Conway WME 2020: Versatile trail bullet

Test / MTB: With the Conway WME 2020, the successful enduro gets a successor for the coming season. The carbon frame has remained, but as a buyer you now have the choice between 27,5″ and 29″ wheels and there are also some extremely interesting features to discover on the frame itself.

Conway already caused a stir in 2015 when the WME (= We Make Enduro) project presented a modern carbon fully for the rough, with which the German manufacturer catapulted itself onto the wish lists of numerous enduro riders. But four years feels like an eternity in the fast-paced bicycle industry, so the successful WME model is getting a successor for the 2020 season. The name and frame material have remained, otherwise some adjustments have been made. The new frame is a universal platform and will be available as a variant for 29 inch wheels with 150mm travel and as well as with 27,5″ and a whopping 170mm.

One frame, two wheel sizes

Both model variants of the new Conway WME are based on the same carbon main frame, but depending on the wheel size, a different rear end and a different damper installation length are used. This keeps the costs low without having to make too many compromises. Speaking of the rear end: As with the predecessor, the damper is completely floating and is located in the middle of the split saddle tube. Big advantage of this construction: There is plenty of space for a bottle holder in the frame triangle. On the underside of the frame, approximately at the level of the bottom bracket, there is a small recess under a plastic cover, in which the most necessary tools and also a CO² cartridge can be accommodated.

There is no question that the geometry of the 'old' WME has aged well and is still not old-fashioned. Nevertheless: A lot has happened in recent years and it is therefore not too surprising that the frame dimensions have also been changed in comparison to the predecessor. The steering angle is a little flatter, the frame is a bit longer overall. In both cases, however, overly extreme dimensions are avoided. By the way: In order to get a comparable geometry in both wheel sizes, in the case of the 650b variant, a lower headset cup with a height of 10mm is installed at the front.

Equipment variants of the Conway WME 2020

The new Conway WME will initially be available in a total of seven equipment variants between 2.899 euros and 6.499 euros. Four models rely on 650b wheels and 170mm of travel front and rear, three more come with large 29ers and 150mm. They all have the carbon main frame in common.

We particularly like the 29″ entry-level model 329 with Marzocchi Z2 fork, Fox damper, SX Eagle group and the convincing Contec Drop-a-Gogo dropper post for an attractive 2.899 euros. The weight of 14,4kg is also convincing for a 29er in this spring travel range. At the upper end of the equipment spectrum is the WME 827 with wireless Sram AXS gears including the corresponding dropper post and DT Swiss EX1501 wheels.

First driving impression

Earlier this year we were able to test drive a prototype of the new Conway WME 2020 in South Tyrol. The test bike was not quite ready for series production in terms of both the equipment and the rear end - so we keep our immediate test impressions short. We were on a test bike with large 29-inch tires and 150mm suspension, which was able to unfold its full potential for fun after just a few meters on the trail. The geometry is balanced and not too extreme, the frame is nice and stiff and you immediately feel at home.

Unfortunately, the equipment of our prototype test bike is not found on the production bikes. Based on our first riding impressions, this is the only real point of criticism that we could identify: A real top model is only available in 650b, if you want large wheels and high-quality equipment, you won't be able to avoid screwing it yourself.

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