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MONDRAKER RAZE CARBON RR – PRODUCT FEATURE

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

 

Check out this absolute beauty which we recently asked our talented photographer James Vincent to shoot for our regular Fast Bike feature. He’s done a crackin’ job of capturing the stunning Mondraker Raze Carbon RR trail bike which boasts 150mm of travel upfront combined with 130mm of rear travel facilitated by Mondraker’s super-plush Zero floating suspension configuration. There’s a reason why the Raze Carbon RR is silver and yellow, it’s a visual cue from Mondraker that this thing goes like a hot knife through butter!

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

The Raze Carbon RR is a lightweight carbon trail bike that can also boast plush suspension and agile, playful geometry.

 

Spanish brand Mondraker is particularly popular with our more discerning mountain biking customers, thanks in no small part to the reputation they have for the super-agile ride quality of their bikes. The sheer amount of work and refinement that they’ve put into the development of their trail geometry over recent years is apparent every time you jump onboard a Mondraker; at the heart of their ‘Forward Geometry’ design principle is an extended reach frame combined with a super-short stem. Mondraker were the absolute pioneers when it came to establishing this geometry concept and it’s perfectly suited to the specific demands of riding more confidently and in control downhill; it’s the same design principle that we’ve seen every other bike brand arrive at subsequently, increasing stability at speed, providing better front wheel control and dramatically improving front tyre grip.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

The Mondraker Raze Carbon RR is a carbon beauty that features plenty of innovative engineering.

 

For 2022 Forward Geometry is in its ninth season but the evolution doesn’t stand still. Most recently Mondraker have introduced shorter fork offsets to match their existing Forward Geometry. After extensive testing they have proved that shorter fork offsets give the biggest benefits in combination with the Forward Geometry concept, giving super-responsive and direct steering thanks to a short stem and long reach top tube. This design principle gives the Raze Carbon RR a more playful ride and a feeling that you can attack harder into the corners.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

Mondraker were early pioneers of progressive geometry with their ‘Forward Geometry’ now being imitated by many big brands.

 

mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

Mondraker’s Stealth Carbon provides a magic mix of structural rigidity, trail buzz absorption and excellent lightness to durability ratio. 

 

The lust-worthy Raze Carbon RR is constructed from Mondraker’s ‘Stealth Carbon’, the most refined, lightest frame material at their disposal. As you’ll have already noticed when casting your eyes over all of those beautiful angles, the Stealth Air Carbon manufacturing process creates an aero-style profile combined with maximum stiffness, an overall lighter weight and enhanced compliance for more comfort and control off-road. In fact this clever carbon manufacturing process has been specifically developed to eliminate trail chatter and all of this manufacturing technology gives the Raze Carbon RR its distinctive silhouette too, complete with that razor-thin top tube, beautifully sculpted headtube junction and stylish curves.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

The Raze’s unique razor-thin top tube and clever junction into the frame’s headtube is super-light while being stiff and particularly strong too.

 

The Mondraker Raze Carbon RR boasts 130mm of plush rear travel thanks in no small part to their sophisticated ZERO dual link suspension configuration which sees the shock floating between two suspension links and compressed from both ends. This clever suspension system means that the Raze is both extremely sensitive on small bumps while being able to handle big hits too.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

Mondraker’s ZERO dual link suspension configuration facilitates a floating shock between the two links and is compressed from both ends.

 

There’s another massive benefit to the ZERO suspension configuration, which is particularly useful on a superlight trail bike like the Raze Carbon RR which has been designed to skip UPHILL as easily as it dives DOWN them; ZERO technology eliminates any potential for power loss when you pedal, giving a stable ride with no unwanted bobbing or movement. ZERO also eliminates pedal kickback with minimum chain growth as the bike travels through its suspension. Finally the ZERO configuration prevents brake jack, isolating braking and suspension forces from each other meaning that Mondraker’s ZERO does away with a whole raft of issues that are often encountered on similar trail bikes from rival brands.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

One of ZERO’s main advantages is that the configuration incurs ZERO power loss giving a completely stable ride when pedalling.

 

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

ZERO suspension can handle big hits while remaining super-sensitive to small bumps.

 

OK, have you noticed the small black attachment on underside of the fork crown? What about the small black coin-sized attachment sitting on the main pivot of the rear suspension? This is Mondraker’s MIND, an integrated telemetry system to help you fine-tune your own Raze Carbon RR’s suspension to specifically suit you and your riding style. You may have seen some Downhill and Enduro mountain bike pros test-riding their suspension setups with complicated and expensive telemetry systems, supplied by their suspension sponsors and retro-fitted to their bikes. Well, Mondraker have taken that technology and made it available to the masses in the form of these compact and discrete attachments.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

Mondraker’s MIND technology gives you integrated telemetry to help you set up your Raze’s suspension properly. 

 

Mondraker’s MIND works in unison with the myMONDRAKER App; data is collected by the integrated sensors on the bike before combining GPS riding data with suspension activity data for simple and easy to understand analysis on the App. MIND will help you to better understand how your suspension is working on your chosen route giving you detailed information including ride times, total ride distance, average speed, elevation gain and more, as well as other important mountain-biking-specific parameters like suspension sag, maximum front and rear suspension travel and whether or not your suspension bottomed out at any time. All of this data will help you set your Raze Carbon RR trail bike to better suit your riding style.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

MIND collects data from every ride you do and sends it, together with suspension activity data, to the ‘myMondraker’ App.

 

With such a sophisticated floating shock rear suspension configuration and that unique telemetry system the Mondraker Raze Carbon RR deserves to have the highest quality fork and rear shock available to help bring the very best out of this brilliantly engineered trail bike. Mondraker have gone with Fox’s top of the range Fox 36 29 Float GRIP2 suspension fork with their gold Factory Kashima finish on the stanchions helping to deliver a super-plush 150mm of travel upfront. That MIND telemetry is quickly going to let you know how best to run your suspension fork, encouraging you to be selective with the 3 position micro adjust compression, low-speed rebound and air preload. Mondraker have spec’d a Fox Float DPS Factory Kashima evol LV rear shock giving 130mm of travel and again it features plenty of adjustment for you to fine tune how it behaves once you’ve harvested all of that valuable data from the Mondraker MIND.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

 The Fox 36 29 Float GRIP2 Factory suspension fork with Kashima coating gives the Raze its capacity for big hits on the trails.

 

Mondraker have spec’d the Raze Carbon RR trail bike with a nice mix of SRAM components to make up a versatile drivetrain which gives you all of the gears you’ll need to open up your riding regardless of whether you’ve got the Raze pointed downhill or uphill. A Sram X01 Eagle 12-speed rear derailleur with a Type 3 roller bearing clutch can handle the unpredictable nature of aggressive trail riding, keeping your chain securely located as you move through a huge selection of gears on the wide ratio 10-52T cassette. Every gear selection is positive and immediate thanks to the simple SRAM GX Eagle trigger shifter, meaning that you can be confident in every selection, even during the most chaotic of riding scenarios.

Mondraker Raze Caron RR 2022

The Mondraker Raze Carbon RR is spec’d with a wide ratio 12-speed rear derailleur helping to ensure you’ve got plenty of climbing gears.

 

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

SRAM’s GX Eagle trigger shifter gives a positive gear shift every time, so you’ll never fluff your gears.

 

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

The SRAM 12-speed cassette gives you a huge spread of gears from 10T to 52T.

 

Continuing the bling factory spec and contributing to the overall light weight of the Raze Carbon RR, Mondraker have included a superlight, stiff SRAM X1 Carbon Eagle Boost chainset with DUB axle and a 32T direct mount chain ring. That narrow / wide chain ring will do a good job of keeping your 12-speed chain securely located on its own, however Mondraker are taking no chances and have included a small integrated chain catcher too, preventing any possibility of a chain derailment compromising your favourite downhill trail.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

Keeping weight to a minimum Mondraker have included a super-light, super-stiff SRAM X1 Carbon Eagle chainset featuring a 32T chainring.

 

Pointed uphill it’s surprising just how spritely the Raze Carbon RR feels; it’s testament to how that clever floating rear shock and ZERO suspension platform is behaving with it not being negatively affected by pedalling input; the bike’s lightweight Stealth Air carbon fibre construction with a magic blend of stiffness and comfort helps too of course. Point the Raze downhill at the top of your favourite trail though and this 130mm travel trail bike really comes to life; with the 150mm travel fork up front you’ll very quickly find yourself charging into tight turns and technical terrain at speeds you’re unaccustomed to. It’s at this point that you’ll need effective anchors to scrub off speed quickly and efficiently; SRAM have you covered with their Sram G2 RS brake levers and powerful 4-piston hydraulic brake calipers. Matched up with large diameter 180mm disc rotors front and rear braking feels instantaneous at the lever, with just the right amount of pull and plenty of moderation, giving you a feeling of confident control regardless of how rowdy your riding gets.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

There’s a positive, immediate feel to the SRAM G2 RS hydraulic brake levers.

 

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

A fast bike like the Raze Carbon RR is going to gain speed quickly; the SRAM G2 RS 4-piston calipers and 180mm rotors will keep you in control.

 

The Raze Carbon RR comes spec’d with a 29” wheelset from popular wheel brand DT Swiss. Finding a pair of wheels that strikes that delicate balance between being lightweight and efficient while also being able to stand up to the rigors of aggressive gravity-focused trail riding isn’t always easy and a poor set of wheels on an otherwise brilliant bike can be a real breaker. Thankfully Mondraker have scored another success here with the DT 350 wheelset which features wide DT Swiss XM1700 Spline 29 rims with a 30mm internal rim width helping to create a tyre sidewall profile that can handle the inevitable big hits and severe compressions that come with riding hard downhill. A pair of DT 350 hubs with Boost spacing and cartridge bearings are smooth rolling and durable while the rear hub features DT’s 36T SL Ratchet system freehub body which facilitates instant engagement when you stomp down on the pedals out of fast, swooping turns.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

You can’t go wrong with a DT Swiss wheelset, they’re light, smooth-rolling and durable too.

 

When it came to tyre selection for the Raze Carbon RR, Spanish brand Mondraker made an intelligent choice, fitting a pair of capable 29” tyres designed to excel on demanding downhill trails where premium grip and control is required on unpredictable trails. Upfront we’ve got a 2.4” wide Maxxis Dissector with an extra level of sidewall protection from EXO+ and an aggressive tread pattern with large side knobs ready to bite when throwing the Raze into tight, loose turns. Complimenting the Dissector is a slightly narrower 2.3” Maxxis Aggressor on the rear designed to cope with the forces incurred while shredding high-speed mountain bike trails. With a slightly shallower central tread it’ll roll fast on smoother terrain while providing plenty of grip when conditions get softer and more unpredictable.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

Tough, wide DT Swiss XM1700 Spline 29 rims shod with Maxxis tryes are ready for whatever is thrown at them.

 

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

A nice wide 2.4″ Maxxis Dissector tyre with EXO+ protection will help you barrel through any trail, regardless of how rocky they are.

 

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

The Maxxis Dissector features a versatile tread pattern that rolls fast but provides plenty of control when you’re railing the Raze into tight berms.

 

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

A Fox Transfer Factory dropper seatpost featuring a durable Kashima coating will get your saddle out of the way fast and effectively.

 

Rounding out the spec of the Mondraker Raze Carbon RR is a tidy selection of components including stem and handlebars from Spanish compatriots OnOff. A super-short 30mm OnOff Krypton FG stem has a significant affect on just how sharp the handling of the Raze feels and a carbon OnOff Kripton handlebar contributes the bike’s low overall weight while being specifically designed and constructed to handle the extra forces incurred while riding hard on the trails. Elsewhere those Fox Factory suspension forks and the rear shock are complimented by a matching Kashima coated Fox Factory Transfer dropper seatpost with lengths and the amount of drop sized appropriately to each frame size. The Transfer dropper is quickly and easily activated via a simple trigger lever set below the handlebar on the left of the bars, allowing you to get your saddle out of the way in an instant when you plumet down steep drops.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

The Fox Transfer Factory dropper seatpost is quickly activated by a lever on the left of the handlebar.

 

The Mondraker Raze Carbon RR mid-travel trail bike represents all that’s good with the modern mountain bike and it’s fair to say that the Spanish brand has stolen a march on some of its rival brands when it comes to a trail bike that really excels in all riding scenarios. It’s typical to cast your eyes over certain bikes and quickly make a visual audit of what is and isn’t going to work for you. For example one choice may be featherlight and be ready for tough day-long rides but compromises on suspension travel and big hit capability, while another choice may fill you with confidence when it comes to being able to barrel down the toughest, most unpredictable rocky descents but rides like a dog when you point it back up hill. The Raze Carbon RR with its pedal-efficient ZERO suspension configuration along with the light and stiff STEALTH carbon construction gives you all of the climbing performance you’ll need to get you to the top of your favourite trails while the sorted FORWARD GEOMETRY helps you descend with confidence and gives a really agile ride with that ZERO suspension coming to life and giving you 130mm of plush travel in the rear. Throw in Mondraker’s unique MIND telemetry system and you’ve got all the tools you’ll need to set up your Raze to perfectly suit your riding style and the environment you’re riding in.

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR 2022

A lot of bike brands like to claim they’ve created a mountain bike that can do it all; Mondraker ain’t lying when it comes to the Raze Carbon RR.

 

Mondraker Raze Carbon RR RRP £6,799.00

Full Specification:

  • Frame: Raze 29 Stealth Air full Carbon, Zero Suspension System, 130mm travel, Forward Geometry, Carbon Monoblock upper link, Boost 12x148mm rear axle, tapered head tube, 73mm BSA bottom bracket, dedicated 1x drivetrain design, HHG internal cable routing, Enduro MAX sealed bearings, shock mudguard, ISCG 05, custom frame protectors.
  • Rear Shock: Fox Float DPS Factory Kashima evol LV, 205×57.5mm. Settings: Compression 3 positions lever, low-speed compression, low-speed rebound, air preload. Trunnion top mount, 30x8mm bottom bushings
  • Shock Settings: Light compression, light rebound, air volume spacer 0.6
  • Headset: Acros custom for 1-1/2″ head tube, angular contact bearings 40x52x7, Internal cable routing
  • Derailleur Hanger: SRAM UDH
  • Fork: Fox 36 29 Float GRIP2 Factory Kashima, 150mm, tapered steerer tube, Boost 15x110mm axle, 44mm offset. Settings: 3 positions with micro adjust compression, low-speed rebound, air preload
  • Derailleur: Sram X01 Eagle, Type 3 roller bearing clutch, cage lock, 1x12s, X-Actuation 1:1
  • Shifter: Sram Trigger GX Eagle, 12s, X-Actuation 1:1
  • Cassette: Sram XG-1275, 10-52T, 12s
  • Cranks: Sram X1 Carbon Eagle, Boost, DUB axle, Direct mount chain ring, S/M size: 170mm, L/XL size: 175mm
  • Chainring: 32T, CNC-machined alloy, X-SYNC 2
  • Bottom Bracket: Sram DUB BSA, sealed bearings, 73mm
  • Brakes: Sram G2 RS, 4-piston caliper
  • Brake Levers: Sram G2 RS, SwingLink, tool-free reach adjust
  • Rotors: Centerline 180mm IS 6 bolts one-piece rotor, steel-backed organic pads
  • Rims: DT Swiss XM1700 Spline 29, 30mm internal width, welded aluminum, tubeless ready, 28 spokes
  • Spokes: DT Competition, straight pull
  • Front Hub: DT 350, Boost 15x110mm, IS 6 bolts
  • Rear Hub: DT 350, Boost 12x148mm, 36T SL Ratchet system, IS 6 bolts, XD freehub
  • Front Tyre: Maxxis Dissector 29×2.4 WT, tubeless ready, 3C MAXX TERRA compound, EXO+ protection, 120TPI, folding bead
  • Rear Tyre: Maxxis Aggressor 29×2.3, tubeless ready, dual compound, Exo protection, 60TPI, folding bead
  • Stem: Onoff Krypton FG 30mm, CNC, 31.8mm barbore
  • Handlebar: Onoff Kripton Carbon 1.0, rise: 25mm, width: 800mm, 9º backsweep, 5º upsweep, 31.8mm barbore
  • Grips: Onoff Diamond, 1lock-on, 135mm
  • Saddle: Fizik Antares R7
  • Seatpost: Fox Transfer Factory Kashima internal, diameter 31.6mm, S size: 363.5x125mm, M size: 418.3x150mm, L/XL size: 475.1x175mm

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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