Until now, there has been a big gap in Mondraker's product portfolio. For some time now, the Spaniards have only been offering somewhat outdated entry-level bikes in the mid-travel range. If you wanted high-end, you had to go for the F-Podium DC sports tourer with 120/115 millimetres of travel or the Enduro Foxy.
Mondraker Raze at a glance
- 29 inch, 150/138 millimetre suspension travel
- Range of use: All Mountain
- Modern, smooth-running geometry
- Initially only in carbon fibre
- Price: from 5999 Euro
- Test bike weight: 13.25 kilograms (pre-series equipment)
Mondraker Raze: All Mountain with Enduro genes
The new Mondraker Raze is supposed to close the 130-millimetre gap, which is how much travel the full floater rear suspension provides according to the factory specification. It doesn't sound like much, but the BIKE lab measurement shows: It's a little more - even up to 138 millimetres. The Spaniards combine this rear triangle with 29-inch wheels and a 150 mm fork.
Mondraker makes it clear that the Raze is not simply a sporty trail bike. Rather as a more efficient version of the Foxy enduro bike. Better to pedal and more active to ride, but still with a clear focus on descending.
Geometry: Long frame, short chainstays, moderate angles
The geometry also supports this impression. The reach is long (490 millimetres in size L), while the stem is very short at 30 millimetres, typical of Mondraker. The Spaniards have thus implemented their Forward Geometry concept, which should allow the rider to ride with a lot of pressure on the front without having to fear a rollover.
The head angle of 66 degrees and the 435 millimetre chainstays sound like a good compromise between agility and smoothness, the seat angle is measured at 76 degrees - steep but one degree slacker than the factory specification. The bike offers space for a bottle cage and is also compatible with shocks with reservoirs, depending on the intended use.
Initially only in carbon fibre: prices from 5999 euros
For the time being, the Raze will only be available with a carbon frame, and the prices are also set at a sporty level in relation to the equipment. Nevertheless, like all carbon bikes from Mondraker, the Raze models also feature the in-house telemetry system Mind which, in addition to infotainment, also provides information on the correct suspension set-up.
The most affordable model, the Raze R, costs just € 5999 and comes with Fox performance suspension, XM1700 spline wheels from the upper mid-range from DT Swiss and a favourable gear mix of Sram NX and GX. The top model Raze RR SL costs 9999 euros. It comes with Fox Factory suspension, a mix of the electronic GX drivetrain and the X01 AXS from Sram and lightweight high-end carbon wheels from DT (XMC 1200 Spline). Sram's lightweight XX1 AXS groupset is not included in the top model - despite the price.
The mid-range Raze RR model offers the best compromise for € 7399, as it also uses the Factory suspension from Fox. The RR shares the DT wheels with the entry-level model, but the gearing is a mix of the higher-quality GX and X01 components, which are operated mechanically.
All bikes come with the slightly grippier Maxxis Dissector on the front wheel and the faster Agressor on the rear wheel, while the brakes are fitted as standard with the somewhat weak - but quite light - G2 brakes from Sram with 180 mm discs. Heavy riders should at least plan to upgrade to larger discs.
Light, smooth, a little soft: the Mondraker Raze RR on the trail
We were able to ride the new Mondraker Raze RR in a pre-production configuration (different from standard: wheels, brakes, front tyres) and get a first impression. The bike accelerates willingly uphill, but bobs noticeably when the shock is open. The platform provides relief on longer gravel climbs, but the bobbing is still very slightly noticeable.
The seat angle of 76 degrees is a good compromise between a sporty, front wheel-orientated riding position uphill and a relaxed pedalling position on the flat. The rolling resistance of the Maxxis tyres is okay, but the bike would rather be pedalled uphill in a relaxed manner than with maximum traction on the chain.
When it comes to descents, the Mondraker initially impresses with its plush and very sensitive suspension. The Fox 36 Grip2 remains composed even on rough terrain, and the rear suspension feels very forgiving and like it has more than the 130 millimetres of travel claimed by the manufacturer. And indeed, according to our lab measurements, the Mondraker Raze squeezes a full 138 millimetres of travel out of the shock. However, due to the long frame, the Mondraker has to be ridden with a lot of pressure on the front. Then it convinces with sporty, agile handling and a relatively smooth ride, despite the short chainstays.
It was a pity, however, that the rear suspension initially felt a little undefined and rushed through its travel relatively quickly - with a firmer setup (SAG below 30 percent) and full compression in the shock, however, the behaviour improved noticeably. The low stiffness of the rear end was also noticeable in fast corners. Especially in contrast to the stiff front end, this sometimes took some getting used to, but at least it provided good traction on sloping roots, despite the fast rear tyre. Minor points of criticism for a performance that is nevertheless convincing for an all-mountain bike in this suspension travel class. But at prices starting at 5999 euros, you can expect a lot.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
