Montra Celtic 2.1 (2018) - Review

The Montra Celtic 2.1 218 has a full alloy frame. The frame geometry on this endurance road bicycle is comfort focused which felt relaxed and perfectly suited for long distance rides. The top and bottom tubes converge near the headset where they appear to be bulky which helps in withstanding vibration impact of the surface.The rigid alloy fork on this bicycle is aero in shape and makes the front of the bicycle light weight. This helps in accelerating quickly and also helps being in control.

Same as the Celtic 2.1 (2017), the 218 also comes only with basic Shimano Claris components at both the front and rear derailleurs. These derailleurs are entry-level on Shimano's road hierarchy but they did perform decently during the test ride. There were no problem with shifting of the gears and the chain fell in place without much lag. Regular tuning might be required to keep the derailleurs shifting in a smooth manner. The Shimano Claris 16-Speed drivetrain is enough for a beginner road cyclist's riding needs, a Sora upgrade for the same price would have made this bicycle a stand-out in terms of value for money.

The Celtic 2.1 (2018) which I test rode came in a full matte black frame with red and white graphics. The thin chain and seat stays along with the curved and flat fork make the bicycle look sleek. The graphics and text were simple and elegant on the frame. Red being the secondary colour is prominent on this bicycle, thanks to the full red bar tape on the drop down handlebar which enhanced the aesthetics of this road bicycle.

The Montra Celtic 2.1 (2018) also comes with a pair of Caliper brakes. The Tektro Caliper brakes on this bicycle were functional for road bicycling needs on flat tarmacs. The brakes reacted well when braking at high speeds and even on turns on flat surfaces. Sudden braking would require extra control of the bicycle to make sure the rider stays balanced.This bicycle comes with a Zoom drop handlebar with a 42mm width which is 2mm lesser than the last year's model, which made the ride compact and more in control.

The Celtic 2.1 (2018) rolls on a pair of Kenda K191 7x25C road tires supported by the XMR double walled alloy rims. These tires didn’t have enough treads to provide optimum handling on slightly rough roads. But the lightweight wheelset did make sure they rolled fast, even on climbs during the test ride. The Celtic 2.1 comes with a XMR race saddle which has been designed ergonomically and had my sit bones in the right place at the widest points of the saddle.