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Pace RC405 Free Floater (07)
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BikeRadar verdict

45 out of 5 stars

"An instant full suspension traile bike classic"

By Guy Kesteven

It's taken Yorkshire suspension and frame fanatics Pace nearly two decades of development to finally get their XC full suspension bike honed to their satisfaction. Yet it seems the best things are worth waiting for.


The new frame looks very similar to the superb RC303 hardtail, but every tube is altered in thickness or dimension to handle the bigger hits and higher speed of flat-out full suspension riding. It's slightly longer and higher than the hardtail and the head angle is also a degree slacker than the prototype bike we got to ride earlier this year. Plus the BB comes up 10mm for pedal clearance.


The top linkage has been deepened for maximum stiffness at the shock top, while the lower link is reinforced with a plate web-welded vertically inside the down tube. All cables and hoses route under the BB for easy access. The 303's top practical touches like 2.5in tyre clearance, Crud Catcher bosses and light cable guide are all retained, while the sealed SKF bearings are further protected by preloaded, O-ring sealed caps to keep Brit grit out. At 6.2lb for the frame it'll build up light enough to race or tough enough to steam downhill depending on your priorities.

All the years of fine tuning and suspension fettling certainly haven't been wasted either, as the RC405 feels totally sorted as soon as you sit on it

All the years of fine tuning and suspension fettling certainly haven't been wasted either, as the RC405 feels totally sorted as soon as you sit on it. Long enough to leather it up climbs but short enough to throw your weight around and pump, jump and manual it all over the trail. We also found steering is spot on for aggressive riding. Sharp enough to surf for traction or snap 'n' steer through singletrack - several gears higher than normal - but stable enough to hit random rockeries flat out.


All the work on core strength and stiffness is obvious on fast cobbly sweepers, off-camber drops or washed out step sections. However sketchy we were riding or big the terrain became, the RC405 just stayed totally calm and controlled while delivering all the information you needed to get out safe however stupid we'd been.


The twin Free Floater linkages create a surprisingly supple initial feel with smoothly progressive track for superb control and clarity over mid-to-big hits. Early chain feedback for traction and firm pedal response morphs into a tall curved comeback for plush, kickback free end stroke as well. Impressive complete bike weight and the integrated head tube keeping the front end low, means it climbs really well whether it's a long spinner or a sudden rat-up-a-pipe trail moment.

There are a whole load of fantastic do-it-all 5in trail bikes around right now, but there's no doubt that the new Pace comes in right at the top of the heap. It's involving, encouraging, smooth, sharp, alert, agile, raceable, raggable with perfect techy handling manners, but most of all it's just got that rare and elusive 'Every ride is a riot' character that separates the best from the rest.


Look out for the 6in and 4in versions, plus rolling chassis Pace fork plus DT wheel packages soon.

User Reviews

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  • User review of Pace RC405 Free Floater (07)

    not that I own a 405 as I have an RC303, but it is a great looking bike and I am glad to see Pace have anodised the frame rather than painted it as I would of prefered an anodized finish on my 303 as it chips really easily.

    0.3
  • User review of Pace RC405 Free Floater (07)

    I've just been out for a ride on my long awaited RC405, This bike really has been worth waiting for!

    The bike feels sharp and nimble on singletrack, there is good small bump absorption, it feels plush and accelerates very well. Ground clearance is excellent and the bike is light. There seems to be no pedal feedback, with the shock set on minimum platform damping so the suspension design really does do what it says on the tin.

    I've got the Large frame (I'm 6'2") and have fitted a layback seat post and 70mm stem (would possibly even go for a 100mm stem for really long rides) as the cockpit would feel a little small otherwise. The flip side to the small(ish) cockpit though, is that the bike feels snappy and agile. The Fox 32 Talas RLC fork seem to complement the frame geometry but I'm running them on the 120mm setting more than the 140 or 100mm settings.

    In regard to the frame, the white paint does chip easily but then I personally don't like the pewter colour, make sure you get the RC405 specific carbon chainstay chain guard not the normal one like I have. The Owners manual does state that a 160mm rotor should be fitted to the rear, I've fitted a 185mm and the routing of the hose (between the stays and wheel) runs very close to the tip of the disc. To mount a Crud Catcher(CC) with bolts requires stepping off with washers as the downtube cable runs stop the CC from sitting snug to the frame, also the forks catch the CC on REALLY sharp turns. It is impossible to run a 48 tooth chainring as the suspension rocker mount fouls the front derailleur(XT here) as you raise it on the seat tube.

    Even though there are a few minor niggles this bike really is worth them. Some careful placing of protective film and considerate component specification will ensure many happy rides.

    Enjoy! I Will!

    0.3
  • User review of Pace RC405 Free Floater (07)

    Ideally I'd have submitted a review without a star rating as this is the opinion of one person about one aspect - the ride - of this bike after just one outing. The star rating above is just for the ride quality.

    I had the chance to ride a 405 last night, on a mixed bunch of steep trails. Very impressive. Stiff and well balanced with the Pike air U-turn forks fitted.

    The cockpit is bang on for the preference of this 6'1 rider - 23 inches effective top tube for the Medium, plenty of room whilst making it easy to get over the front wheel when necessary. The rear suspension was very well behaved. A very tight-not-wallowy feel - playful and snappy, rewarding any rider input. There was noticeable pedal feedback in lower gears, nothing that you wouldn't get used to. This feedback helped the climbing ability, digging the rear tyre in on loose climbs. The DT shock worked smoothly when asked to move and stayed put when not. The platform adjust made a huge difference, from unyielding even when stamping on the gears to supple over the smallest of obstacles. The ability to drop the seatpost right down out of the way was appreciated on the steeper descents.

    The head angle is on the eager side of stable for a bike with this much travel - this bike is point and shoot fast. There was no moment where this fast direct steering put the bike in danger of tripping over the forks though, even on the very steepest of Lakes descents. The Pikes that were fitted are longer axle-to-crown than some 140mm forks and seemed to help to provide a head angle that was just right - the front wheel stuck to the trail as if in a groove. Their 20mm Maxle stiffness complimented the impressively stiff rear end.

    The 30.5lbs sensibly solid build rode light, a mark of a good full suspension frame. The evenings ride left me starting the process of justifying to myself the purchase of another bike.

    0.3
  • User review of Pace RC405 Free Floater (07)

    Thought I'd post quickly to chuck in my opinion on sizing. I'm a touch over 6" and after much deliberation went for the large frame size. Absolutely glad I did, just right for me, knew I wouldn't have wanted the medium the second I got on it. The cockpit on the bike is short and I've got a standard (non-layback) seatpost and a 100mm 10deg stem.

    Like another guy here I have an 08 Talas 32 RLC which I reckon is dead right, I like the way you can play with the geometry. I've got my bars at such a height that set to 120mm the bike feels right with a good amount of pro-pedal dialled in on the rear shock for 90% of the time, I then 'up' the fork to 140mm and dial all the pro-pedal off the rear, which noticably sags the back a bit more on this dt shock - this combination is great for heading back down the fun stuff.

    If I hadn't gone for the Talas I think a straight Float or equivalent would be fine, the bike is so 'right' anyway, but when you're spending this much it is only £80 odd difference for the Talas if you like the options to tweak for different situation it gives - the low speed compression dial, (thats the extra dial around the lock-out lever on RLC forks) is pretty much left 'off' but I do reach down and dial in half the available clicks if doing prolonged roadish stints now and again.

    The white paint is a bit prone to scratching (no more than you'd expect), chain slap being the main culprit, but white looks great in the flesh.

    I would go on about the ride but if you've read about already in the mags etc then I agree with everything said, bike came in at just clipping 28lbs, so I've built mine up quite light for its size.

    0.3
  • User review of Pace RC405 Free Floater (07)

    This bike is fantastic! at long last pace have delivered on what everyone has been waiting on for a very very long time! I moved from a stumpjumper FSR to the pace at the back end of last year and cant believe the difference. Although the stumpy was great and i had absolutely no complaints the pace has taken UK trail riding to a whole different level.

    Very response and nimble it is well suited to single track and tight twisting tracks. Although not a great fan of trail centres this bike is ideal for them but it can handle the rough and tumble of the lakes just as easily in its stride.

    I only have one down points of this bike and this is really very trivial and in no way affects the performance in of the bike. The white paint finish is awful! It looks great at first and i do prefer it generally to the anodized pewter, but it does tarnish very very quickly, mud seems to ingrain into it and remain in the paintwork with a light brown colouring. it still looks great from a distance but up close my eye is completely drawn to the flaws. watch out for the non-drive side chain stay also, as this is a bit fancy and flares out just before the disc mounts it means you can easily catch the side of your shoe on it and rub the paint of almost instantly, i have resorted to put lizard skins on both sides.

    Other than that the bike is great, buy a pewter one if you can but DO buy one!

    0.3

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Specification

Name:
RC405 Free Floater (07)
Built by:
Pace
Price:
n/a
Brakes Model:
Mono Mini
Cranks Model:
XT
Fork Model:
RC41 XCAM
Frame Material:
6066-T6 Aluminium
Front Hub Model:
Pro II
Handlebar Model:
Monkey Lite
Headset Type:
Integrated Aheadset
Rear Shock Model:
HVR
Saddle Model:
Bel Air
Seatpost Model:
EA70
Stem Model:
OS
Weight (kg):
12.11
Available Colours:
Pewter, White
Available Sizes:
L, M, S
Brakes Brand:
Hope
Fork Brand:
Pace
Front Hub Brand:
Hope
Front Tyre Model:
High Roller Stick E
Front Tyre Size:
26x2.1
Handlebar Brand:
Easton
Headset Brand:
Aheadset
Rear Hub Brand:
Hope
Rear Shock Brand:
DT Swiss
Rear Tyre Model:
High Roller Stick E
Rear Tyre Size:
26x2.1
Saddle Brand:
SDG
Seatpost Brand:
Easton
Stem Brand:
Hope
Tyres Brand:
Maxxis
Wheels Model:
DT4.1
Year:
2007
Frame Type:
Butted Aluminium
Max. Fork Travel:
130mm

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