Test: The Contrail is not a completely new addition to the portfolio of the North German manufacturer Bergamont, but it has received a comprehensive frame update for the current model year, in which, among other things, the geometry has been made a touch more modern. In addition, the new Contrail is now compatible with 29″ and 27,5+ wheels and tires and is therefore even more versatile than before.
Of course, the basic orientation of the short-travel fully will not change with the current model generation either: Located somewhere between a potent tourer and a lively trail bike, it should feel just as comfortable on trail-heavy weekend tours as it does on cross-alps or in demanding terrain. In our case, the new Bergamont Contrail had to prove itself in the latter case: As part of the Bike Festival in Riva, we grabbed one of the test bikes and put it to the test on the rocky trails around the mountain bike Mecca.
Bergamont Contrail 9.0: Three equipment variants from €1.899
For this season, the Contrail will be available in three different versions: They all come with 29″ wheels in an aluminum frame ex works. Thanks to the flip chip, however, 27,5″ wheels with plus tires can also be installed afterwards without the geometry changing noticeably. The Bergamont Contrail 5.0 is available for under €2.000. In return you get a chassis consisting of a Rock Shox Recon fork and Manitou Radium damper, hydraulic disc brakes and a Deore drive. The Contrail 7.0 variant is a bit more powerful - with a Fox 32 Float suspension fork, NX drive and a dropper post is also on board. At €2.299, however, you have to dig a little deeper into your pocket. If you don't want to make any compromises, grab the Bergamont Contrail 9.0 with GX Eagle gears, Revelation fork, Fox damper and Manitou dropper post for €3.199.
At Bergamont, there was not much reason to fundamentally change the tried and tested Contrail, so only a few adjustments were made to get a somewhat more modern orientation, especially in terms of geometry. The bike has grown quite a bit in terms of reach, but the seat tubes are significantly shorter than before. The fact that the wheelbase is not too long despite the longer main frame was saved by using the dropouts and chain stays. The moderately slack head angle of 67.5° and the pleasantly steep seat angle of 75°, which promises high pedaling efficiency, have been retained.
Geometry Bergamot Contrail 2018
| S | M | L | XL | |
| seat tube (in mm) | 410 | 450 | 485 | 515 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 575 | 595 | 615 | 635 |
| head tube (in mm) | 95 | 105 | 120 | 140 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 438 | 438 | 438 | 438 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1149 | 1170 | 1191 | 1212 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 67.5 | 67.5 | 67.5 | 67.5 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Reach (mm) | 423 | 440 | 455 | 470 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 603 | 612 | 626 | 645 |
We have already mentioned the flip chip, which Bergamont does not see as the "correct" geometry adjustment, but only serves to make the frame compatible with plus tires without changing the geometry. In addition, the lower bearing shell of the headset must be replaced - but this is included in the scope of delivery.
Bergamont Contrail 9.0: Well thought-out equipment with small weaknesses in the details
Our test bike corresponded to the Contrail 9.0 configuration. There really isn't much to complain about here; The Sram GX Eagle group, which fits perfectly on a trail fully like the Contrail, is welcome. You save yourself the front derailleur and don't have to do without the corresponding bandwidth - perfect. For the fork, they rely on the new Revelation RC from Rock Shox. In contrast to previous years, this one now comes with beefy 35mm stanchions and should offer more than enough rigidity even for rough excursions. In the rear there is a Fox Performance Float damper, which, like the fork, provides 130mm of travel.
Like the gears, the brakes are also made by Sram. The Level T may not be one of the most powerful representatives on the market, but it should still be able to provide more than enough power for most drivers. Of course, you don't want to do without a dropper post on a trail bike - the Contrail 9.0 has a Manitou Jack post. The remote for the support is not the best solution. Although there would actually be enough space on the handlebars for a trigger-style remote due to the lack of a front derailleur trigger, a rather unergonomic lever is used. Fortunately, this can also be replaced quickly and easily if the worst comes to the worst.
The cockpit on the Contrail comes entirely from Syncros. syncros? Yes, exactly - industry insiders should hardly be surprised by this combination, after all, Bergamont has been running its business under the Scott Sports umbrella since 2015, which also includes Syncros. The short stem suits the long main frame very well - the handlebars are probably wide enough for most users at 760mm, but larger riders with broad shoulders might want a few millimeters more.
With the Maxxis Rekon, Bergamont relies on a fairly new all-rounder for its trail bike, which we already know quite well and which suits the bike's orientation very well. The wide rims with an inner width of 30mm also offer a lot of grip and let the tires rise nicely.
Bergamot Contrail 9.0: On the trail
Flow isn't necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when you think of mountain biking on Lake Garda. The rocky trails are often quite heavy stuff for bike and rider alike, especially for a more moderate ride like the Contrail. We chose the slightly more moderate Naranch Trail in the northern hinterland of Riva as a testing ground. It's a little less violent here and the terrain is similar to the trails you know from here, with lots of roots and woody soil.
The seating position is immediately appealing and the long main frame puts the rider in a comfortable, central position. The rather high front may seem a bit unusual at first, but it ensures a lot of comfort and a back-friendly posture, which should be particularly pleasing to touring riders. On the climbs, the rear triangle hardly wobbles in the open damper position, at the latest when you switch on the platform with the easily accessible lever, it is completely quiet. The steering angle, which is rather steep for a modern trail bike, ensures that the front wheel remains firmly on the ground even on steep sections, despite the short stays and high front end.
If the trail then points downhill and the speed increases, the Contrail conjures up a wide grin on our faces in flowing terrain. The rear end is quite stiff, but if you have adjusted the fork appropriately, the handling is lively and fun, which conveys safety and control, but also conveys feedback from the ground. When it gets steep and technical, however, the trail bike occasionally reaches its limits: This is partly due to the fairly steep front and partly to the simple damping of the Revelation fork, which tends to rustle a bit through the travel.
We were pleasantly surprised by the brakes, which didn't give up even on long descents. We would have wished for a 780mm version of the handlebars, at least on the L frame - but that's certainly a matter of taste.
