"Huh? That's really heavy! I'm certainly not going to ride that!" Matti looks me in the eye defiantly. I had expected this reaction - because firstly, cycling uphill is not exactly my son's speciality. And secondly, he hasn't even realised yet that I've put an e-MTB in front of his feet. No wonder, because the Mondraker F-Play hides the drive and battery so elegantly that the e-bike looks confusingly similar to its non-motorised brother, the Factor: same geometry, same slim down tube, same equipment. And even in the bottom bracket area - where chunky mid-mounted motors are usually found on e-bikes - you have to look very closely to recognise the differences. Only the charging port and the slightly longer down tube give the attentive observer the decisive clues.
The Mahle Ebikemotion X-35, a hub motor, is a good choice for the Mondraker. At 17.5 kilos, the bike may not be as light as a feather, but with a classic mid-motor, this weight would not even come close. Bosch or Shimano-style units are simply oversized for youngsters. Too heavy, too rough. Also too expensive. And the main disadvantage of the hub motor - its thermal susceptibility - hardly plays a role for lightweight youngsters. The unfavourable weight distribution remains a disadvantage. On our test stand, we measured 55 to 45 per cent between the rear and front wheels. However, young tester Matti did not notice this negatively, even on longer rides. The motor and battery together weigh just three kilos in the Mondraker.
The Mahle is as inconspicuous in appearance as it is in practice. According to the manufacturer, the unit delivers 40 Newton metres of torque. This is not noticeable, even when the support levels are increased via the app. On flat terrain, the gentle thrust is pleasing, but on steep climbs, the support is too meagre even for light riders - the youngster cannot keep up with adult e-bikes.
When things get technical, there's also a noticeable starting delay, and the tyres don't provide much traction. They also push the bike to the limit a little too early on downhills. It's a shame, because the sporty forward geometry makes the F-Play a real play-mobile: low cockpit, short stem, long reach - junior riders can really let rip with it. The X-Fusion fork provides 120 millimetres of travel, which can also be used well by lightweights. The rear suspension should theoretically be a little heavier due to the higher unsprung mass on the rear wheel, but in practice this was not noticeable even on fast descents over root trails.
STRENGTHSGood range; Ebikemotion app with a wide range of functions, including fine-tuning of the gear steps; sporty geometry, good handling; sensitive suspension fork; good climbing gear ratio; smooth motor characteristics
WEAKNESSES: Tame profiled tyres; engine too weak for steep climbs; significant starting delay; very long overrun; weak two-piston brakes
Test summary of the Mondraker F-Play by Josh Welz, EMTB editor-in-chief:
"The Mondraker F-Play is one of the few successful children's e-MTBs. With grippier tyres, the bike is the perfect toy for sporty young riders. On longer tours, parents should choose a more tame elevation profile, as the motor support should be a little more powerful for long, steep climbs."
Technical data Mondraker F-Play
- Price: 2999 Euro
- Weight²: 17.48 kg
- Seat tube / body height: 35 cm / up to approx. 160 cm
- Reach altitude¹: 1280 hm
- Average speed: 14.4 km/h
- Suspension travel front / rear: 120 mm / 120 mm
- Wheel size: 26 inch
- Motor: Mahle Ebikemotion X-35
- Max. Torque³: 40 Nm
- Support levels: 3 plus push assistance
- Battery. 250 Wh
- Gear system: Sram SX Eagle 12-speed
- Gear ratio: 30; 10-50
- Fork: X-Fusion Velvet RL Air
- Brake: Shimano MT 410 160 mm / 160 mm
- Tyres: Kenda Booster 26 x 2.40
- Crank length / Q-factor: 155 mm / 176 mm Crank length / Q-factor 155 mm / 176 mm
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¹ Determined on the roller test bench in the EMTB laboratory at the highest support level, constant incline, 70 watts pedalling power of the rider, 45 kg rider weight.
² Determined on the test benches in the EMTB test laboratory, weight without pedals.
³ Manufacturer's specification
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
