Test: We moved the Mondraker e-Crafty R+ throughout the 2017 season. We had fun right from the start, but we made some modifications. We were even happier with the end result, because the bike can do a lot and gives you a lot of self-confidence.
The Mondraker e-Crafty in detail
As expected from the Spaniards, the solid e-Crafty frame relies on the Zero Suspension System and Forward Geometry. Which technologies are hidden behind the designations? The so-called Zero Suspension System describes Mondraker's rear suspension system. The rear end consists of a large swing arm, chain stays and seat stays are rigidly connected here, which is attached to the main frame by means of two smaller levers. The damper sits between these two bellcranks and is mounted practically floating, as both mounting points move. The suspension strut is practically compressed from two sides during the suspension process. This is to prevent pedal kickback and also eliminate braking influences. They promise zero performance loss. The Forward Geometry describes a modified frame geometry, which has been Mondraker's trademark since 2012. A short 30mm stem is used because, thanks to the longer front triangle, you shouldn't sit too upright. This should make the bike very stable.
Mondraker E-Crafty Geometry
| S | M | L | XL | |
| seat tube (in mm) | 380 | 420 | 470 | 510 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 609 | 636 | 660 | 700 |
| head tube (in mm) | 593 | 602 | 616 | 630 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 475 | 475 | 475 | 475 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1215 | 1244 | 1269 | 1295 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 67,5 | 67,5 | 67,5 | 67,5 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Reach (mm) | 450 | 475 | 495 | 515 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 593 | 602 | 616 | 630 |
A mix of in-house and proven parts is used for the parts. The stub stem, the grips, the wide handlebars and the saddle with the in-house label offer no reason for complaint, you can say good and cheap. I had more complaints about the wheels: relatively early on there was an unpleasant noise from the freewheel, which says something about the quality of the hubs. Inexpensive rims with a width of 35 mm, inexpensive spokes and the associated weight are not absolutely necessary. So Hope wheels went to the bike relatively quickly. Sure, the original wheels would have held up, but they didn't do the bike justice. I am still absolutely satisfied with the Rock Shox suspension. The Monarch Plus is one of the well-known good spring struts anyway, but the rather inexpensive Yari also knew how to please. I didn't miss an upgrade. Because we are in the process of upgrading. A reverb was mounted on the test bike. This is not the case with the e-Crafty, which costs around 5.000 euros, and we would have sorely missed it. Optionally, you could order the bike with the Reverb for €5.299. In terms of shifting function, the Sram chain and the Sunrace cassette were fine. The GX rear derailleur changed gears reliably. The GX shifter fell victim to a fall. A completely bent thumb lever meant the end and there was a replacement in the form of an XO lever. The braking performance of the 2-piston system Level proved to be good. Only on long descents did I push the brakes to their limits with my 100+ kilos, so I switched to a Sram Guide EX brake here too. However, all the changes to the bike shouldn't cast a bad light on the e-Crafty. With my high body weight, high mileage and quite clumsy driving style, I regularly push components to the limit. All parts are absolutely suitable for E-MTB touring.
How does the Mondraker e-Crafty drive?
Something about the e-Crafty has now become the standard for a working, aggressive full-suspension eMTB. Thick Plus tires on wide rims increase grip. But what gave me an aha moment in October 2016 was the Maxxis Minion with a width of 2,8 inches. Comparable tires with a thin carcass and little profile were often too spongy and I had an unwanted "bounce". The Minion DH convinced with top grip in every situation. But you have to accept the increased rolling resistance, which is still bearable on a Bosch CX bike as long as the battery lasts. You can clearly feel the increased rolling resistance when rolling downhill. They also posed a challenge to the brakes, where traction would have been gone long ago with other tyres, the stoppers still had work to do. With the four pistons of the Guide RE, that was no problem even with a heavy rider weight, and anyone who is not very heavy can also cope with the Sram Level. With both brakes, I like the lever feel, both in terms of ergonomics and the pressure point. As already mentioned, the landing gear worked very well. The rear end fits particularly well for sporty riders. There are more sensitive suspension systems, but the Mondraker e-Crafty is effective and fast with the Zero Suspension. The Yari is more sensitive and easy on the pilot's hands. It can't always follow extreme hits perfectly if they follow each other quickly and it can sometimes be deeper in the spring travel than desired. That got me thinking. The high-quality variant of the e-Crafty comes with an adjustable front spring travel of up to 160mm. So I traveled the fork to 160mm (this requires replacing an air piston) and it got a service. With a little gimmick in terms of air chamber volume and tuning, the chassis now suits my preferences very well.
What are my preferences? I want to have fun on the bike! the bike should make it easy for me. and that's what the e-Crafty does. The long front (thanks Forward Geometry) goes well with the long rear. Thanks to the stub stem, you still don't sit too cramped on the bike. Many e-bikes have long chainstays, with a compact front it's a bit like a semi-trailer. The front is done, the rear still needs a while. The Mondraker rides more like a downhill bike compared to other fully e-bikes. Long front, long rear and perceived flat angles. Sit on it, hold on and let the E-Crafty run. It needs a little more emphasis in corners, but surprisingly I never noticed it negatively. A chain guide or a corresponding rear derailleur could have reined in the chain and made the ride quieter.
What helps downhill doesn't hurt uphill either. The rule here is long runs! The long rear end and the weight far up front help a lot on the ascent. Just as they prevent a rollover feeling downhill, they keep the front wheel on the ground for a long time uphill. The increase in fork travel was also helpful when climbing. So the ground clearance increased a bit and you touch the cranks less often when you climb technical sections. The Bosch CX works confidently and pulls through powerfully. The 10 gears with 11-42 teeth cassette are also completely sufficient in combination with the drive. I think the Purion display is even more suitable for such a powerful trail bike than the Intuvia or Nyon. At the beginning of the season, we had Bosch install the new software, which was not yet officially available at the time. This enables riding in E-MTB mode. It replaces the sport mode and switches practically independently through the support levels. Absolutely great, there is always as much power available as you need. I almost never switch modes anymore.
top or flop
Clearly great. with a few small changes, the Mondraker e-Crafty is one of the best eMTBs I've ridden. Most e-bikers will also enjoy it “out of the box”.
Manufacturer link: www.mondraker.com
