Scott Ransom, YT Capra, Cube Stereo 150: The enduro scene is currently focussing on downhill bikes with large 29er wheels. These are said to offer better rollover behaviour and therefore more speed and safety downhill. This trend has so far passed E-MTBs by, at least in the 160+ travel range. We can rummage around in our memories for as long as we like, but an e-bike with at least 160 millimetres of suspension travel and 29-inch wheels doesn't spring to mind. The Mondraker Level now wants to put an end to that. The latest addition to the Spaniards' E-MTB range pairs a 170 millimetre fork (160 at the rear) with 29-inch wheels - a world first!
The new Level is Mondraker's first 29er bike and is designed to open up a new level of riding difficulty for e-mountain bikers - the name says it all. The 160-millimetre rear end features a steel spring shock with a reservoir, and the aluminium frame houses a Bosch Powertube battery in the down tube. Of course, Mondraker also relies on the familiar Forward geometry for the new Enduro, i.e. a very long reach (479 millimetres for size L) is combined with an extremely short stem. There is also a slack 65-degree steering angle and extremely long chainstays (490 millimetres!). That sounds like a very smooth ride. The concentrated downhill power also has its price, namely mass: Mondraker states the weight of the top model at 25.2 kilos.
The facts about the Mondraker Level:
- Bosch Performance CX motor with Powertube battery and Purion display
- 170/160 millimetre spring travel, steel spring damper
- 29-inch wheels with mixed 2.5 front/2.4 rear tyres
- Forward geometry with 44 millimetre offset
- short 165 mm cranks
- Two models: Level R (5799 euros) and Level RR (7999 euros)
- Four sizes: S, M, L, XL
The equipment variants of the Mondraker Level:
The Level R is the entry into the long-stroke 29er business. Mondraker offers the following equipment for 5799 euros:
- Fork: Fox 36 Rhythm Grip eBike optimised Boost 170 mm
- Shock: Fox DHX2 Performance Elite
- Brakes: Shimano MT520 (four-piston, 203 millimetres front + rear)
- Gear system: Sram GX 1x11
- Wheels: DT Swiss Hybrid H1900 29 SPLINE 30 mm
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 29x2.5WT DH 3C TR MAXXGRIP / Maxxis Minion DHR II 29x2.4WT 3C TR MAXXGRIP
- Telescopic seatpost: Onoff Pija Dropper internal 1x lever
The top model, the Level RR, costs 7999 euros:
- Fork: Fox 36 Float FitGRIP2 Factory Kashima Ebike Optimised Boost 170 mm
- Shock: Fox DHX2 Factory Kashima
- Brakes: Sram Code RSC (200 millimetres front + rear)
- Gear system: Sram EX1 1x8
- Wheels: DT Swiss HX 1501 29 SPLINE ONE 30 mm
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 29x2.5WT DH 3C TR MAXXGRIP / Maxxis Minion DHR II 29x2.4WT 3C TR MAXXGRIP
- Telescopic post: Fox Transfer Factory Kashima Internal
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
