2022 Mondraker

CRAFTY R

Mondraker splits its e-mtb range by intended use. And in the enduro/all mountain category alone it has four unique platforms: Dusk, Chaser, Crafty and Crafty Carbon, which in turn generates 12 unique models. It’s a lot to take in but all you need to know here is that at £7,995, the Crafty Carbon R is the entry-level carbon bike. It gets a full carbon frame, including the rocker link of the Zero suspension design, and it comes in four frame sizes. It’s a full 29er and frame travel is 150mm, where the geometry has been designed around a 160mm travel Fox 38 Performance fork. So how does it perform and is it one of the best electric bikes on offer? Need to know: SRAM’s NX Eagle 12-speed cassette limits the gear to 11-50t and added weight Stealth Air full carbon frame delivers 150mm travel from its Zero suspension design Bosch Smart System with Kiox display and new wireless remote switch offers ultimate control Onoff Forward Geometry 30mm stem and 800mm alloy bar provide a commanding riding position Mondraker’s Forward Geometry concept really spearheaded longer reach measurements and shorter stems, but the 477mm reach on the size L Crafty Carbon R is now the norm, when it was one the exception. The Crafty Carbon R is still unique in this test though, as it’s the only bike with an integrated battery. As such, you have to remove the Bosch Performance Line CX motor if you want to slide the 750Wh Bosch Powertube out of the downtube. Mondraker Neat RR electric mountain bike review Yes, the big battery negates the need for mid-ride battery swaps and makes the frame lighter, but the integrated design also precludes the Mondraker from enduro racing, and for anyone that needs to bring the battery indoors for changing. Suspension By having 10mm more fork travel, Mondraker helps balance out vertical wheel travel front and rear. The entry-level Fox 38 Performance fork is extremely sensitive, thanks to the lubrication channels on the back of the lower legs and the self-aligning 15mm axle, but it’s not got the same degree of support as the Grip 2 fork on the Whyte or Nukeproof. More importantly it doesn’t have the same level of support as the Mondraker’s rear suspension, so the Crafty doesn’t feel perfectly balanced. To compensate we ended up running the fork a little firmer and the Float X shock a touch softer, which also helped drop the BB height a little. Probably the best option though, would probably be a lighter damping tune on the Float X shock. Components Routing the cables through the headset doesn’t do the SRAM NX 12-speed shifter any favours, as it makes the upshift action sluggish and heavy. And while thumb fatigue isn’t a genuine concern, at least when the bike is new and the cable isn’t bunged up, the shifting was easily the heaviest in the test. And the same can be said for the 11-50t SRAM NX cassette. Mavic’s E-DeeMax wheels have great …Continue reading »

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