Having taken the world by storm with their revolutionary geometry, Mondraker have now broached the world of composite frame construction. After trying the longer-forked Foxy Carbon XR at its launch in Spain (issue 309), we were keen to try the lower-specced RR in more typical UK conditions.
The frame
Although the Foxy Carbon has the same extra-long
Forward Geometry, stubby 30mm stem and 140mm (5.5in) of rear travel as the
alloy Foxy, this composite incarnation is a different animal. Moving to carbon
fibre has shaved a claimed 400g off the frame weight, giving this
middle-of-the-range RR model an all-up weight of 12.5kg (27.6lb).
The kit
Just as on the XR version, the Zero suspension system
is controlled by a Fox Float CTD shock, with a bar mounted remote so you can
toggle between modes. The same lever also adjusts the Kashima coated Fox 34
fork.
The mixed SRAM 11-speed drivetrain combines an X1
alloy crankset with X01 everywhere else. Mondraker are one of just a few brands
to spec CrankBrothers wheels on their high-end bikes - in this case, a set of
Cobalt 3s. Stopping is handled by Formula's CR1 brakes.
The ride
The carbon Foxy has a nicely muted but not dead feel,
with no hint of flex. It's also ridiculously quick. The Zero suspension feels
taut under power, cutting out pedal bob very effectively, but still sucks up
bumps in a hugely capable way. The low-slung and long geometry keeps your
weight centred, allowing you to subtly shift weight forwards or backwards to
maximise grip. Even when the Maxxis Ardent tyres are at the limits of traction,
the bike carves through turns in a way akin to powder skiing.
Mondraker's speccing of a bar-mounted suspension
remote on both the Foxy Carbon XR and RR seems bizarre given that the Foxy
pedals well without such interference - we left it in fully open 'descend' mode
for the majority of our rides. The fact the fork and shock are linked also
means you can't adjust their low-speed compression damping independently,
scuppering you from adjusting the balance of the bike, which is a little
frustrating.
Although the CrankBrothers
wheels look trick, they're insanely flexy. Given a big enough berm and enough
cornering speed, the rear tyre leaves marks on the chainstay - and the Foxy has
plenty of tyre clearance. Gas it down a rocky section and you'll quickly find
yourself off line as the wheel flex fires you in directions you'd really rather
not go. We didn't get on with the Formula CR1 brakes either - the tangential
lever pull means it can't be run close in to the bar without power tailing off,
and we had issues with brake rub and excess drag when they got warm too.
A superb lightweight trail
bike frame with blinding performance potential, neutered slightly by flawed
finishing kit
FRAME
Stealth Carbon, 140mm (5.5in) travel
FORK
Fox 34 Float 27.5 FIT CTD Remote Factory, 140mm (5.5in) travel
SHOCK
Fox Float CTD Boost Valve Remote LV Factory
DRIVETRAIN SRAM X01 w/ X1 cranks (1x11)
WHEELSET
CrankBrothers Cobalt 3 wheels, Maxxis Ardent 27.5x2.25in tyres
BRAKES
Formula CR3
BAR/STEM
OnOff Stoic Carbon, 740mmA/OnOff Stoic FG, 30mm
SEATPOST/SADDLE RockShox Reverb Stealth/fi'zi:k Nisene MG
WEIGHT
12.5kg/27.6lb (M)
