2016 aluminium vs carbon test: Radon - Radon Ignite Ultegra Light vs Sage Carbon

Radon Ignite Ultegra Light (photo above)

If you are looking for a decidedly robust, easy-to-maintain bike, friends of light metal will find what they are looking for at the Bonn-based mail order company H&S. The deep black anodised frame with external brake and gear cables looks rather plain, but turns out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing on the test bench. At 1,205 grams in size 58 with top stiffness values, it is technically one of the best aluminium frames of recent years. The clean, very even weld seams also show that this is not just any cheap frame. The relatively short head tube and the 120 millimetre stem give you a sporty, stretched position. The thick Syntace handlebars, whose top bar is slightly bent towards the rider, offer a perfect grip. Thanks to easy-rolling 25 mm Schwalbe tyres and a Syntace carbon seat post, the bike gives a better impression of comfort than the measured values would suggest. The impeccable equipment with complete Ultegra and stable, but rather heavy DT Swiss wheels round off the good impression.

CONCLUSION More understatement is hardly possible: technically very good aluminium frame for a sporty, stretched seating position. High-quality and durable equipment. Easy to maintain thanks to external cables

OVERALL SCORE 1.9

Price 1,499 Euro
Weight 7.9 kilos
Info www.radon-bikes.de
Available via mail order

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1,205/397/74 grammes
Frame sizes** 53, 56, 58, 60, 62 cm
Seat/top tube/head tube 565/560/161 mm
Stack/Reach*** 563/390 mm/1.44

Equipment

Drive Shimano Ultegra (50/34 t.; press-fit)
Brakes/gears Shimano Ultegra
Wheels/Tyres**** DT Swiss R24 Spline/Schwalbe One 25C (v/h: 1,234/1,707 grams)

Radon Sage Carbon

With its solid carbon frame and high-quality equipment, the Sage Carbon is a fair offer. In contrast to the other racing bike models from H&S's own brand, which are all designed for racing, the bike allows a relatively comfortable riding position suitable for long distances; however, it is not yet possible to speak of marathon geometry. The very stiff and therefore stable frame also makes the bike interesting for heavy riders. External shift cables are now rare, so those who want to do their own shifting will probably appreciate this. A complete Ultegra in combination with a carbon frame is otherwise only available at this price level from the competition via mail order. Good but narrow 23 mm Schwalbe tyres make the bike feel a little harder on the saddle than the aluminium Ignite. The grippy, thickly wrapped Syntace handlebars effectively compensate for the hardness of the stiff fork. The heavy fork also negates the potential weight advantage over the Ignite. In the end, the carbon bike is even 100 grams heavier. The toughest competition for the Sage is therefore not from competitor models, but from its own rivals.

CONCLUSION Good frame set, easy to maintain, high-quality equipment, fairly priced. The geometry enables a balanced, more comfort-orientated riding position

OVERALL SCORE 1.9

Price 1,599 Euro
Weight 8.0 kilos
Info www.radon-bikes.de
Available via mail order

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1,173/517/78 grammes
Frame sizes** 53, 56, 58, 60, 62 cm
Seat/top tube/head tube 545/560/170 mm
Stack/Reach*** 567/385 mm/1.47

Equipment

Drive Shimano Ultegra (50/34 t.; press-fit)
Brakes/gears Shimano Ultegra
Wheels/Tyres**** DT Swiss R24 Spline/Schwalbe One 23C (v/h: 1,181/1,677 grams)

*Weighed weights.
**Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
***Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright riding position.
****Wheel weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if applicable.

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