Bicycles

On test: Syrah FRW 29"

Details

Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: FRW

Published on Monday, 03 January 2011 06:18

Written by Luca Salvatelli

A good bike to start with 29"

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We have already analyzed the frame Syrah, is the occasion of his presentation and the subsequent first test. Refer readers to previous articles for further analysis of the bike. The bike test is the cheapest model, assembled with Shimano Deore/Alivio 9v. The fork is a Manitou Tower, with a lockout. The FSA is the headset, as the stem and the handlebar, all aluminum. The wheels are assembled with Shimano Deore hubs and Mavic rims, while Aka Geax tires are 29". The saddle is a Selle Italy Q-bik xc flow. The knobs are Ritchey. The group is adopted for the Alivio front derailleur, controls, 11-34 sprocket, the crank and chain. The rear derailleur is XT. Disc brakes Hayes Stroker Ryde. The bike is available in four sizes and the only white. It has a weight of 12.8 kg, as observed with our instrumentation.

The road test

Syrah 29" bike is a well-assembled, if not excels in finishing. The list price, medium/low, has imposed a number of choices. So the group is a mix of Shimano Alivio and XT, while it is preferred FSA to adopt low-end components. Discrete assembled on wheels Shimano hubs and seat. More and components on top, but proportionate to the cost of the bike. Heyes Always good brakes. The total weight of the bike is influenced by these choices, is not competitive èin absolute terms, but for the price range is fair. lacks the chain and beat some protection to the sides of the frame at the points of contact with the cables. Good endowments of the bottle cage, water bottle and the pedals, often absent in other products. The structure is in the saddle to take a position of perfect control of the bike. Good ergonomics and comfort offered to the fold of the saddle, not light, but comfortable. On The Move will understand well the characteristics of this Mtb with 29" wheels. The weight of the bike and the wheels do not allow exceptional performance, especially under acceleration out of slow corners or uphill. Good choice of gear ratios allows agile ride in most conditions, but when the slope of the road is over 10% the weight of the bike is felt. In less demanding courses with a flat bottom and emerge the positive characteristics of the 29-inch wheels. Stability is excellent and is easy to maintain high speeds through the gyroscopic effect of wheels. In turn, the behavior is accurate and secure. The handling is not great, good for a bike with 29 inch wheels, but in tight corners can be difficult. Very good, however, the behavior in the fast corners, where you can enjoy a high traveling speed, stability and steering precision. Thanks to 29 inch wheels you can lose a little speed in the fast corners, being able to quickly return to a high speed. The tires Vittoria provide optimal performance on hard and compact, the one preferred by bicycle, while the rope soon show up funds slow and muddy. Good fork and brakes, adjustable. Then, on hard, compact and fast, the bike is very competitive. Instead, when the route becomes more technical limits begin to emerge from this model. The weight is high, reduced handling and heavy wheels do not allow for high performance. All aspects of the typical 29-inch bike. In addition it should be stressed that this model is meant to be an entry level bike and not a specialized mtb hard. Good ride comfort, thanks to the 29-inch wheels. In conclusion, a good bike if brought on routes that are more congenial: fast, with little technical and sweeping curves. It is not intended or designed for the players. Not to be disappointed, therefore, should be well analyzed the use that we want to do: it can be a good choice, or a total disappointment.

Price
The bike test will cost about 1250 Euro, a good price that takes into account the savings made during assembly. To consider the complete kit (pedals, bottle cage).

Positive aspects

Good build quality
Comfort
Versatility of use
Adjustable brake

Negative aspects
Weight
Lack beat chain

The report card
Quality 7.5 (hard to do better at this price level)
Stiffness 7.5 (a good frame, perfect for its intended use, not racing mtb)
Comfort 8.5 (the best feature of the bike)
Stability 9 (the steering remains stable even at high speeds)
Manageability 8 (not fast to fit into tight corners)
Braking 8 (a good compromise between power and modulation)
Weight 6.5 (not just your weight, even considering the 29 ")
Price 8.5 (the bike has a competitive cost, pity about the mix of components)

Read more:
FRW
Website: www.frwbike.it