Mondraker’s Forward Geometry equipped Crafty R stretches 29er handling to the radical max, but can the rest of the bike match up?
- Highs: Incredible high-speed stability and confident control; impressively balanced and consistent suspension
- Lows: Narrow wheels and notchy fork; high weight means strength or gravity are needed to keep the Crafty awake
The main feature of Mondraker’s Forward Geometry designs is the ultra-long top tube, which allows a super short stem to be fitted as standard. The Zero suspension system drives the shock back and down through the split seat tube onto a small lower linkage, and the rear triangle is stretched to accommodate the biggest 29er rubber.
Despite a deliberately lightened ‘Stealth 2.0’ tubeset the frame is adequately stiff for full-gas riding, with slight rear flex only obvious during low rev, high torque efforts. It’s lifetime warrantied too, leaving only the easy-to-lose rear axle plug to grumble about.
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A 1x upgrade or chain device are essential if our chain-shedding experience is anything to go by
Unfortunately the kit list – not for the first time with a Mondraker bike – gives plenty of grumbling potential. The Evolution spec Fox 34 fork is extremely heavy and not particularly smooth, the DT Swiss 1900 rims aren’t wide enough to adequately support the 2.4in Maxxis Ardents wrapping them and even with a clutch derailleur, the 2x10 transmission seems determined to ditch its down-specced chain every time the Crafty gets into its stride.
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