The price of the Radon Black Sin sounds tempting compared to its specialist dealer competitors: the 8.4-kilo racing rocket is available for 4999 euros. For this you get a stiff, state-of-the-art carbon fibre frame: BB30 bottom bracket, butted head tube and internally routed cables. You'll also be looking in vain for a catch in the componentry. SRAM's expensive XX groupset gets the finest Ritchey carbon parts and the sinfully expensive carbon fibre wheelset from DT Swiss.
After their test laps, the two racing drivers agree. "Much more would have been possible with a higher and wider cockpit," explains Ludwig Döhl. At 580 millimetres, the handlebars are far too narrow, making it difficult to pedal uphill and unnecessarily reducing control on descents. In combination with a very short head tube, you struggle with a very stretched seating position and a slight rollover feeling on off-road sections. On the other hand, the frame has everything to protect the carbon fibre construction from damage, from the foil to the sheet metal on the bottom bracket to the chainstay protector.
ConclusionRadon offers a carbon frame at a reasonable price, which is at the cutting edge of development and is optimally protected.
+ Relatively inexpensive
+ Sophisticated frame protection
- Narrow handlebars
- Short head tube
Web: www.radon-bikes.de
