The own brand of the online parts retailer H&S Bike Discount has often been able to make a name for itself as a value-for-money tip. This strategy could now reach new heights with the newly renovated Spire competition racer. When comparing the equipment list and price tag, you might think that a mistake has been made, but the brand from Bonn is absolutely serious: the carbon frame, which operates in the portfolio as a lighter counterpart to the Vaillant aero model, is available from 2799 euros with electronic 105 Di2 gears. The top model with Dura-Ace should only cost 5999 euros.
The features of the Radon Spire 10.0
We want to find out what the catch is with the top model. This is where the blatant price difference to the bikes of prominent brands is most striking. While the affordable entry-level model still has to make do with heavy aluminium wheels, we can't find a single cost-saving measure in the equipment of the Spire 10.0. A complete Dura-Ace groupset is fitted, including the corresponding cassette and brake discs. Extremely lightweight Newmen wheels with carbon spokes are wrapped in Continental's fast GP 5000 TT tyres, and even lightweight TPU tubes are included. A carbon handlebar unit is also part of the package, as is a high-quality Selle Italia saddle with a carbon frame - all-round professional material. All of this results in a dream weight: at 6.8 kilograms without pedals, the bike is really light and has nothing to hide from the competition.
Conversely, the base is not particularly light, as there are certainly lightweight specialists from leading racing bike brands such as Scott Addict RC, Giant TCR or the Cervélo R5, which weigh significantly less with comparable equipment. However, these bikes then cost at least twice as much. Otherwise, the Spire hardly shows any weaknesses in the measured values. Very high stiffness values give even heavy riders no cause for concern. The comfort could be better, but the bike is by no means harsh.
Important to know in this context: The frame is approved for a maximum tyre width of 30 millimetres, which is not much by today's standards. So there is not much room for more comfort. An aerodynamic measurement is still pending, but we don't expect any surprises: The frameset largely dispenses with aero features and is likely to be on a par with other lightweight models.
On paper, there is a lot to suggest that you can't go far wrong with this purchase. The geometry also seems well-balanced by the numbers; for a competition racer, the naked frame is even cut comparatively comfortably with an STR ratio of 1.48 in size 56. Nevertheless, we strongly advise prospective customers to test ride the bike, even if this is difficult at the mail order company. Firstly, the five available sizes are graded relatively roughly. On our test bike in size L, the handlebars with a lot of reach, a slightly slacker seat angle than usual and the seat post with an additional two centimetres of offset also added up to an enormous seat length, which really caused problems for our 1.80 metre tall testers.
We also find the 42-centimetre handlebars relatively wide for the size. To feel more comfortable, we would have to choose the Spire one size smaller, although the saddle/handlebar rise would then be extreme. However, the Radon could be a tip for fans of an extremely sporty riding position.
Apart from that, the bike impresses with its lively steering behaviour and balanced riding characteristics. If the bike fits and prestige and good aerodynamics are not important, the Spire 10.0 is a real bargain for racers. A tip for those on a tighter budget is the Spire 9.0: with Ultegra Di2 and simple Newmen carbon rims, it costs 3599 euros.
Radon Spire 10.0: Info & Price
- Price: 5999 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 6.8 kilos
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 530/570/160 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 574/388 millimetres/1.48
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 640/585 millimetres/1.09
- Wheelbase/caster: 990/57 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12, 52/36, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (160/160 millimetres)
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix TT 28 millimetres
- Impellers: Newmen Streem Vonoa C.35/C.38
- Impeller weights: 912/1308 grams (f./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 6820 grammes
- Driving stability: 9.08 N/mm
- Rear comfort: 132 N/mm
- Comfort front: 86 N/mm
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 64 N/mm
Radon Spire 10.0: pros and cons
Advantages
- Inexpensive with extremely good equipment
- Stable frame set
Disadvantages
- few sizes
- limited tyre clearance
How our sister magazine TOUR tests
Jens Klötzer
Editor
