Pulling the Radon Slide 130 8.0 29 out of the box we thought someone had messed up – with the awesome Rock Shox Yari RC fork and Monarch RT3 shock, we were convinced that the price was a mistake.
The good times continued with the powerful Shimano Deore brakes and a full SLX drivetrain, which left us jumping for joy. However, we quickly sat down again when we saw it was a triple…damn. 2×10 offers more than enough range, so triples are dead – please stop the madness! The wheels got us excited again: Mavic Crossride Light wheels are stiff and accurate and a real bonus at this price point. Matched with Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance line tires, they offer a fast and responsive ride. Weighing 13.7 kg, the Radon looks awesome on paper, and we were delighted to see a 100 mm JD Vario dropper post too – which although not as refined as a RockShox Reverb, is a revelation compared to bikes with standard posts.
On the trails, immediately the Radon felt compact and tall – it was most popular with testers with long legs – but it certainly climbs efficiently, the light wheels spinning up fast and holding speed well. We were looking forward to hitting the descents. However, like the aggressive wasp its colour scheme would suggest, the Radon soon revealed it has a sting in the tail – or more accurately, in the cockpit. Now, while we do admit that ultra-short stems are not for everyone, there is simply no place for a 90 mm stem on a trail bike. The Radon’s over-long stem, tall stack height, thick headset top cap, and tall riser bars make the bike feel gangly and unbalanced, so even though it has the best fork in the test it simply cannot be exploited – a bit like putting a V12 in a race car then having to drive from the back seat. The unforgivable cockpit severely limits the potential of the bike.
Switching the stem to a 50 mm improved the handling dramatically, an instant transformation, but this then accentuated the short reach. With the shorter stem the Radon Slide 130 8.0 is great fun through the corners, where it dives into switchbacks and carves long berms with ease.
The Radon Slide 130 8.0 in detail
Forks: RockShox Yari RC 130 mm
Rear shock: RockShox Monarch RT3 130 mm
Brakes: Shimano Deore M615
Drivetrain: Shimano XT M786
Seatpost: JD Vario 100
Stem: Race Face Evolve
Bars: Race Face Turbine
Wheels: Mavic Crossride Light 29
Tires: Schwalbe Nobby Nic – Performance
Weight: 13.70 kg
Price: € 1,999
We love to see dropper posts. Even though the Radon is basic, a dropper greatly improves the experience of riding.
The 90’s called and wants their stem back. There is no place for a 90 mm stem on a modern trail bike.
The Radon has the best fork in the test, but poor cockpit choices and a high stack height make it hard to exploit the fork’s full potential.
On an affordable bike, especially a 29er, wheels make all the difference. The Radon uses Mavic Crossride Lites, which are fast, accurate, and stiff.
[/emaillocker]
On long rides the Radon really finds its legs, covering ground quickly and sprinting up climbs with ease. Overall, the bike is held back by its Jekyll and Hyde componentry choices, and is certainly better for long days out than hedonistic descending.
Conclusion
The Radon Slide 130 8.0 offers a great specification for the money taking our Best Value award, and its distinctive looks carry a premium feel that belies its budget-friendly price. However, the Slide’s downhill credentials are hampered by poor componentry choices and tall geometry, making it more suited to day-long trail adventures and flow trails.
Strengths
- Class-leading Yari fork
- Great looks
Weaknesses
- A triple… no, no, no
- Stem length is from the 1990s
For more information head to radonbikes.de!
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: We test five affordable trail bikes under € 2,000. Are these the real ‘bikes for the people?’
Other bikes in this group test: Cube Stereo 120 HPA Race | Lapierre Edge AM 527 | Radon Slide 130 8.0 | Trek Fuel EX 29 5.0 | Vitus Escarpe
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words & Photos:
