For 2019, Pace has really pushed the geometry to the next level on its hardcore, steel hardtails. Take a first look at the 2019 Pace RC529 to see what we mean.
Back in November, we received an email from Pace Cycles telling us all about their next generation steel hardtails. In typical fashion, Pace’s designers had decided to give the Pace RC529 a long and low makeover like we haven’t seen before. Rather than just bumping up the reach figures by a few mm across the range, Pace slapped on an extra 70mm length to their largest steel shredder!
The numbers had us excited and now finally after a few months of waiting, we have finally received our very own 2019 Pace 529 steel hardtail to test.
Pace has sent us a large size model to test which compared to the 2018 version of the RC529 is a whole 65mm longer in reach. On its own, that increase would be a major update and promises to transform this classic hardtail, but other numbers have been tweaked too.
The wheelbase on the large from has jumped from 1179mm to 1218mm, the chainstay length has been reduced by 5mm to 430mm, although there is some adjustment available via the sliding dropouts, and stack has jumped from 645mm to 651mm.
The 2019 Pace RC529 also has a 3° steeper seat tube angle, bringing it to 76°, while the front end has is now 66° rather than 65°. This geometry has been designed to work best with forks with between 120-140mm of travel.
While Pace handled all of these nips and tucks, they also decide to ensure the frame had enough room available in the backend so that customers could choose to run either a 29er or a 27.5+ tyre out back. With the plus tyre fitted, the RC529 has enough clearance for tyres of uptown 2.8in.
Boost spacing and a DT Swiss axle hold the rear wheel in place on a set of adjustable dropout, should mean that a simple single speed conversion is possible without the need of a chain tensioner.
In the name of versatility, Pace has ensured their hardcore hardtail will accept racks on the backend for those bike packing trips, and there’s a single bottle cage position on the downtube.
All cable and hose routing, except the dropper post, is external for ease of maintenance, while a threaded 73mm BB should ensure plenty of creak-free miles.
To ensure a lively and compliant ride, the RC529 is manufactured from a mixture of high-quality steel, including some high-end Reynolds 853 tubing.
Pace offers the RC529 in either this Matt Icelandic colour or a Stealth Black and there are 4 gloss sticker options. Pace will also let you choose your own colour for an extra £115 – £149.99 depending on which colour you choose. The finishing touch is the metal head badge which looks really swanky.
The RC529 is available online now as a frame only option including DT RWS rear axle, chainstay protector and Pace seat clamp for £575, as a rolling chassis from £1499 or as a complete bike starting from £2509. Our test bike came built up with a mix of Hope, SRAM and DT Swiss components with Pace and Renthal handling the cockpit.
Up front is a 140mm travel RockShox Pike fork, while 4 pot SRAM brakes keep the speed in check, good job as this long, slack hardtail has already proven to be pretty fast and stable in the rough stuff.
Full details can be found over on the Pace Cycles website, and we will have a full review of the Pace RC529 online next week so keep an eye out for that.
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