Radon unleashes the future with 2015 models

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From stealthy to… not so much, direct to you!

That's a colour that you can have on a bicycle.
That is a colour that you can have on a bicycle.

Now 25 years old, Bonn-based Radon and its parent company have been selling bikes and components consumer-direct since before there was 3D Violet.  Not often seen in the UK, it’s hard not to love a company that calls their carbon hardtail the “Black Sin” and still welds frames in Germany.  Reportedly highly-rated at home, Radon uses a proved four-bar design for their full suspension models, which range from racer fast to full-on downhill.  Below we have a couple of models redesigned for 2015 – the trail/enduro oriented Slide 650b and the fast-but-fun Skeen 29er – as well as a big-wheeled trail bike – the updated Slide 130 29er.

Mmm... mountains.
Mmm… mountains.
But where are the orange cranks?

Slide 150 – 650B

The Slide 150, that multiple magazine test and award winning All Mountain, now rolls on 650B wheels. A completely new designed alloy frame completes the wheelsize-range now and the bike fits perfectly into the middle price range. With its 650B-optimized geometry the new Slide 150 works perfectly with top suspension forks like Fox 34 or RockShox Pike that offer 150-160mm of travel. Even compared to the 26er Slide the new bike is the distinctly better trail weapon that acts superior on all trails and masters every obstacle.

More wheel, less travel, same intent
More wheel, less travel, same intent

Slide 130 29

The kinematics of the Slide 150 bikes was combined perfectly with the bigger wheels with a priority on handling. We made a conscious decision in favour of the exact same bottom bracket height as with the [since replaced] 26″ models, whereby the centre of gravity was lowered without impairing agility on difficult trails, realising a balanced seat position. The big wheels, which offer a marked increase of traction in uphill and curved passages, also allowed us to reduce suspension travel due to the better suitability for running over obstacles. As a result, drive economy raises to a level well beyond that of many fully suspended endurance bikes with 120mm fork travel.

For the marathon-riding wallflowers in the audience
For the stealth marathoners in the audience

Skeen 100 29

The Skeen comes with totally new „clothes“ but still remains our first choice for marathon races and sportive trail rides. A totally new frame comes with shapely slight tubes and a sportive geometry. Compact, one piece carbon fiber levers show a nice connection between the 100mm travel rear end and the now upright positioned shock. The hydroformed alloy frame plays among the lightest marathon alloy frames and with its Syntace X-12 thru axle and its tapered steerer it offers a great amount of stiffness. [Designer] Bodo Probst just didn´t stop at some changed optics – he really insisted on a sporty marathon race ready kinematics. With a 100mm travel and 29er wheels the new Skeen still offers way enough resources to leave the crowd behind on descents as well.

The company also sent details on a 650b/26in freeride model but, sadly, no images of the mixed-wheel beast.  Radon Bikes are sold through Bike-Discount.de and do ship to the UK.  More details available shortly here.


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