The test field of affordable trail hardtails seems to be tailor-made for the Dartmoor Primal Pro 29, as the Polish company's range is all about affordable fun bikes. The cheapest version of the Dartmoor Primal is available from just 919 euros. Its frame is identical to the most expensive bike in our comparison. The Pro model comes with a dropper post, which is worth its weight in gold on varied trails. Unfortunately, the seatpost reacted sensitively to the clamping force of the seat clamp and often got stuck. Once extended, it sits very upright on the hardtail from Poland. The large stack value in combination with a long spacer tower and riser handlebar puts Dartmoor riders in a comfortably elevated riding position. On steep ramps, the trail bike therefore requires a fair amount of weight transfer via the super-short stem to keep the front wheel on the ground.
Downhill, the high, wide cockpit prevents any feeling of rolling over. Together with the slack steering angle, this results in a maximum feeling of safety on steep descents. Especially on steep but flowing slopes, the Dartmoor Primal encourages you to play with the terrain and scores with a high fun factor. On flat sections, however, the heavy weight takes the wind out of the sails. The Shimano Deore stoppers not only feel better in the hand than the brakes on the Dartmoor Primal. NS Bikes Eccentric Lite 1 and Nukeproof Scout 290They also have significantly more power. On technical single trails, the combination of Marzocchi Bomber fork and wide Maxxis tyres also swallows big chunks. The Dartmoor Primal Pro is as plush and secure as a hardtail can be on rough sections.
Test summary by Max Fuchs, BIKE editor:
Dartmoor builds the most expensive and heaviest, but also the most fun downhill bike in the test. High safety reserves and suitable parts help beginners to learn riding technique.
Technical data & notes on the Dartmoor Primal Pro 29
Manufacturer information
- Price: 1999 Euro
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material: aluminium
- Frame size: S, M,L, XL(tested size L, 46 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 14.42 kg
- Frame weight: 2518 g
- Weight of wheels: 5330 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 3886 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 790 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 57 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Dartmoor Patrol 29
- Tyres: Maxxis Dissector; Exo TR 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Marzocchi Bomber Z2 Rail
- Suspension travel: 142 mm
- Brakes: Shimano BL-MT 501 / BR-MT 500 / 180 / 180 mm
- Gear system: Shimano Deore 1 x 11
- Ratio / bandwidth: 30; 11-51 / 463 %
- Telescopic post / stroke: X-Fusion Manic / 170 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 16.25 from 25
- Chassis efficiency: 7.5 out of 10
- Rolling resistance: 15 out of 20
- Weight: 4 of 20
- Inertia impellers: 5 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 5 out of 10
- Seating comfort: 5 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 27 from 30
- Front suspension: 20 out of 25
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes 13: from 20
- Tyre grip: 17 out of 20
- Driving stability: 1 out of 10
TOTAL UPHILL: 57.75 FROM 105
TOTAL DOWNHILL: 88 OF 115
- Other: 11.25 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: medium
BIKE test rating*: good - 157 out of 250 points
*The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price.
BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
Jan Timmermann
Editor
