Issue #047, Review - June 11, 2021

Propain Hugene 2021 in review – Off-the-peg uniqueness

“Tour, trail, all-mountain? What now? The new Hugene is the answer.” This is how direct-sales brand Propain promote the revised Hugene, claiming to have created the one bike to rule them all. Of course, this makes it the perfect candidate for our big mountain bike group test! But can it live up to Propain’s claims on the trail?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best mountainbike of 2021 – 22 models in review

**Propain** Hugene | 150/140 mm (f/r)
13.98 kg (size L) | € 7,203 | Manufacturer-website

Only a few weeks ago, Propain launched the revised version of their popular trail bike. In 2021, the Hugene comes with several major updates and a fresh new look, reminding us of its bigger siblings, the Tyee and Spindrift, despite sharing the same PRO10 suspension system of its predecessor. The entire Hugene range relies on a carbon frame with an alloy linkage, which can be personalised with different finishes and decals via Propain’s configurator. Here you can also pick the components to suit your preferences and budget. However, the 29″ frame in matte cream showed clear signs of wear only a short time into this test. The sealed pivot bearings offer additional protection from dust, grit and moisture and should ensure a long service life. Despite the elaborate PRO10 linkage, there’s enough room in the frame for a large water bottle and even a tool mount on the top tube. All cables run internally and are clamped down at the ports with rubber inserts. However, these tend to get dislodged from the ports and slide down the cable, spoiling the clean look of the bike and causing the cables to rattle against the frame. On rough descents, the chain joins in the bothersome rattle concert with a loud metallic slap solo, bashing against the elaborate chainstay protector made of very hard plastic. As a result the Hugene is one of the loudest bikes we’ve tested in a long time. On the downtube, a TPU plate helps protect the frame from stray rocks.

Off-the-peg uniqueness – The custom spec of our Propain Hugene

The Hugene is available in three pre-configured builds, but you can customise almost every detail of any build to suit your preferences. Our 13.98 kg test bike is based on the € 7,203 high-end model and features a few cheeky upgrades. First and foremost, we replaced the standard 140 mm FOX 34 FIT4 fork with a 150 mm FOX 36 with the GRIP2 damper. The extra centimetre of travel, burlier stanchions and superior damping unit come at an extra charge of € 355. At the rear, a FOX Factory DPX2 shock controls 140 mm travel. Shifting is taken care of by a SRAM XX1 AXS 12-speed drivetrain with 10–52 t cassette while SRAM G2 Ultimate brakes with 200 mm brake rotors front and rear do stopping duties. Unlike other SRAM brakes, the G2 Ultimate model features lighter carbon levers and stylish titanium screws. Together with the big 200 mm rotors, they offer more consistent performance than most other G2 brakes in test, but on long rides they quickly reach their limits, requiring strong fingers – especially with heavy riders.

With its countless individualisation options, Propain’s online configurator allows you to tailor the components and design to your preferences and budget. Unfortunately, there are no narrower handlebars to choose from in the configurator. In this regard, there’s definitely some room for improvement.

For the dropper post, we opted for a 185 mm BikeYoke REVIVE. All levers and remotes are attached to wide (and very stiff) 805 mm SIXPACK Millenium carbon handlebars. Here, it would be great to get a few narrower options in the configurator, because even at 190 cm tall, 805 mm is pretty extreme for a trail bike and cutting down the bars would only make them stiffer. For the tires, Propain rely on a capable combination with a Schwalbe Magic Mary at the front and Big Betty on the rear, both on the soft ADDIX rubber compound and Super Trail casing. While the former combines outstanding grip and decent rolling resistance, the latter strikes a great balance between puncture protection and low weight – a great compromise given the Hugene’s area of application. Awesome! The robust casing also helps protect the NEWMAN Advanced SL A.30 carbon wheels, which are under constant threat on the RAAW Jibb.

**What’s the use?**
We can only assume that the rubber inserts are intended to sit in the cable ports. Unfortunately, they won’t stay there for long!

**Jackpot**
That’s how we like our tires. Robust casing and decent amounts of grip! Here Propain have done everything right. The Schwalbe tires with their Super Trail casing strike a great balance between puncture protection and low weight.

**Loud, louder, Hugene…**
The chainstay protector is too hard and produces a loud and very annoying metallic slapping noise. We recommend using a generous portion of mastic tape.

Propain Hugene

€ 7,203

Specifications

Fork FOX 36 Factory 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX DPX2 Factory 140 mm
Seatpost BikeYoke REVIVE 185 mm
Brakes SRAM G2 Ultimate 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 1x12
Stem SIXPACK Millenium 45 mm
Handlebar SIXPACK Millenium805 Carbon 805 mm
Wheelset NEWMEN Advanced SL A.30 29"
Tires Schwalbe Big Betty/Magic Mary Super Trail ADDIX Soft 2.4

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 13.98 kg

Specific Features

Configuratior

**Elaborate**
While some rear suspension systems are pretty easy to understand, Propain’s PRO10 kinematics requires a good portion of imagination. That being said, on the trail they ensure great propulsion.

**Punting pole**
The 805 mm SIXPACK handlebars are too wide and pull your weight over the front. On top of that, they’re extremely stiff and become even stiffer if you cut them down. Unfortunately, the configurator doesn’t give you any reasonable alternatives.

**Scratchcard**
Did we win anything? Unfortunately, not! Nevertheless, we were curious to see what hides underneath the paint because it comes off very easily.

**Orange is the new black**
Providing 10mm more travel than all other alternatives, the elegant FOX 36 GRIP2 fork offers 150 mm travel. Unfortunately, it’s also the only FOX with the superior GRIP2 damper available in Propain’s configurator.

The geometry of the Propain Hugene

The Propain Hugene is available in four sizes from S to XL, offering a suitable option for riders from 158 to 202 cm tall. Reach is 476 mm which, combined with a 634 mm stack and 450 mm seat tube, ensures sufficient freedom of movement. The straight seat tube allows for full insertion of the dropper and thus offers good freedom of movement when standing. At 445 mm across the board, the chainstays are amongst the longest in test. The Hugene is also one of the bikes with the slackest head angle, which sits at 65.1° with our 150 mm fork. While the 76.1° seat angle puts a lot of pressure on your hands on flat trails, it ensures an optimal and upright pedalling position on steep climbs, making the Hugene an eager climber on any terrain. The rear end always remains responsive even with the shock fully open, efficiently converting the rider’s input into propulsion. Nevertheless, the Hugene has to admit defeat to our climbing king, the Yeti SB115, on very technical and rough climbs. With the chain under tension, the rear end stiffens up excessively, causing the rear wheel to get stuck on steps and ledges. When setting off from a standstill and negotiating steps and obstacles, the riding behaviour of the Hugene reminds us of a hardtail, even with the shock fully open.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	400 mm	425 mm	450 mm	480 mm
Top tube	578 mm	605 mm	632 mm	660 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm
Head angle	65.1°	65.1°	65.1°	65.1°
Seat angle	76.1°	76.1°	76.1°	76.1°
Chainstays	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
BB Drop	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm
Wheelbase	1,188 mm	1,217 mm	1,246 mm	1,275 mm
Reach	426 mm	451 mm	476 mm	501 mm
Stack	616 mm	625 mm	634 mm	644 mm

**Helmet** POC Kortal Race MIPS | **Glasses** 100% Glendale | **Hippack** USWE Zulo 2
**Jacket** Patagonia Classic Retro-X Shell-Trimmed Fleece Gilet | **Shirt** Second Hand flanell shirt
**Shorts** POC Resistance Shorts | **Kneepads** POC Joint VPD System Knee
**Shoes** Ride Concepts Men’s Transition Clipless

The Propain Hugene on the trail

Point its nose downhill and the Hugene will make itself heard – literally! If the Hugene were a movie, loud chain slap and rattling cables would be its soundtrack. On rough descents, the Hugene requires a high level of concentration and careful line choice to stay on track. Even with minor impacts, such as rocks and root-carpets, the very stiff front end makes the bike feel twitchy and akin to a pinball machine on wheels. With its stiff components, the cockpit passes on hits and knocks to your body almost unfiltered, requiring extremely fast reactions. Rough trails can be extremely challenging and push you to the limits regardless of your skills. Here, bikes like the Canyon Spectral and Nukeproof Reactor are a lot smoother and more forgiving of mistakes. The excessively wide handlebars pull your weight far over the front end, making the Hugene feel nervous at high speeds and requiring an active and vigilant riding style where not even the extra-long chainstays seem to help.

he Propain Hugene is one of the best climbers in this test. With the shock fully open, the neutral pedalling suspension efficiently transfers power to the ground. When riding over steps and ledges, you’ll have to time your pedal strokes carefully to take tension off the chain.

Tuning-Tipps: for more compliance, choose an alloy wheelset from the configurator|narrower handlebars (unfortunately not an option in the configurator)|heavy riders should choose more powerful brakes from the configurator – i.e. Formula Cura 4 (same price)|mastic tape on the chainstay protector

With slow riding manoeuvres and big compressions, the extreme stiffness is an advantage, allowing you to carve through corners as if on rails and preventing the bike from jiggling and flexing, even with harsh bottom outs. All in all, the Propain Hugene is lots of fun on flowing trails, where the agile handling reminds us of the YT IZZO. On built tracks with berms and jumps, the Hugene offers tons of support and always carries good speed because the suspension never sinks into its travel. In combination with the low weight, this allows you to pump through rollers and clear doubles with very little effort.

Riding Characteristics

Uphill

sluggish
efficient

Agility

cumbersome
playful

Stability

nervous
confident

Handling

demanding
balanced

Suspension

harsh
plush

Fun Factor

planted
poppy

Value for money

terrible
very good

Intended Use

XC

Trail

Enduro

Downhill

Conclusion

With countless individualisation options to choose from, Propain’s online configurator allows you to pick your components to suit your preferences, riding style and budget. Uphill, the Hugene is a rocket and masters steep ramps without breaking a sweat. However, rough descents can be challenging even for experienced riders, because the super stiff front end feels as twitchy as a pinball machine. Riding fast can be mentally tiring and requires good riding skills. That said, the Hugene is great fun at moderate speeds and on flow trails, where the supportive suspension helps you maintain your speed and encourages you to pull off ledges.

Tops

very extensive configurator
a real rocket uphill

Flops

demanding downhill
very loud downhill
poor paint quality

Mehr Informationen findet ihr unter propain-bikes.com

The testfield

Get an overview of the grouptest here: The best mountainbike of 2021 – 22 models in review

This scale indicates how efficiently the bike climbs. It refers to both simple and technical climbs. Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role.↩
How does the bike ride and descend? How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction?↩
Is the bike stable at high speeds? Is it easy to stay in control in demanding terrain? How composed is it on rough trails? Stability is a combination of balanced geometry, good suspension and the right spec.↩
This is all about how balanced the bike is and particularly about how well it corners. Balanced bikes require little physical effort from the rider and are very predictable. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes.↩
How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension.↩
This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the rider’s input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike?↩
We don’t calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. What good are the best components if the bike doesn’t perform well on the trail? Expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer very good value for money – provided they excel where it matters. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail.↩
No, it’s not about racing, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
...also known as mountain biking. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges – sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. For this, you need a bike with good all-round qualities, whether climbing or descending. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50↩
Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldn’t look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. Climbing is just a means to an end. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70↩
Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, it’s the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Climbing? On foot or with a shuttle, please! Uphill-downhill ratio: 10:90↩
You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩

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