The Corratec XTB 175 Y enduro bike is designed to set itself apart from the competition. It is not always easy to go your own way, but Corratec has already proven that they have the courage to do so with the X-Bow design of their hardtails. This time, an elastomer bumper, installed between the shock and the main frame, is set to revolutionise the way the fully rear triangle works. The theory: The rubber buffer is supposed to absorb small, high-frequency impacts (faster than 10 Hz) with its nominal 15 millimetres of travel and thus increase the sensitivity of the suspension (BIKE reported). The coarser impacts are taken care of by the 158 millimetres of travel of the RockShox Monarch shock in the XTB 175 Y.
But first, the Corratec Enduro takes us uphill. The Inside-Link rear suspension works uphill without any influence from the drivetrain, and the Continental Trail King tyres hardly slow down the ride to the trail entrance. If it weren't for the weight. The ready-to-ride 15.2 kilos are mainly due to the heavy aluminium frame - this makes even moderate climbs an arduous undertaking, even if the riding position itself is comfortable. On steep climbs, you'll be happy to have the 24-speed sprocket on the double crankset. The ten-speed cassette fitted to the wheel is no longer up-to-date for the 2017 model year, but the Deore XT gear mix still does its job properly.
Downhill, the suspension is plush but somewhat undefined - you get little feedback from the ground. On the other hand, you glide over rock gardens as if bedded on springs. The moderate reach and high bottom bracket make the Corratec XTB more nervous than confident, and the slack head angle only helps to a limited extent. And now, in rough terrain, even the Continental Trail King in the favourable version is overtaxed.
Ludwig Döhl, BIKE editor:
True innovations in bike sport have become rare, which gives the 10-heart rubber bumper a certain charm. In practice, the system has its sunny side and its dark side: easy to swallow, but not reactive enough for sporty riders. The equipment of the Corratec XTB 175 Y could be a little classier for 3800 euros.
