An endurance racer from Duderstadt: The Benotti Blade EDR put to the test

​The Blade EDR from Benotti is a robust pair of trainers with a sporty look and no frills. The Duderstadt-based brand has already made a name for itself in previous tests thanks to its good value for money, and this essentially applies to the Blade EDR as well, provided you’re looking for solid engineering rather than extravagance. The simply designed frame does not feature modern extras such as a storage compartment, mudguard mounts or luggage attachments, but with its UDH derailleur hanger and fully integrated cockpit, it is technically state-of-the-art.

Cleverly combined pieces

Our test bike is at the more affordable end of the price range in our comparison test, at around 4,000 euros, and is fitted with ‘just’ an average SRAM Rival drivetrain. In practical terms, this makes little difference; more expensive groupsets are primarily lighter. However, a high-quality carbon cockpit and lightweight wheels from the in-house AX-Lightness brand easily make up for the extra weight; at just over eight kilograms, the total weight is respectably low by comparison. This is all the more true when you look at the tyres: the 35-millimetre Conti tyres look strikingly voluminous; they bulge out to almost 38 millimetres on the rims and take the worry out of riding on any rough terrain. In the fitted all-season version, with additional puncture protection and a rubber compound for greater grip, they’re also completely worry-free.

The tyres also have a significant impact on the riding experience on the Blade EDR. Whilst they do not roll quite as quickly as their professional counterparts, their width and correspondingly low pressure provide a high level of comfort and confidence when cornering. With these tyres, the frame’s clearance is stretched to the limit; you can tell from the handling that the bike was originally designed for slightly narrower tyres. At low speeds, the Benotti is very responsive, feeling a little twitchy and wobbly. However, you can quickly get used to this and the bike remains easy to control in all situations; at high speeds, it tracks its course confidently.

Standard bike for its class, but with long handlebars

On paper, the riding position is typical for this class: comfortably upright, but not excessively so. However, once in the saddle, it’s noticeable how the handlebar set stretches the upper body. Combined with the fitted 3-centimetre spacers, the size 56 bike felt quite high and long to us testers (both 180 centimetres tall), so almost a bit too big. A size smaller would probably have suited us just as well; with a head tube two centimetres shorter, the riding position would be slightly more compact and sporty. Otherwise, the bike feels well-engineered and free of quirks; the SRAM gears do their job unobtrusively and the brakes perform superbly. We also really liked the saddle and the ergonomics of the handlebars.

Interesting additional offers

The fact that the frame set does not achieve top marks in the stiffness test detracts slightly from the overall rating, but this is not a major issue for riders of average weight and should not detract from the bike’s generally positive overall impression. As well as the Rival version, the bike is available at the same price with electronic Shimano 105 Di2. Cheaper, mechanical gear-shifting components are not available in the range. Higher-quality groupset options from SRAM and Shimano, as well as various wheel sets, are available as upgrades; the top-of-the-range models featuring Shimano’s Dura-Ace or SRAM Red AXS also seem fairly priced at 7,199 euros. The bikes are mainly sold via the online shop; apart from the head office in southern Lower Saxony, there are only dealers or service centres in Weiterstadt near Frankfurt and in Starnberg near Munich. Interesting additional options available at the time of purchase include finance schemes, comprehensive insurance and leasing deals, all of which can be arranged directly through Benotti. There is also a crash replacement scheme.