Bike Test: Mondraker Dune XR

FRAME

The Dune XR is made of carbon, which the Spanish brand calls Stealth Air, and has a smaller 27.5-inch wheel at the back. The Twinlink Zero suspension system works with both spring and air shocks. The frame has cabling routed through the head assembly, and you will find mounting points for the bottle basket as well as for tools or inner tube under the upper frame tube.

The Bosch Performance Line SX motor with 55 Nm of torque and 600 W of maximum power will assist you when pedaling. It weighs only 2 kilos. It is powered by an integrated 400 Wh battery, and for a little less than €500 you can buy an additional 250 Wh. The Bosch Kiox 500 display on the handlebars will inform you about everything.

There are four sizes to choose from, from S to XL. Each has a laid-back 63.6-degree head angle and a steep 77.1-degree saddle angle. The Reach has a respectable, but not radical, 480 mm in the L, and the 445 mm long rear structure suits it nicely. On an e-bike, however, it is rather one of the shorter ones, and this means that you will not get a larger 29-inch wheel at the back, even if you wanted to.

COMPONENTS

On the highest model in the offer, you get a fork and an Öhlins spring shock absorber. The drive is from a SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission wireless electronic kit and the RockShox Reverb telescopic fork has the same attributes. Both wheels and cranks are made of carbon from e*thirteen. The combo of Maxxis Assegai tires in the front and Minion DHR II in the rear is a proven and popular one. Top model SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth brakes bite into 200 mm front and rear discs. Most of the other equipment is from Mondraker's own brand of components OnOff.

RIDE

If you switch from an e-bike with full power on the Dune, you will feel the lower torque. For the bike to really come to life, you'll need to pedal at a much higher cadence than you're used to. However, all you have to do is to lower yourself, turn the cranks faster, and up the hill the full-fat e-bike doesn't lack that much. In addition, the motor takes up several meters after you stop pedaling. So it helps you overcome technical obstacles where you would otherwise hit the ground with your pedals.

Bikes with spring shock absorbers usually wobble a bit more on kicks, as the spring tends to be more sensitive at the beginning of the stroke. Although there is a platform lever, we never reached for it. In addition, the active shock absorber helps the bike find traction even on the steepest climbs. The excellent drive also helps, which shifts without distraction even under full pedal, although a little slower than a mechanical set could handle.

On the descents, the Dune XR is indistinguishable from a racing enduro. The combination of wheel diameters gives it a playful character. The rear wheel rotates easily and the front one simply lifts itself over obstacles. The rear suspension swallows everything in its path, but never feels too wobbly. The rigid structure of the fork precisely holds the trail. The bike's low center of gravity is an advantage when cornering.

So, if you are looking for a bike for the toughest trails, but want a little help with the start of them, definitely consider the Dune XR.

SPECIFICATION

Carbon frame , 165 mm

Fork Öhlins EXF 38 M.2 29, 180 mm

Öhlins TTX22m.2 shock absorber

Bosch Performance Line SX motor , 400 Wh battery

SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission (1 x 12)

e*thirteen Grappler Race Carbon wheels , Maxxis Assegai 29 x 2.5 front and Minion DHR II 27.5 x 2.4 rear tires

Brakes SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth (200/200 mm)

Handlebars/ stem OnOff Krypton Carbon 1.0, 800 mm/OnOff Krypton FG, 30 mm

Seatpost/saddle RockShox Reverb AXS telescopic/ fi'zi:k Terra Aidon Slim X5

Weight 19.7 kg (M, without pedals)

BIKER VERDICT: It's great fun on the descents and helps you uphill almost like a full-fat e-bike.

Source: Sportmedia