Blast – Shimano CUES 1x9sp

This off-road speed rating describes how quickly the bike rolls under pedal power on smoother ground. That's why it tends to feel slower when you try to hold a high tempo. What pushes it in this direction is typical trail-width tires and a more budget-friendly drivetrain that focuses on value. On hardpack, the tire setup is biased toward rolling speed on firm ground (with a bit of defaulting).

How it climbs: 8.6/10. Within Mountain bikes, it sits near the top. When it gets steep, the gearing feels very easy. In numbers, the low gear is roughly 16.9 gear inches. On the ‘easier low gear’ scale, it sits around ~77% versus similar bikes. Think of “gear inches” like a difficulty score for your easiest gear: lower = more spin-friendly on climbs. You’ll be able to keep a steady spin even when it gets steep. Specs can vary by size and build, and some manufacturer details aren’t always published, so treat this as a strong guide rather than a guarantee.

Suspension performance: 5/10. It’s grouped into “Confident trail control”. It’s the kind of setup that stays more composed through repeated small-to-medium hits. You get suspension movement at the front, while the rear stays firm and direct. It should feel noticeably calmer through repeated bumps and rough patches. Expect steadier tracking on rougher sections without feeling like a long-travel downhill setup.

Balanced fit - a versatile position for long rides and faster efforts. Because the cockpit sits 60 mm below the saddle (a moderate drop), and the cockpit stretches you forward by ~585 mm (very long). You'll likely be near 31 degrees of lean.

That is why we tag it Moderately Adjustable. Here is the simple reasoning behind the fit flexibility rating: The cockpit is modular (separate stem and handlebar), so it is easier to adjust or swap fit parts, A more service-friendly routing setup makes changes easier - The listed seatpost details do not show clear restrictions or extra flexibility signals. This mainly reflects how easy it is to adjust or swap key fit parts over time.

This scores 6.4/10 for comfort, so it feels nicely smooth out on the road. That’s the reason it lands as Firm. The posture is neutral (posture 6/10, torso ~31°), which keeps it balanced — not overly aggressive, not overly relaxed.

This looks like a great buy for the spec on paper. The value score is 1–10. Higher means better value for money; lower means the price is high for what you get. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). Based on the parts list, it’s roughly 37% cheaper than what similar builds typically cost. In its peer group, it tends to be better-priced than many, beating about 68% of listings. To anchor it: price €899 versus an estimated €1.435 for a similar build. Overall, it looks like a great-value pick in its category.

This bike is best for smoother trails where speed and efficiency matter. It has about 100 mm of suspension travel (how much it absorbs bumps), which suits smoother trails. Overall, the setup matches this surface range well.