Radon Slide Trail AL Review

Affordable, fully-suspended, and making a great first impression. The Radon Slide Trail AL 8.0 looks like a rig that promises a good time. But does it hold up on the gnarly trails of Finale Ligure, or does it fold when the going gets tough?

Mountain biking and golf are two completely different sports. On the golf course, dirt is a no-go and your cologne is expected to mask the scent of sweat. On the trails, it’s the complete opposite. A ride without dirt and sweat isn’t a real ride at all. And yet, despite these fundamental differences, both mountain biking and golfing are increasingly targeting the same demographic: the well-to-do!

If you’re looking for quality gear, you’ve got to pay the price. And that’s even truer for mountain biking than it is for golf. A proper full-suss to shred some gnarly singletrack can set you back a pretty penny. The top models from value-oriented brands start at around 6000 €. And if you’re pining for a ride from a heritage brand, be prepared to fork out upwards of 10,000 €. Fortunately, a price tag has two ends. You can also score a whip for less cash.

At the more budget-friendly end of the pricing scale, far fewer manufacturers are vying for attention compared to the high-end sector. Decathlon is attempting to offer a serious full-suspension rig capable of handling decent trails with their Rockrider AM 100 S, at under €2,000. Our review, however, reveals that achieving this comes with trade-offs.

In the price range of €2,000 to €3,000, mainly German brands with direct-to-consumer sales models dominate the scene. Canyon showcases its Neuron and Spectral models in this bracket. Direct-to-door powerhouse Propain targets a younger audience, thus featuring bikes within this price segment in their lineup.

And then there’s our test bike, the Radon Slide Trail 8.0, straddling this price category. It has an MSRP of €2,999, yet it’s currently on offer for €900 less. Priced at €2,099, it’s a competitive option; however, purchasers must be aware that at this price point, some compromises are inevitable.

Don’t expect to see sleek carbon frames, electronic shifting systems, or blinged-out suspension kits in this price bracket. Even with the available features, corners are cut where possible. For instance, the rear shock lacks a piggyback reservoir, a component usually seen in bikes with this level of travel. But no hard feelings toward the product managers – they’re squeezing every ounce of value out of the tight budget.

The Radon Slide Trail AL is equipped with a current-gen SRAM 1×12 drivetrain. Sure, there are more premium versions out there, but it meets today’s standards. Magura brakes with four-piston calipers front and rear ensure top-notch stopping power.

The rubber comes from the top shelf of the German manufacturer Schwalbe, a clear sign that when it comes to specs, this bike saves money without cutting crucial corners, allocating the budget with deliberate precision.

Major, or even minor innovations are hard to come by on the aluminum frame of the Slide Trail. However, even at this price point, there is a design that stands out from the crowd and aligns with Radon’s corporate identity. This isn’t something to take for granted, as it certainly involves effort in manufacturing and design.

As for the rear suspension, the tried-and-true four-bar linkage is the system of choice. It’s possible to construct excellent kinematics with this setup. Larger pivot points could certainly enhance durability. Boutique manufacturers like Raaw excel in this regard. Radon, along with most other manufacturers, tend to simplify their approach at this juncture.

While the Pressfit bottom bracket is still a current standard, more and more manufacturers are moving away from it. Threaded BSA bottom brackets significantly increase serviceability for riders, which is why press-fit designs are increasingly falling out of favor. Altogether, the frame doesn’t show any weaknesses across disciplines. With a bit of dust on its finish, it still meets the expectations one might have in this price range. No more, no less.

One pill to swallow with budget-friendly bikes is usually a relatively high weight. At 34.4 pounds without pedals in size L, the Radon Slide Trail AL won’t be winning any climbing competitions. It’s in the same ballpark as much more downhill-focused and also significantly pricier bikes.

YT’s Jeffsy and Canyon Spectral, from our previous reviews, were almost twice the price of the Radon Slide Trail AL but weighed in similarly. You can climb with these bikes, but especially on longer ascents, you’ll need to pace yourself. The bonus with the Radon Slide Trail AL is that its rear suspension remains impressively calm even in open shock mode. However, a bike rocking 150mm upfront is clearly designed to thrill on the descents more than the climbs.

As the trail tips towards the valley, the weight becomes less of an issue and the Radon Slide unleashes its strengths. The blend of high-end tires and a robust suspension fork delivers ample front wheel grip. The brakes provide more than adequate stopping power, granting a reassuringly safe feel. The rear end, with its 140mm of travel, tends to reach its limits sooner than the fork during fast trail rides. When the going gets rough, it simply runs out of travel more quickly. Still, that’s a critique most riders can live with, as at a more reserved pace, it hardly becomes noticeable.

In recent years, the trend in geometry has leaned towards slacker head angles and longer reach measurements. Radon remains on the conservative side with a head angle of 65.6 degrees and a reach of 464 mm in size L. On the trail, the result is that the bike handles superbly even in tight terrain.

At high speeds in rough terrain, it lacks a bit of stability. It’s more of a corner slayer than a smooth operator, giving it a distinct personality. Many beginners, in particular, are likely to appreciate the direct handling.