Miguel Pina has never been interested in what others do. In 2001, the Spanish downhill racer founded his own mountain bike brand, which he named after his favourite comic "Mandrake the Magician". And in 2012, Mondraker provided one of the most important impulses for the longer, flatter trend in mountain bike design with its "Forward Geometry". Short stems, long main frames - what is standard today seemed almost as wacky in 2012, like a mountain bike with motor and battery.
The Mondraker brand remains true to its own line with its first Light E-MTB. The new Neat is designed to be safe and balanced instead of maximising playfulness. Fans of short chainstays and super low bottom brackets will have to look elsewhere. Three equipment variants starting at 8000 euros are also rather exclusive. However, the low weight, the quiet motor and the removable battery should find many fans. In terms of range of use, the new Mondraker Neat is based on the models from the same company: the Foxy without motor and the Crafty e-bike. Like these two, it combines 160 millimetres of suspension travel at the front with 150 millimetres at the rear. This should not make the light e-MTB too sluggish on moderate trails, but still offer reserves in difficult terrain.
Light-E-MTB Mondraker Neat: The facts at a glance
- Motor: TQ HPR 50 (max. 50 Nm torque, 300 watts peak power)
- Battery: TQ, 360 Wh, removable (range extender optional, 160 Wh)
- Suspension travel: 160 / 150 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Carbon frame
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- From 18.05 kilos (size L, EMTB measurement)
- Three models for 7999 euros, 9999 euros and 11,999 euros
Lightweight frame, new rear suspension system
The centrepiece of the new Mondraker Neat is the full carbon frame, which all three models have in common. The naked chassis should only weigh 2300 grams in size M. That would be really light for an e-bike with a removable battery and a fairly complex rear suspension system.
And speaking of the rear triangle: the Mondraker Neat is the brand's first e-bike in which the shock runs through the seat tube. A Mondraker bike trademark that was previously reserved for models without a motor. Especially for the Neat, the designers have fundamentally revised the so-called "Zero Suspension System" for the first time in 15 years. During compression, the shock absorber is articulated from two sides. Instead of sitting on the lower swingarm as before, the shock absorber now sits directly on the rear triangle. This is intended to make the rear suspension even more sensitive and confident in difficult terrain.
The geometry of the Mondraker Neat: long but balanced
Long reach, short stem, moderate chainstay length: since the very early days of Forward Geometry with a 0-millimetre stem, the designers from Spain have moderated their approach somewhat. However, the basic features of Mondraker's Forward Geometry can also be recognised in the Neat. The head angle of 64.5 degrees is a pleasantly modern measurement, the reach of 495 millimetres in size L is extremely long, as on the Foxy and Crafty, and the stem is short. The seat angle of 76.5 degrees is rather moderate. However, the straight seat tube ensures that you don't pedal too hard from behind, even when the saddle is extended a lot.
- Steering angle: 64.5°
- Seat angle: 76.5°
- Chainstay length: 450 millimetres
- Bottom bracket height: 348 millimetres (25 millimetre BB drop)
- Reach: 450/470/495/515 millimetres (S, M, L, XL)
While many new light E-MTBs with a short rear end are designed for maximum playfulness, the chainstays on the Mondraker Neat measure a rather long 450 millimetres. This should suit the long reach better and provide a more balanced weight distribution downhill. Although there were prototypes with shorter chainstays and a smaller rear wheel, after extensive testing the developers decided against these two options in favour of a better balance.
Mondraker Light-E-MTB: motor, battery and range extender
The new light e-MTB from Mondraker does not feature the new light drive from Bosch, but rather the minimalist HPR 50 from TQ. This is new territory for the Spanish brand, whose e-bikes have so far mainly featured Bosch motors and the occasional Shimano drive unit - but Mondraker's new light e-MTB is a newcomer. There was even a Mahle X20 in the Dusty e-gravel bike. However, as a light E-MTB, the Neat is intended to appeal to a new target group for whom a discreet look, pleasant background noise and a natural pedalling feel take priority over performance.
The HPR 50 from TQ is the perfect match. With up to 300 watts and 50 Newton metres, it delivers only about half as much power as a classic Bosch CX e-bike motor. Also Fazuas similar lightweight Ride 60 delivers 50 per cent more power, while the TQ drive unit is particularly compact. The display on the top tube and in particular the slim remote are a success, but the real strength of the TQ is the background noise. Even if you listen carefully, you will only hear a subtle, low-frequency whisper from the drive at normal pedalling cadence. When climbing uphill on forest roads, the motor sound is completely drowned out by the ambient noise.
The 360 watt-hour battery from TQ is of course fully integrated in the down tube, but can also be removed from the Mondraker Neat. This works in a similar way to its competitors from Haibike or Trek: turn the bike on its side or upside down, release the flap in the bottom bracket area, unlock the battery and pull it out downwards. The Mondraker battery is secured with two Allen screws, which have to be loosened beforehand. On our test bikes, the battery sat very firmly in the frame, but did not rattle downhill.
For more range, an optional range extender in the shape of a water bottle can also be attached to the bike. It offers 160 additional watt hours, weighs around one kilo according to the manufacturer and costs an additional 559.90 euros. The cheaper solution: simply pack the charger and make a charging stop on tour. During a 90-minute lunch break at the launch event, the charger charged the Neat's small battery from less than 10 to almost 90 per cent. Hardly any other drive system can do that apart from the TQ system.
From 7999 euros: The model variants of the Mondraker Neat
Unfortunately, the Mondraker Neat will not be available as a truly affordable entry-level model. The brand estimates that the Neat R will cost at least € 7999, for which you get mid-range equipment with Fox Performance suspension instead of entry-level parts. In the middle of the price range is the Neat RR for 9999 euros, which, with Fox Factory suspension and the new GX Transmission gears, leaves nothing to be desired in terms of functionality. Carbon wheels, Sram XX Transmission drivetrain, Sram Level Ultimate brakes and Rockshox Reverb AXS dropper post make the Mondraker Neat RR SL the top model for € 11,999.
All Neats come with Mavic's own wheels, which have been specially configured for the lightweight E-MTB. With more spokes in the rear wheel, they are slightly more stable than Mavic's wheels for classic mountain bikes, but also slightly lighter than the particularly robust wheels for classic e-bikes.
Weight and comparison with the competition
At the bike's launch in the Spanish Pyrenees, we were able to hang the Neat RR SL on the scales. 18.05 kilograms in size L for the top model is a strong figure. For comparison, here are some extracts from our test database: The lightest All Mountain E-MTB with removable battery that we have been able to test so far was the Neat RR SL. Rotwild's R.X 375 with 18.4 kilograms, closely followed by Trek's Fuel EXe with 18.55 kilograms and Haibikes Lyke with Fazua drive and 18.6 kilograms.
The Mondraker is significantly lighter and is almost on a par with the class leader from the last test of lightweight E-MTBs, the Simplon Rapcon Pmax TQ. However: The Simplon has a permanently installed battery. Specialised's Levo S-Works and the E1 Enduro from Transalpes are even lighter than the 18kg, but are also more expensive than the Mondraker. Even lighter is only possible with weight-reduced versions of Orbeas Risewhich already offers less reserves downhill and of course with bikes like Scotts Lumen or Red Deer R.X 275. But then with a completely different range of use and not comparable equipment. It is noticeable that many lightweight bikes come with a permanently installed battery and TQ motor. The lightest Fazua bike in our tests so far was Lapierre's brand-new E-Zesty with 18.15 kilograms in the LTD version and also with a permanently installed battery.
First test of the Mondraker Neat: Uphill and Tour
You feel right at home on the Mondraker Neat as you roll up to the trail. The riding position is a touch long and suits the sporty Light E-MTB concept, where the rider also pedals hard. The seat angle and contact points, such as the grips and handlebars, are comfortable even in standard trim. When things get steeper, the subtle but easy-to-regulate power of the TQ motor helps. The suspension always remains very active and sensitively feels the ground. Even when the trail gets rougher uphill and thick roots and rocks get in the way, the rear suspension of the Mondraker still bobs comfortably over them and offers excellent traction.
The other side of the coin: the shock of the Neat is not always high in its travel on the climbs. In particularly steep passages, this means that you pedal slightly from behind and even with the limited motor power of the TQ, the front end can become light in really steep passages. The 170 mm cranks on the test bike in frame size L (size M: 165 millimetres) provide good propulsion. However, when things get really bumpy uphill and the suspension is working accordingly, the long cranks can occasionally cause you to bump.
Nevertheless, the Mondraker Neat is a comfortable and powerful e-bike. This is not least due to the longer chainstays and good traction. Although the motor pushes rather discreetly, the power is easily sufficient for most situations. As the TQ e-bike motor has hardly any idle travel when accelerating and follows the rider's power input in a very measured manner, even technically demanding trails can be mastered well uphill. On steeper uphills, a small amount of motor overrun would be desirable to make it easier to lift the bike over the final edges of the terrain.
Downhill
"We come from the fun side of mtb", say the developers at Mondraker, by which they mean: From downhill sports. You can feel it. What already felt good on the climbs now makes perfect sense. The geometry with a long reach provides a lot of stability, the slightly longer rear of the bike always puts enough pressure on the front wheel. Good for safety and traction. When the bends get tighter, the length naturally has its disadvantages. But even here, the Mondraker Neat always feels balanced and harmonious, the low weight makes the Light-E-MTB lively and light-footed. Only on very slow bends does the rider need to be committed. Moving the rear wheel here and there is much easier than with most e-bikes due to the low weight.
The particular strength of the bike from Alicante: the rear suspension. In the first third of its travel, the Mondraker is extremely sensitive and literally soaks up small bumps, but still offers good support in the middle of its travel. Even with a sporty riding style and in berms, the suspension never feels undefined. The Mondraker Neat is easy to pull into the air and, thanks to good end progression in the rear triangle, still manages a high speed even in rough terrain. The bottom bracket of 348 millimetres, which is rather high on paper, was not noticed negatively in the terrain. On the contrary: you are well integrated into the e-bike and the direct and precise steering behaviour makes for a lot of riding fun on fast routes.
But the Mondraker also feels at home on steep terrain and enduro trails with rough roots and rocks. The rear suspension travel is of course finite, but the Neat makes a lot of use of its travel and should make even some full-blown enduro bikes with more travel look old. Compared to the Bio-Bike, the additional weight and the low centre of gravity due to the motor and battery provide an extra portion of stability without the bike becoming sluggish or unwieldy.
There is little criticism: only the Trail brake level should have a little more bite given the downhill potential. After all: The thicker HS2 discs from Sram on the top model are excellent and deliver consistent braking performance even on long descents. Bonus points for the background noise: Even going uphill, the Mondraker with TQ drive is one of the quietest e-bikes on the market, and even going downhill, instead of the usual motor and battery rattling, you only hear the suspension and tyres whirring. It has a really high-quality feel.
Conclusion Adrian Kaether, Editor EMTB
With the Neat, Mondraker has achieved a great success. Quiet uphill and downhill, great rear suspension, strong handling. Lightweight and with a removable battery. The high entry-level price is easy to get over. The question is more one of preference: do you prefer a long, stable and balanced bike? Then the Mondraker is the right candidate. If you are looking for a maximally playful light E-MTB, you will be happier with other bikes such as the Levo SL or Fuel EXe.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
