DISTANCE: 2,320 km | 29,450 hm
Epic, Scale or F-SI are the euphonious status symbols that are ridden by professionals on the race tracks of the World Cup circuit. The € 2999 Conway is not one of these bikes. However, from a sober point of view, the hardtail with its 1334 gram frame has everything a racer's heart desires. And the successful look with its modern design also breaks the dictate of pure functionality. But what about the durability of the RLC7?
After the first 160-kilometre break-in phase, a few tuning measures were on the agenda. Because only those who feel really comfortable can develop their full performance. So my well-worn Fizik Arione saddle was added to the bike, and the stem, which was a little too short and bulky for my taste, had to make way for a longer carbon model. However, you should listen to your body and no longer pedal through the terrain lying flat at the age of 50. So to relieve the strain on my back, I quickly put the 70 mm stem back on the bike. The first kilometres of the endurance test took place in the wet and muddy season, in combination with salted roads. The first chain had to come off after just 400 kilometres. The snow/salt treatment with too little care and the subsequent forced break of several weeks due to the snow caused the chain links to freeze in rust.
Another 200 kilometres later, the thin 27.2 mm dropper post, which is in a reduction sleeve, made a creaking noise. Cleaning and a bit of assembly paste on the contact surfaces quietened the bike down. In addition to a few successful races, the Conway was also able to prove itself on a three-day mountain pass tour in France during the summer holidays. Slightly modified and equipped with panniers, the RLC7 covered a good 5000 metres of altitude on narrow tyres. As a die-hard Gripshift fan, I swapped the X01 triggers for a twist grip right from the start. After 1400 kilometres, however, the chain began to grind slightly. The problem could not be eliminated even with a lot of attention, but only with the original trigger lever.
CONCLUSION on the Conway RLC7:
With the exception of a few minor component issues, the Conway frame showed real taker qualities and doesn't have to hide from the more expensive competition.
TUNING
DEFECTS | MAINTENANCE
RELATIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
THE BIKE
Material Carbon
Frame size M
Price / weight 2999 Euro / 10.36 kg without pedals
Spring travel 102 mm
Wheel size 29 inch
Fork Rockshox SID RL
THE TESTER
Christoph Allwang, Head of BIKE Test Lab
Age / Height / Weight 50 years / 1.77 m / 77 kg
Driver profile Cross country, marathon, tour, preferably with a stopwatch
Favourite areas Tuscany: Massa Marittima / Lake Garda / Isar Trails / Karwendel
You can find this article in BIKE 2/2020. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
