Suspension/Chassis. Radon have opted for the hard to beat Fox 36 fork and Float X damper pairing on this bike and offering it up at 170mm travel. Cable routing is a mix of traditional external with a splash of internal, it’s all very neat, the cables are the correct length and all the fittings are of a high standard. The finish and build of the bike is excellent.

One of the Swoop’s major strengths lies in its adjustable geometry which makes it quite radical in comparison to many other bikes around the 160mm mark. With a head angle that varies between 64.8 – 65.8 degrees and a bottom bracket drop from -8 to -21 drop this bike is ripping up turns and charging downhill sections in the time you’ve spent wondering whether to hit the buy button. You mean you haven’t already? Then I suggest you do.

The bike comes in four sizes and five specifications starting at €1999 with the top of the range at €3799. This large has a 473mm reach which is spot on. Basically one of the longest, slackest, lowest 170mm bikes in existence.

Feeling. Blown away basically. So low, so slack, so balanced, and just a hooligan through and through. Unrestrained madness. There simply can be no measured remarks about this bike when the delivery is simply so flat out in its nature. Swoop cannot be more appropriate a name, its a bike that builds in momentum, driving confidence ever upwards.

It’s been said by another publication that its 32lb weight is ‘portly’ but this shows total cluelessness as to the bike’s nature, any lighter and the bike would probably loose its poise, and the reality is that 30lb is about average even for high price plastic on the market. The bike has a light ride character, is reasonably quiet and has excellent balance between flex and stiffness.

Out of the box we went straight for the low, slack setting and headed out on a four hour enduro loop. The lock out is strong allowing for relatively easy climbing and the gearing low enough even for some serious banks. The three setting geometry is a two minute affair needing a couple of allen keys and a star head screwdriver.

The cornering quality is insane, the balance pristine and its ability in tough terrain a dream to be involved in.

Limitations. We had a lower link bolt work its way loose and we needed to get more progression out of the damper as it pretty much had zero hold/support past ninety percent. We’ll be working on getting a better damper set up in the weeks ahead.