The human body does amazing things: it constantly gathers information unnoticed and adapts behaviour, movements and force flows. Laces, Venosta Valley. We unload the test fleet from our transporter, photographer Wolfi picks up the last bike. As if by magic, his arms whizz upwards until the saddle rattles against the ceiling panelling of the bus. "But that's not an 800-euro bike," he concludes unerringly. His synapses had probably stored the 13.8 kilos that our entry-level hardtails weigh on average, and now he is holding a Specialized Epic S-Works in his hand. It costs 7499 euros and weighs 8.23 kilos. Fortunately, the receptors quickly get used to the light load, and so the expensive racer still sits safely next to the eleven candidates in the test group. A bizarre picture, because you could buy almost ten of our sub-800-euro hardtails for the value of the noble racer.
We tested these 11 hardtails:
- Bergamont Revox 6.0
- Felt Nine 60
- Kona Fire Mountain
- Kreidler Dice 27.5 5.0
- KTM Ultra Fire 29
- Radon ZR Team 7.0 29 (BIKE tip: test winner)
- Rocket Bikes Race Sport 27.5
- Silverback Sola 4
- Specialised Rockhopper Comp (BIKE Tip: Uphill)
- Superior XC 879
- Univega Summit 6.0
To find out how much real mountain bike there is in the entry-level class, we dare to compare the extremes: we chase the sinfully expensive high-end model in a direct comparison over the test track in Val Venosta/Vinschgau. Where exactly are the differences in practice, and how much do you actually feel on the test track? After eleven laps on the cheaper bikes, the first acceleration with the S-Works, which is on average five and a half kilos lighter, immediately provides the expected aha experience: the bike accelerates significantly better and encourages effortless sprinting on short stretches. This awakens Superman feelings, do we suddenly have professional legs? When pedalling continuously on the flat or uphill, however, the difference is not as massive as expected. Despite a good five kilos of additional weight, the Günstig class climbs well, but you should refrain from looking at the second hand on the stopwatch. Two powerful turns of the pedals in the cradle and the S-Works flies up the climb to the trail entrance. The flyweight is also noticeable on the descent. In the tight bends of the trail, the noble racer can be ridden with less physical effort than the entry-level hardtails. The handling is more precise, leaving more reserves and room to correct the line. While the cheaper test group relies on quick-release skewers on the front and rear wheels, the S-Works uses thru-axles for stiffness, which is noticeable. The suspension fork also plays a significant role in the improved downhill behaviour. Perfectly adjustable, sensitive, stable: the expensive SID keeps the front wheel on the ground and improves bike control and safety.
On the other hand, one of the biggest weaknesses of the entry-level bikes is that seven of them are based on heavy steel suspension forks that can only be adjusted to the rider's weight via spring preload. For a sporty riding style, we had to make full use of this adjustment option, and the response behaviour and rebound speed suffer enormously as a result. Four candidates do not have adjustable rebound damping. In some cases, they react to bumps with a bouncy effect, causing the front wheel to bounce on bumps and making trail riding imprecise. Only Radon, Silverback, Specialized and Univega have the luxury of a fully adjustable air fork. This increases comfort and also saves weight. On the best models, the difference to the expensive SID is somewhat smaller.
In a direct comparison, the handling of the high-end bike impressed all the testers, which is no surprise. More surprising is the solid performance of the test group. Because, even if it quickly becomes clear what calibre you have under your bum when you get on the bike, depending on the route, there are still nuances that bikers can get out of the high-end bike. Even with the top bikes in the affordable test group, you can fly over the trail with a big grin on your face and master extended tours. That's real mountain biking! The limits of what is possible are set by the hardtail system rather than the price. Experienced bikers can ride everything that is possible on a sinfully expensive high-end hardtail with the 800-euro bikes - assuming they are fast enough and not hungry for the fastest times.
And there is even more good news for savers: the inexpensive shifting components work perfectly, at least when new, and change gears just as reliably as the expensive Sram Eagle drivetrain on the high-end S-Works. For beginners, the wider gear range and the usually easier climbing gear of the double or triple drivetrains is probably even more practical than the 1x12 drivetrain. The affordable Shimano brakes, which are fitted to ten of the eleven test bikes, also give no cause for complaint. The pressure point is defined, the braking power is absolutely sufficient for moderately difficult terrain - that's all you need on bikes in this class. The Tektro stoppers on the Kona fall somewhat short in comparison.
One cost-saving measure that runs through the entire test field like a nasty virus is the tyres. For the most part, the heavy wire version is used, which causes the weight to skyrocket, and the rubber compounds also suffer from the need to economise. There is a positive side to this: if you retrofit high-quality tyres, you can save around 400 grams with little effort and will also be rewarded with more grip and better rolling behaviour - clearly the number one tuning tip in this price range!
CONCLUSION by Florentin Vesenbeckh, BIKE test editor:
Bike fun doesn't have to be expensive! The 800 euro class offers everything that frugal bike beginners need. The biggest trade-off for savers is weight. It's worth taking a closer look, because the differences within a test group are rarely so striking. The manufacturers' approaches are also very diverse: a copy of the high-end racer, a moderate tourer or rather a cosy ice cream parlour bike with a dash of off-road flavour?
PRICE REDUCTION
Under 500 euros the DIY bomber category awaits. Our sample bike weighs 1.8 kilos more than the average of the test group - a real chunk! The mechanical disc brakes provide hardly any braking power, and the undamped steel suspension fork is overstretched off-road. Added to this is the weak gear ratio of the 3x8 gears.
Conclusion: no alternative for off-road use. (see report from BIKE 4/2017Self-test: With a DIY store bike in a marathon - How does the Rex Bergsteiger perform in a race?)
REX Mountaineer 6.01
Price 436 Euro
Weight 15.4 kilos (without pedals)
Fork SR Suntour XCT
Circuit Microshift R8, Sh. Altus
Translation of 42/34/24; 13-28
Brakes Promax DC 320 (mech.)
Wheel size 29"
BIKE-URTEIL with weaknesses
In the Category 1200-1500 Euro the equipment is primarily of a higher quality. You will look in vain for suspension forks with steel springs or a lack of damping adjustment. Most of the bikes have eleven gears, which is great on the climbs. The price/performance winner of our last comparison (BIKE 3/17) shone with its high-quality frame and low weight. On average, the test group was 1.5 kilos lighter than the 800-euro test field - a noticeable improvement.
Canyon Grand Canyon AL SL 7.9
Price 1199 Euro
Weight 11.47 kilos (without pedals)
Fork Rockshox Reba Air
Circuit Shimano Deore / XT
Translation of 36/22; 11-36
Brakes Shimano M506
Wheel size 29"
BIKE-URTEIL very good
What you get for your money - the details of the test bikes
Bikes between 700 and 800 euros lag behind the current state of the art in certain areas. We noticed these details in the test field.
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
