€5799

When developing the Radon Render platform, Radon took the bold decision to break direct sales ranks and go with the Gen 4 Bosch Performance Line CX motor. And it’s paid off in spades. Not only is the 85Nm Bosch system noticeably more powerful than the Shimano units used by other brands, the instant engagement and increased overrun of the motor opens up lines and technical climbs that are simply out of reach on the Shimano equipped bikes.

Read more: Best electric mountain bikes, E-Bike of the Year

Radon Render 10.0 e-bike review

The Bosch system’s not perfect though. The Kiox display that sticks out behind the handlebar, and doubles as an electronic key, is too easily knocked off with a knee or in a crash, and if you lose it in the bracken it could mean a long walk home and £175 for a replacement. So maybe a lanyard that anchors the display to the handlebars would be a good idea.

Factory-level Fox shock could use a lighter damping tune

Suspension

One key change to the specification that impacts the geometry of the Render in a positive way is the addition of a 160mm Fox 36 suspension fork. Last year’s bike had a 150mm RockShox Pike, so the 2021 bike is a touch slacker which helps load the response 140mm rear travel (we measured 134mm) better. The FIT4 damper in the Fox 36 is a notch or two above the basic Grip 1 Fox units, both in terms of support and control, so you don’t need to stuff it full of volume spaces to keep it riding high in the travel.

Radon has gone all in on the rear shock too, the Kashima-coated Factory level Fox DPX2 sporting a three position threshold adjuster and independent low-speed compression and rebound adjustment. All of these dials are wasted on the Radon however, as we ran all of the adjusters in the fully-open positions. Which is why we’d like to see Radon use a lighter shock tune, that way riders could use all of the available adjustment to dial in the damping to their preferred setup.

Bosch Gen 4 motor offers next-level power and control

Components

If there’s one component that’s of critical importance on a 24kg bike it’s disc brakes. And again Radon has nailed it, the Magura MT5s offering sublime modulation that’s backed up by generous stopping power. The only issue is that the integrated shifter mount does not have radial adjustment, so if you run the brake levers flat, the SRAM X9 shifter is too far under the bar to reach comfortably. The Schwalbe Magic Mary/Big Betty tyre combo is great too, the reinforced Super Trail casing offering additional pinch flat protection, but it still wasn’t enough to stop us putting a big flat spot in the lightweight DT Swiss H1700 rear rim. Also, if you’re looking for increased range, not increased traction, we suggest swapping the Soft ADDIX compound rear tyre for one of Schwalbe’s faster rolling ADDIX Speedgrip options.

Down tube conceals 625Wh PowerTube battery

Performance

There’s nothing extreme about the Radon Render 10.0 other than its competitive pricing. The geometry is not the longest, lowest or slackest, and it doesn’t have a ton to travel either, but none of that stops you being able to shred hard on the Render. With 29in wheels at both ends it carries speed incredibly well and still knows how to let its hair down when it comes time to party.

The extra support in the Fox 36 FIT4 fork really helps offset the forward weight bias that goes hand in hand with the long 458mm chain stays, and it’s only really super steep, rowdy descents that upset the balance of the Randon. With a lighter shock tune you could probably offset that to some degree and really let the Render run.

€5799