First impressions - Radon ZR Team 29 8.0

ZootHornRollo

Hi,

Since i sought advice from the good people of this forum about bike selection i thought it was only right to give some feedback on my purchase - http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/rado ... 8.0-237645

Firstly, the buying experience with bike-discount.

I ordered the bike on the wednesday evening prior to Good Friday. I soon realised this would no doubt delay bike delivery. I emailed bike-discount asking if they would set the fork up for me as i did not own a shock pump - after a couple of days they responded, yes they would, no problem. The second saturday after ordering i received an email in the morning stating the bike was in final assembly and would shortly be dispatched. I then received a further email later the same day stating the bike was rea[/list]dy for dispatch. Tracking updates were available from the Monday and the bike was delivered on the Thursday via Parcelforce.

The bike was well packaged and all i had to do was remove all the protective bits n pieces, pump up the tyres, attach the handle bars, seat, pedals* and front wheel... simples.

*the bike came with those atrocious cheapo pedal, fortunately i had ordered a pair of Wellgo b143 flats.

After setting up the bars and seat etc to my liking i set off on a short run across our local bing. It was soon apparent that the Reba RL fork was not right. My previous bike - 2007 Carrera Kraken - has a basic Suntour XCR fork but even with no experience of air forks it was easy to spot there was no where near enough air in it. It was bottoming out on the slightest undulations. This was the only problem encountered other than me not tightening up the seat bolts tight enough. The Deore brakes felt a little spongy throughout this first ride but i could feel they were getting better with every pull. The SLX/XT drivetrain was crisp. The Mavic Crossone/ Nobby Nic 29"combo made light work of the scree surface atop the bing.

I bought a shock pump from halfords earlier today. On checking the pressure in the fork it had only been set to 60psi... half the recommended pressure for my weight! Bit disappointed in that!

With fork up to 120psi i set out for another wee spin this afternoon and after a wee bit o tinkering with lever positions etc i am happy i very nearly have the bike set up to my liking.

I ordered the 20" frame as i am 6' tall but still find the reach maybe an inch too short for me. I'll give it a few more rides and I might try a layback seatpost to see if that helps. Otherwise sizing works for me with around an inch of standover clearance.

My first ride on the bing was a real eye opener for me coming from the 26" wheeled, 14.2kg kraken. The first climb up the steep sided bing was near effortless in comparison and the lightweight wheelset really stood out. Easy to accelerate up the hill. Once on the top the 29" wheels soaked up the uneven scree surface that seemed a struggle on previous outings. The Radon is a shade over 12kg so the weight difference is really obvious to me.

The brakes started out pretty ropey but improved greatly as the ride progressed. In fact, they have improved so much that when i went out again this afternoon i stabbed the brakes when a rabbit shot out in front of me and was catapulted over the bars! New to me coming from 8 year old mechanical disc brakes. A bit more feel required on my behalf but they do seem to be a bit overly sharp now... can that be adjusted out?

I should be able to get out on a few woodland trails tomorrow so will get a bit more feedback on the fork and start playing around with the setting on that.

Will get some pics posted soon.

Cheers.

cooldad

Forks are never going to be set up for you, and a lot of bikes come without pedals.

Antm81

I agree, that it is slightly disappointing they didn't do what they say but you'd of needed a pump at some point anyway, as a minimum the pressure would need checking periodically and adjusting.

Pedals like that are common, they're personal preference, so at best you tend to get cheap ones and generally don't get any.

As for the brakes, the pads and discs will of needed bedding in, plus I find shimano brakes need the levers pumping initially to get maximum performance, as for adjusting them it's unlikely but you will adjust to them over time.

Glad you're enjoying it though.

rockmonkeysc

Forks can never be set at the right pressure for everyone so they never come properly set up. The disadvantage of buying online is there is no one to help set it up when you get it and there is no free service at six weeks to check it over.
Bikes rarely come with useful pedals. Everyone has their own preference so when bikes do come with them they are pretty much disposible.

ZootHornRollo

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Forks can never be set at the right pressure for everyone so they never come properly set up. The disadvantage of buying online is there is no one to help set it up when you get it and there is no free service at six weeks to check it over.
Bikes rarely come with useful pedals. Everyone has their own preference so when bikes do come with them they are pretty much disposible.

But when the seller agrees to set up the fork for your weight it should at least be in the ball park, no? you'd need to be less than 60kg for 60psi to be close. How many folks under 60kg order a 20" frame?

cooldad

Maybe gravity is different on the continent.

ZootHornRollo

Had a couple of outings round local woods and have to say i am loving this bike!

The fork is a dream compared to my last bike, Soaks up everything without any of the harshness of previous experience. Think i've got the setup very nearly right. another click or two quicker rebound and i reckon im there. Thanks to those who advised on going for the Reba over the other forks available to me.

The overall ride quality if fantastic. I didn't want a hard ride. I really wanted something that would soak up the trail - hence ordering the Team bike over the Race version - and this frame does that... along with the 29 inch wheels.

ZootHornRollo

Antm81 wrote:

As for the brakes, the pads and discs will of needed bedding in, plus I find shimano brakes need the levers pumping initially to get maximum performance, as for adjusting them it's unlikely but you will adjust to them over time.

Glad you're enjoying it though.

I am getting used to the brakes now. Occasionally grab a bit to much and skid but getting there. Not looking forward to getting back on the tricross bike with cable brakes... can see me going through something :shock:

daniel_owen_uk

Wouldn't it be daft to inflate tyres/forks due to unpresurised air freight?

ZootHornRollo

daniel_owen_uk wrote:

Wouldn't it be daft to inflate tyres/forks due to unpresurised air freight?

That thought has crossed my mind. But they would have known that when they agreed to set it up.

It's no big deal, just I would have ordered a pump when ordering the bolts of it was not possible for them to do it. As mentioned above, I'd have needed one eventually anyway.

cooldad

You need one from the beginning anyway. It's not possible to set a bike up properly without being on it.

The Rookie

ZootHornRollo wrote:

daniel_owen_uk wrote:

Wouldn't it be daft to inflate tyres/forks due to unpresurised air freight?

That thought has crossed my mind. But they would have known that when they agreed to set it up.

Air freight isn't unpressurised, its inside the pressurised volume and will be at the equivalent of 8000ft.

rockmonkeysc

They could only ever give a base setting, you will still need to tune it to get it right