Mondraker goes down country with the all-new Mondraker Raze

The Mondraker Raze is a 130mm travel trail bike designed for pedalling efficiency and rowdy downhill fun. Full disclosure, I only used the term ‘down …

By singletrackandi

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In what world is an entry level model £5.5k? MTB pricing is getting more bonkers every year, even with COVID tax.

The grey and yellow looks really nice though.

I’m still not sure what “Downcountry” means. Is it more or less efficient uphill than a trail bike? What about the rowdy-ness??

Is that ugly little tab behind the CSU meant to be a mudguard?

I’m still not sure what “Downcountry” means

It means slightly slacker XC bikes with 120mm forks.

This is just a trail bike with a lazy headline.

Phwoar, that yellow and silver/grey finish is gorgeous!

Looks like a 2019/20 Foxy Carbon with a slightly fettled rear end.

Come on now, that is not a “downcountry bike”!

I’ve always liked Mondrakers even though they do try and kill me every time I throw a leg over one but the prices really are getting silly.

Just the frame is almost double what I paid for my complete GT, a bike that sounds designed for the same type of riding.

IIRC the full carbon GT is only about 200 quid more than just the frame here.

Nice bike, mental prices. Norco Optic has similar angles and travel for half the price.

The Mondraker website has missed the word “expensive” from the end of its waffle…

“Here at Mondraker we like exclusive bikes that stand out whilst being highly effective in their respective disciplines. Riding the new Raze you’ll realize it’s not just another conventional Trail bike, but something far, far more…”

Looks stunning, especially in the grey / yellow combo , but they are how much!!!!!

I’m still not sure what “Downcountry” means.

XC with a slightky slacker head tube, but not as slack as LLS. Seat tube more upright for long days pedaling. A few more quid in the pocket of the brand.

Is it more or less efficient uphill than a trail bike?

Theoretically more, at least on flattish it not too steep stuff.

What about the rowdy-ness??

If sir wishes for rowdyness, it can be furnished for sir. A commensurate extra fee, natch.

Down Country is usually 130 max, front and back. Usually less than that at back. Any more than that and you have a trail bike. The above is a trail bike.
The bike industry are trolling us anyway. My old Giant trance x 120 front and back was a trail bike back in the day.
Now I have a Tallboy and I am down country. Who gives a Monkies.
It rides like a dream. Very happy and it’s more than enough bike for most of my riding.

If that is Downcountry my p…k’s a kipper!

In what world is an entry level model £5.5k? MTB pricing is getting more bonkers every year, even with COVID tax.

to be fair, ‘entry level’ just means cheapest in the range. Ferrari’s ‘entry level’ car isn’t £12,000.

Mondraker have always been expensive.

Looks cool, particularly the headtube/toptube arrangement.
I can see how ‘downcountry’ bikes are the ideal thing for a large majority of riders.

But Mondraker are not a boutique brand, and that entry price is mental for a very basic spec.

Mondraker have always been expensive.

Actually they used to be about on par with other nice brands, I was a bit of a fanboy.

I bought a Dune RR frame-only in 2013 for £1,300 for full retail IIRC. I may have been on that when I rode that Magic Carpet trail with you.

Their alu frames used to be very competitive on weight and the suspension was beautiful – but I guess they moved to carbon to make more money (and perhaps because the metal frames kept breaking?).

I’m not sure I’d have one again even if they were cheaper though. They look gorgeous, but I keep my bikes for years now and all those little bearings would be a worry.

To be fair to them the entry level alu foxy is just over three grand with a fox 36 and DT Swiss wheels. Carbon and electronic gibbons seem to add a lot onto the price.

Bird Aether 9 anyone?

Full disclosure, I only used the term ‘down country’ so that you would hit the link. If you’re reading this then thanks for not jumping to the comments to get angry about two words

I’m pretty sure downcountry is ONE word, or, at best, camelcase (DownCountry), but not hyphenated (down-country) and definitely not two separate words (down country)

Agreed. (Apart from your deliberate mistake with camelCase of course)

Holy *********! If I was paying £9.3k for a bicycle I want it to have a motor . . . and not have FOX suspension.

Do look nice though and I’ve been impressed with the Mondrakers I’ve had a ride on.