Adrenalin Carbon review

The Adrenalin Carbon had been built up as a hard riding but race-ready XC rig with no frills. Well, we mean it's not dripping with the sort of trick componentry that allows Posh Bikes to breach the five grand mark on customer builds for this bike.

Our rating

4.5

Published: May 31, 2006 at 11:00 pm

Our review
Probably the best XC full susser we've ever tested. A race worthy bike that's an enormous amount of fun to ride.

The Adrenalin Carbon had been built up by Posh Bikes as a hard riding but race-ready XC rig with no frills. Well, when we say 'no frills' we mean it's not dripping with the sort of trick componentry that allows Posh Bikes to regularly breach the five grand mark on customer builds for this bike.

This one would cost you a 'lowly' £3,494 (£1699 frame only), £500 more than the Rebel Carbon hardtail. Of course, if you really wanted to impress your mates - and worry your bank manager - you could get the Organic Light, Storck's carbon masterpiece, at a whopping £3349 just for the frame. Yikes.

There's a full 7005 aluminium version of the Adrenalin available. It weighs about 200g more and costs £330 less. So why go for a Carbon one? Well, the seductive power of its looks would go a long way to justifying extra cash, but there's a little more to it. The monocoque frame is said to be more rigid than the alu one, and our experience with another superlight carbon full susser (Scott Genius) would suggest that a well structured and toughened down tube, like the 60mm diameter Adrenalin one, is more resistant to flying rocks than a skinny-walled alu alternative. Actually, we rather like the fact that the Adrenalin is sensibly light and not silly light. Our 19in frame, with a Fox Float RP3 shock and a carbon linkage, weighs slightly over 6lb. You might even dip under 6lb with costly Ti bolts.

LAYER CAKE

The beauty of carbon monocoques is in the layering technique. The sort of computer design analysis that tells you where to add thickness to metal tubes also tells you where - and in which direction - to add layers to a carbon weave. The frame maker then essentially 'knits' layers of fibre strips and resin to create the required strength and ride feel.

DURABLE REPUTATION

The Adrenalin Carbon's structure is a wonderful thing. We really like the way the back of the seat tube is designed to give incredible support to the seat post, and the pivot bearing configuration is second to none. Radial bearings, thrust bearings and gaskets are fitted to the frame in such a way that bearing wear can't damage the frame itself. Servicing is easy too, and bearing durability reputation is second to none. The fact that Storcks are still using the same bearing systems after almost a decade of production is pretty unique.

The rear triangle is designed to achieve lots of stiffness and tyre room while rear wheel travel is just under 100mm. The single pivot swingarm and four-pivot rocker-activated shock setup is one of the most efficient we've ever tested in terms of stable pedal power with high speed XC shock action just when you need it.

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