Don't be surprised by the fork. I know: it's the new, expensive Fox 38 with a whopping 170 millimetres of travel. My long-term test bike also serves as a guinea pig - I wanted to try it out. The standard 160 mm Yari RC from Rockshox is a solid fork. It does its job and works quite well in the jab, but it didn't inspire much enthusiasm. Therefore, I gladly took the opportunity to give the front of the Jab a little more potency. The 38 raises the front slightly, which suits the bike very well. In 2018, the Jab was voted Bike of the Year by BIKE readers. The full carbon speedster impresses with its strong price-performance ratio and impressive weight for a 160cc enduro bike: 12.9 kilos.
This and a very pleasing geometry make the bike as lively as a trail bike, manoeuvrable and fast. I rode the bike on trail laps, on Alpine summits, technical rocky downhills and in the bike park. And I was happy. Of course, there are enduro bikes that are more plush and roll more smoothly downhill than the Jab. Especially in my version with the slim Deluxe RT3 Debon Air shock, the rear end reached its limits earlier. However, I used its effective 3-phase rebound diligently and was pleased with the simple operation of the suspension.
Nevertheless, the Radon didn't curtail my stunt riding; what I didn't dare to do on it, I probably wouldn't dare to do on a bigger bike. I rode the Jab for three seasons with its stylishly designed, angular carbon fibre frame (2668 g) with a stealth fighter look. It didn't break much. Of course, the drivetrain is now slowly having to be replaced; the sprocket, chainring and chain are worn out. The rear hub in the Newmen wheelset occasionally developed play, but could be readjusted. I was happy with the SDG Dropper dropper post for a long time, but at the very end it "cracked" and the saddle swivelled to the left and right. But SDG replaced it without any problems. The Magura MT 5 brakes were reliable. Always. A little on-off with less modulation, but nice and powerful, especially with the bright red power pads from Trickstuff. I also really liked the Schwalbe tyre combination: Mary soft at the front, Hans speedy at the rear. I had little to criticise about the components in general.
Meanwhile, the Radon Jab 10.0 with the Lyrik Ultimate fork is available for a hefty € 3199 - which invalidates my only criticism: the Yari.
PLUS: light, agile, price/performance, wide range of use, cool look
MINUSnot quite as potent
CONCLUSIONS:
In my opinion, the Jab is one of the most successful enduro bikes on the market. Not because of its full-throttle downhill performance, but because of its wide range of use. The price-performance ratio is top!
Dimitri Lehner doesn't want to get into the annoying "Is this still an enduro bike?" discussion again. Just this much: The Radon Jab combines light weight with off-road capability, smoothness with playfulness. The mix gives the bike an extra-wide range of use according to the motto: everything is possible.
Radon Jab 9.0
Spring travel: 160 mm / 160 mm
Steering angle: 65,4
Reach / Stack: 449 mm / 599 mm
Weight: 12,9 Kilo
Price: 3599 €
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
