On the long laps in the Pod Smrkem trail park, the powerful aluminium bike impresses with its good propulsion, while the tyres are happy to roll over the trails and save power. Thanks to the stretched seating position, the Rotwild is no match for any of its competitors on steep climbs, and the suspension also remains stable when pedalling. The fork and shock can also be completely locked out. Only the 13kg total weight does not exactly arouse enthusiasm on steep ramps. However, the 2x11 gear ratio still has an extra climbing gear at the ready. While we were able to accelerate without any worries on the smooth trails of Pod Smrkem, the R.C1 showed us its limits on the root passages of Rabenberg. The suspension is responsive, but offers little counter-pressure, and the narrow tyre/rim combination limits the urge to hit the trails early on. The low bottom bracket makes the bike smooth-running, but it loses some of its playfulness.
Test summary of the Rotwild R.C1 FS 29
Consistent touring fully with balanced geometry and top climbing characteristics, but only moderate safety and playfulness on the trail.
The alternative: The more expensive R.C1-Evo version should be even more fun on the trail with a higher-quality suspension.
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