly. On flat terrain, the super steep seat angle puts too much pressure on the hands.
Features of the Propain Spindrift 5 AL
- Suspension fork: Rockshox ZEB Base
- Shock: Rockshox Superdeluxe Select Coil
- Gearing / range: Sram GX Eagle, 1 x 12 / 520 %
- Brakes: Formula Cura 4, 220/203 mm
- Wheels: Newmen Performance 30
- Tyres: Continental Kryptotal Fr Enduro 29 x 2.40" / Kryptotal Re Downhill 27.5 x 2.40"
- Seatpost / Stroke: One-Up Dropper / 150 mm
From the lab
- Weight: 17.00 kg
- Weight of wheels: 5877 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 4578 kg x cm²
We determine the weight of the complete bike without pedals in the BIKE test lab. The wheel weight is per set with tyres, cassette and brake discs. The following applies to wheel inertia: the lower the measured value, the easier it is to accelerate.
Valuation
The BIKE judgement is made up of practical impressions from test riders, laboratory measurements and range tests. The weighting (percentage, in brackets) varies depending on the area of use.
- Uphill riding behaviour (7 %): 3,50
- Uphill efficiency suspension (5 %): 3,50
- Downhill riding behaviour (30 %): 2.00
- Downhill suspension: Fork / damper (23 %): 2.50
Driving behaviour grade (65%): 2.45
- Weight without pedals (6 %): 3,25
- Inertia impellers (4 %): 4,00
Lab grade (10 %): 3.55
- Equipment quality (5 %): 3,53
- Usability / added value (5 %): 3,00
- Transport volume / bottle cage (5 %): 4,00
- Saddle retractability (5 %): 3,00
- Quality / processing (5 %): 1.50
Grade Equipment (25 %): 3,01
OVERALL GRADE: 2.70
Uphill, play instinct, downhill refers to the riding behaviour: The greater the deflection, the better the suitability. Equipment: is made up of different points such as quality/workmanship, usability, bottle cage volume, saddle retractability.
²The BIKE judgement is made up of practical impressions from test riders and laboratory measurements. The judgement is independent of price. Grading range: 0.5-5.5, analogue to the school grading system.
Conclusion
It's great that the new Spindrift has remained a true freerider. With a whole host of build options, all needs are catered for without exception and without having to go to the budget. At most, more compact chainstays remain unchecked on the wish list. Manoeuvrability and equipment are convincing, but the real trump card in this duel is the strong suspension of the Propain. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Pro
- Price-performance ratio & customisation options
- poppy undercarriage & good flight attitude
- Strong tyre choice
Contra
- Tail should be even shorter
- Spring travel utilisation Fork
Jan Timmermann
Editor
