No other bike in this test group can keep up with this specification. This fuels hopes of a top value for overall weight. But no way. The Radon Skeen Trail - the main frame is made of carbon, the rear triangle is made of aluminium - doesn't make it under the 3-kilo mark. Valuable potential is lost here. Not least due to the potent tyre combination, the Radon ends up at 14.2 kilos. The direct rival in our test of the best-selling bikes - the Canyon Neuron AL 6 - weighs in at 14.49 kilos. What makes you sweat uphill guarantees carefree riding fun downhill. Because the EXO+ carcass is well equipped against punctures in rough terrain.
In the size we tested (18"), all testers around 1.80 metres found the riding position too short. The steep seat angle and the short top tube make the rider feel squat on the bike. For riders who fit on L-bikes from other manufacturers, we definitely recommend the 20-inch frame. On the trail, the compact dimensions favour an active riding style. At high speeds, however, the bike quickly loses its composure. The bottom bracket is too high and the wheelbase is too short. In addition, the low front end puts a lot of weight on the handlebars on steep sections. The suspension fork does an excellent job and offers versatile rebound and compression adjustment. The rear suspension, on the other hand, shows weaknesses. It reacts sluggishly to quick hits. However, more sag than usual and less compression damping improve the response behaviour noticeably.
Conclusion from Tobias Ziganek, BIKE tester:
"The material value of the Radon trail bike is unrivalled at this price point. Unfortunately, the rear suspension of the Skeen Trail cannot fully realise its potential on the downhill. For riders around 1.80 metres, it's better to go for size 20 inches."
Technical data and grades Radon Skeen Trail 10.0 HD
General information
- Price: 3999 Euro¹
- Available from the sender
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: 16 /18 / 20 / 22" (tested in size 18 / 42 cm)
- to the Radon website
Measured values
- Front / rear suspension travel: 139 / 137 mm
- Weight without pedals: 14.19 kg
- Frame weight: 3023 g
- Weight of wheels: 5177 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 4349 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 780 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 38 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Newmen Evolution SL A.30
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF / DHR TR 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Factory FitGrip2
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory
- Brakes: Magura MT5 / 200 mm / 180 mm
- Gear system: Sram X01 Eagle 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-52 / 520 %
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Fox Transfer Factory / 150 mm / 31.6 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 27 from 30
- Chassis efficiency: 15 out of 20
- Rolling resistance: 10.5 out of 15
- Weight: 6 of 20
- Inertia impellers: 4 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 7 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 24 from 30
- Front suspension: 15 out of 15
- Rear suspension: 15 out of 20
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 13.5 out of 15
- Tyre grip: 13.5 out of 15
- Driving stability: 3 out of 10
- TOTAL UPHILL: 69.5 OUT OF 105
- TOTAL DOWNHILL: 94 OUT OF 115
- Other: 23 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: weak
Bike test rating²: very good - 186.5 out of 250
* The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measured values (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
¹ Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
² The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders.
The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
Max Fuchs
Editor
