The latest addition is the Rallon X-Team, an enduro bike that covers the entire spectrum - from touring to park to racing. "With our bike, nobody has to ride the chicken line!", the Spaniards promise with a broad chest and have given the Rallon a modern geometry. The main frame with a generous reach (435 millimetres) was given a slack head angle (65.7 degrees) and the shortest rear end in the test, while the chainstays are just 418 millimetres long. This combination works very well. You sit comfortably on the bike without it feeling bulky. The front and standover height are high, but don't get in the way. The Orbea is lively, accelerates quickly, can be tipped willingly into corners and can handle a lot of speed even on rough surfaces. A flick of the wrists lifts the front wheel for manuals or flash drops on rock steps - the kind of handling you want. We tuned the BOS suspension according to the manufacturer's specifications and were satisfied with the set-up. The fork works excellently - as already proven in many tests - and brings calm to the suspension even in bad berms. The wide rear end in the new Boost standard is calmed by the BOS Kirk shock and makes the Rallon so potent that it is a front runner in the downhill rankings. Only Alutech and Radon took the high-speed rodeo more calmly. The only drawback: the XT brakes were annoying with a very wandering pressure point.
ConclusionFast, handy, tough - the Rallon became much more downhill-orientated in 2016 without losing its good all-round skills. In short: a top enduro bike with a stylish look and powerful suspension.
STRENGTHS Weight, manoeuvrability, price
WEAKNESSES Brake
Manufacturer information
Distribution Orbea, www.orbea.com
Material/sizes Aluminium/S, M, L
Price/weight without pedals 5199 Euro/13 kg
Measurement data
Front/rear suspension travel 160 mm/160 mm
Rear suspension system Multi-link
Equipment
Fork/damper BOS Deville Rare FCV/BOS Kirk V2
Cranks/gears Race Face Next SL Carbon/Shimano XT
Brake system Shimano XT
Impellers DT Swiss E 1700 Sline 2
Tyres Maxxis High Roller II 3C Maxx/Ardent 3C 2.4
Performance
Uphill 4 out of 6 points
Downhill 5 out of 6 points
FREERIDE judgement 9.5 out of 10 points
FREERIDE RANKING: The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression of the testers and is not an addition of downhill and uphill points. 10 = Test winner, it couldn't be better. 9 = Very good. Recommended purchase. 8 = Solid performance. 7 = Below average. The product has weaknesses. 1 to 6 = We can only warn against this!
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
