Mondraker Dune RR Carbon review

March 9th, 2016

Product Full Name | Mondraker Dune RR Carbon

Retail Price | £5599

Available from | Silverfish

Dune RR Carbon – No holds barred Enduro super bike

Back in 2012 when Mondraker bravely introduced the Forward Geometry system, 70mm stems were considered fairly short – and 50mm stems were for the more aggressive riders out there.

But whilst the rest of the bike industry dithered around 10mm at a time and started calling their bikes long, low and slack, Mondraker went the whole hog and actually made their bikes long, low and slack.

The Forward Geometry concept originally grew the front end of the bike by 60mm, and had a tiny 10mm stem – giving the same handlebar position as other bikes of the time. The advantage of the system is direct steering, and far more stability going up and down.

Mondraker are proud of the Forward Geometry system they have developed. And it’s a testament to them that many other manufacturers have started going longer too – but it was Mondraker that had the balls to do it in the first place.

Having such a long-sighted approach flustered a lot of people though, who couldn’t get past the look of the 10mm direct mount style stem. But those who rode the early Foxy XR embraced the function over form, and simply fell in love with the bike.

Since then, Mondraker have refined all parts of their design, and in 2015 released the 140mm travel Foxy Carbon. Which propelled the bike in to the high-end market with it’s stunning lines. (check out the Foxy story here)

And for 2016, it’s bigger 160mm brother gets the same treatment. Say hello to the Dune RR Carbon – the best bike you’ve not ridden yet…

The size XL has a 1260mm wheelbase, 430mm chainstay and 66.5 degree head angle as stock. The chain stays can be increased by 10mm with the aftermarket chips, and the head angle can be increased or reduced by another degree with the aftermarket head set cups.

The Detail

There are three models in the Dune Carbon range – all based around the same stunning frame.

Using the same construction techniques as the Foxy Carbon, the Dune’s frame has a very similar look – though is a tougher, stiffer and burlier beast altogether.

The Stealth Carbon frame has stunning sculpted lines, and a front triangle carbon lay-up that maximises on torsional stiffness whilst retaining that trail buzz absorption that carbon is so good for.

The head tube bears markings for helping install angled headset cups – the XR model comes with these cups, but the R and RR models will need the hop-up kit for +1/-1 degree adjustment. As stock, the R and RR models have a healthy 66.5degree head angle – so you won’t need to reach for the cups straight away.

The head tube of the Mondraker Dune RR Carbon has markings at top and bottom for correctly installing the angled headset cups with the minimum of fuss.

The proven Zero Suspension platform is present on the Dune frame, though there is a lot more room in the shock cavity for piggyback shocks and the new breed of large volume air cans like the Fox X2. The Dune is the first Mondraker frame to have a one-piece carbon fibre upper link too – incredibly light, and very, very stiff. The RR model uses a Fox Float X shock with an EVOL sleeve and gives 160mm of travel – it’s insanely plush, and has the 3 position lever for compression adjustment.

The back end of the Dune is far chunkier than the Foxy. Check those seat stays – a wide, stiff stance for sticking the bike in to corners hard.

Unlike the Foxy rear end that was quite slender – the Dune has a wide stance. The seat stays are far bigger and are set further apart – certainly noticeable after riding the Foxy.

Out back, the Dune RR Carbon has a far chunkier rear end that has more in common with the Summum downhill frame than the Foxy trail bike. It has a new lower link with bigger collet style axles. Aftermarket chips are available to lengthen the chainstay from 430mm to 440mm.

The Zero suspension system uses a floating shock design. The shock is mounted on the lower linkage, and the rocker. It offers a very supple response on small hits, but has a naturally progressive curve that ramps up firmly – perfect for keeping composed in g-outs or when absorbing big hits.

Keeping things neat is a full internal cable routing system that Mondraker calls HHG. The system is great, though we needed to pull both the rear brake and derailleur housing through the frame a bit as under full compression we could get a little ghost shifting.

There is a carbon mudguard incorporated in to the rear end to keep the shock shaft clean and help keep muck away from the pivots of the lower link – which works really well.

The Dune RR model has an incredible spec, with a Fox 36 Float Factory Kashima fork with a 15mm QR axle up front, offering 160mm travel. Drivetrain is based around a SRAM X01 and X1 11 speed mix to save money, with a Raceface Aeffect crank and chainring set up.

There is no chain guide included, but Mondraker include a carbon fibre bash guard on the ISCG mount that not only protects the chainring, but protects the frame should the chain derail.

Fairly light DT Swiss ET1700 Spline wheels with Maxxis High Roller 2 tyres are sensibly tough and light, and whilst not the widest out there are more than adequate with a 25mm internal width. SRAM Guide RS brakes with 180mm rotors are great in all but the steepest conditions – if riding a lot of alpine you might want a larger front rotor.

As much as the Dune wants to smash it down a rough trail, it’s really agile and is just as happy messing about down the woods.

Finishing kit includes a Rockshox Reverb stealth 150mm post and SDG saddle, On Off 30mm stem and an On Off carbon fibre 780mm bar.

Out on the Trail

The Dune RR Carbon comes with an 30mm stem as standard, though the FG10 and 20 options are available to customise fit. The top tube of the Dune is slightly shorter than the Foxy I’m used to, so I kept the 30mm stem – though struggled to get the position I like as the head tube is quite short. I ended up fitting an 800mm Raceface bar with 35mm rise, and running four spacers under the stem.

With sag dialled in, the Dune RR Carbon felt like a familiar friend. It has that same punchy ride of the Foxy – though its sturdier feel hints that it is ready for anything. Despite having a far chunkier rear end, the Dune barely weighs more than the Foxy – I weighed this size XL at a smidge under 29lbs, with pedals and set up tubeless.

I’ve had a lot of trail time at spots like Bike Park Wales over the winter on the Dune – but now the trails are firming up our local single track is going to get a good seeing too. This thing rails single track.

The low weight compliments the efficient suspension platform – I never needed to use the 3 position switch, other than on long fire roads or tarmac climbs where I wanted to get out the saddle and crank. As with the Foxy, climbing is great – this thing eats technical climbs for breakfast. Though it is easy to ground it out on logs and ledges due to the long wheelbase – the carbon guard does a good job of keeping the chain ring protected.

Descending is where the Dune RR Carbon really excels though – whilst the Foxy was overly capable, the 140mm back end would come unstuck in choppy conditions, and flex could be felt when pushing it hard in turns. The Dune is rock solid though, and feels planted. The killer combination of 160mm of progressive travel and a strong, stiff back end makes it feel infinitely more invincible than the Foxy. I can’t wait to get this thing on a chair lift this year for some serious runs – it’s going to be so good out there!

The stiffness is especially noticeable around the bottom bracket – the redesigned lower link and collet axle system seems to brace the back end substantially more than on the Foxy. It’s not just a bike with 20mm more travel – the Dune is built for seriously demanding terrain and the back end is capable of taking on much bigger hits.

Accordingly, it’s not quite as comfortable as the Foxy which has a slight spring to it’s ride by comparison. The Dune is a hard hitting race bike, as opposed to a heavy duty trail bike. The harder you push it, the more it comes to life – but if idling along the stiffness of the frame can take away some comfort.

I don’t think it’s possible to cruise down a trail on the Dune RR Carbon – this thing just wants you to open up and smash it through corners and barge your way down hill. It brings out your inner devil – and I love that!

Geometry is where the Dune shines, as expected. A roomy 1260mm wheelbase with stock geometry can be fettled with the hop-up angled headset kit, and chainstay chips – though I’ve kept this bike stock for the time being.

Once I’d dialled in my cockpit set up, I felt instantly at home on the Dune. With my weight bang on between the wheels, I never found I had to move especially fore or aft to weight wheels – the neutral feeling can be odd at first, but persevere. It’s worth it.

Even with High Roller II tyres that don’t hook up especially well locally, the Dune RR Carbon felt awesome. One of the brilliant things with longer wheel base bikes, is that when the wheels let go and slide it doesn’t really transmit the sense of panic through to you. Its kind of like riding in slow motion – you naturally counter steer and things carry on. The Dune just doesn’t seem that affected by surface conditions when pushing on.

And the same goes for the rough – with arrow precision you can just pick your exit point and B line straight for it. It doesn’t really matter what’s between you and there.

All this is helped of course, by sensible spec. The stiff cranks, tough wheels and decent suspension work harmoniously with the frame. But if you’re looking at a bike of this level, you might have an inkling about that already. Mondraker are smart though, and keep costs down by using cheaper SRAM components like the chain, and using their own in-house On Off brand.

The Dune RR Carbon is one hell of a bike. But make no mistake – it’s a serious 160mm Enduro weapon at the top end of the class. The base model in the carbon range retails for £4599, this model for £5599 and the top XR model at £6599. If the performance calls out to you, but the price tag is a bit much – it’s well worth checking out the aluminium range that cost from £2799 – £3999.

We Say

The Dune RR Carbon is an outstanding bike. It has stunning lines and a beautiful finish, combined with an excellent suspension platform that is far more capable than you might imagine. It’s not the bike that many hard hitting trail riders need – the Foxy is that bike. But if you want to push your limits, hammer the DH stuff and get involved in the Enduro race scene – this bike is a purpose built winner.

There is seemingly no terrain that fazes it – and it’s light and efficient enough for easy days in the saddle too.

Mondraker are on top of their game at the moment – this is certainly one of the very best 160mm bikes on the market.