Yesterday we took a detailed look at the new light carbon Radon Jab full-suspension enduro bike. But that’s not all they have in store for 2018 mountain bikes. Radon also spent some good R&D time with their hardtail range. Expanding to the more affordable aluminum XC Jealous AL, a new plus-sized Cragger trail bike, and the DJ/slope style Slush, Radon’s hardtails have all sorts of riding covered…
2018 Jealous AL aluminum XC hardtail mountain bike
The new aluminum frame gets the same XC race geometry as the carbon bike introduced last year, paired to 100mm forks. That longer, slacker stances suits more technical XCO race courses, longer marathon racing, and even regular trail riding.
The Boost-spaced bike gets Size Split wheel diameters, so smaller frames fit 27.5″ wheels, and larger ones 29ers.
The alloy bike gets a healthy dose of hydroformed & butted tube shaping to look quite a bit like the carbon version. It even features flattened, flexing seatstays like the carbon bike for added comfort.
What’s different in the aluminum vs. carbon bikes?
The Jealous AL does differ some from the Jealous Carbon though. The alloy bike uses IS brake tabs on the chainstay vs. the carbon bike’s post mounts. The aluminum version also adds front derailleur compatibility with a high direct e-mount, and internal sideswing routing. It also mixes up cable routing overall, with external routing from the press fit bottom bracket to the back, plus stealth dropper routing.
2018 Cragger aluminum trail hardtail mountain bike
The Cragger is the latest in modern long-travel hardtails, pairing 130mm travel forks to a long & slack alloy frame ready to take on aggressive trail riding. The new bike searches for technical flow with its butted & gusseted 7071 aluminum frame with plenty of standover, a Boost rear end, and clearance for big 2.8″ 27.5+ tires.
The Cragger hardtail can run either 1x or 2x drivetrains thanks to a direct front derailleur mount & sideswing internal routing, or you can swap in a simple chain guide or opt for something more serious with its ISCG tabs. Like the Jealous AL, the Cragger gets internal routing up front, going external at the press fit BB, plus stealth dropper routing.
Complete bikes in three sizes will come spec’ed with 130mm forks and wide bars for control on tough trails.
Pricing for the 2018 Craggers starts at 1600€ and runs up to 2000€ once they are available at the start of the year. No work on whether a separate frame will also be offered, but Radon has played a bit with building bikes up beyond those stock builds, having fun with 140mm forks and by swapping in 29er wheelsets too.
2018 Slush aluminum slope style hardtail mountain bike
It’s hard to argue with an alloy hardtail for a dirt jumper or slope style bike. And that’s where Radon’s new Slush falls in. Ready for anything from 4X to pump tracks to proper tail whips, the light but beefy 6061 Slush is ready for takeoff.
The bike gets a tapered headtube to be paired with 100mm forks, and a stout boxy set of tubes from front to back. Radon gives the Slush a traditional threaded bottom bracket, plus a set of ISCG tabs. Cable routing is external & modular, so you can easily set it up with as much or as little drivetrain & brakes as your riding style dictates.
Out back there is a 12mm Maxle thru-axle in a set of slider dropouts, making the bike single speed friendly. No official word yet, but the bike looks to stick with 26″ wheels & non-Boost rear end spacing, and should come as a frame only next spring.
