Crossworx Dash MK2 by Raphaela Richter: A review of the world’s fastest enduro bike

On 18 October 2026, Raphaela Richter made German enduro history in Finale Ligure. After six special stages and almost 42 minutes of pure racing time, the 29-year-old was just 1.575 seconds ahead of the runner-up, Isabeau Courdurier. The bronze medal went to the Italian Nadine Ellecosta. For Richter, it was the greatest success of her career to date.

The basis for her World Championship triumph is not a production bike from a major international corporation, but a custom-built Crossworx Dash (reviewed here) MK2, handmade in Thuringia. The aluminium frame is manufactured in Germany. Raphaela Richter herself also works part-time at Crossworx alongside her racing career.

>> Soundcheck with the world champion: Raphaela Richter’s playlist

Crossworx Dash: Aluminium instead of carbon

Richter rides the second generation of the Crossworx Dash MLT as a mullet. The enduro bike has a 29-inch front wheel and a 27.5-inch rear wheel. The rear suspension is based on a braced single-pivot design and offers 160 millimetres of travel.

Intend chassis and True BC Mullet

When it comes to the suspension, Richter relies on components from Intend in Freiburg. The Carbonite fork features carbon stanchions and, according to the manufacturer, weighs around two kilograms. At the rear is an Intend Hover Monocoque shock absorber.

When it comes to wheels, Richter also opts for a relatively small manufacturer. The carbon rims are from True BC and are fitted with DT Swiss 350 hubs. The world champion’s bike is fitted with Schwalbe Radial tyres featuring a Gravity casing and an Ultrasoft rubber compound. A Magic Mary takes the lead at the front, whilst a Tacky Chan at the rear is designed to transfer drive and braking forces to the ground.

Hope brakes and O-Chain

The cause of the delay is Hope GR4 EVO brakes (reviewed here) with floating 203-millimetre discs. Sendhit-Nock V3 hand guards are designed to protect hands and levers from branches, flying stones and contact with track barriers.

In terms of the drivetrain, the current world champion’s setup differs from the configuration shown previously. Richter is now back to using Hope aluminium cranks. The carbon cranksets that were fitted for a while are no longer in use on his current race bike. And when it comes to the drivetrain itself, Rapha has opted for some unusual components: at the rear, an 11-speed cassette from Garbaruk is paired with a mechanical XX rear derailleur to change the gears. It appears that electronic components have been deliberately omitted.

Instead of a conventional chainring system, Richter also uses an O-Chain to reduce disruptive influences from the drivetrain on the rear triangle. As a result, impacts and movements of the rear triangle are transmitted less directly to the cranks and, consequently, to the rider’s feet. However, Raphaela appears to ride the O-Chain only in the moderate 6-degree position. Up to 12 degrees of free travel would be possible.

An overview of the Crossworx Dash MLT by Raphaela Richter