FAST BIKE FRIDAY – MONDRAKER DUSK R 29

This week Fast Bike Friday is focused on the Mondraker Dusk R 29 E-MTB, an all-alloy full-suspension trail bike that includes 150mm of rear travel featuring Mondraker’s brilliant Zero Suspension system matched up with a very capable 160mm Fox 36 Float Evol fork up front. With Shimano’s excellent new EP8 motor, fast-rolling 29” wheels and the option to add a booster battery for 50% additional range this is a super-fun E-MTB that’s built to meet the demands of aggressive trail riding and all-day adventures on just one charge. The Dusk R 29 has quickly proved itself to be one of the most popular E-MTBs on our showroom floor with this model selling through as soon as we have stock; so what makes this bike so special and in high demand? Let’s take a closer look…

First impressions? The Mondraker Dusk R 29 looks like bags of fun!…

The Dusk R features a tough 6061 Alloy Stealth Evo chassis featuring ‘Forward Geometry’ which was a concept that Mondraker originally started implementing almost a decade ago. This very forward thinking approach to trail geometry was way ahead of its time, with the main handling advantages of this concept now widely copied by nearly all other mountain bike brands. The principle is relatively simple but very effective – a longer top tube gives you more room to move around the bike and provides a more stable platform at speed; a shorter stem compensates for the top tube length increase and at the same time enhances steering response and provides direct handling. Forward Geometry has been tweaked and refined over the years to give the rider a truly confidence-inspiring ride, particularly on steep & technical descents allowing you to ride faster and push your riding while remaining in control. The extra demands brought on by the fact that this an E-MTB, namely the faster speeds and additional weight of the bike are easily met by Mondraker’s Forward Geometry providing high speed stability and confident cornering control.

That long top tube means there’s plenty of room to move around without getting bucked…

Mondraker’s Forward Geometry is a design principle that has been widely imitated by other bike brands…

As I mentioned earlier, the Mondraker Dusk R features Shimano’s new EP8 motor which is noticeably more compact than its E8000 predecessor and is considerably more quiet; it boasts a significantly lighter weight overall and allows for cleaner integration into this E-MTB’s alloy chassis. In use the motor is smoother with a more natural feel to the pedaling assistance. Another key improvement is the EP8’s heat management allowing the motor to output max torque for longer without overheating. The Shimano Steps EP8 motor has a maximum torque output of 85Nm with the power delivery being direct but incredibly smooth to ensure you are in full control with a natural ride feeling. The motor features a Magnesium drive unit casing which is more compact than previous Shimano motors as well as being 300g lighter than their E8000 motor.

The compact Shimano Steps EP8 motor is lighter and more compact that its predecessor…

The Shimano STEPS E7000 black and white digital display is simple to understand; once on you can choose between the motor’s ‘Eco’ ‘Trail’ and ‘Boost’ modes…

Change the EP8 motor mode using the slim, ergonomic and easy to use switch located next to the left-hand grip…

The Dusk R 29 features a 630Wh Shimano Simplo integrated battery that’s neatly stowed within the downtube of the alloy frame; despite this motor and battery combination already being super-efficient Mondraker have also included a battery extender port on the frame to allow you to run an additional Shimano Simplo 360Wh external battery (sold separately) giving you more range. If you see yourself heading out on all-day epics away from trail centres and the like then this is a great option; more time to ride with less potential for any mid-ride ‘range-anxiety’.

This small cover gives access to a battery extender port…

Connect an additional 360Wh external battery for enhanced range…

There’s a lot more information available on the new Shimano Steps EP8 E-MTB motor system; we recently published a guide to the new motor which includes more details on how you can customise the settings of your own bike to tune the motor to behave in the best way that suits you and your riding. If you want to find out more please follow the link below; but for now let’s get back to the Mondraker Dusk R 29…

You can read a detailed review of the Shimano EP8 Motor by clicking the link below…

At the heart of the Dusk R’s rear suspension platform is their Zero Suspension System; here we have another example of a design principle which Mondraker have previously applied to their ‘acoustic’ mountain bikes that also translates perfectly over to meet the demands of full-suspension E-MTBs. Zero is a dual link design which allows the rear shock to float between two suspension links and is compressed at both ends making the rear suspension extremely sensitive to both small bumps and big hits. This clever suspension configuration also means that pedaling input translates into immediate forward motion with zero compression or extension of the rear shock; another potential problem on long-travel rear suspension – chain length growth throughout the suspension travel, is also avoided with this system. Finally Mondraker’s Zero Suspension System overcomes the potential for the rear brake to work against suspension forces – a scenario that can occur on other rear suspension platforms, here the Zero Suspension System’s rear shock continues to move freely without any suspension stiffening caused by heavy braking.

Mondraker’s clever Zero Suspension System overcomes any potential performance issues associated with long travel rear suspension…

The Zero Suspension System easily meets the extra demands incurred from an E-MTB…

Fox Float DPS LV EVOL Performance rear shock is E-MTB tuned and facilitates 150mm of rear wheel travel…

To match all of that active, super-supple rear suspension Mondraker have spec’d the Dusty R 29 with a pair of Fox Float 36 FIT GRIP EVOL Rhythm E-MTB tuned forks with 160mm of travel. The GRIP damper is inspired from FOX’s MOTO background and uses their FIT sealed cartridge technology combined with an independent floating piston. GRIP allows excess oil to purge through specially designed ports at the top of the damper helping to maintain consistent damping.  There are three compression damping positions which can be easily adjusted on the top of the fork – Open, Medium and Firm; these Boost110 forks with 160mm of travel are built to take the big hits in their stride with the Dusty R’s super-slack 65.5º head angle helping to get the best out of these forks on steep drops.

Fox Float 36 FIT GRIP EVOL Rhythm E-MTB tuned forks…

The Fox Float 36 provides 160mm of plush travel and excels with the Dusk R’s 65.5º head angle…

Choose between Open, Medium and Firm…

Mondraker have spec’d an efficient, reliable, precise-shifting Sram SX Eagle 12-Speed groupset on the Dusk R 29. This simple 1x setup also includes an E-MTB-specific Shimano STEPS EM600 165mm crankset fitted with a 34T chainring combined with a wide ratio 12-speed cassette with cogs ranging from 11T up to a whopping 50T to give you all the gear combinations you could possibly need; this drivetrain combined with the powerful Shimano Steps EP8 motor means there’s practically no off-road gradient that can’t be overcome.

The Sram SX Eagle 12-Speed groupset gives you all the gear ratios you’ll need…

A 12-speed Sram SX Eagle rear derailleur keeps every gear shift crisp and precise while its Type 3 roller bearing clutch keeps the chain taught and secure even when your riding gets really rowdy; shifting duties are taken care of with a Sram Trigger SX Eagle 12-speed shifter.

The 12-speed Sram SX Eagle rear derailleur with clutch can handle the kind of rowdy riding an E-MTB is built for…

The Sram Trigger SX Eagle 12-speed shifter has a light, precise action…

An E-MTB that’s built for fast, full-on riding needs a great pair of anchors to slow you down quickly and effectively. The Dusk features a pair of Shimano M4100 4 piston hydraulic disc brake calipers combined with a pair of large 203mm disc rotors to help you scrub off speed and keep in control on steep, loose descents; these powerful brakes are activated by Shimano M4100 servo wave alloy brake levers which feel great and are easy to modulate even with just single-finger braking.

Shimano M4100 4 piston hydraulic disc brake calipers provide plenty of stopping power…

Large 203mm disc brake rotors help you scrub off speed quickly and effectively…

The rear Shimano M4100 4 piston hydraulic disc brake caliper is tucked neatly within the rear triangle…

When Mondraker put the Dusk R 29 E-MTB together they knew that the bike had to feature a tough, fast-rolling pair of wheels that could handle the extra demands brought on by the increased speed and forces incurred during a typical E-MTB ride. The Dusk R wheelset features tough tubeless-ready MDK-HP1 29” rims with a nice 30mm internal width, giving tyres a squarer profile while helping to avoid pinch-flats; front and rear rims are 32 hole. Front and rear Formula hubs are durable with sealed bearings and Boost spacing – 15x110mm front / 12x148mm – now the standard for this type of mountain bike. To finish off these heavy-duty hoops Mondraker have spec’d a pair of 29×2.6” Maxxis Rekon tyres which are tubeless ready and feature a dual compound and EXO protection; these tyres are more than capable of meeting the extra demands of aggressive E-MTB riding, providing plenty of grip in tight, loose turns and tons of traction when the extra drive of the EP8 motor digs in on tough off-road climbs.

A tough 29″ wheelset with wide rims have been built to meet the extra demands of e-mountain biking…

29×2.6” Maxxis Rekon tyres provide plenty of grip in tight, loose turns…

Mondraker have spec’d the Dusk R 29 with finishing components from the top Spanish component engineering brand Onoff, with a tidy bar / stem combo giving a stiff, responsive cockpit to pilot this aggressive E-MTB from. The Onoff Sulfur 1.0 double-butted 6061 alloy handlebars feature a 20mm rise and a 780mm width to give you plenty of leverage and help keep this fast E-MTB in control;  there’s a 9° backsweep and a 5° upsweep for a great feeling bar. The 31.8mm Sulfur bar marries up neatly with the Sulfur FG forged alloy stem to create one complete unit that is strong, light and provides precise steering and confidence-inspiring handling; the Sulfur FG stem is 30mm in length and features a 0° rise.

The Onoff bar / stem combo provides a stiff and responsive cockpit…

The Dusk R 29 includes a dropper seatpost to get the saddle out of the way quickly when you’re descending down technical trails and taking on big drops. Again, Mondraker have chosen Onoff and have spec’d their Pija Dropper seatpost; this internally-routed dropper features internal cable routing to a remote lever on the right hand of the handlebar. The amount of drop differs depending on the size of the bike with 125mm of travel for the size small Dusk, 150mm for the size medium and 170mm for the large/extra-large.

The cable activated dropper seatpost is controlled by a compact lever on the right hand of the handlebar…

The Mondraker Dusk R 29 represents the full package when it comes to a contemporary E-MTB trail bike, ticking all of the boxes regarding what we’ve very quickly grown to expect from a bike such as this. Bang up to date with Shimano’s new Steps EP8 motor giving an increased torque to 85Nm and a more natural feeling to the pedal assistance it is quieter than ever too. Mondraker’s brilliant Forward Geometry lends itself really well to the extra demands of an E-MTB and really enhances how this bike handles during aggressive riding when the terrain in front of you is coming up super-fast and is changing every second. The rear suspension platform on the Dusk R 29 has its roots within their stable of ‘acoustic’ mountain bikes but this principle has transferred brilliantly over to this e-MTB bike with the Mondraker Zero Suspension design being specifically tuned to handle the extra demands of an E-MTB. With a brilliantly capable Fox 36 29 Float fork up front which has also been e-bike tuned, a fast-rolling, tough pair of 29er wheels and a simple, precise-shifting Sram groupset as well as 4-piston disc brakes and the addition of a dropper post the Dusk R’s spec makes a clear statement as to how Mondraker expect this E-MTB to be ridden – rowdy, with non-stop fun – downhill AND uphill.

The Mondraker Dusk R 29 represents the full package when it comes to a contemporary E-MTB trail bike…

The popular Mondraker Dusk R 29 is selling quickly, check in with us in-store or online for more information on stock availability…

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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