R RAYMON HardRay 2.5

On smoother singletrack, faster-rolling tires and lighter builds show up clearly, and that's what this score reflects. Next to race-leaning setups, this build is shaped by relatively narrow MTB tires that roll quickly and a more budget-friendly drivetrain that focuses on value. On hardpack, the tire setup is biased toward rolling speed on firm ground.

Uphill performance score: 7.4/10. Within Mountain bikes, this comes out above average. When it gets steep, the gearing feels very easy. In numbers, the low gear is roughly 18.0 gear inches. In its peer group, it lands around the easier ~47% for low-gear climbing. Gear inches is basically “how easy is the easiest gear”. Lower numbers help you keep your legs spinning on steep bits. This kind of low gear helps you stay smooth on long or steep climbs. Different builds can shift the feel a bit, and some manufacturer specs aren’t always publicly listed, so consider this a helpful direction.

Suspension handling is rated 4/10. It matches “Basic bump control”. This level is meant to take the edge off smaller impacts and reduce wheel deflection. It’s a common compromise: calmer front wheel, efficient rear end. It helps the bike stay a bit calmer over repeated small bumps. It should improve stability on small bumps, but it isn’t meant for big hits or very rough terrain.

Balanced fit - a middle ground between comfort and speed. Mostly geometry-based, with a small category-based estimate.

This rating is mainly driven by the parts that affect adjustability: A modular front-end gives more freedom to change stem length or bar width, Routing is relatively straightforward, which helps when you change cockpit parts. At the same time, Seatpost details do not strongly point to a very locked-in or very flexible system. That is why it is in the Adjustable bucket.

Ride comfort is 5.6/10 — on a real ride it feels moderately comfortable. That’s the reason it lands as Race-Stiff. It’s running about 50 mm tires on 26" wheels, and the tires help take the sting out of smaller impacts on roots, rocks, braking bumps, and repeated hits. The posture is neutral (posture 6/10), which gives a steady, predictable feel without pushing you too far forward.

This looks like a great buy for the spec on paper. Value is scored 1–10: higher is better value, lower means you’re paying more than similar bikes. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). Based on the parts list, it’s roughly 34% cheaper than what similar builds typically cost. In its peer group, it tends to be better-priced than many, beating about 65% of listings. Quick reference: €804 listed versus about €1.216 for a comparable build. Not every spec detail is consistently published, so think of this as a strong hint rather than the last word. Put simply: this is strong value for what’s included.

This setup is aimed at fast trail riding on less extreme terrain. It has about 80 mm of suspension travel (how much it absorbs bumps), which suits smoother trails. Suspension type (Hardtail) fits this kind of terrain.