Radon Deft 800 2025: New E-Enduro with Bosch CX at an aggressive price
Florentin Vesenbeckh
· 04.04.2025
If you are looking for a powerful E-Enduro at a fair price, the Deft from Radon is traditionally a very good choice. The direct-to-consumer brand has now relaunched its powerful e-MTB. In addition to a few changes, the Radon Deft 800 remains true to many of its familiar virtues. Visually, the new edition hardly differs from the previous version. its predecessor. But in addition to a new e-drive, decisive updates have also been made to the frame.
In the video: BIKE checks out the Radon Deft 800 2025
New Bosch motor, large battery
Radon remains loyal to its traditional motor supplier Bosch. It is only logical that the new Deft is powered by the revised Performance CX. This is because the All Mountain Render and the Enduro Deft previously had the predecessor CX in the chassis. The new battery is also used together with the new motor. The Powertube 800 not only delivers more energy than the old Powertube 750, it is even lighter. The new battery, which is used in all three models, saves a whopping 400 grams. This gives the Deft a powerful range.
Radon remains true to its convenient handling when removing the battery. The battery is secured with a lock and can be folded forwards out of the down tube. The cover is no longer held in place by a rubber band, but has been given a push button.
Radon goes all out with the controls for the Bosch drive. The Deft has the slim system controller integrated in the top tube. The wireless mini-remote is located on the handlebars, which can be used to control the support levels and the pushing aid of the motor. The top-of-the-range Deft 10.0 model also has the Purion 400 display on board. The new screen sits well protected from external influences behind the handlebars and shows the most important information in an easy-to-read format.
The facts about the Radon Deft
- Motor: Bosch Perf. CX Gen. 5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 800
- Suspension travel: 170 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Carbon frame with aluminium rear triangle
- Three models from 5299 euros
- Three frame sizes M, L and XL
- Weight: from 24.5 kg (top model in size L, BIKE measurement)
- Permissible total weight: 135 kg
The geometry
Visually, the frame of the new Radon Deft is confusingly similar to its predecessor. But Radon has also tweaked the geometry. The changes are not drastic, but they definitely make the Deft a little more modern. The reach has become longer and now ranges from 455 to 505 millimetres.
While size M remains the same for smaller riders, sizes L and XL are now significantly longer. The Deft has also been fitted with swivelling bearing shells to adjust the steering angle. In the steep setting, the steering angle is 64.5 degrees and thus remains unchanged from its predecessor. The flat position lowers the angle to 63.7 degrees. Overall, the wheelbase is significantly longer if riders are looking for a smooth and safe ride.
In addition, the seat tubes on the new Radon Deft are slightly shorter and the seat angle a little steeper. However, at 76.5 degrees, the seat angle is still moderate. The Deft also retains the long chainstays, which should give the bike a lot of riding safety and a balanced wheel load distribution. The predecessor has already proven its purposeful and smooth-running character in various tests.
On the trail: how the new Radon Deft performs off-road
The Deft has a surprise in store off-road. On rather flat, flowing trails, thick e-enduro bikes are often too much of a good thing. This is because the generous suspension travel and higher weight inhibit riding fun and agility. This is not the case with the Deft. The bike remains surprisingly lively. This is due to the less extreme geometry and the really light wheels that Radon has fitted to the top model. The rear suspension works sensitively and greedily absorbs even small obstacles. Nevertheless, the pop is maintained and you can still pull the bike into the air on jumps.
However, the Radon Deft is not a really playful trail bike. With its long chainstays, it is rather difficult to get onto the rear wheel. And tight bends with the long wheelbase also require a little more physical effort. The bike prefers to take a direct line and fly over jumps in race style instead of making wild hooks.
On rougher trails, the length of the bike provides a lot of security and the high-quality suspension ensures composure. So you don't have to worry when things get rough and bumpy. However, the Deft is not intended to be a real race enduro bike for chasing the fastest times. At high speeds and on really extreme terrain, it is not able to calm the ride as confidently as the best bikes in the E-Enduro class.
The good thing about it is that the bike is less of a badass machine for really nasty descents and more of a powerful all-rounder. From home trails to tough routes: All in all, the Deft is a good choice. For tougher terrain, we recommend adjusting the steering angle to a slacker angle using the swivelling bearing cups on the headset.
The bike also feels really comfortable on tours. The riding position is definitely sporty. The seat angle is on the slack side. This means that the rider is positioned more centrally above the bike than emphasised far forward. This is pleasant on longer flat sections. If you prefer to sit further forward on the bike for steep climbs, you should push the saddle forwards. Then the Deft climbs really well. When things get steep, the long chainstays really come into their own and the bike is easy to control.
Radon has thought of everything on the equipment side: Magura's Gustav Pro brakes are reliable. And with the extra-thick discs, the stoppers are extremely stable. This pays off especially on long and steep Alpine descents or for heavy riders. One small drawback: the telescopic seatpost only offers 150 mm travel in frame size L, which unnecessarily restricts freedom of movement. On the other hand, the choice of tyres matches the character of the bike perfectly. Solid and super grippy, but not unnecessarily heavy: The rear wheel is fitted with a Maxxis tyre with a puncture-proof Doubledown casing. And at the front, the very soft Maxxgrip rubber compound on the Maxxis Assegai provides noticeably more grip and safety off-road.
The BIKE verdict on the Radon Deft 2025
More generalist than specialist: The design of the bike makes the Radon Deft a strong all-rounder that is just as convincing on tours as it is on the occasional enduro ride. The price and the equipment are typical of Radon and the Bosch drive with a massive range is not so popular for nothing. A strong package! - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief BIKE Magazine
Radon Deft: Models and prices
Radon offers the new Deft in three equipment variants. As is usual with direct mail order companies, the equipment is extremely good in relation to the price. The top model with Fox Factory suspension costs 7199 euros - this equipment can easily cost over 10,000 euros for many competitors. The entry-level price of 5299 euros is not ultimately favourable. This is due to the fact that the large 800cc battery, the carbon chassis and high-quality equipment with Fox suspension and Shimano XT gears are also used here. According to Radon, the three models are not far apart in terms of weight. The manufacturer states between 24.15 and 24.45 kilos.
Radon Deft 8.0 - 5299 Euro
- Motor: Bosch Perf. CX, Gen. 5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 800
- Fork: Fox 38 Performance
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance
- Gear system: Shimano XT, 12-speed
- Brakes: Magura MT5, 203/203 mm
- Wheels: Sun Ringle Duroc SD37
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai EXO+ Maxxgrip, 29 x 2.5'' / Minion DHR II Doubledown Maxxterra, 29 x 2.4''
- Weight: 24.45 kilos (manufacturer's specification)
Radon Deft 9.0 - 6299 Euro
- Motor: Bosch Perf. CX, Gen. 5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 800
- Fork: Fox 38 Performance Elite GripX
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance Elite
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle Transmission
- Brakes: Magura MT7, 203/203 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss HX1700
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai EXO+ Maxxgrip, 29 x 2.5'' / Minion DHR II Doubledown Maxxterra, 29 x 2.4''
- Weight: 24.3 kilos (manufacturer's specification)
Radon Deft 10.0 - 7199 Euro
- Motor: Bosch Perf. CX, Gen. 5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 800
- Fork: Fox 38 Factorx Grip X2
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory
- Gear system: Sram X0 Eagle Transmission
- Brakes: Magura Gustav Pro, 203/203 mm
- Wheels: Newmen Beskar 30 base/strong
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai EXO+ Maxxgrip, 29 x 2.5'' / Minion DHR II Doubledown Maxxterra, 29 x 2.4''
- Weight: 24.15 kilos (manufacturer's specification)
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
