The Chemical Adrenal is the offering from the new UK start-up Chemical Bikes who have taken advantage of the long-standing patent of the VPP (virtual pivot point) linkage ending. They have run with it and now offer bikes with that tried and tested design, but at much more competitive prices than their US cousins.
It’s quite a little-known fact that the VPP linkage style is now up for grabs by other bike designers, Chemical Bikes (based in Derbyshire UK) have taken that race-proven design and ran with it for themselves, even working on improving such factors of the design and lay-up to meet their own specific needs to bring us this fantastic looking new bike, but with Chemical being a direct sales brand and cutting out the distributors and shops, they are able to vastly reduce the cost of the bikes they offer, with this top specced Electro Slam model we tested available for € 4886 (£ 3750) For a little extra money (see website) buyers are also able to order special paint designs to tailor for their needs.
Specification of the Chemical Adrenal
The build of the bike uses Shimano’s XT model for braking and in the form of their 1×11 chainset. The suspension comprises of RockShox 160 mm Pike RCT3 dual position air forks and Monarch Plus RC3 shock, offering 150 mm of rear travel. Also keeping things in the ‘quality build department’ are the use of Mavic’s Crossmax XL Pro LTD WTS tubeless wheel-set and tyres. The dropper post is a RockShox Reverb Stealth. Funn components are used for the saddle, 785 mm 15 mm rise alloy bars and their 45 mm Strippa stem. The headset is an interesting one, as they come fitted with a Works Components Angleset, offering between 1° and 2° of adjustment, dependent on frame size (length of head tube)
Fork: Pike RCT3 Dual Position Air 160 mm
Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch Plus RC3
Brakes: Shimano XT M8000
Drivetrain: Shimano XT 1×11
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth 125 mm
Stem: Funn STRIPPA EVO STEM 45 mm
Handlebar: Funn KRATOS 785 mm
Wheelset: Mavic Crossmax XL PRO LTD WTS
Tires: Mavic Charge 2.4 / Quest 2.4
Weight: 12.6 kg
Price: € 4886 (£ 3750)
Geometry of the Chemical Adrenal
Climbing on the Chemical Adrenal
Jump on board the Adrenal and it becomes immediately apparent that this is an all rounder, with our size large sporting a 620 mm top tube, 65.4° head angle and 1191 mm wheelbase this thing is bang in the middle when it comes to bike lengths, but still slack enough to attack. Up the trails our 178 cm rider felt comfortable and not too cramped. How light and planted the bike felt on the steeper of climbs once the Rockshox Monarch Plus RC3 was switched to climb was more befitting to a 130 mm travel bike than a 150 mm; it was very impressive. There never seemed to be any kind of unwanted wheelying or vagueness from the front end on the steeper stuff and traction of the rear as the VPP worked the ground was great, this bike really does make all-day climbing a breeze.
Descending on the Chemical Adrenal
From hitting the first lip of the first jump on the trail, the rider is instantly taken back by the pop of this bike as it sails effortlessly into the air. The 150 mm rear travel matched with the 160 mm front really does balance out well as the bike dances around to the tune of the trails underneath the rider. Fun is the first word that comes to mind when pumping turns, hitting bermed corners, floating over rougher rocky sections and hammering through the rougher stuff. In this world of ever-lengthening wheelbases, lower top-tubes and raked out head angles, this bike sits right in the middle on the lengths and on the slacker side with the angleset fitted, feeling like one of the most nimble bikes around. Point the front end stupidly tight to get those special turns in and it just seems to grip and track as if on skis and defying gravity; the Rockshox suspension awarding the rider with a real feel of what the terrain has to offer. This bike is a joy to ride and offers riders such a feeling of playfulness, pop and speed, it’s not necessarily the most downhill feeling enduro bike out there, but certainly right up there when it comes to making the rider smile!
Things We Would Improve On The Chemical Adrenal
We would have certainly fitted a chain guide on this bike, as we lost the chain a couple of times in testing. Talking of chains, we found that although the built-in chainstay protector is a nice touch and looks good, it still creates a lot of noise, as the chain slaps against the hard plastic, we would definitely add a softer cover to deaden that sound. Also, as ever with a lot of bikes, this comes fitted with a 125 mm Reverb, where a 150 mm would always be more welcome. When it comes to looks, this bike looks immaculate, with design being highly thought through and apparent, so why it comes fitted with the very cumbersome and ugly looking Funn saddle and overly wide, wrong coloured grips are beyond us; they would be straight off and replaced! These, however, are all small cosmetical issues, all being a quick fix.
Sizing of the Chemical Adrenal
Our test rider found the overall fit of the bike to be very good, no back ache from an over cramped cockpit or too-short top tube/reach was experienced and this really is a genuine comfortable all-rounder, all-dayer of a bike. The bars may have been a tad wide for our tester at 785 mm, but that’s easy to fix and the stem was bang on at 45 mm. Our tester expected the bike to feel a bit twitchy, being a rider who tends to favour a longer bike, but was pleasantly surprised at its fun geometry and how rewarding it is to ride, offering lots of rider feedback.
Should I buy the Chemical Adrenal
This bike, when compared to its long-standing American counterparts, sporting the original VPP is a serious bargain and the build quality looks very impressive. Mixed with the fact that Chemical also offer two other lower priced models and have personal design options at their fingertips, we actually think this is a no-brainer if a buyer is on the market for a VPP bike and wants something a little different. Chemical are offering some great warranty and very personal service expected from a smaller brand, making them very appealing to the buyer who wants a more hands-on deal with their bike brand and that personal touch.
Bottom Line for the Chemical Adrenal
For a genuine all-rounder of a bike, capable of long days in the saddle, xc rides or even thrashing through full-on enduro stages, this bike should be high on your list. It seems to offer a great high-end package at budget costs. The looks are to die for, with great attention to detail, with lots of thought having gone into carbon lay-up, frame rigidity, and necessary flex. With Chemical looking bad-ass and offering great support we think this will be another very popular bike out on the trails soon.
For more information visit the Chemical Bikes Website
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Words: Photos: Doc Ward
