Doddy’s Custom Mondraker Dune R 2017

November 30th, 2016

By Andrew Dodd in Bikes,Features

Doddy’s Custom Mondraker Dune – Hand Chosen Spec and Custom Graphics

Because I loved the Mondraker Dune Carbon so much, and had got the bike to a point where it felt perfect for me, I ordered another. But this time just as a frame so I could hand pick the best bits and spec the bike out perfectly.

Originally I’d settled on the XR model, that comes with a coil shock.

But with a wait for the size XL, I opted for the R model – which is exactly the same only all black…

Although the Dune looks bitchin’ in black, it definitely looks like it’s missing something. Perhaps the gloss upper and lowers of the Rockshox Lyrik look a bit strange with no graphics.

As much as I like the all black look – my Dune didn’t look quite right on it’s first outing.

When Alex Rafferty from SRAM posted a shot of the original Rockshox RS1 fork on Instagram – a light went off and I knew what had to be done!

Slik Graphics has been making high quality custom graphics for years, and Owen that runs the company has made me some amazing custom decals in the past. So it was a no-brainer in contacting him to have the retro Rockshox logo made up to fit my Lyrik. Owen also provided a bunch of other graphics for me, including matching pink e13 rim decals.

Doddy’s Custom Mondraker Dune just looks right – don’t you think? The pink Slik Graphics on the Rockshox Lyrik and e13 TRSr wheels look awesome. The yellow tyre logos could do with a bit of black marker pen action though…

This has made all the difference to the look of the bike – I think this is the best looking Mondraker Dune on the planet!

An all black Fabric Scoop saddle covers both style and comfort points, whilst a pair of Renthal Traction lock on grips keep my paws firmly locked on the bars in any conditions.

Thanks to a bungee breaking in the back of a van, my Reverb seat post is pretty badly scratched. It works fine, but I think I’ll treat it to a bit of TLC using the stanchion scratch polishing trick.

A 40mm rise Renthal Carbon Fatbar 35mm bar at full 800mm width is my personal choice. I’ve never really liked lower rise bars, and the taller bar means I can run less spacers under the stem too.

Currently I have a 1 degree cup in the frame, which takes the head angle back to 65degrees, but I’d like to go slacker so am going to see what other cups are around. This Custom Mondraker is going to be constantly tinkered with!

I missed out on the Rockshox RS1 the first time round, but it’s such an iconic pair of forks that I wanted to have a modern nod to the skinny old classic.

These pink graphics from Slik look perfect, and look awesome on my custom Mondraker. Doddy's Mondraker Dune

Slik graphics are high quality vinyl items, and come in both matte and gloss finishes. I went for matte as the fork is already gloss, and the rest of the bike has a matt/gloss colour scheme.

Although the e13 TRSr carbon wheels are still rolling fine, they were looking a little tatty after a hard year on the trails – so some fresh graphics and a good clean has brought them back to life.

Whilst I trust SRAM’s chainrings to not drop a chain, I ground the Dune out quite a lot due to the long wheelbase. So a bash guard is invaluable to protect the chainring.

The MRP AMG v2 chain guide features a bash guard, and an upper guide that doesn’t contact the chain – it’s totally silent and only weighs 120grams.

I love the Fabric Tool Keg in addition to a small hydration pack – these days I’m using the Source Hipster. In the tool keg, I keep a tube, 2 tyre levers; 2x C02 bombs and the adaptor – always with me, and always nice and clean on the inside.

I’m really impressed with the SRAM Eagle transmission – shifting is the cleanest yet, and I love the fast, punchy downshift. Full review of the 12 speed transmission coming soon.