Mondraker blew accepted handling rules apart with the introduction of its radical Forward Geometry machines. The Foxy trail bike still destroys fast technical terrain like no other, but increased weight reduces responsiveness and all-day ride joy.
A top tube that’s 50mm longer than most of the competition isn’t the only radical part of the Foxy chassis. The kinked top and down tubes get a cross-brace to keep the ultra-long frame stiff, and there’s another strut between that super-sloped top tube and extended seat tube. The seat tube sits on top of an open ‘cage’ that holds the lower linkage pivots, ISCG tabs and BB. The shock drives down and backwards through the centre, getting squeezed by both linkages simultaneously. The rear subframe has an offside strut to fix the stays together vertically and a 142x12mm axle to aid lateral stiffness – the loose thread insert that falls out when you remove this is a real pain.
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This ‘cage’ in the seat tube is the physical and structural centre of the alloy frame and twin-link Zero suspension system
Mondraker’s extra-long top tube is used to offset the super-short 30mm stem supplied as standard. There’s an even shorter 10mm stem available as an option too. The 760mm wide bar maximises leverage whichever you choose, and while it needs careful set-up to avoid a wobbly lever, the internally routed X-Fusion SLS dropper post is a useful addition for flowing climb-and-descent trails.
The Evolution series Fox 34 fork is stiffer than the Fox 32 found on the entry-level Foxy and last year’s Foxy R, and delivers unarguable control, but it’s a heavyweight option. Mondraker’s Zero suspension design, meanwhile, brings out the best of the Fox Float rear shock. The straight-pull spoked DT Swiss Spline 1900 wheels and Maxxis treads are a high-control set-up too, and the overall spec is hard to quibble with considering this Foxy's price tag.
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