A solid performer for an entry-level road bike. Performance is great on flat and rolling terrain, but a little harsh on rough roads. The Sora groupset is impressive given the price and the wheels and finishing kit all do their jobs well.
Reasons to buy
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Good value
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Sora groupset
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Nice ride over flat and rolling terrain
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Reasons to avoid
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Harsh ride on rough roads
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Brakes lack power
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Less than six months old, Radial Cycles is hardly the most established bike brand in the UK, but already offers a huge range of 33 bikes across all disciplines, with another 20 or so planned by the end of the year. The Radial Revere 2.1 is the company’s entry-level road machine, dipping under that all-important £500 price mark by a single penny.
In a similar manner to many new bike companies, Radial has chosen to follow a direct sales model, selling bikes direct to the consumer in order to cut costs. A common problem with this method is that the bike is delivered in a myriad of pieces, and there is no mechanic on hand to put it together properly. However Radial is trying to do things a bit differently, delivering its bikes fully built, complete with wheels attached, leaving you with nothing to do other than straighten the bars.
The frame and fork are both constructed from 6061 alloy, keeping costs down but also meaning a slightly harsh ride
As you’d expect from a bike at this sort of price, the frame, fork, and all of the components are made of aluminium. The frame and fork use a double butted 6061 alloy, a departure from the 7005 alloy used for most aluminium frames.
>>>Bike test: Aluminium, steel, carbon or titanium?
The ride quality is in general pretty good. Testing the Radial Revere over flat and gently rolling terrain was a pleasure, with the bike really maintaining momentum once you get it up to speed. I was especially impressed with the bike’s handling, which was smooth and precise and really put your mind at ease heading into corners.
All of Radial's frames are built in the Far East, but are put together at their headquarters in Dunstable
With the sub-£500 price point, it was no surprise to see the use of aluminium extended to the fork and seatpost, two areas that really benefit from a spot of carbon-fibre that you’ll find if you’re tempted to open your wallet a little wider (on a Radial Revere 1.1 Carbon, for example). Unfortunately this translates into a slightly harsh ride when the road surface deteriorates with vibrations transmitted through your arms and, errr, undercarriage, especially when riding at speed down descents.
Shifting is all dealt with by Shimano’s budget Sora groupset. Sora may not be the sexiest groupset in the world, but if you’re looking for reliable shifting on an entry-level bike, it’s hard to fault. On a bike costing under £500, the Sora groupset really is a very impressive addition.
(And as an aside, Matt Pryke, one of the founders of Radial, also tells us that there are plans in the pipeline to equip a 2016 model of the Radial Revere with Shimano Claris components, bringing the price down below £300.)
It's Shimano Sora components all round, including this compact 50/34t chainset
Both front and rear shifting is close to spot-on, with the levers just requiring a little more of a prod than Shimano’s higher-end Tiagra and 105 groupsets. Admittedly the bulbous hoods are a little unsightly, and don’t suit my small hands, but at least they do their job.
Up front there’s a 50/34t, while at the rear a 9-speed cassette with a 12-28t range should offer enough gearing to get you up some pretty steep hills. The only major departures from the Sora setup are the Tektro R325 brakes, which offer decent modulation, but lack real power once you get up to high speeds.
Most of the finishing kit on the Radial Revere is taken from the brand’s extensive range of parts and accessories. This includes the alloy seatpost, stem and shallow-drop handlebars, as well as the Radial Race Plus saddle, which looks great and is really comfortable even on longer rides and in a variety of riding positions.
Most of the finishing kit is Radial's own products, including this rather stubby 90mm stem
The wheels on the Radial Revere are also produced in-house, and certainly seem to fit the general character of the bike. With 28 spokes at both front and rear, they are certainly a sturdy set of hoops that easily dealt with the all the punishment the rough Surrey lanes could throw at them.
>>>Review: Giant Defy 3
Finally, the Revere comes with eyelets for both mudguards and panniers, meaning this bike is an ideal candidate to be converted into a winter training bike or commuting bike when the time comes to upgrade a few years down the line. The bike comes equipped with clipless pedals and cleats, easing the entry of the new rider into the cycling fraternity.
Look out for a full review in the coming weeks, but in the meantime head over to the Radial Cycles website for more details.
The Radial Revere 2.1 looks pretty good for its sub £500 price-tag
The Revere is also available with Tiagra components for £649.99, or with a carbon frame for between £999-£1500
The sleek Radial Race Plus saddle is exceptionally comfortable and wouldn't look out of place on much more expensive bikes
The lengthy head tube encourages a more upright position
The Radial wheels have 28 spokes at both front and rear, holding up well to rough British roads
The Radial Revere 2.1 seems like a good value option for your first road bike
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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
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