The Radon Jab 10.0 in the fact check

Out of the shipping box, onto the assembly stand. The angular, matt black full carbon frame, peppered with a few shiny elements, appeals to us straight away. The only color elements that stand out are the Kashima-coated sliding surfaces of the Fox 36 Float fork, the Float X2 shock and the Transfer seatpost, also from Fox.
The cables and lines are very neatly routed and disappear inside the frame wherever possible. The easily accessible FlipChip, with which the geometry can be adjusted by 0.6 degrees, is located on the rear triangle. The Sram X01 Eagle does the shifting work, and the powerful Sram Code RSC 4-piston brakes are installed to match.

E*thirteen (TRS+) supplies the aluminum wheels on which Schwalbes Magic Mary tires are mounted at the front and Schwalbes Hans-Dampf tires (Addix-Soft) at the rear using the tubeless method. Race Face contributes handlebars (Next R, 780mm wide, 20mm rise) and stem (Turbine R, 40mm). The saddle and grips come from SDG.

A look at the geometry data of the Jab 10.0 (frame size 20", L) shows us that Radon has sought a good compromise between smoothness and agility. The 428 millimeter short chainstays and the rather short head tube stand for agility. The slack head angle (65.2 or 65.8 degrees, depending on the FlipChip setting on the rear triangle), the moderately long 620 millimeter top tube, the moderate 622 reach and a wheelbase of 1215 millimeters ensure a smooth ride. Thanks to the seat angle of 74.6 or 75.2 degrees (FlipChip) and a low total weight of 13.69 kilograms including pedals, even longer climbs should not be a problem with the Jab.

The good spec leaves almost nothing to be desired, so we can hardly wait to chase the Jab over the trails.

The Radon Jab 10.0 in the field test

The test lap for the Jab is a tough one, with 1,425 vertical meters to climb over 24 kilometers and then immediately destroy again. At the beginning, the forest road is still on the friendly side, with a gradient of eight to ten percent, which is ideal for getting used to the bike and familiarizing ourselves with the Jab. The riding position is pleasantly upright and you immediately feel comfortable on the carbon bike. The precise gear changes with the Sram X01 are a real pleasure. Thanks to the comparatively low weight, you can also make rapid progress uphill. In the very steep sections that follow, the rear end always bobs noticeably and you sag a little in the suspension travel. A shock with a lock-out lever would provide a remedy, which is unfortunately not fitted to our test bike. Recommendation: only order with a platform shock.

The low stack ensures that our front wheel does not lose contact with the ground, even on this steep terrain and despite the short chainstays. As we pedal at full speed, our heels occasionally graze the very wide rear triangle, which is a little annoying. Fortunately, thanks to the rubber protectors, there are no unsightly scuff marks. Overall, however, we are more than satisfied with the uphill performance of the Jab, after all, we are on an enduro bike and not a cross-country file.

Full of anticipation, we plunge into the downhill, the Jab's showpiece discipline. It quickly becomes apparent that the bike is more agile and playful than expected. It masters tight hairpin bends with an ease that we are more used to from trail bikes. This playfulness on flowing and slower sections comes at the expense of smoothness on very steep and rough terrain. Here we have to work a lot harder than we are used to on other enduro bikes due to the front-heavy riding position. The Fox fork and shock work together excellently, provided that you first familiarize yourself with the numerous settings they offer. The Sram Code RSC brakes are at their best on long downhill sections and didn't let us down even during the hardest continuous braking. By the way, you can safely leave a bell at home, the loud buzzing e*thirteen rear hub will announce your arrival soon enough.

Conclusion

Whether in the bike park or crossing the Alps, the Jab can do it all and looks great too! We don't see the Radon Jab 10.0 as a thoroughbred enduro bike, but it is an excellent all-rounder with an enormously wide range of uses. It shines with its playful handling and is easy on the pedals thanks to its low weight. The design and features are top-notch, and the price is hardly worth mentioning.

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