Even after the first descent, all the testers agree: on the downhill, it feels like the Mondraker is playing in a different league. However, the fact that the 2025 Foxy stands out so clearly from the rest of the test group is less down to the geometry or the suspension travel than to clever equipment details. If you compare the geometry data, the Mondraker behaves inconspicuously: modern reach, normal stack value, shortest wheelbase, moderate chainstays - none of these values are indicative of a downhill ace. The same applies to the suspension travel. With 160 millimetres at the fork and 150 millimetres at the rear, the Mondraker only ranks in the midfield.
The facts about the Mondraker Foxy Carbon R
| Category | details |
| Model | Mondraker Foxy Carbon R |
| Total weight (without pedals) | 14.63 kg |
| Suspension travel (v/h) | 160 / 150 mm |
| Wheel size | 29" |
| Price | 6299 Euro |
| Frame material | Carbon |
| Max. system weight | 130 kg |
| Guarantee | For life |
| Special features | None |
| Weight of wheels | 5728 g |
| Impeller inertia | 4395 kg × cm² |
Also in the test of all-mountains up to 7500 euros:
The equipment of the Mondraker Foxy Carbon R
The Maxxis front tyre with the extra grippy MaxxGrip rubber compound and the high spacer tower in combination with a strongly upwardly cranked handlebar are the only striking features. Both features appear inconspicuous at first glance, but turned out to be game changers in practice.
| Category | details |
| Fork / damper | Fox 36 Float Performance Grip / Fox Float X Performance |
| Circuit / bandwidth | Sram S-1000 Eagle Transmission 1×12 / 520 % |
| Brakes | Sram DB8 / 200 / 180 mm |
| Impellers | e*Thirteen Grappler Core |
| Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF; MaxxGrip Exo+; Minion DHR II; MaxxTerra Exo+, 29 × 2.5 / 2.4 |
| Seat post / stroke | Pija dropper post / 180 mm |
The height you gain from the riser handlebar and the long steerer tube gives you maximum confidence on steep terrain. Also good on bumpy sections: the upright and central riding position means that the maximum "suspension travel" of the arms is available, and the body's centre of gravity is evenly distributed between the rear and front. Perfect!
But that's not all: the chassis also scores top marks on the downhill. Traction? Available! Absorption capacity too. Only in terms of damping control does the Fox Performance fork lose out to its Factory counterpart in the Arc8. Especially at the limit, the Factory fork feels more defined.
The flip side of gumption
The laboratory measurements put a slight kink in the Foxy R's success curve. With a total weight of 14.6 kilos, the Spaniards send the second heaviest bike into the test. In terms of wheel weight and wheel acceleration, the Mondraker with its heavy Maxxis tyres even brings up the rear. It is therefore better to take it easy on tour. If you want to get more propulsion out of the bike, you should definitely switch to a faster front tyre. Despite having the same tread pattern, the sticky MaxxGrip rubber compound on the Mondraker rolls noticeably worse than the MaxxTerra compound on the Merida and Arc8.
The bike climbs well off-road. The rear end generates good traction even under chain tension, but also bobs noticeably. The high front end makes it a little difficult to put enough pressure on the front wheel on steep sections. The competition manages this better. It's a pity that you won't find any technical delicacies such as a frame storage compartment or flipchips for adjusting the geometry. At a price of 6299 euros, even Sram's entry-level DB8 brakes and the affordable S-1000 drivetrain don't seem very glamorous.
BIKE Review: Mondraker Foxy Carbon R
| Area / Criterion | Weighting (%) | Mondraker rating |
| Driving behaviour | 65 | 1,91 |
| Uphill | 13 | 2,5 |
| Efficiency chassis | 10 | 2,5 |
| Play instinct | 12 | 3 |
| Downhill | 10 | 1 |
| Chassis | 20 | 1,5 |
| Laboratory | 10 | 3,35 |
| Total weight | 6 | 3,25 |
| Impeller inertia | 4 | 3,5 |
| Equipment | 25 | 2,01 |
| Equipment quality | 5 | 2,3 |
| Usability / added value | 5 | 3,75 |
| Transport volume bottle cage | 5 | 2 |
| Saddle retractability | 5 | 1,5 |
| Quality / Processing | 5 | 0,5 |
| Guarantee | - | for life |
| Service friendliness | - | medium |
| Frame stiffness front/rear (N/mm) | - | 4,3 / 18,4 |
| BIKE grade | 100 | 2,08 |
Conclusion from Max Fuchs
The Mondraker clearly has its strengths downhill. The successful geometry and well thought-out add-on parts such as tyres and cockpit make it possible. The suspension is also first class. Coupled with decent climbing characteristics and many points in the equipment rating, it is enough to win the test despite the tough propulsion.
Max Fuchs
Editor
