RSD (Rubber Aspect Down) is a small Toronto model identified for its no-nonsense metallic bikes. Since 2012, RSD has been promoting hardtails and fats bikes comprised of aluminum, titanium, and metal. And extra just lately the complete suspension Wildcat.
I’ve wished to strive a Wildcat for the reason that first mannequin was launched in 2017. Its progressive geometry was forward of the development of slacker path and downcountry bikes. The Wildcat 125 V3 is the present iteration, and like its V2 predecessor, it has an adjustable alloy body for 27.5 or 29 wheels, or mixed-wheel mad science. The V3 enhancements embrace 5mm extra rear journey, room for longer dropper posts, and inner cable routing.
Driving DVO suspension was additionally on my to-do checklist, with its popularity for adjustability and low upkeep. After a summer season on the Wildcat V3 I can report it met my expectations for worth, high quality, and enjoyable wheel-size tinkering. With the 140mm fork, 65º headtube, and an extended and low body, it’s an excellent descender regardless of solely having 125mm or rear journey.
Worth and High quality
Our Wildcat 125 V3 take a look at bike was arrange with SRAM GX and DVO 2 suspension, and is at the moment promoting at $3,599 USD ($4,299 CAD). There’s a greater priced DEORE spec at $3,749 USD ($4,499.00 CAD), and a body solely possibility is on the market for $1,599.00 USD ($1949.00 CAD).
RSD sells on to riders, which helps the small firm keep worth aggressive. The construct was easy, however was extra DIY than bikes from greater direct to shopper manufacturers. It took me a couple-few hours of cable routing trial and error, and dropper put up cable fishing, however no particular instruments or abilities had been required. Whereas setup directions had been imprecise, Alex was on-line and responded instantly (FYI the rotors are within the field, taped to the aspect of 1 the cardboard wheel sleeves).
The Wildcat is an effective worth, with a singular body and glorious components spec. The Horst-link body is 7000 sequence aluminum alloy, designed by RSD in Ontario and manufactured in Taiwan. The practically 8lb body is beefy and industrial trying, with stainless {hardware}, stack-of-dimes welds, an ISCG05 BB shell, and different CNC items just like the adjustable dropouts. The Wildcat is a unique animal, an adjustable bike that’s additionally budget-friendly and might rail techy trails. I can see it interesting to each experty bike nerds and aggro path rippers.
However per Keith Bontrager’s pick-two restrict of sturdy, gentle, or low cost, one thing needed to give, and it’s a heavy bike. The dimensions Massive take a look at bike is 35.5lbs. That is noticeably heavier than the carbon downcountry rigs on the market, however the alloy Wildcat prices rather a lot much less.
29er RSD Wildcat V3 Construct
- Solar Ringlé Düroc alloy wheelset with 35mm rims (with 15x110mm & 12x148mm hub spacing)
- Maxxis 2.5 tires (Minion DHF 3C Maxx Terra EXO entrance and Aggressor 3C Maxx Terra rear),
- SRAM GX Eagle 12 spd drivetrain (11-50t, 30t entrance ring)
- 175mm GX cranks
- SRAM G2 RSC brakes (180mm rotors)
- DVO Diamond D2 140mm Fork
- DVO Topaz T2 125mm shock
- KS LEV 175mm dropper
- Race Face 35mm Aeffect 780mm bars
- FSA Comet 35 50mm stem
- Cane Creek headset
- Cionlli saddle
Construct Particulars
DVO offers the Diamond D2 140mm fork and Topaz T2 125mm shock, which I hadn’t ridden beforehand. I skimmed some on-line boards whereas looking for a setup information, and noticed feedback about finicky settings. However I adopted the information for my weight and was using fortunately instantly and all through the take a look at. I might modify strain within the fork later, however typically saved the shock per the setup information, which was comparatively gentle at 30% sag. With solely 125mm to work with, I preferred the supple setup.
More often than not, I left the compression swap open, although it bottomed-out a bit extra typically than I’d usually permit. I didn’t have an opportunity to strive it out, however the Topaz might be tuned with quantity spacers which might have made it extra progressive to keep away from bottoming out. The agency setting was seldom used, however I might flip the lever for an extended hearth street climb.
The KS LEV 175mm dropper, Cionlli saddle, Race Face 35mm Aeffect 780mm bars, Cane Creek headset, and FSA Comet 35 50mm stem spherical off the construct. My solely criticism is the awkward cable routing, particularly across the backside bracket, the place tolerances between cables and shifting cranks are very tight. I’m a worrier, so I zip tied them in a dozen spots, which seems to be a bit tacky however nothing ever rubbed or caught.
Geometry, Experience, and Wheel Dimension Tinkering
That 65Âş headtube is on the slack finish for a path bike, and as a big 29er the longish attain (481mm) and 440mm chainstays all add as much as lengthy 1246mm wheelbase. Physique place is comparatively upright and felt balanced between the wheels and even a bit rear wheel biased with the handlebar set nearly as excessive because it may go.
The Wildcat is an effective climber, with a comparatively steep 76Âş seat tube angle and good traction. The general bike weight is noticeable although, particularly on stop-and-go techy climbs. However as soon as shifting, the Wildcat feels environment friendly to pedal and is straightforward to take care of pace. I’ve lengthy legs for my peak, so regardless of the steep seat tube angle, I nonetheless had the saddle railed all the way in which ahead. The supple however brief rear journey helped on the technical climbs, however I discovered it to be numerous bike to activate slow-speed tight and twisting climbs. Nevertheless, for the straight-line ups, I may slide manner as much as the intimate little bit of the saddle and maintain the entrance finish down. I cleared my take a look at loop tremendous steep “1 in 10” climb on the primary strive.Â
MX Too?
As a fan of 27.5+, I used to be psyched to mix-wheel (MX) the Wildcat. My neighborhood trails are dominated by granite slabs and boulders. So whereas I really like 27.5+ bikes for rear wheel grip, the broad entrance tire and low strain typically creates a counter-steering wrestling match. The entrance wheel on my plus bike likes to succeed in out and seize each passing boulder. MX appeared the right answer, so I slapped on a 3.0 clad 27.5+ rear wheel and slid the adjustable dropouts ahead.
The path bike MX was genius in principle, however my outcomes have been, effectively, blended. A 3.0 tire on a 27.5” rim is considerably shorter than the two.5in 29er. A clue ought to have been the 15mm out there inward slide of the dropout. The smaller diameter rear wheel drops the rear of the bike by 1/2″ or so, and appeared to lighten the entrance noticeably on climbs.
Loop outs and pedal strikes had been straightforward accountable on the MX setup, deserved or not. And steep rock slab climbs had extra entrance wheel flop. Nevertheless, descents nonetheless felt nice ala MX. I want to check extra, together with making an attempt MX with out the adjusting the chain stays in. Particularly in moist or unfastened circumstances, the improved rear tire traction may but win me over. I additionally plan to deliver the shorter wheel as much as the bike park, the place it could possibly solely assist my “leaping”. Science is tough, however enjoyable.
Experience Notes
- Rider: John Herron
- Rider Age: 51
- Rider Peak: 5′ 11″
- Rider Weight: 170lb
- Dimension Examined: Massive
- Location: Gloucester, MA
Pointed downward or on rolling flowy terrain was pure pleasure on the RSD. I ran the stem fairly excessive and let this huge, small-travel bike unfastened. I by no means felt under-biked, even on quick and chunky descents. On path bike trails, every little thing was in play, together with scrappy bike park blue trails with waist excessive drops and sketchy rock gardens. My coastal trial course neighborhood trails had been fantastic, however the hillier trails and precise mountains are the place the Wildcat shined. It held pace down rocky and rooty trails, however nonetheless felt linked with the terrain in order that even actually small options could possibly be popped. Nevertheless it’s steady and squishy sufficient so I may elevate the bike confidently over messy sections, even when the touchdown strip seemed questionable.
Abstract
The RSD Wildcat 125 V3 is a brief journey path bike with the progressive geometry as soon as reserved for enduro bikes. The burly alloy body has adjustable dropouts, leaving choices open for 29 or 27.5+ wheels. With DVO’s D2 140mm fork and easy T2 shock providing 125mm of rear journey, it excels in tough terrain prefer it had extra journey. At underneath $4,000 USD it’s worth, however don’t confuse it for a light-weight downcountry or XC racer. The Wildcat is targeted on quick and steady descending, whereas conserving the rubber aspect down on the roughest of trails.
Execs:
- Good worth
- Progressive geometry
- Rowdy path bike enjoyable
- Adjustable dropouts
Cons:
- Heavy
- Awkward cable routing
Value: $3,599 USD ($3,949 as examined with dropper)
Try a Wildcat in the event you’re a motorcycle nerd or path ripper, or one of many fortunate ones like Alex (and Keith) who’re each. It’s a confidence inspiring path machine with a singular design, burly hand-made seems to be, and a luscious paint job. And an awesome components spec for the value. I completely loved the Wildcat 125 this summer season, and have extra experiments deliberate. There may be additionally a 150mm model out there for pre-sale on the RSD web site. I wish to do the analysis, nevertheless it’s a secure speculation that the 150 model will likely be a quick all-mountain descender.
