Review

ENDURO Long-term Test 2014: The Propain Twoface 3

30.06.2014
by

A couple days ago the waiting was over for our long-term tester Vinzenz. He finally received his bike for the 2014 season direct from the manufacturer – the Propain Twoface 3. As Vinzenz works as a bike guide, the bike will collect countless kilometers on bike tours in and over the Alps. In the first week he cracked the 10,000 vertical meters mark with the new bike. We are curious how many he will have ridden at the end of the season, and if the Twoface can withstand that tough test.

Das Propain Twoface von Dauertester Vinzenz.
The Propain Twoface from our long-term tester Vinzenz.

The cheapest Propain Twoface is available for a price of €1,999. Vinzenz got the model version 3, which is retails at €2,999. On the trail the bike should offer two faces, light and fast uphill and a real weapon on the downhills.

The suspension of the bikes consists of a RockShox Revelation RCT3 Solo Air Fork in the front and a RockShox Monarch RT3 shock on the rear. While the fork has 140mm, the rear offers 145 mm of travel.

Das Propain Twoface verfügt über einen hochwertigen SRAM X0 2x10 Antrieb
The Propain Twoface has a high-quality SRAM X0 2×10 drivetrain.
Die Züge des Twoface werden extern verlegt. Dies erleichtert im Bedarfsfall den Austausch der Züge enorm.
The external cable routing makes servicing pretty easy.
Die RockShox Reverb Stealth mit 150mm Hub schlägt mit 189 € Aufpreis zu buche.
The RockShox Reverb Stealth with 150mm of travel costs €189 extra.
Die Avid X0 Trail garantiert top Verzögerungswerte auch bei langen Abfahrten.
The Avid X0 Trail guaranteed strong deceleration forces​​, even during long downhills.
Aufgrund des Desings der Umlenkwippe lässt sich die Plattformdämpfung des RockShox Monarch RT3 nicht komplett schließen.
The RockShox Monarch RT3 sits in the rear of the Propain Twoface. Unfortunately, the compression lever can’t get closed completely because of the lower linkage plate.
Das Cockpit besteht aus einem Sixpack S.A.M Vorbau (65 mm) und Sixpack Leader Lenker (750 mm)
The cockpit consists of a Sixpack S.A.M stem (65 mm) and Sixpack leader handlebar (750 mm).
Das Carbon-Schutzbleich schützt den Dämpfer vor Dreck und Steinen.
The carbon guard prevents the shock from dirt and stones.
Die serienmäßig verbauten Nobby Nic Reifen wurden direkt bei Propain gegen einen Satz robuste Hans Dampf Reifen getauscht.
The standard fitted Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires were exchanged directly by Propain for a set of robust Hans Dampf tires.
Die DT Swiss Spline EX 1501 Laufräder sind ein Garant für top Funktion und hochwertige Verarbeitung.
The DT Swiss EX 1501 Spline wheels are a guarantee of top function and high quality workmanship.

First riding impression of Vinzenz

Vinzenz Bader (1 von 1)

After the first Transalp with 10,000 meters of uphill and downhill my first conclusion was very positive:

From the first few meters the geometry of the Twoface felt really good. For a trail bike with 145mm of travel it is rather stretched, but for long climbs in the Alps the position on the bike is perfect. The “PRO 10” suspension concept works efficiently. Due to the position of the bottom rocker, only the open and low compression damping position of the RockShox Monarch can be choosen. But as the pedaling efficiency is very good it is not a major problem. The build kit was very impressive! The 2X10 SRAM X0 drivetrain, the DT Swiss Spline EX 1501 Wheels and the RockShox Reverb Stealth make this bike suitable for everyday use and have lots of style.

After the first few meters on the trail, I already had a wide grin on my face. The rear suspension feels really comfortable and active! No sag down in berms, good usage of the entire travel, no bottom out – just perfect! Unfortunately, here the RockShox Revelation with its 140mm of travel is not quite able to keep up, specially in steep terrain and at high speed the fork is overwhelmed. Here I have to experiment with the setup in order to achieve a better result.

You can follow our experiences with the Propain – and all other longterm testbikes – in our interactive timeline: Including broken parts, tuning modifications and everyday-impressions, but also all the great stories we experienced with our bikes – you should swing by regularly!

Year of birth: 1990 | Biking since: 2000 | Size: 180cm | Weight: 80kg | Job: ENDURO Testrider | @Strava

Words: Christoph Bayer | Photos: Christoph Bayer

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