Radon JAB MX 2025 on review – Top performance at a top price?

RADON are pushing prices down and introduced a highly-attractive mullet bike last spring with the new JAB MX 2025, which generates 170/160 mm of travel front and rear, respectively. For comparison’s sake, the previous JAB model still relied on 27.5” wheels. But how does this sub-15 kg, rolling bargain fare on the trail? We test it to find out.

RADON are known for affordable bikes with great specs, and the new 2025 RADON JAB MX is available in three budget-friendly yet well-specced variants, with prices ranging between € 2,999 and € 4,499. The flagship model we tested was originally priced at € 5,499, but has now been reduced by € 1,000. As the in-house brand of German internet giant Bike-Discount, RADON benefits from their massive purchasing power, passing some of the savings directly onto customers. At this price-to-specs ratio, you’d think that RADON had free rein to pick from Bike-Discount’s shelves ;). For example, the components alone on the RADON JAB MX 10.0 HD 2025 would cost more at retail than the entire bike. Instead, RADON offer an enduro full-suspension bike with a carbon frame, premium components, integrated storage, and a weight of just 14.8 kg in size L. But can this affordable bike hold its own on the trail, or is it just a cheap heap of components?

The new Radon JAB MX 2025 in detail

The new RADON JAB MX has undergone some significant updates compared to its predecessor, which previously rolled exclusively on 27.5” wheels. Now featuring a 29” front wheel and new features like the integrated storage compartment, the carbon frame relies on a discrete, rectangular and thoroughly modern frame silhouette. The rocker link of the Horst Link four-bar rear suspension is made from carbon too. The latest iteration of the JAB retains a striking feature of its predecessor, the split seat tube, although without the additional brace in the bottom bracket area. The shock has been repositioned and now sits lower in the seat tube. Not only does this ensure a stylish look but also shields the rear suspension from flying muck – no fender required. The matte green frame is visually striking, and the gold accents perfectly match the suspension’s fancy Kashima coating, which might explain why this finish is only available with the flagship model.

A practical update is the storage compartment in the downtube, which can be opened with a twist lock in front of the shock. The cover detaches with a downward motion and is secured to the frame with a cable. Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the cover and cable mechanism, it works reliably, though it’s a bit fiddlier than some competitors’ solutions. Additionally, reaching under the muddy down tube in case of a trail-side repair is unavoidable. The compartment comes standard with a pouch that allows you to stow away a spare inner tube, a CO2 cartridge, and tire levers. If you want to have your pump or multitool at hand while riding, there’s also a tool mount at the bottom of the top tube, which is easier to access than the storage compartment. Needless to say, the spacious front triangle also has enough room for a big water bottle.

The cables are routed internally and disappear into the frame through an ACROS headset. If this proves too cumbersome for maintenance and care, the cables can also be routed through a standard cable port on the head tube. A cover is pre-installed on the left side for this purpose. However, it’s worth noting that in this case, the dropper post cable must also run from the left side of the handlebars into the left side of the frame, which results in a tight bend in the cable housing. A generously sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap and paint chips, and even covers the bottom of the seat stay.

The specs of the new 2025 RADON JAB MX

When it comes to the spec of the JAB MX 10.0 HD, RADON picked almost exclusively from Bike-Discount’s top shelf ;). FOX supply the Factory suspension with fancy Kashima coating. The 170 mm FOX 38 fork relies on the older GRIP2 damper cartridge, which features adjustable low and high speed circuits on both the rebound and compression stage, and delivers excellent performance on the trail. The fork is paired with a FOX X2 Factory air shock, which combines the same adjustment options with a climb switch. FOX also supply the Transfer Factory dropper post. While its overall performance is flawless aside from occasional sticking, at 150 mm it’s far too short for a modern enduro bike in size L – the average travel in our big enduro bike comparison test was 196 mm. With an insertion depth of 270 mm in the size L, you could easily push a 180 mm OneUp V3 dropper post all the way into the frame.

The RADON JAB MX 10.0 HD comes equipped with Magura MT7 brakes and 200 mm Storm rotors, which ensure powerful, reliable deceleration without the vibration issues often associated with the floating MDR-P rotors. Shifting is taken care of by a wireless SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain. The precise shifting of the electronic derailleur makes it easy to negotiate steep climbs, and the beautifully machined aluminium cranks feature a robust dual-sided bash guard to protect against impacts.

For the wheels, RADON rely on a NEWMEN EVOLUTION SL A.30 alloy wheelset and MAXXIS tires, combining an ASSEGAI at the front and MINION DHR II at the rear. Unfortunately, both come in the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound and the flimsy, puncture-prone EXO+ casing. For an enduro bike, a more robust casing would be a better match, at least at the rear, while a softer rubber compound at the front would improve traction.

Tuning-tip: Upgrade to tires with the softer MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front and the tougher DoubleDown casing at the rear as soon as the original tires wear out.

All spec variants of the new 2025 RADON JAB MX

Alongside the JAB MX 10.0 HD – where HD stands for “heavy duty” – RADON offer two more spec variants. These feature 10 mm less travel up front and forgo the HD suffix in the name. The RADON JAB MX 9.0 and 10.0 models generate 160 mm of travel front and rear but rely on the same carbon frame and mullet wheel setup. The cool thing about these two versions: like the flagship model, they’re very well equipped, including a top-tier suspension at an even more affordable price – nice!

The RADON JAB MX 9.0 is the entry-level model, currently priced at € 2,999, and relies on mixed suspension components with a RockShox fork and FOX shock. The Lyrik Ultimate fork is RockShox’s top-tier Lyrik model, featuring the latest Charger 3.1 damper with countless adjustment options and ButterCups for excellent vibration damping. The fork is paired with a FOX X2 Performance shock, with externally adjustable rebound and compression settings, though without separate low- and high-speed dials. The cable-operated SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain is known for its reliability, while the Magura MT5 brakes – though not the most powerful in our big brake comparison test – can be easily upgraded with different pads and levers without breaking the bank. The SDG Tellis dropper post has the same problem as the dropper on our test bike: with just 150 mm of travel in size L, it’s too short, though it performs reliably in all other respects. The DT Swiss E1900 aluminium wheels are fitted with the same tires as our test bike, but they’re a better match for the JAB MX 9.0, given the reduced travel and overall focus of the bike. Despite having less travel and a slightly leaner spec, this variant is approximately 200 g heavier than our test bike (manufacturer’s specifications), tipping the scales at around 15 kg in size L.

The RADON JAB MX 10.0 retails at just € 3,499, only € 500 more than the 9.0, and also features a top-tier suspension setup, this time exclusively from FOX. Just like the fork on our test bike, the 36 Performance Elite fork with GRIP2 damper offers countless adjustment options, with externally adjustable low- and high-speed compression stages and rebound damping, albeit without the golden Kashima coating. The black stanchion coating doesn’t impact performance, only aesthetics. The drivetrain and brakes come from Shimano’s XT series, delivering outstanding performance for both shifting and braking. The downside? Yet again, the size L frame is fitted with a short 150 mm dropper post. The Newmen SL A.30 aluminium wheels are paired with a Schwalbe Magic Mary tire at the front and Big Betty at the rear, both in the Soft compound and Super Trail casings. Heavier and more aggressive riders might want to consider an upgrade. According to the manufacturer, the JAB MX 10.0 weighs approximately 14.7 kg in size L.

The geometry of the new 2025 RADON JAB MX

The 2025 RADON JAB MX relies on a more modern geometry than its predecessor, with the bigger 29” front wheel being the most striking upgrade. At the rear, the bike rolls on a smaller 27.5” wheel, allowing RADON’s engineers to keep the chainstays nice and short at just 432 mm. Reach is 480 mm in size L, and the front end is relatively tall with a stack of 639 mm. Across the four sizes (S, M, L, XL), the reach values grow from 436 mm to 504 mm, accommodating riders between 163 and 197 cm tall. These reach values are moderate and align with the industry average. The head angle can be adjusted using headset cups, which also slightly impacts the seat angle and wheelbase. Another neat feature: no additional parts are needed for this adjustment – simply rotate the bearing cups by 180 degrees. This allows you to switch between a slack 63.85° and a steeper 64.75° head angle. The bike is delivered with the cups in the steep position. The seat angle shifts by only 0.3° during this adjustment, settling at 76.65°. The seat tube length for size L is a moderate 445 mm, but the bend in the tube limits the dropper post insertion depth to 270 mm.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top Tube	576 mm	597 mm	625 mm	656 mm
Seat Tube	380 mm	415 mm	445 mm	480 mm
Head Tube	100 mm	107 mm	117 mm	137 mm
Head Angle	64.75° / 63.85°	64.75° / 63.85°	64.75° / 63.85°	64.75° / 63.85°
Seat Angle	76.35° / 76.65°	76.35° / 76.65°	76.35° / 76.65°	76.35° / 76.65°
Chainstay	432 mm	432 mm	432 mm	432 mm
BB Drop	17 mm	17 mm	17 mm	17 mm
Wheelbase	1,203 mm	1,224 mm	1,253 mm	1,287 mm
Reach	436 mm	455 mm	480 mm	504 mm
Stack	624 mm	630 mm	639 mm	657 mm

The RADON JAB MX 2025 on review

Riding uphill, the RADON JAB MX is doing well. However, the tall front end requires you to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking in very steep sections and tight switchbacks. Additionally, the rear suspension bobs slightly, redirecting power from the pedals into the shock. Both issues can be addressed effectively by adding spacers under the stem or using the climb switch on the shock. While the lockout works well for consistent forest road climbs, it comes at the cost of valuable rear-wheel traction on technical ascents.

When gravity takes over and you drop into a trail – don’t forget to deactivate the climb switch – the JAB makes you feel at ease from the get-go. You’re deeply integrated with the bike, and the weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear, with the tall front end adding to the sense of safety. Overall, the JAB impresses with predictable, intuitive handling and inspires good amounts of confidence.

On flow trails, the JAB impresses with excellent suspension support, making it easy to change direction spontaneously. It also shines on pump tracks, allowing you to build up speed and take off into the air. The suspension provides plenty of pop, encouraging you to launch off the smallest kicker without breaking a sweat.

Like on the climbs, on more natural trails with flat, open corners, the RADON requires you to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking. A grippier tire with the MaxxGrip compound or a couple less spacers under the stem could help with this, though the latter option comes with a trade-off in terms of confidence. On very steep, technical trails, the tall front end inspires huge amounts of confidence, effectively preventing dreaded OTB moments – ideal for beginners!

The RADON JAB MX is a nimble, energetic bike, which is mainly due to the active suspension – and doesn’t shy away from big hits either.

When the pace picks up and the trail gets rougher, the RADON soaks up small to medium impacts with stoic composure, maintaining good traction at all times. It always keeps a bit of travel in reserve, ready to absorb hard landings and bigger obstacles with great eagerness. This bike isn’t a cushy armchair for relaxed cruising, but more like a workshop stool. With some active weight shifting, it can be ridden very dynamically, rewarding a sporty riding style with impressive speed.

Who should take a closer look at the new 2025 RADON JAB MX?

The RADON JAB MX 2025 is perfect for riders looking for top-tier specs at an unbeatable price without sacrificing intuitive handling and a high-performance suspension ;). It’s nearly as agile as a trail bike, but can handle big hits too. At the same time, the firm suspension shines on flowing trails packed with rollers and berms, which makes it especially appealing to active riders who love to pump and catch a bit of airtime. Climbing isn’t its forte, so don’t expect to engage in marathon-like uphill sprints, but it still gets you to the top efficiently, even with the climb switch. A highlight: even the more affordable spec variants are very well equipped, with no compromises made on critical suspension components.

Conclusions about the new 2025 RADON JAB MX

With the JAB MX, RADON deliver a bike that isn’t overly expensive yet performs impressively well. The spec is top-notch, and the frame includes an unusual but handy storage compartment. While the JAB isn’t a rocket on climbs, the rear suspension can be easily neutralised with the climb switch. On the trail, the tall front end inspires tons of confidence, while the firm suspension encourages you to pump through rollers and to catch air. A major perk: even the more affordable spec variants are beautifully specced and well worth considering.

For more info click radon-bikes.com

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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Peter Walker, Julian Schwede