Radon SWOOP 170 10.0 Review
With 170 mm of travel, it wasn’t so long ago that the Radon SWOOP 170 would have easily passed as a purebred freeride bike, these long-travel machines were amazing downhill but stubborn beasts on the climbs. All that’s changed today, and it’s now the lightest bike in the test fleet with some viable long-travel cred. It’s time to deduce just how successfully it has gone from vicious to versatile.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: SOOOOO F#%$&NG ENDURO: 11 Enduro Bikes under € 4,000 in Review
With the SWOOP 170 10.0 tipping the scales at an impressive 13.34 kg, Radon have shown that carbon isn’t the only option (and that lightweight tires can make a big impact on the overall weight!). The SWOOP is definitely a long and slack beast, and even the medium-sized frame has a 460 mm reach, while the large measures 473 mm. The flip chip on the rear shock mount slackens the head angle from a slack 65.8° to an even slacker 64.8°. It retails at € 3,999 and delivers all the goods: there’s a SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain, equally high-end FOX Factory suspension, and covetable E13 TRS+ wheels.
Sitting up and spinning will surprise you with how willingly the Radon SWOOP 170 climbs, even with such long front and rear travel. The long frame and 60 mm stem lend it real comfort for jamming away all day. In its low geometry setting the big bottom bracket drop of 21 mm makes the bike really stable on descents, but if you’re climbing then make sure you’re picking a line far enough ahead on technical climbs so that the pedals won’t catch. Tilt down towards the valley floor and you’ll see the Radon set a benchmark at smooth downhill runs (tires aside).
You’ll have to shift your weight forwards while cornering, so less active riders would be better sticking to the steeper geometry setting. The Radon comes alive on wild and gnarly trails rather than sinuous singletrack thanks to its super-plush suspension.
The Radon SWOOP 170 10.0 in detail
Fork Fox 36 FLOAT Factory Kashima 170 mm
Shock Fox FLOAT X Factory Kashima 170 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide RS
Drivetrain SRAM X01 EAGLE
Seatpost Rock Shox Reverb Stealth
Stem Race Face Atlas 60 mm
Handlebar Race Face Atlas 800 mm
Tires Schwalbe Fat Albert
Wheelset E13 TRS+
There are three settings in total for the SWOOP’s geometry if you use the flip chip. Super-slack when it gets really technical, the middle setting for the majority of the time, and steep for… well, we didn’t use it.
The SRAM X01 Eagle is one of the best drivetrains around with super-precise shifting and a generous gear range.
It might not be the tidiest option for cable routing, but Radon’s decision to thread it along the top tube to the rear is definitely a bonus for a service.
The Schwalbe Fat Albert tire combination left us wanting more grip and better puncture resistance. The rear tire is also really noisy when traversing terrain.
The geometry of the Radon SWOOP 170 10.0
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube | 430 mm | 450 mm | 470 mm | 490 mm |
| Top Tube [A] | 580 mm | 597 mm | 614 mm | 631 mm |
| Head Angle [D] | 64.8 ° – 65.8 ° | 64.8 ° – 65.8 ° | 64.8 ° – 65.8 ° | 64.8 ° – 65.8 ° |
| Seat Angle [B] | 75 ° – 76 ° | 75 ° – 76 ° | 75 ° – 76 ° | 75 ° – 76 ° |
| Chainstays [C] | 429 mm | 429 mm | 429 mm | 429 mm |
| BB Drop [J] | 8 – 21 mm | 8 – 21 mm | 8 – 21 mm | 8 – 21 mm |
| Wheelbase [E] | 1187 mm | 1204 mm | 1222 mm | 1240 mm |
| Reach [G] | 443 mm | 460 mm | 473 mm | 487 mm |
| Stack [H] | 603 mm | 603 mm | 612 mm | 621 mm |
| Wheel Size [F] | 27.5″ | 27.5″ | 27.5″ | 27.5″ |
Conclusion
In its element on high-speed trails and rough and ready terrain, the Radon SWOOP 170 10.0 is well suited to dynamic riders who’ll unleash all its intoxicating potential. It’s a bike that just won’t be satiated with mellow, flowy trails, and it could be too much bike for less experienced riders to handle – especially in the slacker setting.
Strengths
– Very smooth
– Plush rear end
– High-end spec
Weaknesses
– Long stem
– Poor tire choice
– Needs muscle for maneuvering
For more info head to: radon-bikes.de!
The test fleet
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: SOOOOO F#%$&NG ENDURO: 11 Enduro Bikes under € 4,000 in Review
All bikes in test: Bergamont ENCORE 9.0 | Canyon Strive CF 7.0 Race | Giant Reign 1.5 LTD | Merida ONE-SIXTY 5000 | Propain Tyee CF Free | Rose UNCLE JIMBO 3 | Specialized Enduro Comp 29 | Trek Remedy 9 Race Shop Limited | VOTEC VE ELITE 2017 | YT CAPRA CF PRO