Back Issue | CONWAY WME 1027 Carbon
“We Make Enduro.“ With this slogan, the seven-strong development team of Conway staff and team riders worked for over a year to jointly create the brand’s first enduro machine. Via a website and various social media channels, interested parties had the opportunity to present ideas to the team and were able learn about the project status.
The results are impressive: our test bike, with its stealth black finish, is the embodiment of clean elegance.
The heart of the bike is a lightweight carbon frame designed around 27.5″ wheels, equipped with the high volume RockShox Vivid Air R2C rear shock and a RockShox Pike RCT3 fork.
Together, they form a potent suspension system. At the rear end, a flip-chip allows the travel to be set at 160 or 170mm. The rest of the spec is not only visually well-integrated with the frame, but also feels carefully chosen for performance (and ticks all of our boxes).
High-end DT Swiss Spline wheels are just as proven as the SRAM XO1 drivetrain, the
Reverb Stealth seatpost, and the SRAM Guide brakes.
The geometry corresponds to that of a modern enduro bike, combining a long reach (439 mm/size M) with a steep (75 °) seat tube angle and a slack (65.5 °) head tube angle. The rider sits in a compact and central position on the bike, which can be attributed to the short 40mm stem and 580mm top tube. This comfortable position and the drivetrain-neutral suspension system (which never requires the adjustable platform damping to be switched on) allows the rider to reach the trailhead in a relaxed manner.
Downhill the high-volume RockShox Vivid Air R2C shock can be felt immediately — it is ultra-plush, absorbs every bump willingly, and never plunges too far into its travel. However, the pilot still gets plenty of feedback from the ground and can choose an active riding style. The Pike fork does exactly the same at the front, and the overall effect is a harmonious and balanced suspension system; we preferred the rear end in the 170mm setting.
This balanced handling is especially noticeable and positive in the corners. Regardless of whether you’re on tight trails or at high speed, you always hit the desired line aboard the Conway. Thanks to the slack head tube angle, even rough and steep sections are a breeze, whilst the short 430mm chainstays give the bike agile handling.
Variable:
The rear end doesn’t just have room for every conceivable shock model—you can also vary the rear travel between 160 and 170mm using the flip-chip.
Integrated:
The internally routed cables run from the steerer tube to their various destinations. This gives a clean look and clear organisation.
Unusual:The hose for the RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost runs in a curve at the split seat tube alongside the shock before disappearing into the frame.
Reliable:The DT Swiss M1700 Spline Two wheels work well with their finely spaced freehub engagement, reliable overall function, and classy finish.
Conclusion:
Conway proves that too many cooks don’t always spoil the broth, and with the WME Carbon they present a well thought-out and outstandingly functioning, well-specced bike at a fair price—good job, boys!
Weight: 12,7 kg (weight of the test bike without pedals)
Price: 4.699€
Specifications
- Fork: RockShox Pike RT3 Solo Air
- Rear Shock: RockShox Vivid R2C
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01
- Brakes: SRAM Guide RSC
- Stem: Truvativ Holzfeller 40mm
- Handlebar: Truvatiy Jerome Clementz Blackbox 750mm
- Tires: Schwalbe Hans Dampf Trailstar 2.3″
- Wheels: DT Swiss M1700 Spline Two
- Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Geometrie
Size: M | Top Tube Horizontal: 580 mm | Seat Tube Angle: 75° | Chainstay Length: 430 mm | Head Tube Angle: 65,5° | Wheel Base: 1.1844 mm | Reach: 439 mm | Stack: 601 mm | Wheelsize: 27.5″
Words and Photos: Christoph Bayer
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