With this equipment, the Bavarians are offering the same price-aggressive mail order companies. Racers may have to do without the handlebar lockout for the Fox fork, but there is the usual Climb/Trail/Descent compression levelling with a grip on the fork leg. But this bike also has its Achilles heel: The tyres from the Schwalbe Active Line range are heavy, have little damping and skimp on grip, especially in the wet. The riding position is balanced and the handling on the trail is good-natured. In contrast to the rather bumpy 27.5 mm bikes in the test field, the larger wheels roll noticeably smoother through difficult terrain.
Conclusion: The heaviest frame in the test performs well thanks to top equipment. But: high weight, unsuitable tyres.
PLUS Comfortable saddle, protective film for the down tube, external brake lever adjustment without tools
MINUS Open, dirt-prone cables under the bottom bracket, pressure point on the XT brakes wanders, Active Line tyres unsuitable
The alternative: More colour, less equipment. The LTD Race still has an eleven-speed XT drivetrain, but cheaper brakes and suspension fork. At 1299 euros, it tears a 200 euro smaller hole in your wallet.
