The Mondraker Dusk RR was part of our Dual battery test in EMTB 3/20 was one of the surprise candidates. The supposedly well-behaved super tourer, which can be pimped up to 990 watt hours with a range extender, shone with a strong chassis and proved to have real taker qualities both uphill and downhill. It's just a shame that the lightweight tyres could hardly keep up with this performance.
Shimano EP8 and new rear triangle
For 2021, Mondraker is launching the touring bike with Shimano's new EP8 in a new way. However, the frame and the concept remain the same. A 630 watt-hour Intube battery, permanently installed for weight reasons, supplemented by a 360 watt-hour range extender that can be easily attached to the down tube without rattling. This makes the Dusk a whole kilogram lighter than its big brother, the Crafty in aluminium with heavy equipment and removable battery. The more compact dimensions of the new Shimano EP8 compared to the old E8000 also leave more space in the bottom bracket area, which enabled the designers to redesign the lower linkage of the rear shock. The suspension of the new Mondraker model should therefore be even more sensitive and offer more progression against bottoming out in the last third of the travel.
Equipment upgrade - range extender now only optional
The Dusk's equipment has also been tweaked for 2021. The range extender (€499) is now no longer included in any model, but is always an optional extra. But there is also good news: The Sram drivetrain on the top model Dusk RR makes way for Shimano's twelve-speed XT (with Deore cassette), and the fork also gets an upgrade: instead of Fox 36 Performance, there is now the Fox 36 Factory Kashima in the Fit4 version. The dropper post has also been improved: 150 millimetres of travel are now fitted in frame size L (previously 120). Only the lightweight Maxxis Rekon tyres remain - those who ride off-road more often should consider an upgrade here.
Prices are not yet available, but will be added as soon as possible. All further information on the new Mondraker Dusk can be found on the Website of the manufacturer.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
