The 2025 Mondraker Crafty rolls into the new season with a updated rear suspension. With its powerful 5th-gen Bosch Performance Line CX motor and 160/150 mm of travel (f/r), it wants to shine as an uncompromising all-rounder. How does the latest iteration of the Crafty fare on the trail and what more is behind the new design?
Founded in 2001 in Alicante, Spain, Mondraker quickly made a name for themselves in the mountain biking and eMTB scene, which is mainly due to innovative concepts like their Forward Geometry and in-house ZERO suspension system – but more on that later. Mondraker are known for their bold designs and fast bikes, and with the new 2025 Crafty, they’ve introduced an eMTB that was developed to tackle the toughest terrain. To achieve this, they redesigned frame from the ground up and specced it with the latest Bosch Performance Line CX motor. The new Crafty rolls on 29” wheels, and generates 160/150 mm of travel front and rear. This sets it apart from its siblings, the Mondraker Dune and Mondraker Neat, which are both light eMTBs. We’ve already tested the Dune in the picturesque landscapes of Sintra near Lisbon, while the Neat took on 26 eMTB in our our huge eMTB comparison test.
With the new 2025 Mondraker Crafty, Mondraker responds to feedback from customers and dealers, delivering a thoughtfully updated version of their full-power eMTB. As the flagship model in the lineup, the Crafty stays true to its roots in terms of motor performance and battery size, but also breaks new ground with several first-time features. Let’s find out what they are!
The new 2025 Mondraker Crafty Carbon in detail – modern craft beer or more of an old-school lager?
With its discrete, rectangular frame silhouette and sharp lines, the Crafty Carbon is distinctly recognisable as a Mondraker. It looks fast even when stationary, and is reminiscent of a Ferrari F40. From now on, Mondraker will rely exclusively on carbon frames for the new Crafty, whereby the R and RR spec variants rely on an alloy swingarm. There isn’t a full-alloy version of the Crafty anymore.
New, nuevo, nou! Am I seeing this right? Yes, on the 2025 Crafty, Mondraker changed the position of the shock, which now splits the seat tube in two. This allowed them to improve the kinematics of their well-known ZERO suspension design – a proven rear suspension concept with a floating shock and virtual pivot point. The updated version aims to provide even more control and grip on the trail. We really like the look of the revised suspension system, but how does it perform on the trail? We’ll tell you all about it in our riding impressions.
The cable routing on the new Crafty is well thought out, which is something that all home mechanics will appreciate. Mondraker ditched the internal headset routing system and rely on conventional cable ports on the head tube instead. The cables are securely clamped at the ports and didn’t make a noise during our test runs – the Mondraker Crafty 2025 is quiet as a mouse on the trail. Although the new Crafty comes standard with conventional cable routing, Mondraker give you the option to configure your bike with a headset routing system.
Let’s move on to the heart of the bike, the brand-new Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which is seamlessly integrated into the frame. The 5th generation of the CX drive delivers 85 Nm of torque and 600 W peak power, drawing its power from a 800 Wh battery. Read our in-depth review of the Bosch Performance Line CX to find out everything about its features. The motor is paired with a Bosch System Controller and Bosch Mini Remote, which is intuitive to use and provides good haptic feedback. The new Bosch Purion 400 display provides all basic riding data without clogging up the cockpit. Unlike the bigger Kiox 500 display of the Mondraker Dune, it’s tucked away securely behind the handlebars.
Alongside the updated CX motor, Bosch also introduced new batteries. Mondraker wasted no time and designed the new Crafty frame to be compatible with both the 600 Wh and 800Wh batteries, which is pretty easy because the two batteries are the same length, and only differ in thickness, meaning that they both fit in the same frames – brilliant!
For the first time on a Crafty, the 800Wh battery can be removed from the frame, and is secured in the downtube with a double-locking Allen bolt. If you want to travel lighter, the Crafty can also run with the smaller 600-Wh battery. If 800 Wh are still not enough for you, you can expand the battery with Bosch’s PowerMore Range Extender, which forms part of the Smart System and mounts on a special rail for the bottle cage and provides an extra 250 Wh.
Plug it in and off you go – no need to lug the Crafty out of the basement for charging anymore. Thanks to the removable battery, it can be conveniently charged indoors without the bike itself needing access to a power source. For those who prefer to charge the Crafty directly, the charging port is located on the downtube just above the motor. While this area remains largely protected from dirt, constantly bending over to reach it might not be the most back-friendly solution in the long run.
The Crafty’s frame features both a tool and bottle cage mount. If you’re using the Bosch Range Extender, you can use the remaining mounting point for your preferred accessory – sweet!
Unfortunately, the chainstay protector on our test bike was still a prototype, and the production bike will be delivered with a full size protector that covers the entire chainstay. That said, our test bike was pleasantly quiet. Our bike also had a provisional, 3D-printed motor cover, which will be replaced by a refined fiberglass-reinforced plastic cover.
The spec of our 2025 Mondraker Crafty Carbon RR test bike
For this review, we tested the 2025 Mondraker Crafty Carbon RR spec variant, which retails at € 8,499, and comes equipped with only the finest components, leaving very little to be desired in terms of trail performance. The suspension consists of a 160 mm FOX 38 Factory GRIP X2 fork and matching FOX FLOAT X shock, which controls 150 mm of travel at the rear.
SRAM MAVEN Bronze four-piston brakes do stopping duties. The levers feature SRAM’s proprietary SwingLink technology, which minimises deadband and improves modulation, thus ensuring more consistent braking performance. The brakes are paired with 200 mm rotors front and rear, ensuring powerful, reliable deceleration,even on long descents. Shifting is taken care of by an electronic, wireless SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur.
The 2025 Crafty rolls on Mavic E-Deemax alloy wheels and robust MAXXIS tires, with a Minion DHF at the front and a Minion DHR II at the rear, both in EXO+ casing and the harder MaxxTerra compound. While this combination ensures good traction and decent puncture protection, the front wheel could benefit from the softer MaxxGrip rubber compound, which is at another level in terms of grip. Heavier, aggressive riders should also upgrade to the tougher Doubledown casing to improve puncture protection and protect the rims against harder impacts, at least at the rear.
For the cockpit, Mondraker rely on their in-house components, combining a 30 mm ONOFF S6 aluminium stem and matching 800 mm S6 handlebars.
ONOFF also supply the PIJA dropper post, which allows you to adjust the travel between 155 mm and 180 mm in 5 mm increments. The travel of the dropper post is sufficient, but the insertion depth is limited by the new frame design, which slightly restricts freedom of movement on the bike. The dropper is paired with an ergonomic remote, which integrates seamlessly into the cockpit thanks to Matchmakers.
Mondraker Crafty Carbon RR
€ 8,499
Specifications
Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 800 Wh
Display Bosch Purion 400
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP X2 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Factory 150 mm
Seatpost OnOff Pija 155 – 180 mm
Brakes SRAM MAVEN Bronze 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX AXS Eagle Transmission 1x12
Stem OnOff S6 30 mm
Handlebar OnOff S6 Aluminium 800 mm
Wheelset MAVIC E-Deemax 29"
Tires MAXXIS DHF MaxxTerra EXO+/ Minion DHR II MaxxTerra EXO+ 2.6"/2.6"
Technical Data
Size S M M/L L XL
Weight 24.4 kg
Specific Features
Flip chip
Toolmount
Spec variants of the new 2025 Mondraker Crafty
The Crafty Carbon 2025 comes in 5 spec variants: R, RR, RR S, XR, and RR SL. While the R and RR models combine a carbon main frame and alloy swingarm, the RR S, XR, and RR SL models rely on a full carbon frame. The models also differ in battery size and suspension travel. The RR S, XR, and RR SL models come equipped with a 600Wh battery, meaning that they’re slightly lighter.
The XR variant stands out from the crowd with a fancy Öhlins suspension and 170 mm of travel at the front. Most spec variants share the same tire combo consisting of a MAXXIS Minion DHF with EXO+ casing up front and a Minion DHR II with EXO+ casing and MaxxTerra compound at the rear. The only exceptions are the top-tier RR SL model, which relies on a narrower 2.5” front tire in the softer MaxxGrip compound, and the XR variant, which features an ASSEGAI front tire in the tougher Doubledown casing.
The Crafty Carbon R entry-level model relies on reliable Shimano components, like the proven DEORE XT drivetrain and matching four-piston XT brakes, which are paired with 203 mm rotors front and rear — a setup that ensures solid braking power. The 160 mm FOX 38 GRIP Performance fork is a good match for an all-rounder like the Crafty R, though it doesn’t offer the refined feedback of the more expensive Factory version. Retailing at € 7,199, Mavic the Crafty Carbon R provided a very harmonious overall package for its price class.
The Mondraker Crafty Carbon RR S sits just above our test model, and retails at € 9,499. For your money, you’ll get a reliable SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain, Mavic E-Deemax S wheelset and lighter 600 Wh battery. Braking is taken care of by SRAM MAVEN Silver brakes, which feature a bite point adjustment, though they don’t differ much from the Bronze version in terms of braking power. The suspension is identical to that of our test bike, but this model is equipped with a FOX Transfer dropper post.
With its 170 mm Öhlins RXF 38 fork the XR spec variant is aimed at riders who want to go bigger, faster, and harder. The SRAM MAVEN Silver brakes are combined with a massive 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm disc at the rear, ensuring even more powerful deceleration on long descents. The Öhlins TTX22 coil shock delivers solid trail performance, though dialling in the perfect setup can be a bit tricky. Priced at € 10,499, the XR modelis nothing short of premium, with a spec that is designed to excel on the toughest of trails.
The Crafty Carbon RR SL clearly focuses on weight optimisation! The SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth brakes with 200 mm rotors may not deliver the same braking torque as the MAVEN, but help reduce weight. Both the FOX 36 29 FLOAT GRIPX2 Factory fork and FOX FLOAT X Factory shock deliver top-notch performance on the trail, controlling 160/150 mm of travel front and rear, respectively. SRAM supply the XX Eagle AXS T-Type drivetrain and RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post, which keep the weight down while at the same time ensuring a tidy cockpit. The E*thirteen Sylvan Race carbon wheelset rounds off the lightweight overall concept. Retail price is € 12,999.
The geometry of the new 2025 Mondraker Crafty
First things first: the new Mondraker Crafty brings along an updated sizing concept system, which, alongside the familiar sizes S, M, L, and XL, now also offers an M/L option. This makes the new Crafty appealing to an even wider range of riders. Another first for Mondraker: the chainstay length grows with the frame size, from 455 mm (S, M, and M/L) to 465 mm (L and XL), ensuring consistent handling across the board.
Mondraker have long been relying on their Forward Geometry concept, which, combined with a long reach and short stem, is designed to ensure greater stability, thus inspiring more confidence, especially on fast descents.
There’s also a new flip-chip in the shock mount. While it doesn’t affect the suspension travel, it allows you to drop the standard 25 mm bottom bracket drop by 5 mm to 30 mm in low position, and change the seat tube angle from 77.95° to 77.6° and head angle from 64.5° to 64.15°. From the standard position, the reach decreases slightly from 480 mm to 476 mm, while stack height increases from 647 mm to 650 mm.
While the rear suspension is compatible with a coil shock, you can’t convert the Crafty to a mullet bike with a smaller 27.5” wheel.
Mondraker also adapts the dropper post travel to the respective frame size. The dropper of the RR spec variant has 140 mm of travel in size S, 160 mm in M, 180 mm in size M/L, and 210 mm in the biggest sizes L and XL. However, the new position of the shock significantly reduces the insertion depth in the seat tube, and in our tested version, this meant the dropper post couldn’t be fully inserted into the frame.
Tuning tip: Use a dropper post with the shortest insertion depth and the longest travel possible.
The geometry of the Mondraker Crafty in the standard setting.
Size | S | M | M/L | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Top tube | 581 mm | 596 mm | 618 mm | 640 mm | 662 mm |
Seat tube | 380 mm | 410 mm | 435 mm | 460 mm | 490 mm |
Head tube | 120 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm | 140 mm | 150 mm |
Head angle | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° |
Seat angle | 77.95° | 77.95° | 77.95° | 77.95° | 77.95° |
Chainstay | 455 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm | 465 mm | 465 mm |
BB Drop | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm |
Wheelbase | 1,240 mm | 1,255 mm | 1,280 mm | 1,314 mm | 1,338 mm |
Reach | 445 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm | 500 mm | 520 mm |
Stack | 638 mm | 638 mm | 647 mm | 656 mm | 665 mm |
The new 2025 Mondraker Crafty on the trail
Dress up, check your bike and battery level – and off you go. We put the new Mondraker Crafty through the grinder on our home trails around Stuttgart. Not only did we end up with plenty of mud on our faces (or “Kosch,” as the locals say 😉), but we also had a blast.
As soon as you swing your leg over the saddle, the Crafty places you in a balanced pedalling position, which is both comfortable and efficient, inspiring confidence and making the Mondaker suitable for long days in the saddle. Whether you’re climbing on fire roads or technical trails, the weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear, and as a result, the front wheel remains planted on the ground even in steeper sections. The motor responds smoothly and provides powerful assistance even on the steepest climbs. On technical uphill trails, the Crafty boosts through rooty and rocky sections in Turbo mode as if you were David Hasselhoff sprinting to an emergency with Pamela Anderson in Baywatch.
After letting the Crafty shuttle you to the trailhead, it’s time to drop into the valley. When gravity takes over, the Crafty shines with a well-integrated riding position that insopires huge amounts of confidence. Despite the big 29” wheels, it’s surprisingly agile – the new M/L size noticeably contributes to its excellent handling on our test bike. Bombing straight down the mountain is no problem for the Crafty, which remains incredibly composed and gives you enough confidence to keep your fingers off the brakes for a few more seconds. The Mondraker implements steering input eagerly, and thanks to the balanced position, doesn’t require you to actively weight the front wheel in flat corners. All in all, the Crafty strikes an optimal balance between composure and agility.
In steep sections, the high stack height inspires confidence, preventing you from diving into the dirt head first. Given the inherent weight of a full-power e-bike, the 2025 Mondraker Crafty is stable in the air, but the suspension still offers enough pop to take off the smallest kickers. Botched landings? No problem – the suspension absorbs it all, providing plenty of support in the process. The same goes for small, consecutive hits, which are absorbed extremely smoothly, to the point that you don’t even notice them. The bike also handles bigger impacts with ease. This is where the ZERO suspension really proves its worth, striking a perfect balance between sensitivity and traction.
Who should take a closer look at the new 2025 Mondraker Crafty Carbon?
In a nutshell, the Mondraker Crafty is an excellent choice for riders looking for a solid all-rounder. It’s equally reliable on long tours as it is for fast-paced post-work rides – and it’s always tons of fun, whatever you do! The big, removable battery and optional Range Extender enable long days in the saddle while providing several charging options.
Conclusions about the 2025 Mondraker Crafty
With the 2025 Crafty Carbon, Mondraker made significant improvements over the earlier versions. In particular, the additional size option makes it accessible to a wider audience, and therefore more appealing to newcomers in the eMTB world. The new frame design and revised cable routing are standout features too. However, it’s a bit disappointing that the dropper post can no longer be inserted all the way into the frame. Overall, the Crafty impresses both uphill and downhill, and with the new removable battery system, it ensures greater flexibility for easier charging and longer rides.
Tops
- Good balance between composure and agility
- Removable battery
- Well-rounded overall design
Flops
- Short insertion depth limits freedom of movement
For more information, visit mondraker.com
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Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: Peter Walker