RADON SWOOP carbon 2021 – First Look: the German enduro bike gets updated
The RADON SWOOP has been a hot pick with riders looking for a value-for-money enduro rig for a while now. For 2021, the 29er SWOOP range grows and now includes a carbon option. The RADON SWOOP 9.0, 10.0 and 10.0 HD models get a brand new frame, featuring a carbon front triangle and alloy rear end across the three models. Does the new carbon RADON SWOOP retain its bang-for-buck factor? Read on for the lowdown!
The new RADON SWOOP 2021 in detail
The SWOOP is the long-travel 29er bruiser in RADON’s range. For 2021, the SWOOP family gets three new members – the carbon SWOOP 9.0, 10.0 and 10.0 HD models. RADON claim the updated frame platform will make the SWOOP more fun and capable on the most demanding trails. Prices start at € 2,999 for the SWOOP 9.0 and go up to € 4,499 for the top-spec SWOOP 10.0 HD. The new carbon SWOOP is available in three sizes only – Medium, Large and XL.
The new RADON SWOOP’s carbon frame
Until now, the SWOOP was the only bike in RADON’s lineup to be offered exclusively in aluminium. Now, the three new carbon models bring composite options to the SWOOP range. The frame features full internal cable routing, as well as an updated flip-chip. The flip-chip of the alloy SWOOP has three different positions, however, for 2021, the new carbon SWOOP gets a 2-position adjustable headset, letting you tweak the geometry.
Note: the headset pictured is a pre-production model
Offering 170 mm rear travel, the carbon SWOOP frame also has clearance for tires up to 29×2.6” wide. Unfortunately, unlike the alloy model, there is no space for a bottle cage inside the main triangle.
The geometry of the 2021 RADON SWOOP
When we tested the SWOOP last year, we were a fan of it’s confident and fun-loving geometry. For 2021, RADON seem to have largely stuck to the trend. In the ‘slack/long’ headset setting, the Large SWOOP has a 474 mm reach, a 63.5° head angle and a 76° seat angle. Chainstays are kept at 438 mm across all three models. One negative change that sticks out on paper is the tall seat tube, which has grown 15 mm in size Large to 470 mm and may limit some riders who want to run a long-travel dropper post. Overall, the geometry looks good on paper – not radical but balanced and fun.
| Size | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 420 mm | 470 mm | 520 mm |
| Top tube | 591 mm | 614 mm | 638 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm |
| Head angle | 63.5° | 63.5° | 63.5° |
| Seat angle | 76° | 76° | 76° |
| Chainstay | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
| BB Drop | 29 mm | 29 mm | 29 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1234 mm | 1258 mm | 1283 mm |
| Reach | 454 mm | 474 mm | 494 mm |
| Stack | 618 mm | 626 mm | 636 mm |
RADON SWOOP carbon 2021 specs and models
The 2021 SWOOP carbon is available in three models, and three sizes. RADON are well-known for their amazing value for money. Does the carbon Swoop follow this trend? Let’s find out!
RADON Swoop 9.0 2021
The € 2,999 SWOOP 9.0 is the most affordable bike in the RADON SWOOP carbon range. The suspension is taken care of by Rock Shox, with their Lyrik Select RC fork and Super Deluxe Select+ shock. The drivetrain is a mix of SRAM NX/GX Eagle parts, and the brakes are Magura MT5 stoppers with 203/180mm rotors.
Fork Rock Shox Lyrik Select RC 170 mm
Rear shock Rock Shox Super Deluxe Select+ 170 mm
Brakes Magura MT5
Drivetrain SRAM NX/HX eagle 12-speed
Seatpost RADON Competition Dropper
Stem Race Face Aeffect 40 mm
Bars Race Face Aeffect 780 mm
Wheels DT Swiss E1900
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary, Hans Dampf 29×2.35″
Weight 14.15 kg (Medium)
Price € 2,999
RADON SWOOP 10.0 2021
The mid-range carbon SWOOP is a real hit when it comes to value for money! For € 3,999 you get a burly Fox 38 Performance Elite fork (with the outstanding GRIP2 damper), a Fox X2 Performance shock, Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain and Shimano XT brakes.
Fork Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2 170 mm
Rear shock Fox X2 Performance 170 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 4-piston
Drivetrain Shimano SLX/XT 12-speed
Seatpost SDG Tellis Dropper
Stem Race Face Turbine R 40 mm
Bars Race Face Turbine R 800 mm
Wheels DT Swiss E1700
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF Skinwall EXO TR 29×2.5″, MAXXIS Minion DHRII Skinwall EXO TR 29×2.4″
Weight 14.85 kg
Price € 3,999
RADON SWOOP 10.0 HD 2021
The top-of-the-range carbon SWOOP 10.0 HD comes packed will drool-worthy kit like its Fox Factory suspension and Transfer dropper, SRAM GX/XO1 drivetrain and SRAM Code RSC stoppers with 200/180 mm rotors.
Fork Fox 38 Factory GRIP2 170 mm
Rear shock Fox X2 Factory 170 mm
Brakes SRAM Code RSC
Drivetrain SRAM GX/XO1 Eagle 12-speed
Seatpost Fox Transfer Factory
Stem Race Face Turbine R 40 mm
Bars Race Face Next R 800 mm
Wheels NEWMEN Evolution SL A.30
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF Skinwall EXO TR 29×2.5″, MAXXIS Minion DHRII Skinwall EXO TR 29×2.4″
Weight 14.65 kg
Price € 4,499
Our thoughts on the new RADON SWOOP carbon
We are fans of the new carbon SWOOPs’ aesthetic. The frame looks the part, and RADON’s typical spec-for-price makes for good value for money, on paper. It’s a shame that the new carbon SWOOP loses its bottle cage compatibility, and the lengthened seat tube in sizes L and XL may prevent some riders from running long dropper posts. However, at the end of the day, performance on the trail is what really matters, and we’re excited to test the 2021 RADON SWOOP for you soon!
More information can be found on the RADON website, where you can also order the new SWOOP!
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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl, RADON
