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The Razorblade 29 III SL was tested by World of MTB

World of MTB has put the Razorblade 29 III SL through the acid test in 2019. The result: The light race bike definitely suits the tastes of the test riders. Read more!

Fact check of the Razorblade 29 III SL

A product test by World of MTB

One thing’s for sure according to the test riders of World of MTB: The Razorblade 29 III SL has reached a new evolutionary stage with its 3rd generation hardtail. The exceptionally lightweight and sporty race bike is bang on the target for the experts. Both uphill and downhill, it demonstrates a “shipshape performance”!

About the MTB hardtail …

The Razorblade is available in two versions: in the standard version with an approximately 1,000-gram carbon frame and in the SL “superlight” version. This reduces the weight by an additional 150 grams. The hardtail is thus among the lightest mountain bikes in World of MTB’s test.

The dropper seatpost scores with its longer reach, and the bike can also be equipped with either single cranks or double cranks. Simplon and the component manufacturer Acros have done an amazing job here.

What stands out as well as is the bottom headset cup with steering limiter. In case of falls or during transport, collisions of cockpit and top tube can be avoided.

The Razorblade in an acid track test

The result of the acid test: The Razorblade has some full-throttle genes. It is propulsion-oriented with maximum stiffness. The frame barely yields even on challenging XC tracks. This shows: Simplon exclusively works with high-quality carbon fibres and uses a well-conceived layup.

Another positive feature is the sporty low front with modern sitting position. This kind of geometry is also perfect for cross-country tracks. Additionally, the Razorblade almost silently rides over rough terrain.

Thanks to the 32-chainring setup at the crank, riding uphill becomes a piece of cake. Downhillers will love this MTB because it makes you feel safe when riding it. Even in narrower turns, it can be manoeuvred easily. What gives the bike a high level of comfort – according to the test riders – is the 27.2-millimetre seatpost. Especially for bikers who spend longer periods of time in the saddle, it makes riding a breeze!

5 details of the bike that stand out:

Smart cable routing through the head tube gives the bike a clean look.
first-rate Schwalbe tyres on the high-end carbon wheelset by DT Swiss
low frame weight thanks to the use of high-quality carbon fibres
additional features: The Razorblade can be equipped with a 1x drivetrain and a derailleur; two bottle cages can be mounted on the frame.
The high-quality Fox Float 32 fork can be adjusted easily via handlebar remote without having to take your hand off the handlebars on rough terrain (available in the Step-Cast version).

World of MTB’s in-depth test results and conclusions about the Razorblade 29 III SL can be found here.