[Closed] Anyone ridden a Mondraker Vantage???

Mine should be arriving Friday! Really excited!
What build are you going for?

Ive ordered a large

Yeah also the large. Im 6ft and ride a large spicy as my fs bike so made sense really and 400 notes for frame, stem, headset, seatclamp and rear axle seemed a really good deal! Got a brand new set of all black 150 revelations, reverb stealth, shiny new slx double and xt front and rear derailleur with some dt swiss ex471 rims on hope hubs my mate is gonna build for me. Been accumulating bits for the last couple of months so looking forward to building it up!

Did you try one before you ordered it?

Nope. Didn't try one. But everyone seems to rate the Foxy and its got the same geometry as that. Just seemed like a great bargain.

Im doing similar. got a set of 150 pikes to go on. superstar wheels. and a mix of slx and xt drivetrain. Just a normal external hose reverb for now as it came off my spicy.
I also have a works expander ring for the cassette so will see what thats like.

Ive got a set of flat bars to go on, but im not sure if they will be a bit low. will see.

MBR did a review in the feb mag. They didnt like it, but i get the feeling the guy reviewing it just didnt like forward geometry. he didn't seem to get the point to it.

Oh right, I was looking online to see what they thought of it but couldn't find it anywhere. I reckon it will be spot on for me and that is the first negative feedback I've heard about it but then, like you say, opinions differ from person to person. Horses for courses and all that! I was looking to get a Stanton switchback until I found this frame option with all the extras and it just seemed a bargain and a good way of testing out their forward geometry. Let me know how you get on if you get chance, I just got a minion dhf and dhr2 through today so can't wait to have a blast!

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read it again and it definitely sounds like the guy just doesnt get on with the idea of forward geometry.

Im not sure what pushed me to get one tbh. I wanted a hardtail again as my spicy was getting boring and i just spent most of my time on the rigid 29er. Just liked the look of it.

Hopefully it will actually be in on friday. silverfish have changed their delivery dates a few times now.

Ive gone for Conti trail kings. with he big 2.4 up front.

Im surprised there hasnt been more interest in this thread!

I had a quick go on one and it felt good to me. I like the geometry though. The guy in the review sounds like he was on the wrong size. They are really long. A Medium is like an XL in most bikes.

Yes it's harder to manual and get the front wheel up, but I found with a bit more body English it wasn't a problem.

Great stuff, thanks for the replies! I was kind of unsure about the sizing myself at first, but when I thought about it, it's pretty much what sold me on it. Not sure whether I've got a disproportionately long torso or what but I sometimes tend to feel a bit cramped on a bike. This is mainly why I ditched my old medium zesty for a large spicy. The (2013) spicy has a 615mm with a 55mm stem, putting the reach at around 670mm which at first still felt a little cramped until I moved the seat right back to where it now feels spot on. Therefore, the vantage with a 660mm tt and 30mm stem should (I hope) feel just as comfortable as I prefer a stretched out ride position. Also, the guy in the review describes the 67 deg ha as steep? Now I'm definitely no expert, and it may not be the slackest ha in the world but I'm not so sure I would describe it as steep. Bearing in mind that the bike is also running a 30mm stem which would obviously shift rider weight again further behind the front axle. Still an interesting article though, as what feels right for one person might be completely wrong for someone else. I messaged a guy on YouTube who had posted a video on his and he said he absolutely loved it so the proof of the pudding as they say... My current hardtail is a 2005 kona caldera with 120mm forks, 70mm stem and by today's standards relatively steep geometry so I'm expecting a massive change there. Hope you are happy with yours when you get it anyway Chris, I'd be interested to hear your opinion once you've put it through its paces!

I've been ruminating about one for a while. Not decided yet.

Have been thinking about one of these for a while, as I fancy a hardtail again, and this one is pretty cheap really (and it looks pretty cool)

I read that review when it first came out, and like ChrisDW found it a bit odd. It seems completely contradictive, as the journo says that "Forward Geometry is a great concept" but didn't get on with the geometry.
He also said it's got a steep headangle, but I'm not sure I'd agree with that. Since when is 67deg on a hardtail steep? It's not a goddamn DH bike...

FWIW, a buddy of mine's got one, but hasn't finished building it yet. It does look bloody good in the flesh...

I believe STW is due to publish a long term review on this, unless I've already missed it.

I believe STW is due to publish a long term review on this, unless I've already missed it.

Hasn't happened yet. Few people waiting for it tho! No news on mine so I assume Silverfish have adjusted the expected delivery date. Again.

Mines been delayed another couple of weeks. You heard anything about yours?

Due to be about mid March from the dates i was given for my frame delivery - had the full R spec bike in already.

Was told by dealer they would be getting it in stock on the 27th March. Spoke to them yesterday as nothing had materialised and now its going to be 'about' another 3 weeks. hmmmmm.....

I have the 13th as a delivery date. But I was told that almost a week ago. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesnt materialise again.
Hopefully its worth the wait!

Anyone got their frame yet??

Rode a demo today (the RR full bike version) and I liked it! I currently ride a Bfe with 150 float 34's up. I think The Vantage is faster or at least felt more stable going faster I guess the length and bigger wheels helped! In fact I was faster on the vantage on a trail I ride regularly than I was on an SB6 and a carbon foxy (which I also took for a spin today)! If bought one I'd want beefier forks and shimano brakes!

That's good to hear. What size did you ride and how tall are you?
Pikes and SLX brakes should be good then!

I have one. It is tasty in so many ways 🙂

I rode the Large and I'm 6' felt spot on! Pikes and SLX would be perfect. I'm wondering If I can afford to buy a Frameset, some S/H 34's, and a pair of 650b rims (to build some wheels on my hope hubs) thne sell the Bfe!

If you can get hold of a frame set! Still waiting for mine!
Nice to hear some positive words tho. I was fed up of bikes being far too short i be always felt very perched. So thought this would be just the thing.
I've got the whole build waiting. Cost about 1500 I think. So bit cheaper than the whole bike with my component choices.

yeah I reckon I could get a rolling chassis up and running for £700 if I'm patient, Just whether I can get (most) of that back on the Bfe or not!

The long awaited update. There's a review of a complete bike in the next Mag too...

http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/long-termers-daves-mondraker-vantage-rr-part-two/

@Dave What did you use to fit the DSP grips, looking for an alternative to Windex?

Cheers Neil

[i]What did you use to fit the DSP grips, looking for an alternative to Windex?[/i]
generic window cleaner...

Got mine all built up. Just got the reverb hose to sort out. Will get a pic up soon. But first impressions of the 'up the road' test seem good. Might need some riser bars instead of my flat ones as the front is really low; even with the 150 forks.

I was fortunate to have a quick spin on one of these recently. Absolutely loved everything about its high on my list for next bike.

generic window cleaner...

Nice one!

Was reluctant to use it as most seem contain vinegar (acetic acid), not sure how it would react with carbon bars and the grips themselves.

My frame arrives in the next couple of days. I'm going back to hardtail after a brief fling with a full suss hussy. Not sure why, think I like the simplicity of a hardtail. Got an absolute bargain as well off a french retailer (assuming it arrives in one piece).

Does the frame come with the rear axle? As that is one item less to buy then for the change over of parts.

How low is the front? As I have a 10mm rise Ragley carbon bar I just bought recently so would like to keep that.

Also, any pics of the bikes you guys have?

Been riding mine a while now and I love it. Way more fun than my spicy before. Fantastic on steep trails. And actually faster for me too. Will but a pic up later, I'm using 20mm Renthal risers and a few spacers under stem with 150 forks. Just about high enough now.

Mine came with DT swiss axle, stem, and headset. Headset needed pressing in. The axle also has a couple of loose parts so careful not to lose them. And grease it all up. Makes it much smoother to put in and tighten.

I'm definitely going to struggle initially then. Low bar, only 130mm travel forks as well. Will be interesting if nothing else. Ideally some Pikes or Fox 34's would be good. Are you on the stock 30mm stem?

I wonder if there are many choices for shorter ones? Seems the rrp of the 10mm stem is £90, which is slightly insane.

Also, what do you all think 160mm forks would be like, too much for the frame to take safely, or 'too slack' if such a thing exists.

I reckon it will feel 'racey'!!
I got a large at 6' tall. Its fine. Could probably have gone even bigger!

No idea about 160's. Ive got pikes on mine.

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I really want a go on one of these

That's my worry, I don't want it to feel racey as such. Ah well, I've seen some 160mm forks for a good price so may go with them to get the front up a bit, I'm sure the frame won't crack or anything.

I love how it looks though, single ring, dropper, contis . . . All parts I have ready to put on mine.

Maybe aggressive is a better term! I managed the Dyfi Enduro in reasonable comfort on mine having thought id have mega neck ache at the end! Much comfier than my old Lapierre. Im still getting used to the length. Mainly in how confidence inspiring it is as long as you consciously have your weight a bit further forward.

I had a 2.4 Conti trail king on the front which I have just replaced with a chunky monkey. It looks disappointingly narrow compared to the trail king. But i completely mangled the rear 2.2 TK in a few rides. The 2.4 carcass is much stiffer for some reason. Just for reference tho, the 2.4 will just about fit in the back! Which is cool!

I'm debating selling my medium if anyone is interested... I'd like it longer 🙂

I've just put a 2.4 Trail King on the front wheel and have a 2.2 Mountain King on the back a couple of rides old, so they are ready to go when the frame arrives. Is that an On-One Chunky Monkey? Didn't know they did 27.5 versions now, was wanting one of them a while ago.

How is climbing on it? Heard some say a bit skittish, then some say it is excellent.

I find it fantastic to climb on.

They only sell them on PlanetX website. Not OnOne. For some reason?! They are tubeless ready as well!

How bizarre, especially as it is listed as an On-One by name. Worth bearing in mind when it comes to replacements. My frame still hasn't arrived . . . In transit to here though apparently now, dying to get it. Only problem is I can't ride it til the new crankset I bought is back in stock at Leisure Lakes.

Mind you, I actually hope I've bought the right type to be honest.

Just re-looking at the pic of yours, and that frame looks quite small for a large, height wise.

I've ordered a small as I'm 5' 7" and every other bike I've had has been small, so figured I was safe. Looking at yours, I wonder how tiny mine will be.

Just got my frame only build back off the mechanic this afternoon! Looking forward to trying it out. Increased my forks to 160mm at tf tuned as well.

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any updated opinions on these?

i'm looking to get one but their doesn't seem to be many reviews on them.

whats it like size wise? I'm 6'6 just wondered if the XL will be big enough.

After much thought, research, and discussion, I pressed the ORDER button on an L size, 511" Lets see what happens when it arrives in a couple of weeks time :D. First complete hardtail purchase since 2001...Dare say Im almost excited!