Radon Render 9.0 Review

Radon has currently reduced the price of the Render 9.0 to €4000, entering a pricing offensive. Is it worth pulling the trigger, even though it’s equipped with the Bosch CX motor of the 4th generation? We tested it out on the trail.

The Radon Render 9.0 features a well-thought-out combination of a carbon main frame and an aluminum rear triangle. With 160 mm of travel in the front and 140 mm in the rear, it provides a solid foundation for trail and all-mountain rides focused on long tours. If you’re primarily into downhill shredding, you might want to consider a bike with more rear travel. Radon offers a suitable model for that with the Deft.

A fact that needs emphasis these days: The removable battery can be easily taken out of the down tube with just a few simple steps. This comes in handy when you want to load the bike onto a car or if you don’t have a charging option in your garage. Many other bikes, like the significantly more expensive Santa Cruz Vala or the Giant Trance X Advanced E+, no longer offer this feature.

The battery’s plastic cover is pressed firmly against the down tube using an elastic band. Other manufacturers opt for a design that better integrates into the bike’s overall look. Radon takes a pragmatic approach here, providing a solution that’s super easy and tool-free. The charging port on the seat tube also makes a solid impression. The internal cable routing through the main frame (not through the headset) is appreciated by those who like to tinker with their bike.

The All about the Bosch CX Motor was Germany’s most popular E-MTB motor. However, in September 2024, Bosch released the CX Gen 5. This naturally raises the question: Is the motor of the Radon Render still up to date?

In terms of key specifications, nothing has changed. Torque and power remain the same in the Gen-5 motor compared to its predecessor. The weight has only minimally improved by about 100 grams. The most obvious advantage of the new motor: It no longer rattles on singletrack descents. The CX-Gen-4 motor installed in the Render still has a significantly audible gearbox rattle when riding downhill on singletrack.

To find out more differences between the predecessor and the successor, you need to hit the trails. Only there does it become apparent that the power delivery of the new Bosch-CX-Motor Gen 5 has become a bit sportier and the overall motor control responds a bit more sensitively.

However, you don’t notice this on gravel paths or asphalt climbs. If you’re not constantly winding up technical trails and can live with the rattling on the way down, you’ll still ride damn well with the Bosch CX Gen 4 in 2025.

With 750 Wh, the Radon Render is honestly well-equipped. Many competitors only have a 600 Wh battery on board. We drained the battery with a total system weight (bike + rider) of 100 kg on an asphalt climb to test the range.

It took about 2250 meters of elevation gain before the battery was completely empty. This range is impressive—especially when you consider that we were consistently riding in turbo mode. Those who dial down to tour mode can also tackle long Alpine tours with 3000 meters of elevation gain or more. However, it’s clear that on gravel or with higher system weights, the range decreases.

The seating position is not overly sporty but leans more towards comfort. This is mainly due to the relatively short top tube. Touring riders will love it, as the pressure on the palms remains comfortable even on long rides.

When the trail slopes towards the valley, the Render scores with forgiving rideability. Radon cleverly masks the difference between 160 mm travel at the front and 140 mm in the rear with slight progression in the rear suspension kinematics.

The handling of the bike feels intuitive. However, the Radon Render has relatively long chainstays. This increases straight-line stability downhill but also requires some effort when changing corners. In general, the Render is more of a forgiving companion than a spirited stallion. Those expecting a progressive enduro for the bike park will find it lacking here. However, as a touring bike for trail and all-mountain uses, the Render performs excellently.

The components that are crucial for downhill performance are impressive across the board. No expenses were spared on the suspension, brakes, and tires, resulting in fun on the trail.