Endurance test performance: 3,750 km | 33,000 altitude metres
Despite the wide range of test bikes on offer, I prefer to sit on the hardtail. Without a lot of bells and whistles, nothing wobbles or rocks. Because as soon as I'm in the saddle, I have to really get going. If my legs aren't burning, my sweat isn't pouring and Strava doesn't show any top ten results, then the round was for nothing. The Alma shares this greed for airflow. Even if the geometry is not particularly manoeuvrable despite the steep 70.8 degree head angle. On the other hand, the 29-inch racer scores with its smooth ride and doesn't bob even on the steepest ramps. The angular carbon fibre frame does not lack stiffness in the bottom bracket and headset area in any riding situation - despite the quick release at the rear. Only in the saddle do you wish for a little more flex from the seatpost and rear triangle on long rides. The Alma had to prove its endurance qualities on the enduro trails around Willingen. I took it to the Bavarian Forest to collect metres in altitude. I also used it as a climbing aid on mountain tours in the Karwendel and rode it several times from Munich to my home in Lower Bavaria for 100 kilometres on gravel. The Alma feels most at home on fast, not too twisty trails. To really pick up speed, you have to pedal a few times in the pedalling stroke. I quickly identified the robust but rather heavy XT wheels as one of the causes. After the first flat tyre, I switched to latex wheels. This saved a good 100 grams per wheel. I didn't have any serious defects on the Alma. Only the rear brake gave me a headache: I still haven't been able to get rid of the squeaking, whistling and whining from the R1.
ConclusionStiff, smooth-running and greedy for airflow: the angular carbon fibre hardtail delivers what it promises. Only the brakes and shift cables require regular maintenance.
Functionality ****
Shelf life *****
(maximum 6 points)
TUNING
- 180 km - watt measurement: Stages Powermeter mounted
- 460 km - Vario support: Specialized Command Post XCP cable routed through rear upper bottle cage eyelet
- 460 km - milk instead of hose: XT wheels converted to Latexmilch; tyres replaced several times during the endurance test
DEFECTS
- 1820 km - gearstick jumps: Replaced the derailleur cables that were splitting at the head tube and readjusted the gears
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