Disappointed
I was in the market for a new gravel bike and, being on a budget, had narrowed my search to a few options. Breezer wasn’t initially on my radar, but after finding a 50% off sale on the Radar X Pro, I started digging deeper. After hours of research on Reddit, YouTube, and reading reviews on Bikepacking.com, the bike seemed like an incredible value for the money.
On paper, the Radar X Pro checked all the boxes for me: great frame color, solid components for the price, and geometry that looked ideal for the gravel riding we have here in northwest Montana. Unfortunately, my experience with the bike has been disappointing from the start.
Right out of the box, the frame had several scratches, and one of the brake levers was heavily scuffed. Cosmetic damage on a bike isn’t the end of the world, but after only three rides, the paint has already proven to be extremely fragile and chips far too easily.
The bigger issue was the bike’s functionality. On my very first ride, the shifting was noticeably off, and I later discovered the derailleur and hanger were bent. I contacted customer service and was informed that the bike I received had actually been used previously as a floor model and had been lightly ridden. That was frustrating, as I was under the impression I was purchasing a new bike. To Breezer’s credit, they quickly sent a replacement derailleur and hanger, which I appreciated, although the replacement derailleur also appeared to be used rather than new.
After fixing the drivetrain issues, I hoped the bike would finally be ready to go. However, when I tried setting the tires up tubeless, sealant immediately began leaking through multiple spoke holes on both wheels. For a bike advertised as tubeless compatible/ready, this was another major disappointment. The rim tape was loose and not completely sealed in multiple areas. It may ultimately be an issue with how WTB taped the wheel, but I still expected better quality control before the bike left the Breezer warehouse.
To be fair, the bike itself actually rides pretty well. It handles chunky gravel confidently, feels lighter than expected, and is quicker than I anticipated given the geometry and specs. That’s what makes the overall experience even more frustrating — the platform has potential, but the number of issues I’ve had to deal with in such a short time has overshadowed the positives.
So far, I’ve had to replace the derailleur and hanger, redo rim tape to address the tubeless leaks, waste sealant attempting to go tubeless, and reroute housing and hoods because the cockpit/cable setup was awkward out of the box. That’s a lot of work and extra expense for a bike that should have been ride-ready upon arrival.
Maybe I ended up with a lemon from the remaining inventory of this year's Radar X Pro. I do believe the bike itself has the potential to be a great ride, and once I finish addressing the various issues, I’m hopeful it will perform well and hold up over time. Unfortunately, that doesn’t change the fact that I received a bike with cosmetic damage, fragile paint, and multiple setup problems right out of the box. It’s also frustrating knowing I’ve had to spend additional money on parts, supplies, and repairs just to get the bike to the point where it should have been from the start.
Even at 50% off, I expected a bike that reflected its original price point in terms of quality and setup. Had I paid full retail, I would have been extremely upset. Overall, I’m disappointed that my experience didn’t match the overwhelmingly positive reviews I had read beforehand. Based on my experience, I personally wouldn’t purchase another Breezer or recommend one to friends. You get what you pay for.
