What would Michael Vaillant have to say about the new Radon? After all, the namesake of the competition bike, a racing car driver from a French-Belgian cult comic, has a penchant for fast bikes by profession. The latest generation of the Vaillant is said to be the most aerodynamic racing bike that the Bonn-based direct seller has ever put on its tyres.
Radon Vaillant: The most important facts
- Weight: 7.5 to 8.3 kilos
- Stack/Reach/STR: 557/396 millimetres/1.41 (size 56)
- Maximum tyre clearance: 30 millimetres
- Frame sizes: 47, 50, 53, 56, 59
- Prices: 2999 to 4499 Euro
To achieve this goal, Radon has revised the frameset and favoured angular tube cross-sections. The new model differs from its predecessor, particularly on the down tube and seat tube, and the carbon seat post also picks up on the design. Overall, however, the Vaillant remains true to its design language and is based on aerodynamically optimised race all-rounders. Another new feature is a fully integrated carbon cockpit. On the one hand, this should improve the aero performance, as the old model had a clamped Newmen handlebar with external cable routing. On the other hand, the Vaillant gives up the relatively simple maintenance.
Radon did not provide any information on aero performance at the launch. The predecessor with extremely flat Mavic wheels landed at 225 watts, with our fast reference wheelset (Zipp 404) the Radon achieved 217 watts in the GST wind tunnel, which places it in the densely stacked field of all-round models. The fastest aero experts need less than 210 watts in the TOUR test to overcome their own air resistance at 45 km/h.
Equipment and prices
The more striking unique selling point of the Vaillant is the price: All three equipment variants are available for well under 5000 euros, which is an absolute rarity in the competition bike segment. In return, all models come with the latest electric drivetrains from Shimano and SRAM. The versions with 105 Di2 and Ultegra Di2 are aimed at amateur athletes thanks to mountain-compatible gear ratios, while the top model with Force AXS and professional gearing is aimed at racers.
According to the manufacturer, the complete bikes weigh between 7.5 and 8.3 kilograms. The difference in weight is mainly due to the wheels; only the top model has a set of carbon rims. The maximum tyre clearance is 30 millimetres, and the Radon rolls on 28-millimetre Continental tyres as standard. There is a choice of five frame sizes, and each equipment variant also comes with its own paint finish.
Vaillant 8.0
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
- Impellers: DT Swiss AR 1600 Spline
- Tyres: Continental Grand Sport Race (28 mm)
- Weight: 8.25 kilos
- Price: 2999 Euro
Vaillant 9.0
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
- Impellers: Fulcrum Racing 400
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000 (28 mm)
- Weight: 7.75 kilos
- Price: 3499 Euro
Vaillant 10.0
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force AXS (2x12; 50/37, 10-36 t.)
- Impellers: Mavic Cosmic SL 45
- Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000 (28 mm)
- Weight: 7.50 kilos
- Price: 4499 Euro
Julian Schultz
Editor
