Naturally, this puts pressure on the scales: at 14.3 kilos, the elegant carbon bullet is no lightweight. This brings us to the main criticism of long-travel 29ers: If you combine the large wheels with puncture-proof tyres, this inevitably puts pressure on the weight. The heavy wheels not only cost points in the lab, but are also noticeable on the climbs. On the other hand, the rear suspension remains pleasantly smooth when pedalling. Especially with the very effective shock platform, the Range climbs well. But back to the core competence of the Enduro: On descents, the potent suspension, the large wheels and the very slack steering angle provide smoothness and safety en masse. On winding trails, this makes the Range feel a little sluggish, requiring strict guidance and emphasis when changing direction. Those who master this will be rewarded with speed and directional stability. The rear suspension and fork give a lot of feedback and are rather racy and firm. This clearly positions the Canadian as a full-throttle enduro bike. If you want a more playful ride, the 27.5" version, which is based on its own frame and offers a little more suspension travel, is probably the better choice. Smaller riders will also go for the 27.5", which is available in frame sizes from XS to XL. In the end, we did find one compromise: The 180 mm brake disc on the front wheel does not look good on a bike in this class. However, other details such as first-class frame protection and perfect cable routing are impressive.
Florentin Vesenbeckh, BIKE test editor: A bike with a clear character: the motto is fast and furious. If you know how to tame the downhill urge, you get a powerful race enduro bike that you can really let rip with. For relaxed trail cruising, there are more playful companions, and touring enduro riders want a lighter bike - especially in this price range.
You can read this article or the entire issue of BIKE 4/2017 in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
