Two facts. Spaniards are well known for their temperament, and “restraint” is an alien word to the brand-new Mondraker E-Crusher RR+. We want to know if the bike is as fiery as it looks.
We have to tell you straight away that Mondraker’s new electric high-end carbon beauty, the E-Crusher RR+, comes at a price: exactly € 9,000. (But there is a cheaper version available too). The distinctively shaped carbon frame houses a Shimano STEPS E8000 motor while the oversized downtube conceals a fully integrated 500-Wh battery. The E-Crusher is a well-conceived design concept topped off with a stylish paint job. The distinctive hole between top- and downtube is one of Mondraker’s trademarks. Another clear and visible trademark is the Forward Geometry concept: a very long frame, a slack steering angle, and a short stem make for a stable ride while the short rear end acts as a counterbalance that delivers the necessary agility.
On paper the spec leaves nothing to be desired. A FOX Factory suspension platform with 160 mm travel up front and 150 mm at the back, a Shimano XT Di2 groupset for smooth shifting between gears on a 11–46t cassette and two 2.8″ MAXXIS Minion DHF tires paired with Mavic E-XA Elite 27.5+ wheels for optimal grip. The wheels have been developed specifically for e-mountainbikes and are supposed to be stronger and longer-lasting than traditional ones thanks to a more stable freewheel and thicker spokes on the drive-side. Ironically the brake-side spokes came loose during our test. After the test period, Mavic checked the wheel in their own test lab and figured out, that the wheel was damaged by a huge impact before our test period.
Enough with the theoretical stuff, how does the E-Crusher actually ride? In a classic mountain bike context, the Forward Geometry requires a very active riding style to get around corners confidently. The E-Crusher, on the contrary, feels rather tame. This is to ascribe to both the chainstays – which are comparatively longer than on traditional bikes (450 mm) – and the low centre of gravity of the motor, which makes the bike carve smoothly through all types of corners. Overall, the E-Crusher is superbly balanced! Even on more challenging downhills, the Mondraker remains an impressive ride with its superb handling and confidence-inspiring qualities. The short 30 mm stem lends the bike a very direct ride feeling and the 160 mm travel of the FOX 36 eats up all sorts of bumps with the appropriate sensitivity. The non-serial RockShox Super Deluxe rear shock feels overdamped, generating good amounts of feedback but lacking sensitivity. The serial FOX DPX2 shock will solve this problem.
A combination of a very comfortable riding position and great power transfer make the E-Crusher an awesome and confident climber, so even on the ugliest climbs the front wheel stays attached to the ground.
The Mondraker E-Crusher RR+ in detail
Fork FOX 36 Float Factory 160 mm
Rear shock FOX Float DPX2 Factory 150 mm
Motor / Battery Shimano Steps E8000 / 504 Wh
Brakes Shimano Saint
Drivetrain Shimano XT Di2
Seat post FOX Transfer Performance Elite
Stem ONOFF STOIC FG
Handlebar ONOFF STOIC Carbon
Tires MAXXIS Highroller II+/DHF+
Wheels Mavic E-XA Elite
Installing a seat post remote is not always easy with Shimano motors. Mondraker solved this problem by placing the trigger on the top right side of the handlebar instead of the usual bottom left.
Mondraker used their so-called Forward Geometry for the E-Crusher. The geometry includes a very long frame and a short chainstay. On the e-mountainbike, however, it is less extreme than on Mondraker’s other bikes.
Like many other Mondraker bikes, the E-Crusher features the distinctive opening between top and lower tubes.
To avoid the shock getting covered in muck or hit by rocks Mondraker provided the bike with a fender-like connection bridge.
Mondraker E-Crusher RR+ in geo
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 380 mm | 420 mm | 470 mm | 500 mm | |
| Top tube | 608 mm | 636 mm | 658 mm | 684 mm | |
| Head angle | 70° | 70° | 70° | 70° | |
| Seat angle | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° |
| Chainstay | 450 mm | 450 mm | 450 mm | 450 mm | |
| BB Drop | -18 mm | -18 mm | -18 mm | -18 mm | -18 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1201 mm | 1226 mm | 1252 mm | 1281 mm | |
| Reach | 441 mm | 466 mm | 486 mm | 506 mm | |
| Stack | 609 mm | 609 mm | 623 mm | 637 mm |
Conclusion
The aesthetically exciting Mondraker E-Crusher RR+ has definitely managed to impress us with its balanced, playful, and docile handling. If you’re in between sizes, you should go for the smaller one. The eye-watering price of € 9,000 might seem steep, but it’s fair when compared to other carbon competitors.
Strengths
– Futuristic design
– Balanced and safe handling
– Lush spec
Weaknesses
– Price
– Loose spokes on wheels
For more information head to mondraker.com
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Words: Christoph Bayer Photos: Antonia Buckenlei
