Bicycles

On test: FRW Eldorado XTR

Details

Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: FRW

Published on Monday, 11 January 2010 07:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

A high quality mountain bikes, born to the competitions, but which satisfies in full the amateur

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The bike FRW Eldorado is not new in 2010, presented last year was confirmed at the top of the range from FRW mtb for this season. The frame, monocoque carbon fiber, has a fine surface finish 1K High Modulus carbon with large cross-section tubes. The triangle of the frame is compact, thanks to a sloping accentuated, and with a short head tube, but the generous section. Abundant also the area of the central movement, as well as the rear frame made of large tubes from different sections according to the various areas. The front of the tube is protected by a transparent adhesive film, as well as tubes of the rear frame have a visible protection to avoid contact with the chain. The bike, in the sample in our possession, is assembled with full Shimano XTR group (controls, crank, chain, sprocket, rear and front derailleur), including disc brakes and pedals. Stem, handlebar and seatpost are all Ritchey WCS series, in aluminum, but very light and stiff. The saddle is a Selle Italia SLR Flow. The fork is a Manitou R7 Seven MRD, fully adjustable. The wheels are Mavic Crossmax SLR Disc, which are supplemented by tires Aka Geax TNT 2.0; the bottle cage is standard, as the bottle, though not in the photo. The bike, provided in all black and in sizes S, M, L, XL, has a declared weight of 9.4kg. The frame weighs 1150 grams. The sample of the test, in size L, has a weight of 9.8 kg, as observed with our instrumentation.

Road test 

The Eldorado is, in fact, the top range of bikes with FRW mtb carbon frame and this is cured and finished in every detail, a true flagship. Actually let's underline that FRW always very good care of its models and the Eldorado is a manifestation. Assembly cured, cables well-led, high quality components, attention to details, such as protection of the frame being hit in the chain. From this point of view we can not complain. Even the total weight is competitive. In the saddle position is natural and right away the energetic quality of this bike, which, although intended to competitions, did not conduct extreme and difficult to bring to the limit. The smoothness of the wheels attached to the rigidity of the frame leads to excellent performance on land compact and fast. The rear triangle is stiff but not rigid, transmits power to the wheel well, allows good traction on slippery funds, but also absorbs the blows of the land assets. It 'the stiffer carbon FRW other models, but maintains the thread of comfort more than the other competitors who seek to force the stiffness with carbon fiber come to behaviours similar to aluminum frames. The lightweight, then help up the hill, where the directionality of the bike is excellent even on very uneven, and in all situations where a light bike can make a difference. The controls on the handlebar is operated with ease and the Shimano XTR group is a guarantee of reliability, accuracy in steps of relation, stiffness and smoothness of the crank. Also excellent brakes, powerful, durable and modules. Compared to other products require a little more effort on the lever, but nothing alarming and largely offset by a far greater scalability of the plant. Excellent also the fork sliding and sensitive to the settings, always useful to lock out the handlebars, a financial nature on a bike of this price. The seat is comfortable, remains a saddle adapted to agonists, because rigid and narrow, but if the type is among the best ever. On fast stability is excellent, both on the funds that the more compact rugged, where the behaviour of the bike is always predictable and easily controllable. In most locations show a guided handiness not exceptional, with a slow response (but slow) steering the orders given, but an excellent directionality and an equally easy to maintain the ideal line. An ideal behaviour for the amateur, who will always have the greatest sense of security and control of the bike. Most experts will wish, perhaps, more responsive steering, which can find a setting more rigid fork, which improves steering response, while not make him nervous. Between agility and stability, however, this is a bike that gives priority to stability, but not in a punitive, rather it is a good compromise for the enthusiast and also for the agonist expert, especially on certain routes, as fast, with wide curves or where is the maximum directionality to guess the trajectory or the "groove" right. In conclusion we feel that this bike is to be promoted with the highest ratings for amateur use, which is really hard to find fault; in professional use allows very high performances, and its geometric dimensions allow an advantage not just on specific routes, while on others (those tight) might be less indicated, a bike, however, destined to the competitions in which she expresses all its features, to meet the athletes stronger and compete (and in some cases win) against the best products in the market.

Price

The model being tested is priced at 4.649 Euro, while the rest of the range starts from Eldorado 3.799 Eldorado XT model with the Euro MRD, to reach the Euro 4.849 Eldorado model XTR Sid; frame kit is priced at 1.499 Euro. In all cases these are good prices, both for the quality of construction and components with which it is assembled the bike, both for the services delivered on the ground.

Positive aspects

Build quality

Assembly quality

Weight

Stability and steering precision

Performance

Braking

Negative aspects

Handiness not high in the most narrow

To learn more:

FRW
Website: www.frwbike.it