Descending The big blue Mondraker might be the most capable enduro bike I've personally been aboard, but calling it a downhill bruiser wouldn't be giving Mondraker the credit they deserve. The Foxy Carbon 29 combines confidence inspiring geo with a coil-sprung, mega-adjustable shock and class-leading efficiency, and the final product is more interesting than finding someone searching for you in the Missed Connections ads on Craigslist.
That combo of traits makes the Foxy an odd duck, but it's also a duck that loves getting wild.
I've ridden this rock spine on every test bike, but never with as much confidence as when I was on the Foxy.
If you threw a leg over the Foxy's low top tube and pedaled it around for a few minutes, you'd immediately notice that you're sitting farther behind the front axle than you are on your own bike. The roomy-for-a-medium 470mm reach and tiny stem put your mass farther back within the bike's wheelbase, and the seat tube is shorter than my dad's fuse, too. None of that is new - Mondraker and others have been doing this for years - but it does make for a bike that's ready to be ridden down the side of a building. If you want confidence on the steeps, it comes from Spain in baby blue and red. Squamish is home to some seriously vertical shit, and I've ridden more of it, and with more faith, on the Foxy Carbon XR 29 than any other bike.
And dear God, this bike on fast and rough chunder is a revelation. Big wheels, 150mm of travel, and its geo mean that this thing can smash through all the chunder like a wrecking ball, pretty much for the same reasons that it's so great on the steep stuff: Your body position is farther back, and because of the 29'' wheels. But straight trails are boring and we all know that corners are what counts, right? Of course, and once you're off the straights and into the bends, the story changes a bit.
Berms are the great leveler that make everyone feel good about themselves, but time is made by putting your skills to use on the tricky corners. Flat, loose, tight, slow and awkward, fast and awkward; corners are what counts, no matter what the shape or conditions. When I came into tight corners with some speed, I found that the Foxy responds well to a bit of rear wheel steering, aka skidding, which gets the blue bike quickly pointed in the right direction.
A more cautious approach with less speed, less skidding, and less leaning didn't feel as intuitive and required more effort on the Foxy. It'll do the slow speed jank, of course, but speed and aggression are your BFFs when you're on the Mondraker, as is minding the front-end.
If you don't adopt that attacking style, you might find the bike's front tire not wanting to do its job. My early rides on the bike showed this when I'd nearly lose the front-end unexpectedly. The cause? Nothing more than leaning back, really, which is kinda my go-to move when I get shit-my-pants scared. I did have quite a spectacular low-side while coming through a fast, loose, and gravely corner due to that exact reason, which really is a rider error on my part, but it also underlines how this bike responds best to someone who has a racer's mentality on most rides.
If you're anything like me, seeing a coil-sprung shock probably has you thinking that the bike is a ground-hugging, extremely forgiving machine. Surprise: It's not really either of those things. I love an efficient bike - it's one of the traits that I put at the top of the priority list - and the Mondraker checks that box and then some, but there's a trade-off for that spirited on-power feel in that it's rear suspension isn't quite as supple as you'd expect it to be, especially when you're pedaling over choppy ground. It still feels every bit the 150mm-travel bike that it is, sure, but it definitely also passes a bit more through to the rider than bikes with less anti-squat, and therefore less pep. Me? I'll take that trade-off every single day, which is why I've always liked dw-link bikes and Rocky's Slayer, but you might not.
The big wheels smooth out a lot of the ground, but the bike's rear suspension isn't as forgiving as some other bikes with similar amounts of travel.
Because of the bike's good amount of anti-squat, Mondraker went with a light compression tune as they don't need to depend on the shock's damping for efficiency, but the Zero Suspension System is also relatively linear... Maybe you can see where I'm going with this: To the bottom, which is where the shock's stroke ended up a bit too often for my liking, despite being bang-on 30-percent sag. ''We choose the 'light' option as the bike's pedaling efficiency is superb; if we chose the 'medium' compression, it feels slightly overdamped,'' Mondraker's Israel Romero said in response to my criticism.
And he's right, too; this bike doesn't need a firmer compression tune for pedaling, but I would like to see more ramp-up. I could run a 400 in/lb spring (my bike came with a 350 in/lb coil), but then I'd get less sag and, well, I don't want less sag.
It doesn't need to be steep and scary to get the most out of the Foxy, but it does need to be rough. The bike breezes through this stuff with ease.
All that can be summed up by saying that the Foxy's rear-end is crazy efficient, it isn't the best at small bump action, and it's a bit linear for my liking. If that sounds like I'm putting it down, I'm not - it's just the traits of this design. In fact, I'd rather have an efficient, plucky bike that's a touch less forgiving over one that wallows into its travel and doesn't light a fire under my ass. A mountain bike is human powered, and the Mondraker makes my meager legs feel more powerful than they actually are.
The entire package is extremely interesting, especially compared to more traditional, more boring bikes out there. You normally don't see this type of efficiency from an enduro sled, let alone one that feels every bit a downhill bike when the trail (or the speed) get scary. It's pretty neat that way, and it's also more well-rounded than I would have guessed. Even so, this ain't the bike for timid riders.
buy a commencal or a YT
I often get a bit angry at "premium" brands which I feel are often unproven or overly gimmicky yet have starting prices of 5k for poorly equipped bikes, but the premium you pay for a mondraker could be worth it: they were/are ahead of the curve on geometry, their suspension is apparently among the best (if not the best), and they just look amazing.
www.mondraker.com/ch/fr/2019-foxy-29
That said you can't compare apple to apple to a company that sells direct. I can't test ride the capra or jeffsy 29 at my nearest bike shop, I'd have to order it, pay customs (you can skip that part being in belgium, I can't) and if I don't like it send it back. This is not as convenient so unless you know a friend who has the same bike in your size you can only rely on reviews. If I have a warranty issue, I can't expect YT to lend me a bike while waiting for the warranty return. I'm not saying YT is a bad choice but the customer experience can be different depending on your conditions and all these parameters have a price.
Sorry but other than that it looks/sounds like an amazing bike! .........hell it seems like an increasing number of riders strike a bike off if they can’t fit a water bottle in it!
I simply showed the points that justify the price of an Unno where you pay for the handmade, exclusive bikes.
With Mondraker, you don't have a handmade bike but have to still pay an exclusive price.
YT Capra 29 AL Comp is 2999€
Mondraker Foxy 29 is 2999€
Both are quite comparable in spec.
MONDRAKER FOXY CARBON R 29 2019 is 4 999,00 €
YT Capra 29 CF PRO RACE is 5,199.00€
MONDRAKER FOXY CARBON RR 29 2019 6 299,00 €
There are much more differences in spec on the carbon models. Capra CF Pro Race is XTR compared to NX and GX Eagle on the aformentionned carbon Mondraker, only 11speed, a bigger 511% range but with a way too big chainring for most people who don't stick to fireroads. You have to factor in the LBS service that is provided by purchasing a bike to a LBS (being able to test the bikes beforehand, get support on warranty issues, the typical free suspension/transmission services for the 2 years before going out of warranty).
Personnaly I think the YT is a more cost effective option if you are wrenching yourself and are looking either for the lowest or highest end models. In the middle or if you know nil about bike maintenance and feel more comfortable to deal with a local bike shop the mondraker are not necessarily over the top as long as you are not looking for top of the line carbon models.
I'm personnaly looking for an al carbon trail/all mountain bike and both the capra 29 and mondraker foxy 20 al figure in my short list. Honestly I have a hard time spending 3000€ on a bike I can't even test and I don't have any knowledge of people riding the capra 29 in my area while I should be able to test ride the Foxy 29 in a few weeks. I have used xtr 10s, xx1 11s and gx eagle on my previous bike and don't think the groupset and shock level is as relevant a parameter compared to geometry and suspension setup.
So mixed feelings. For sure I won't spend 9000€ on a bike.
On the quality side it's still to prove that EU carbon labor (on bikes) is far better than Tawanese
Take a look at Ymmitos, just after the katechaki bridges, between 12:00 and 14:00 every Sunday. Lots of spoiled brats with very expensive bikes, usually driving Dad's or Mum's SUV... You may see more at the top entrances of the trails there, getting stoned, before descending with their ID tag between their teeth...
Yep, they DO exist. Every new season with a new boutique bike, unscratched... Good for the industry!
Don't get me wrong, if I had the money, I'd support Cesar and Unno (Every interview with him has been awesome and I like what they're doing); but if I had that kind of money to spend on bikes, I'd probably buy a Mondraker too and who know's if I could ever tell the difference between the two.
This has gone out of control!
Sure more wheelbase is fast and stable but it’s not gonna be fast when you need to lift the bike over something and it’s just too big for a shorter rider to manoeuvre like that...cus you’ll hit said object head on and die.
I think rather than simply adding 2” to all reach as most have done it would be more appropriate to increase the sizes of the smaller sizes a tad and exponentially increase each size right up to xxl. There are a few clever folks who’ve observed and done this, Cy Turner being the one in my head.
That way shows a lot more thought and consideration for improving the ride of all riders than just following gimmicks and trends.
I’ve been moderate on this subject in the past but it’s going too far. It’s not what I got into bikes for and it’s stinky horse shit. f*cking look at me and how big the dick on my head is everyone.
Ps I’ve had a Mondraker. It was too big. And poor quality. I’d say I was definitely unlucky when I bought it, far from a lottery winner.
There's also no way their frame is vacuumed after each layer is applied. The frame will be vacuumed once after all the layup are applied. Just marketing BS... Maybe brands expect people to pay more to their overpriced bikes because of these marketing BS. There's no "special carbon fiber" technology that belongs to a certain brand. The material and procedures are all the same as those brands that produced at the same factory.
I too have owned 3 Mondraker frames, had amazing time with the Summum and loved the foxy, too bad I went through two rear ends in less than a year and they shipped them to me in Canada no questions. For me to opened my eyes to the idea of the longer reach and I realized that I was on the wrong sized frames for years. That is why I bought a Pole.
10 grand bikes do not make one competitive, I agree but it seems like we apply car logic here. A 100 grand BMW is sweet but the speed limit is still 100 km on the highways regardless if I have 500 hp.
The job of marketing is to get people to buy something most of the times we do not need. There will always be those who have the "best " or most "expensive" regardless of their skill.
From the side, the seat tube looks like a dog penis.
When you were kids you guys must have all had posters of a Skodas an Hyundais hanging in your rooms because they are really cheap right? No one ever had a Ferrari a Lamborghini on the wall, right?
I got into bikes to spend as much time riding as I can; not as much money as I can. And I fear there are more and more aligned with the latter which isn’t a great thing for those for the former.
I see too much gimmickry and tricks to get (mostly uninitiated and unskilled) people spending when I’d like to see and hear people talking about genuine ways to improve bikes. Again, the very same happened to skis and snowboards. It went so far people were selling shit that plain didn’t work but the crowd buying it had no idea, they wanted ‘new’ so bad.
But I dunno. If it’s gonna grow this is the way it’s got to be.
When bicycles, and parts, start reaching automotive/pleasure craft levels there is a problem.
Anyway, that's kind of the same thing though... you were not interested looking at picture the girl working the cash register at the local grocery store even though she might have been easier to get...
I rather look at the bike porn
A Nissan Versa will get you to work every morning just like a YT or Canyon will get you through a ride just fine but that does not mean i want them... so in that regard they are exactly the same....
Youre a stupid moron. If you dont like the bike or the price, just leave it at that. Dont f*cking whine around.
$4299 complete/ currently 25% off make that $3225. Pretty sure you would beat or destroy somebody just as easy on the Capra over a Moonraker for 9g's. Take that extra $6100 you just saved and buy a used BMW to get to the trails.
However, for the sake of a useful review, it would be nice to describe the qualities relative to comparable modern bikes. I don't believe all modern bikes perform the same.
If every review reiterates the same lines, than there is no comparison to go by.
Overall, I thought it was a very good review and more useful than some we read on here.
The ultra steep seat tubes are fantastic for pedaling up, but they make seated pedaling while descending more difficult, which can be a detriment for long race runs.
Cuz it coool Gotta have ball to
Hump that '!'
"They're both great machines, but I'd choose the Orbea if my F-word were fun, and the Foxy if it were fast and f-ing steep, which is a different kind of fun."
It seems like one of the first admissions I've seen that maybe we've hit the limit of long and will see people looking more for a balance of fast and fun.
I then sold it and am now a lucky owner of a 2017 Dune XR carbon that I could thoroughly test on my local trails before writing the big fat check, I knew exactly where I was going, thanks to the local shop. (I litterally bought the test bike)
I could also have those damn SRAM guide brakes replaced when the lever stopped coming back without spending a dime nor going through the disassembly myself (with internal cable routing it's not as effortless as it used to be)
So yes, the catalog prices are crazy AF but comparing them to the ones of direct selling brands like YT or Commençal isn't fair:
- nobody pays the catalog price, even on newest models, resellers can always make commercial gestures if you are kind enough
- ability to test the bikes easily
- easier to take advantage of parts and frame warranties
This being said my next bike will probably be a Commencal or YT because their price points are just incredible, I just wanted to show some love to the nice influent and innovative brand that is Mondraker.
This is a pure "hate it or love it brand", special looking bikes with both special and demanding personality, but if you decide to ride the way their bikes decide you to do, you won't feel a single regret :-)
It is quite seasonable (supply vs demand) . Nearest Orbea bike shop told me -20% if I order it before he buy his 2019 stock. It all changes when you wake up in spring, bikes are already ordered by the shops and in limited supply in the importers warehouse so you won't necessarily have these discounts (and shop will wait for summer to discount the old stock again).
TTTL+stem length = butt-to-hands/seated reach.
Effective STA = where your weight is relative to the BB for climbing in the saddle
How the hell do NO reviewers make these same comments? - That was rhetorical. They're all in the back pockets of the industry.
It's getting ridiculous. A half year, or close to it, of wages for the average person for a bicycle!
I am fully aware that the industry covers everything from $500 up to $18k bikes. When I see the ever MASSIVELY increasing cost, and accompanying marketing push, of what I consider 'enthusiast' bikes you can bet your bottom I'm going to say something. That said, I buy 2nd hand unless absolutely necessary as even the cost of parts has increased significantly over the last 8 months or so.
If my wages tracked with the increase to cost of bicycles I'd be filthy rich.
Downvote me all you want.
It´only reaonable man.
What is happening atm is just ridiculous. People even justify those raises in price, while a few years back we were at a point were we were singing the praises of how we finally have competitively priced and great working bikes.
At the moment the industry is trying their damned hardest to get back to cheap bikes with shit components or enthusiast level bikes for insane amounts of money.
The mid level sector is dead, with Fox Performance forks and shocks being the new middle class standard and companies expecting us to pay 6000 plus for bikes with fully adjustable and functioning suspension components, which is just stupid.
While there are a quite a few competitively priced direct sales companies, many of the established shop brands lost their grip on reality and have tried to become boutique brands only thorugh price increase, not actual quality and performance increases.
Besides new mountain bikes have price ranging from 300 to +12000€ with myriads choice between these. It's
up to you to decide or not how much money to spend and if that particular characteristic is worth the premium price over a cheaper model.
The Trump tariffs have increased the costs of things built in Taiwan, notably.
Hey, maybe our old bikes will hold value better as new frames increase in cost?
What a joke.
Just depends what the rider prefers. A lot of dirt bike guys are used to linear suspension feel, and like the same on MTBs. DJ/BMX guys that are now into MTB seem to prefer progressive.
The reason I knew the Foxy 29 needed an air spring for progressivity, was by looking at the rear suspension leverage ratio online.
The only time I totally linear rear suspension curve works well with a totally linear coil spring, is for light/ medium trail riding with no jumping, which is why KTM still uses the PDS (no linkage suspension) on their trail bikes.
Even though we have a local Mondraker dealer that has delivered about 4 of these, there were none to see in my area cause fast Enduro racers keep buying them up within minutes of arriving. I spoke to 3 very fast guys that run the Foxy 29 and they were all pretty over the moon on the Foxy 29. These are guys that ride a lot of bikes.
I read every bit of info (there isn't much) I could find on the Foxy 29 and quite a bit on previous Mondraker models, and the geo REALLY appealed to me as I can finally have a bike that fits me. (at 5'11" on a Large Yeti 5.5 my current bike feels 1-2" too short in the tt to me among other issues) As did the Mondraker's known climbing prowess as extended long climbs can really beat me down. I'm a fast descender, but would like to be more confident on the steeps.
So I ordered an XR frameset sight unseen. (I have premium components on the current Yeti that I will use for the build.)
I felt the coil shock choice was purely fashionable and a regrettable choice by Mondraker, but I really wanted the blue frame. So I found a used quality air shock that fits the bike and has already been sent to Avalanche to be set up for this frame. This review reinforced that I made the correct decision about this.. PS. One take off coil shock for sale! Seriously.
Also, the 42mm offset of the Rockshox forks helps weight this front end better than the speced 44mm offset Fox, so that's the fork I'm going with. Combined with my 175mm dropper, CF wheels, etc. it will be a quality build.
Thanks so much for the quality and realistic review Mike Levy. It's the most thorough review of this bike I've seen yet and really helped me feel more confident in my expenditure for a frameset that I will not see until November. I feel this bike will be the right overall fit for my strengths, weaknesses, and preferred terrain and will assist me in becoming the best mountain biker that I can be.
~ take care
PS. I had the SB130 on my very short list. But I already have the dimensions of that bike and the ETT is 1mm off of my current 5.5, which is simply too short for me.
I'd be bummed if the back end always 'over-rode' the front end and understeered. Would probably swap to a less aggressive rear tire if that happened to try and create more chassis balance.
Thoughts?
It is truly a phenomenal bicycle. I'm coming off of a Yeti 5.5 (frame for sale btw) that I really enjoyed but I find this bike to be a significant step up in all regards.
My size large (before pedals/ tools/ bash guard) weighs 28.1# with real tires which is Impressive as well.
Take care.
I often feel a little pinch when i see people calmly riding Mondrakers on easy trails- such a waste. Those bikes revel when at high speed, loose and aggressive riding (and obviously, a little hefty on the more casual stuff)
Wondering how it would compare to the Dune, especially going down.
2018 uses 15mm I.D 6902RS bearings and collet bolts.
Sure long TT seems to work better but not that long.
The maestro is a sort of DW ripoff, with a floating rear triangle but non floating shock. In the mondraker, the shock floats as well, i.e - not directly connected to the front triangle.
The maestro feels very active, noticeably more under power, even bobby to an extent (especially standing up). The Zero Suspension is much more stable under power, sometimes feeling a little harsh. Mike really described it very well.
Not to mention how very different Giant and Mondraker's geometries are - Giant have been pretty conservative with their trail bikes until now, even sporting outdated long stems. Mondraker have been at the forefront of the "modern" geometry trend, going longer and lower with the shortest stems, well... ever.
Sorry to be honest, but you could've picked a better comparison
I wouldn't pay 9k for a bike regardless, i'll give you that.
I'd also like to see him test a Pole or Nicolai but I doubt that will ever happen. They do come in "shorter" reach is the "S" size
Sold it and paid the extra for one of these, frame quality is twice is good and rides really well. Definitely recommend them. Prices less than Santa Cruz’s so not that outrageous.
I know you addressed the short dropper and the picture of the transfer beyond minimum insertion is great.
It is hard for me to tell how long that seat tube actually is though. Can you comment on how far you could have inserted the post before you ran out of insert room? Can you get to the base of the ‘A’ in transfer for example. I’m thinking you would be OK with the longer 150 dropper but might be close to hitting the limits of insertion into the frame. What do you think?
Don't up-size on a Mondraker!
Not everyone can or wants a YT or Commencal. Mondraker are a boutique brand just like Santa Cruz/Yeti with very similar pricing at least here in AUS. Noticeability pricing seems very high in the USA. A Foxy XR in AUS retails for $11200.
Trail riding isn't exactly a performance oriented affair. The whole point of having the compression adjustment settings is that you tune the suspension for the descents, where suspension performance plays a big part on the feel of the bike, but then you make it stiffer for the climbs and not give a shit about what its actually doing. You aren't going to be setting KOMs on climbs or twisty segments on an enduro bike anyways. So id consider an air shock on an enduro bike a bandaid in itself.
However, if you wanna get technical, suppose you take a coil shock and set it up (preload and rate) for 2 points - 30% travel for sag at your body weight, and 100% travel at max bottom out force. Then you take an air shock and set up the psi and the spacers to match those 2 points. You will find that at the sag point the coil shock actually has a higher spring rate, which translates to better pedaling efficiency, whereas the air shock is generally more compliant, but then ramps up hard to meet the point at 100% of travel.
If you try to stiffen up the coil shock with spacers to match the spring rate of the coil shock, you get a very stiff platform that is super hard on big hits and likely doesn't use all of the travel.
Sure, people will b**ch about the price, but I truly believe they made something special here. And if you're not happy, Commencal, YT, Guerrilla Gravity and MANY others make affordable bikes
As far as the linearity of the suspension, I demoed it with a DPX2, and I think an air shock is better suited for this bike, at least for my trails.
The fast acceleration is just a trait to the bike. Kinematics are very efficient.
As far as fastest, yes I agree, it's a conjecture. I could show you times on Strava where I pr'ed on trails I've ridden dozens of times, but I don't really trust Strava.
Anything not measured is conjecture. STRAVA is laughable IMHO.
But yes, we need to get tougher now that everything is pretty damn good
Yeah I like a DH feel in an Enduro package.
Why so much hate for the price?
There is the RR and the R for less!!!
its should be compared to bikes from same category I mean Geometron and pole. not with bikes for people with T-rex syndrome.
The sequel could be "which warranty is gonna f*ck me hardest".
I'd buy the Scott
So then none of these three?
We all spend a lot of ,$$$ on toys we ride in the woods.....good time to be alive
www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2430687
Standard ala radon and others.
Measured at full extension and/or at 125/150/170
I have 3 boys who like to ride.
Me and my partner make a decent amount of money each month, but how do you expect me to afford my boys ánd myself a bike like this?
Other options exist, for all budgets.
I'm looking for a dh bike/frame atm and it is absurd how hard it has become to even find a frame only option that fits my requirements on one side and has an acceptable pricetag on the other. 3500€ framesets are dominating the market, which is just ridiculous. Most mid range (carbon) completes are specd like utter garbage so aren't an option either.
I do not benefit from a bike that has a carbon frame with low level damping components in any way. Give me aluminium and high end components, just as Giant is doing for 2019.
It's not about how we have to buy this exact bike,but more about how the top end builds affect the pricing and attractiveness of the mid to low range options that are available.
Bike manufacturers seem to have latched onto consumers who rate carbon really highly, but pay little attention to the rest of the spec.
If you don't Understandstraat what I meander, go back under your stone......