The new Cirex has a few special features. The pivot point on the rear triangle has been removed and replaced by a flexibly shaped carbon layup, causing the seat stays to bend upwards. This saves weight and ensures greater torsional rigidity of the rear end.
Stainless steel protectors on the inside of the chainstays prevent dirt and stones transported by the tire from damaging the frame. Another highlight is the rotating cable guide on the main bearing. This prevents cable movement during compression. This ensures optimum shifting and prevents the cable housing from rubbing against the frame.

As with all Simplon models, the Cirex can be customized at your specialist dealer or via the online configurator.

We asked Simplon what the three most important features of the Cirex are:

1. The reduced, clear design language of the frame (no design frills) ensures low weight and high rigidity at the same time.
The geometry sharpens the propulsive race character of the Cirex and brings handling and smoothness into optimum balance.
2. An ingenious cable management system on the frame ensures a tidy look, minimal cable movement during compression and saves weight at the same time. On the head tube, the cables run directly into the headset thanks to the Smart Headset and the patented Center Cable Guide guides the cables from the main frame to the rear triangle directly via the pivot point of the main bearing.

Statement from: Rainer Sebal, Head of R&D/Product Manager, Simplon Fahrrad GmbH

Special features

• Flexing chainstays
• Cable housing guide on the main bearing
• Brake cable and shift cable routing through the headset
• Stainless steel protectors in the bottom bracket area
• Steering stop
• Remote lockout of the suspension

On the flat

The riding position in size M is somewhere between slightly stretched and sporty. Accordingly, it pedals well and with a lot of propulsion. The light weight of 11.1 kilos contributes to this. The Cirex provides good directional stability and is still agile around tight courses, but with a tendency towards nervousness. The faster you ride, the more pleasant the steering behavior

Uphill

Here you can feel the cross-country genes of the bike. You leave the altitude meters behind you at high speed. On asphalt climbs or sprints, you can lock out the suspension with a single grip. The Cirex is well balanced, but on technical climbs, the rear is a little insensitive and doesn't follow the front quite as smoothly.

Downhill

On open trails, the bike steers precisely and always tracks true. The handling is agile, but you are well advised to adjust the rebound of the suspension carefully. Just a few clicks change the performance and the bike becomes unstable. Once you have found your setup, the faster the better, and here too the race DNA of the Cirex shines through. The firm rear end is well suited to pushing off on jumps, and the bike takes to the air with corresponding ease. Landing, however, is a little hard.

Conclusion

The downcountry version of the Simplon Cirex is a successful variant for those who wear wide pants when cross-country biking and like to let it rip downhill. The bike is just as suitable for a quick after-work ride as it is for a marathon race or a transalp with lots of elevation and Elevation loss. Thanks to its low weight, it rides lively and goes downhill well. In terms of character, this bike is clearly a cross-country bike with more suspension travel and not a short-travel trail bike.

Recommendation

To give the Cirex a little more downhill performance and increase riding comfort, we recommend fitting 2.35 tires with good damping. Wider tires cannot be fitted due to the narrow rear triangle.

Geometry

All data here: Link

Manufacturer/distribution

www.simplon.com

Test report published in issue 03/2021 of Ride magazine