Cheap road bikes on test: The Radon R1 Tiagra with tuning tip

In a test field dominated by marathon bikes, the Radon takes the place of the sportiest model. At least as far as the frame geometry is concerned, which is orientated towards competition racers and puts the rider in a stretched seating position. For comparison: On the recently presented Vaillant, the aero-optimised racing machine from the Bonn-based mail order company, you sit a little more upright.

Radon R1 Tiagra: Tuning tip wheels

However, a racing position alone does not make a race bike; with a total weight of more than ten kilograms, the R1 does not exactly react light-footedly to pedalling. In addition to the robust aluminium frame, this is mainly due to the heavy wheels and rather simple tyres, which makes the question of tuning tips superfluous. When it comes to comfort, the result on the test bench is somewhat deceptive: although the round aluminium seat post is relatively unyielding, the Continental clincher tyres compensate for this surprisingly well. Because the maximum tyre clearance only allows slightly wider tyres (30 millimetres), the R1 still prefers to ride on asphalt. The second cheapest bike in the field was offered for a further 100 euros less during the test period. For the lighter versions with mechanical Shimano 105 or electronic SRAM Rival, a surcharge of between 300 and 800 euros is due.

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Radon R1 Tiagra - Test grade and info

• TOUR grade: 2,8
• Price: 1299 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 10.2 kilos
• Frame sizes: 50, 53, 56, 58, 60, 63

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 497/545/161 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 569/384 millimetres/1.48
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 625/576 millimetres/1.09
• Wheelbase/caster: 995/61 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano Tiagra (2x10; 50/34, 11-34 t.) | Shimano Tiagra (2x10; 50/34, 11-34 t.) Grade: 2.5
• Brakes: Shimano Tiagra (160/160 mm) | Shimano Tiagra (160/160 mm) Grade: 2.5
• Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport 28 mm (eff.: 29 mm) | Grade: 4.0
• Impellers: Alexrims ATD 560/Joytech
• Impeller weights: 1733/2341 grams (v./h.)

How TOUR tests

Here you can find all the information and background to our test procedure.