Is this a render? No, this new Radon E-Enduro goes by the name of Deft ("nimble", "skilful") and looks confusingly similar to its little brother. Only the accentuated cross bracing in the frame and the solid add-on parts betray the latest addition to the Bonn-based mail-order company's E-MTB family. It is designed with plenty of suspension travel and large wheels know hardly any limits downhill - and still climb competently and persistently. Will they manage the balancing act?
The new Radon Deft at a glance
- Area of application: Enduro
- Drive: Bosch Smart System - Bosch Performance CX with 750 watt-hour battery
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Suspension travel: 170 millimetres (f./h.)
- Weight: 24.4 kilogrammes (model 10.0, size XL), 24.7 kilograms (model 9.0, size L, EMTB measurements)
- Permissible total weight: 135 kilograms
- Frame sizes: M, L, XL
- 3 models: Deft 8.0 - 5199 Euro, Deft 9.0 - 5999 Euro, Deft 10.0 - 6799 Euro
Carbon main frame, 29 inch and Smart System
Like the Render, the new Deft also relies on a Carbon main frame with aluminium rear triangle, but this time with a full 170 millimetres of suspension travel front and rear. Radon combines this with a set of large 29-inch wheels for good roll-over and climbing characteristics. The frame, which is only available in sizes M, L and XL, features the Bosch Smart System with 750 PowerTube and the Performance CX drive. The permissible system weight is 135 kilograms.
Not too extreme: the geometry of the new Radon Deft
With its moderate geometry the new Deft should make many types of riders happy. The Steering angle drops to 64.6 degrees modern, but not too slack, so that the bike remains manoeuvrable enough. The reach is also modern but not extreme at 470 millimetres in size L, the seat angle is 76 degrees. The long chainstays of 459 millimetres However, some fans of playful handling might wish it were a little shorter.
Equipment: Three models from 5199 euros
Three equipment variants of the new Deft will be available. The Deft 8.0 comes for 5199 euros already with a carbon main frame, Smart System and Fox Performance suspension. Gears are shifted with a Shimano Deore/XT mix, brakes with Magura's MT5. A strong package at this price.
The Deft 9.0 for 5999 euros stands out from its smaller brother above all thanks to the powerful Fox Performance Elite suspension with the better fork. The top model Deft 10.0 for 6799 euros with Fox Factory suspension, MT7 brakes from Magura and lightweight Newman wheels, leaves little to be desired. Only the GX/X01 shifting mix perhaps offers a little tuning potential.
Strong climber and easy to swallow: the Radon Deft on the trail
As part of a press event, we were able to experience the new Radon Deft for a day and a half on the trails in Val Venosta/Vinschgau. The first impression: Successful! The Deft climbs surprisingly well for a high travel enduro bike. Thanks to the long chainstays and the not too high front end, the front wheel climbs late and the handling remains easy to control. The rear suspension hardly sags on steep sections, but remains very sensitive over obstacles and steps. In combination with the powerful Bosch motor, you can also tackle the odd rock garden uphill. We would only have liked the seat angle to be a little steeper for a more front-wheel orientated riding position.
The Deft shows its downhill qualities. The strong suspension and the long travel in combination with the large wheels also swallow up nasty obstacles. The rear suspension achieves a good mix of downhill comfort and enough progression and reserves for steps and jumps. At low speeds, however, the long chainstays are unpleasantly noticeable. Tighter bends are still easy, but you need a lot of effort to lift the front wheel or do a bunny hop, despite the excellent suspension. Here, the smaller Render remains - unsurprisingly - the slightly more agile bike.
Freerider Lukas Schäfer puts the new Radon Deft through its paces.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
