Today, Mondraker is primarily known for bikes with the Bosch CX drive. That wasn't always the case. In 2017, the Spaniards presented their first modern e-MTB with an integrated battery. With 150 millimetres of travel, the Crusher was considered a big enduro bike at the time and was powered by Shimano's top-of-the-range E-8000 motor. Now a new Mondraker Crusher is in the starting blocks and revives the manufacturer's Shimano range.
The facts about the Mondraker Crusher 2023
- Motor: Shimano EP801
- Battery: Simplo 720 watt hours, permanently installed
- Suspension travel: 160 / 150 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Carbon frame with aluminium rear triangle
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: From 23.4 kilograms (size M, manufacturer's specification)
- Three models for 6999 euros, 8299 euros and 9499 euros
- Authorised system weight: 180 kilograms
Like the Crafty: frame and geometry
Despite the Shimano motor: the Mondraker Crusher takes its geometry and frame shape almost entirely from the Bosch Bike Crafty. The most striking difference: the rear triangle of all three Crusher models is made of aluminium, while the main frame is made of carbon. The Crafty, on the other hand, is available with a full aluminium or full carbon frame. However, the new Shimano bike is also characterised by the slightly slimmer-looking down tube.
The geometry of the Mondraker Crusher and Crafty is identical, the Crusher just has a half-degree slacker head angle. The geometry with long reach and short stem is typical for Mondraker, the chainstays are not too short in order to work harmoniously with the long main frame. This should give the Mondraker Crusher a high level of stability and stability on the descents. as we can tell from past tests with the Crafty - also ensure extremely strong climbing properties.
The geometry of the Mondraker Crusher at a glance
- Steering angle: 65 degrees
- Seat angle: 76 degrees
- Reach: 490 millimetres (size L)
- Stack: 645 millimetres (size L)
- Chainstay length: 455 millimetres
- Wheelbase: 1285 millimetres
Shimano EP801: The drivetrain of the Mondraker Crusher
Brand new in Mondraker's portfolio is Shimano's new top motor EP801, which provides thrust in the Crusher. The EP801 is just as heavy and looks just like its predecessor EP8, but thanks to fresh electronics inside, the EP801 is noticeably more powerful than its predecessor and can also be combined with features such as Free- and Auto-Shift (see top model RR below). We were able to elicit 544 watts of peak power at the rear wheel from the EP801, which is a good 80 watts more than its predecessor, the EP8. In terms of performance, the EP801 is therefore almost on a par with the top dog Bosch CX and is slightly lighter.
The Shimano motor in the Mondraker is powered by a permanently installed Simplo battery with 720 watt hours. This should provide a good range of around 1700 metres in altitude in our standard test scenario. Slightly less than the Bosch 750, which regularly manages around 2000 metres in altitude. Mondraker relies on the new EN600 display, which also shows the battery status in more detail, for example, and the corresponding EN600 remote. Of course, Mondraker also allows you to fine-tune the support via the Shimano app.
From 6999 euros: The Mondraker Crusher models
The Mondraker Crusher will only be available with a carbon main frame and high-quality equipment, and the entry-level price of € 6999 is correspondingly high. In return, the Crusher comes with Fox suspension from the Performance range with a powerful Fox 38 suspension fork and Float-X shock, Mavic wheels, Sram DB8 brakes and a mechanical Sram GX drivetrain with NX shifters.
For € 8299, the Mondraker Crusher R comes with Öhlins suspension (RXF 38 and TTX Air), a mechanical X01/GX drivetrain from Sram, Code brakes in the Bronze Stealth version and Mavic wheels. The top model, the Crusher RR, also features Öhlins suspension for 9499 euros. The highlight here is Shimano's electronic XT Di2 drivetrain with Free and Autoshift features. This means you can shift gears without pedalling when the bike is rolling - particularly helpful on downhill trails. Or you can leave the gear selection in auto-shift mode entirely to the intelligent shifting system. The equipment of the top model is completed by XT brakes and Mavic Deemax wheels in the higher-quality S version.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
