Bergamont is a German brand that’s quite new to South Africa and seems to be making an impact in the mid-price range category. We weren’t sure what to expect when the Threesome SL7.3 arrived, but soon stopped wondering about the name when we began to pedal it.
– Photos: Dino Lloyd
THE BIKE
The first thing you notice is the burliness of the 2.35-inch wide Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres wrapping the 27.5 (650b) wheels. Then you notice the relaxed geometry headtube (67.5 degrees) and the mid-travel (140mm) X-Fusion Velvet RL fork and you know this is a bike that’s built for descending performance… The triple-butted almunium frame has a tapered headtube and a gusset between the seattube and the toptube, with the rear shock, a Rock Shox Monarch, pitched at a slightly unexpected angle. The rear suspension is a linkage actuated single pivot setup with 140 mm of travel. It’s well constructed with firm looking pivots and tidy embossing all over the frame. Sealed bearings are used at the main pivot point and there are bushes at the back. This is apparently to increase stiffness and reduce weight. The matte black with turquoise and blue detail is quite attractive in a manly way. The gears, brakes and drivetrain are a mix of Shimano’s SLX, Deore and XT while the wheelset comprises Alex rims matched to Bergamont’s house brand BGM hubs, both with through-axles. The triple chainring offers a sense of relief when you feel the weight of the Threesome. At 14.38kg (without pedals) it’s far from feathery. The hydraulic disc brakes sported a pair of 180mm rotors, which again confirms the Threesome’s penchant for descents. We were keen to get it onto the trail…
THE RIDE
Apparent almost right away is the remarkable pedaling efficiency of the Threesome. It’s not sprightly, but it’s very smooth, making climbing in a light gear almost a pleasure. Almost. It quickly became evident that the Threesome thrives on rough trails, but that didn’t really surprise us. We actually made the wearing of elbow and knee pads compulsory for Threesome test sessions, such were the risks we found ourselves taking. Cough. Ahem. Anyway, the balance between the Monarch shock and the X-Fusion for was spot on. The X-Fusion fork was impressive – a buttery smooth action that never, ever felt like it was at its limit. The big fork brands have some real competition here. We looked for rocky and rooty trails to tackle and were impressed time after time. Cornering too was superb, even really tight turns felt smooth and certain. On the negative side, we found the Shimano Deore brakes a little inadequate at times. They worked fine, but the modulation isn’t quite what you need for the kind of terrain the Threesome feels happiest on – steep and slopey. That would definitely be our first upgrade suggestion. In fact, that would be our only upgrade suggestion. Sure there’s a bit of weightiness, but it really never becomes an issue, such is the SL7.3’s efficiency; but if you do want a lighter bike with the same capabilities, have a look at the SL9.3, which costs ten grand more.
THE VERDICT
Stage racers, look away. The Threesome SL.73 is not the bike for you. Enduro racers, yes; trail riders that prefer downhill smiles rather than endurance miles, yes. Riders whose local trails are steep and/or gnarly and who are into memorable riding experiences rather than suffering from performance anxiety, yes, yes, yes!
GEOMETRY
SIZES: S; M (tested); L
TOPTUBE LENGTH: 560mm
SEATTUBE LENGTH: 455mm
HEADTUBE ANGLE: 67.5 degrees
SEATTUBE ANGLE: 74.5 degrees
CHAINSTAY LENGTH: 440mm
WHEELBASE: 1152mm
SPECS
PRICE: R24 379
COLOURS: Matt black with blue/white graphics
FRAME: 6061, T4/T6 triple butted alloy
WEIGHT: 14.38kg (without pedals)
FORK: X-Fusion Velvet RL 27.5 (650b) with 140mm travel, lockout and 15mm through-axle
REAR SHOCK: Rockshox Monarch RT High Volume with 140mm travel & 3 floodgate settings
SHIFTERS: Shimano Deore 10-speed
FRONT DERAILLER: Shimano SLX
REAR DERAILLER: Shimano XT
CRANKSET: Shimano 42/32/24T (3×10)
BRAKESET: Shimano Deore hydraulic with 180mm rotors
WHEELS: Alex SX44 rims, BGM Pro 6 bolt disc hubs with thru axles
TYRES: Nobby Nic Evolution 27.5 x 2.35, folding, tubeless ready
OTHERS: 720mm BGM Pro riser bars, BGM Pro stem, Syntace P6 seatpost and SDG Duster saddle
CONTACT: www.bergamont-sa.co.za
XC–MARATHON-TRAIL-FREERIDE
RECREATIONAL-COMMITTED-PERFORMANCE
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*Originally published in TREAD Issue 27, 2014 – All rights reserved
