At the end of the summer we got a first look at a masked prototype of Radon’s latest lightweight carbon enduro bike. Now more details are out on the new Jab, and we take a closer look at the new trail slayer…
2018 Radon Jab, 160mm carbon enduro mountain bike
Radon is calling the Jab’s suspension layout a concealed Horst Link design, thanks to the chainstay & main rocker arm pivots being obscured (and accessed from the backside.)
Developed as the next evolution of Radon’s EWS-winning Slide Carbon 160 enduro bike, the new Jab takes the bike’s detailing and geometry to another level, in a lighter & stiffer package. Oddly enough, Radon still hasn’t officially announced what they are suggesting is 160mm of rear wheel travel for the new 27.5″ carbon enduro mountain bike.
Updated enduro geometry
Longer, slacker. Geometry-wise the Jab lengthens its wheelbase, while keeping short 427mm chainstays. Then, a slacked out head angle and a lower bottom bracket come together to increase its descending prowess.
A set of flip chips at the top of the seatstays give riders the option to fine tune the angles a bit more than half a degree to individual riding style, going between a 65.2º/65.8º headtube and 74.6º/75.2º seattube.
Tech details
The bike gets full internal cable routing, with locking inlets to minimize rattling. Interestingly the Jab is even compatible with double chainring setups. Even while 1x drivetrains have dominated, Radon built in front derailleur compatibility for the Jab with a low e-mount hanger at the BB and internal sideswing routing.
Of course the bike takes advantage of the latest standard like metric shocks, with a trunnion mount for smoother stroke and to fit a larger air can in the frame.
It also gets a Boost spaced rear end, and a press fit bottom bracket with ISCG mounts.
Most light carbon bikes get built in protection, and the Jab is no exception. Radon integrated a permanent downtube rock guard, plus heel protection on both chainstays, and an anti-chain slap protector.
The Jab will soon be available in three complete bikes from the most affordable 3600€ bike up to this top-end 5000€ build with X01 Eagle and e*thirteen rolling stock. We still don’t have any update on what Radon had claimed as a 10kg/22lb complete bike weight, though.
