Mondraker NEAT RR SL 2023 with TQ HPR50 Motor on test – The Spanish performance manufacturer’s first light eMTB

Mondraker just released their very first light eMTB, the brand new NEAT, which generates 160/150 mm of travel. It packs some interesting, innovative features to handle demanding trails, while still staying true to Mondraker’s distinctive style. How does it fare on the trail and what are the special features we’re talking about?

Mondraker are known for their slim, straight-lined frame silhouettes and Zero Suspension design, which they use across their entire full-suspension mountain bike range. Mondraker’s virtual pivot suspension system with dual link design generates up to 200 mm of travel, with the Summum DH bike generating the most travel in Mondraker’s portfolio.

The Alicante-based manufacturer started building eMTBs in 2015, and has a huge e-bike portfolio that covers a wide range of applications, from trekking to enduro. They even have an electric gravel bike called the Dusty, which our sister magazine GRANFONDO has already tested for you. While up until now, Mondraker have always relied on motors from Bosch and MAHLE, the new NEAT comes equipped with a German drive system, the TQ HPR50.

The 2023 Mondraker NEAT RR SL in detail – plenty of air in the frame

When developing the new NEAT, Mondraker redesigned the swingarm from the ground up, positioning the shock deeper in the frame and connecting it directly to the swingarm through a split in the seat tube, rather than to the lower rocker link.

“NEAT” is a rather fitting name for Mondraker’s slim eMTB, which employs a compact TQ motor and small 360 Wh battery. With their new light eMTB, Mondraker have moved away from their distinctive, wafer-thin tube design, beefing up both the top tube and seat stays while at the same time rounding off the edges to maintain the proportions. While they were at it, Mondraker’s engineers sneaked in a few practical features, like the two small mudguards to protect the shock, and the three-piece chainstay protector, which provides good coverage to prevent paint chips and chain slap. Talking of quiet things, the TQ 50 Nm HPR50 motor works discreetly in the background, drawing its power from a 360 Wh battery. The latter is secured to the frame with two bolts and can be removed from the frame via an opening by the bottom bracket.

TQ’s LCD display is integrated into the top tube and provides all crucial riding info, like speed, range, battery charge status, current support mode and the power output of the motor. The charging port sits on the top side of the down tube and can be used to connect the 160 Wh, bidon-shaped range extender.

When using the range extender, you don’t have to leave your water bottle behind, because the clever shock position leaves enough room in the main frame triangle to accommodate two standard bottle cages – or even two range extenders!. As a result, the NEAT offers more storage room than its analogue siblings despite using a motor.

The cables are routed internally, disappearing into the frame through the head tube. The brake lines of the new SRAM Level Stealth brakes run close to the handlebars, which makes them almost invisible from the rider’s perspective.

All pirate-spec variants of the 2023 Mondraker NEAT – R, RR, RR SL!

Why are pirates called pirates? Because they Arrrrrr! Mondraker’s model variant names are all based on the 18th letter in the alphabet! Starting with the entry-level model, € 7,999 gets you just a single R, while € 9,999 gains you an extra R for the mid-range RR variant. Stretch up to € 11,999, and you’ll get not just two Rs, but also an S and an L for your extra cash, with the RR SL (Super Light) flagship model. Despite the significant price difference, the weight doesn’t change that much, with only 1 kg separating the 17.86 kg RR SL model from the 18.9 kg base model. The entry-level R model comes equipped with a FOX 36 Performance fork with basic GRIP damper, and matching FOX FLOAT X Performance shock, which both offer limited adjustment options. The levers of the SRAM G2 R brakes feature tool-free reach adjustment, and the travel of the ONOFF Dropper Post grows with the frame size, offering 125 mm in S, 150 mm in M, 170 mm in L and 200 mm in the biggest XL size. The NEAT R’s € 7,999 retail price is quite reasonable for a light-eMTB with a TQ HPR50 motor.

The RR mid-range spec variant is our top choice and our price/performance tip in the NEAT line-up. If you’re happy to renounce all the wireless cockpit bling, this is the bike for you. The RR comes equipped with top-tier FOX Factory suspension consisting of a 36 GRIP2 fork and matching FLOAT X Factory shock. The fork’s superior GRIP2 damper offers countless adjustment options, allowing you to fine tune both the high-speed and low-speed compression, as well as the rebound. SRAM supply the Level Bronze four-piston brakes and brand new wireless GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain. The latter forgoes a conventional derailleur hanger, ensuring precise and reliable gear shifts. The FOX Transfer dropper adds a third cable to the handlebars, while the 29″ Mavic Deemax SL alloy wheelset ensures excellent stability. The RR retails for € 9,999.

With the NEAT RR SL flagship model we tested, Mondraker replaced the RR’s alloy wheelset with a bling Mavic Crossmax carbon wheelset, and the brakes with SRAM’s Level Ultimate four-piston brakes, which are paired with slightly thicker, more heat resistant SRAM HS2 rotors. That said, the brakes still reach their limits relatively quickly on steep terrain.

The wireless SRAM Reverb AXS dropper post is extremely fast and super precise but offers a maximum of 170mm of travel, even in the biggest L and XL frame sizes. The NEAT RR SL retails at € 11,999.

For other components like the handlebars, grips and stem, Mondraker rely on their in-house component brand ONOFF, while the entire NEAT range rolls on MAXXIS tires, combining a Minion DHF at the front and DHR II at the rear. However, these come in the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound and puncture-prone EXO+ casing, which could spell disaster in combination with the expensive carbon rim of the flagship model, especially with an aggressive riding style. Moreover, the lightweight Level brakes are designed for XC and light trail riding, and are therefore undersized for an enduro bike like the NEAT.

The geometry of the new 2023 Mondraker NEAT RR SL

Developed around 10 years ago, Mondraker’s Forward Geometry has markedly influenced the geometry of modern enduro bikes, combining the longest possible top tube/wheelbase and the shortest possible stem and fork offset. What was considered as a radical concept back then has now become standard, with many bike manufacturers borrowing Mondraker’s Forward concept over the years. The 470 mm reach in size M alone tells you where your body is leaning: forward! Moreover, the NEAT combines a steep 77° seat tube angle and a 65° head angle, which is rather moderate for a modern enduro bike. Chainstay length is 450 mm across the board.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	595 mm	615 mm	640 mm	660 mm
Seat tube	380 mm	420 mm	450 mm	490 mm
Head tube	110 mm	110 mm	130 mm	140 mm
Head angle	65°	65°	65°	65°
seat angle	77°	77°	77°	77°
BB Drop	25 mm	25 mm	25 mm	25 mm
Chainstay	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm
Wheelbase	1225 mm	1245 mm	1270 mm	1290 mm
Reach	450 mm	470 mm	495 mm	515 mm
Stack	626 mm	622 mm	642 mm	650 mm

Neat, neater, neatest! How well does the 2023 Mondraker NEAT RR SL clean up the trail?

When riding on level ground and flat transfers, the NEAT places you in a slightly stretched, front-heavy pedalling position, which eases up as the gradient increases, generating plenty of traction on the front wheel when negotiating steep climbs. Despite the relatively weak support of the TQ HPR50 motor, the Mondraker climbs rather willingly, allowing you to negotiate even technical climbs, provided you’re prepared to work a little harder yourself and don’t expect the motor to push you up the mountain. The NEAT’s rear suspension is rather firm but generates good traction over small bumps without bobbing or sagging into its travel on bigger steps. While its active nature might come at the expense of comfort, it perfectly suits the sporty character of the bike.

When gravity takes over and you shred your way back down into the valley, the first thing you’ll notice is how responsive the rear suspension is. Here too, it filters out small bumps very sensitively, following the contours of the ground without rushing through the travel. The NEAT integrates you nicely between its wheels but requires you to actively weight the front wheel in open corners. Alternatively, you can just remove a spacer from under the stem to improve traction up front – that’s what we did! The integrated riding position takes the edge off steep trail sections, preventing dreaded OTB moments. The direct suspension makes it easy to pop off ledges and generate speed by pumping through rollers and berms. At the same time, the rear end provides enough reserves to bail you out on botched landings, ensuring excellent composure.

Active riders using frame size M have to make do with a short-travel 150 mm dropper post. While the seat tube itself would be deep enough to use a longer-travel dropper post, the opening for the shock might limit the insertion depth, so measure carefully before upgrading your post. On long, steep descents, the SRAM Level four-piston brakes reach their limits relatively quickly. Although the thicker, heat-resistant SRAM HS2 brake rotors prevent the brakes from fading, the longer you descend, the harder you have to pull the brake lever to decelerate before a corner. We recommend upgrading to a bigger 220 mm rotor at the front or to a more powerful brake system altogether, because Mondaker’s light eMTB is definitely capable of embarking on rowdy downhill sessions. The great plus point of the Mondraker NEAT with TQ HPR 50 motor is that it’s totally quiet, both up and downhill, leaving only the noise of the tires accompanying you through the forest – a real treat for your ears. Together with the playful handling, this makes you almost forget that you’re riding an 18 kg eMTB.

The great plus point of the Mondraker NEAT with TQ HPR 50 motor is that it’s totally quiet, both up and downhill, leaving only the noise of the tires accompanying you through the forest – a real treat for your ears. Together with the playful handling, this makes you almost forget that you’re riding an 18 kg eMTB.

Who should take a closer look at the 2023 Mondraker NEAT?

The Mondraker NEAT is an excellent choice for active, sporty riders who don’t expect their e-bike to do all the work for them. With the NEAT, you clearly have to work to get to the trailhead but are rewarded for your efforts as soon as you drop into a trail. That said, the NEAT only comes to life with an active riding style, and doesn’t suit passive riders who want a bike that ploughs its way into the valley. The NEAT also cuts a good figure on man-made park trails, making it easy to pump through the trail and pop off ledges without swallowing up the rider’s input.

Our conclusions about the new 2023 Mondraker NEAT RR SL

The new NEAT with TQ motor is a real banger and adds a whole new eMTB category to Mondraker’s portfolio: light ebikes. The natural motor support and low system weight make it ride like a sporty analogue mountain bike. However, the NEAT only comes to life with an active riding style and when you take chances to get air under its wheels. That said, if you’re planning to push the bike to its limits, you should upgrade the brakes.

For more information, visit mondraker.com

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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Ivan Marruecos, Julian Schwede