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Mondraker was established in 2001 by Miguel Pina, who named the company after a comic book character called “Mandrake the Magician.” Although the Spanish brand has had recent success in cross-country racing, its first bike was the Petrol downhill bike, and its roots run deep in the gravity scene. So, it seems rather fitting that our first Mondraker electric mountain bike test is the heavy-hitting, 170mm-travel Level model.
Mondraker chose Bosch’s Performance Line CX Smart System to power the Level. The drive unit produces a maximum of 85 N/m of torque and features Bluetooth connectivity via its eBike Flow app. In this app, riders can tune two of the four modes for assist percentage, power delivery and cutoff speed. The Tour Plus and the more powerful eMTB mode automatically adjust power output based on torque and cadence.
Everything is controlled and monitored through the LED remote switch. This is where you power up the bike and toggle through the assist modes. The light color indicates mode choice at a glance, and five bars show battery level. Mondraker also equips the Level with Bosch’s handlebar-mounted Kiox 300 display. It shows numerous metrics, such as speed, distance, rider power wattage and battery level.
Inside the frame’s downtube is a Bosch Powertube 750-watt-hour battery pack. Unlike on most electric bikes, the battery is permanently mounted and cannot be taken out of the bike without removing the motor first.
Mondraker’s 6061, aluminum, 29-inch-wheeled frame features its signature Forward Geometry. Ten years ago, the idea of extending the reach and shortening the stem was radical, but it worked. It is now common to find similar concepts across most brands. Even though Mondraker reined in and refined the geometry over the years, it’s still on the progressive side, especially in terms of reach. Our size-medium test bike comes with a 470mm reach, 65-degree head angle, and 76.5-degree seat tube angle. Geometry is fixed. There are no flip chips or adjustments. Cables are internally routed. There is a set of water bottle cages or accessory bosses under the top tube, but there are none on the downtube.
We tested the highest-end Level RR model, but there is also an R version that costs $6,699. Our test bike came equipped with a SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain, Code RSC four-piston brakes, and Race Face Aeffect 165mm-long cranks. Its e*thirteen wheels feature its E*spec Plus 30mm-wide rims. A few key specs got our attention. One is the 31.8mm-diameter carbon OnOff handlebar, and the other is Maxxis’ Assegai tires front and rear with downhill casings.
A highlight of the Level is its suspension, partially because there is a lot of it—170mm in the rear and 180mm in front. Mondraker utilizes an ebike-optimized version of its dual-link Zero Suspension System. It’s similar to a lot of other dual-link designs but differs significantly with its floating shock mount that’s located on the lower link. Mondraker claims that the shock being compressed from both ends makes it extremely sensitive on small bumps and big-hit capable. Mondraker also claims zero pedal kickback, power loss or brake jack.
Swedish company Öhlins supplies the suspension front and rear. Its TTX22M coil shock features a high-speed compression lever with climb mode, adjustable low-speed compression and rebound. The RXF 38 M.2 180mm-travel fork has a TTX18 Twin Tube cartridge with a high-speed compression lever and climb mode, adjustable low-speed compression and rebound. The air spring features a standard adjustable air spring with a self-equalizing negative chamber, but it also has what Öhlins calls a “ramp chamber”—a separate adjustable air-spring chamber that affects the progressiveness of the spring.
A big-travel bike like this has no business being a great climber, but the electric assist and efficient pedaling suspension change that. This bike is a joy to climb with on all sorts of trails. From fast fire roads to more challenging technical singletrack climbs, the Mondraker simply scoots right up them.
There is a downside to the slow-rolling Assegai front and rear tires and overall bike weight, though. The standard Bosch power settings felt a bit muted, so we cranked Boost up to the max to make up for it. This gave the bike plenty of power and speed, but it comes at the cost of range. Even in Tour Plus and eMTB modes, there is a noticeable difference in mileage compared to other Bosch bikes and even other brands’ drive units we have tested. On one of our favorite downhill trails with an eight-mile climb, we were eating through half of the battery on each lap, whereas others with similar-sized batteries were typically using up just over a third.
As one might imagine, with a bike with this much travel, when things head downward, the Mondraker really comes to life. It took most of us a while to dial things in, but once we did, the Ohlins suspension was simply superb. It’s plush yet controlled and very predictable. Mondraker’s rear suspension is neutral in all situations and offers lots of support. The feel is sporty and firmer than marshmallow soft, but this keeps the bike high in its stroke and feeling lively and accurate. The harder we pushed the Mondraker, the better it worked.
Cornering is accurate and predictable thanks to the bike’s geometry, suspension, and the amazing traction provided by the front and rear Assegai tires. On ultra-steep trails that are tough on all but true downhill bikes, the steering feels a little quick, and the extra weight can take you places you don’t want to go; however, on most downhill and bike park trails, the Level feels right at home.
With long-legged, amazing suspension, ultra-tacky tires and deft handling, there is a lot to love about the Level. The more time we spend with Bosch’s Performance Line CX drive unit, the more we like it. Power is generous, smooth and natural feeling. The wrecking crew didn’t unanimously like the large display, but those who did loved how easy the information is to see. There is something really comfortable about the front end of the bike. Some of us wonder if it has anything to do with the smaller-diameter bars. They certainly didn’t hurt.
While we like the clean looks, we are not fans of the internal battery, especially on a bike that eats power like this. Time on our favorite DH trails and bike parks was cut a little short, so it would have been nice if we could have thrown in a fresh battery. A few of our shorter riders had trouble getting the seatpost down in the frame because it interfered with the seat tube where it wraps around the shock. It would bottom with an inch and a half of the post still showing, and this was with the standard 150mm drop post. A few riders wanted something more like a 175mm on a bike this capable. Those who like to run long droppers with long insertion depths may run into trouble.
Few riders liked the Fizik saddle’s upward sweep at the back. Some made rather uncomfortable contact with it. We also wish the brakes came with SRAM’s HS2 rotors instead of the Centerlines, because we glazed the 200mm rear. After spending more time on small control switches like those on Rocky Mountain’s Powerplays and Trek’s Fuel EXe, Bosch’s start feeling bulky, and there are too many buttons that can be confusing to use while riding. Although we were able to mount a bottle cage under the top tube, a downtube mount would function and look much better.
A self-shuttled, gravity-oriented rider or park rat will think the Level RR was tailor-made for them. It rips the downhills and flies back up for lap after lap until the battery gives out. The suspension and handling are top-notch, and so is the bike’s overall build quality. Long-travel, electric-assist models like this Mondraker Level RR make gravity-friendly trails an absolute blast and render shuttles or chair lifts totally optional.
SUSPENSION: 180mm (front), 170mm (rear)
Sizes: S, M (tested), L, XL
Frame tested: Aluminum, 170mm travel
Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System
Fork: Öhlins RXF 38 M.2, 180mm travel
Wheelset: e*thirteen E*Spec Plus aluminum, 30mm wide
Tires: Maxxis Assegai 29×2.5WT, 3C MAXX Grip compound, DH casing
Seatpost: OnOff Pija dropper internal, (S, 125mm; M, 150mm; L/XL, 170mm travel)
Saddle: Saddle – FIZIK Terra Aidon X5
Stem: OnOff Krypton FG 30mm
Headset: OnOff Saturn tapered for 1 1/8” to 1 1/2”
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC, oversized 4-piston calipers
Rotors: SRAM Centerline, 220mm (f)/200mm (r)
Rear derailleur: SRAM X01 Eagle 12-speed
Shifters: SRAM Trigger GX Eagle
Crankset: Race Face Aeffect ebike, 165mm
Cassette: SRAM XG-1275, 10-52T 12-speed
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FIRST RIDE: THE ALL-NEW GIANT TRANCE ADVANCED E+ – THE MOST POWERFUL LIGHT…
AMERICAN RIDERS DOMINATE THE ABSA CAPE EPIC PROLOGUE
ASK MBA: HOW DO I REMOVE DRIED TUBELESS TIRE SEALANT FROM MY FRAME?
ASK MBA: WHAT ARE THE BEST SUB 6K TRAIL BIKE OPTIONS?
ASK MBA: IS THERE A TRICK OR GREAT GLASSES THAT ARE FOG RESISTANT?
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RIDER LISTS RELEASED FOR CRANKWORX CAIRNS 2022
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PHOTO GALLERY: THE BEST READER SUBMITTED PHOTOS