2021 RADON SWOOP

This modern-classic enduro bike becomes even more competitive in one fell Swoop

For 2021, Radon’s impressive Swoop 170 has received a major overhaul that brings this top-rated enduro bike bang up to date. The new Swoop shares the same hard-charging, ride-anything-and-everything DNA that propelled its predecessor to numerous accolades and rave reviews – including our coveted Bike of the Year title in 2017 and the runner-up spot in 2018 – but the frame design, linkage and suspension kinematics are all-new.

Perhaps the biggest change is that the new Swoop has a carbon fibre front triangle, mated with aluminium rear stays. Radon have plenty of experience with carbon from their Slide Trail and Jab ranges, and this new frame follows the brand’s sleek and sharp design lines.

Shock tactics

Also new is the position of the rear shock. Radon say the suspension was due an update, and while the frame still uses a four-bar linkage to deliver its bump-swallowing 170mm of travel, the damper is now mounted horizontally instead of vertically. Radon explain that there’s enough built-in progressivity to run a coil shock should you wish to really push the downhill limits of this enduro bike, although all three stock builds come with air-sprung shocks.

The new frame loses the Swoop 170’s three-position flip-chip, but comes with adjustable headset cups to change the head angle from an enduro-friendly 65 degrees to a full-bore 63.5 degrees. It’s still available in three sizes, but Radon have made this 29er available to a broader range of riders by increasing the difference in reach between each size,

from 450mm on the medium to 490mm on the extra-large. Relatively short 438mm chain-stays should keep the Swoop agile and lightning-fast in corners, while still planted and stable over rough ground. The 76-degree effective seat angle ought to keep you comfortable as you climb to smash out another descent.

Top value

Spec-wise, all three carbon Swoops offer impressive value for money, with prices starting from just 2,999 (plus shipping), for the 9.0 model pictured above. This is decked out with ready-to-rip components, including a SRAM Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, a RockShox Lyrik Select fork and Super Deluxe Select+ piggyback shock, plus powerful Magura MT5 brakes, DT Swiss’s reliable E 1900 Spline wheels keep the bike rolling on top-spec Schwalbe Magic Mary ADDIX Soft and Hans Dampf ADDIX Speedgrip tyres. Finishing kit from top brands including Race Face, MRP and SDG should mean that no terrain will hold you back, whether you’re racing for the finish line or just trying to get the edge on your mates.