Mondraker Neat RR SL – In our huge 2024 e-mountainbike test

Neat and light! At 17.8kg, the Mondraker Neat RR SL with the TQ-HPR50 is one of the lightest bikes in our 2024 eMTB group test. Can the Spanish trail steed use its low weight to its advantage or does the small motor hold it back? To find out, we compared the Neat against 26 electric rivals!

Mondraker are based in Alicante, Spain, and have long been part of the furniture in the MTB racing household, with factory teams fighting for a place on the podium in the downhill, enduro and eMTB world cups. The Spaniards are also known for their proprietary forward geometry concept, which combines a long reach and short stem. The NEAT comes equipped with a lightweight TQ-HPR50 motor and 360 Wh battery, and opens up a whole new chapter in Mondraker’s eMTB portfolio. It rolls on 29″ wheels and generates 160/150 mm of travel (f/r), all wrapped up in a light, 17.8 kg carbon package (size L). The Neat looks distinctly like a Mondraker but the motor is barely noticeable. The Neat RR SL retails at € 11,999 and can only be purchased directly from an authorised Mondraker dealer. In our 2024 eMTB group test, it’s one of two bikes with a TQ motor – but how did it fare against the competition?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

What sets the 2024 Mondraker Neat RR SL apart from the competition?

With its slim, unmistakable frame silhouette, the Mondraker NEAT looks fast before you even start riding, and is distinctly recognisable as a Mondraker. It retains the manufacturer’s typical rectilinear design language, with the seat stays running parallel to the slim, flat top tube. Despite the slender look, there’s a lot going on the Neat’s frame, with mounting points on both the top tube and down tube allowing you to secure either a bottle cage, tool mount or the optional 160 Wh range extender. This allows you to embark on longer backcountry expeditions without having to leave behind a water bottle or your bolt-on tool strap. To round off the clean look, Mondraker rely on an internal headset cable routing system, which might look tidy but makes it harder to service the bike – a real nightmare for home mechanics.

Despite what the Neat’s slender appearance might suggest, there’s a fist sized TQ-HPR50 motor hidden in the bottom bracket, which delivers 50 Nm of torque and draws its power from a 360 Wh battery – the second smallest in this test field right after the Specialized Turbo Levo SL. The battery is secured to the frame with two bolts and can be removed from the frame via an opening by the bottom bracket. However, the battery can be charged directly on the bike via a charging port on the top tube, which is a lot quicker and easier than removing it from the frame. The black and white TQ OLED display is neatly integrated into the top tube and only has one button. This is complemented by TQ’s minimalist remote on the left-hand side of the handlebars, which relies on a cable for connection and provides excellent haptics with its two rubberised buttons.

For the spec of the Neat RR SL, Mondraker rely entirely on expensive, high quality and relatively light components, including bling FOX Factory suspension. The 36 mm Factory fork generates 160 mm of travel and employs the superior, finely tunable GRIP2 damper – all topped off with a little Kashima crème fraiche! The fork is complemented with a 150 mm FOX Float X Factory shock, which also comes with the fancy Kashima coating and splits the seat tube in two, with a small mudguard protecting it against flying debris. SRAM’s lightweight SRAM Level Ultimate brakes might look great with their stylish silver finish, but were actually designed for XC, meaning that they don’t do justice to the Mondraker’s potent character. The Spanish manufacturer also relies on several electronic components: The RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post ensures lighting fast, butter-smooth action, but only offers 170 mm of travel, which is below average in this test. The SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission drivetrain enables silky smooth gear shifts even under load. For the wheels, Mondraker rely on a lightweight Mavic Crossmax carbon wheelset and MAXXIS tires, combining a Minion DHF at the front and Minion DHR II at the rear, both in the lightweight EXO+ casing and hard MaxxTerra rubber compound. We recommend upgrading to the softer MaxxGrip rubber compound for more cornering grip, especially at the front.

Tuning tip: Upgrade to more powerful brakes like SRAM CODEs, which were designed to suit the bike’s intended use

What is the 2024 Mondraker NEAT RR SL capable on the trail?

The Mondraker places you in a sporty yet comfortable pedalling position. However, the small battery only enables short ranges, meaning the Neat isn’t the right choice for epic all-dayers – and never wanted to be! Going uphill, the TQ motor requires slightly higher pedalling cadences than the competition, but delivers a very pleasant breeze of artificial tailwind with virtually no background noise. In our 2024 eMTB group test, the TQ drive proved the second weakest right after the exotic maxon motor of the even more exotic Spherik E-SMT, which only delivers 40 Nm of torque. Only the 50 Nm Specialized Turbo Levo SL has the same nominal power. When climbing, however, the Neat’s suspension puts the weaker motor into perspective, generating tons of traction while at the same time working efficiently without excessive bob. Overall, the Mondraker requires greater physical effort to ride, and doesn’t provide the shuttle feeling typical of full fat eMTBs.

What prevents the Neat from securing uphill KOMs makes it shine once the gradient declines. Riding downhill, the motor completely fades into the background, making you feel as if you were riding an analogue bike. With its low system weight, the Spanish steed gallops its way back down into the valley, impressing with a lively, nimble character on flowing trails and making you feel at ease from the get go with intuitive, predictable handling. This makes it easy to throw the bike from one corner into the next, while the progressive suspension allows you to build up tons of speed by pumping through rollers and berms. No other bike gives you more fun on flowing trails! However, on rougher trails, with bigger rocks, the direct handling becomes increasingly challenging. If you mess up a line in fast trail sections, the horse quickly loses its temper and tries to buck you off the saddle. And while the Mondraker Neat might not be quite as stiff and direct as the SCOTT Voltage, the shiiiiiit-ometer points in the same direction. Comparatively, other light eMTBs in this test, like the Specialized Levo SL and Santa Cruz Heckler SL, are easier to ride, especially on technical descents. Advanced riders, however, can benefit from the direct handling and progressive suspension to carve through nasty berms at Mach 10, pushing right to the limits of themselves and the bike. If you know what you’re doing, you could just let go of the reins and let the Spanish horse run amok, at least in theory! In practice however, the weak brakes are a real limitation, requiring plenty of finger strength on long steep sections and robbing you of confidence.

The Mondraker makes its way to the trailhead in a relaxed fashion, but ploughs its way back down into the valley like a bat out of hell!

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 Mondraker Neat RR SL and who should look elsewhere?

The Mondraker is a good match for ambitious riders who are looking for a lively, lightweight ripping machine. The direct handling and fast response also make it an excellent choice for flow hunters and light-footed riders. The natural ride feeling of the minimalist TQ motor system is particularly interesting for riders who want to get an analogue riding experience with a breeze of artificial tailwind. With its unmistakable design language, the Neat is also a great choice for those who value aesthetics and a touch of Spanish flair. Complete beginners won’t be able to cope with the bike’s demanding handling, while uplift-junkies who are used to full-fat motors would probably faint breathless on the trailside.

Our conclusions about the 2024 Mondraker Neat RR SL

Spanish stallion seeks rider with sharp spurs – the Mondraker Neat loves to go wild on the trails, but requires a firm hand to guide it. It’s just as easy and predictable to ride as an analogue mountain bike, and rewards you with plenty of speed. It’s aimed at experienced riders rather than complete beginners. With its discreet design and spirited performance, it lands somewhere in the middle of this test field.

Tops

• Direct, agile handling
• Clean, discreet look reminiscent of an analogue bike
• TQ motor harmonises with the overall concept of the bike

Flops

• XC-specific brakes don’t do justice to the bike’s potential and intended use
• Too stiff and direct for beginners

For more information, visit mondraker.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

All bikes in test: BULLS VUCA EVO AM 2 (Click for review) | BULLS SONIC EVO AM SX-I (Click for review) | Canyon Strive:ON CFR LTD (Click for review) | Canyon Torque:ON CF Roczen (Click for review) | CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i (Click for review) | CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 (Click for review) | FLYER Uproc X 8.70 (Click for review) | FOCUS SAM² 6.9 (Click for review) | GASGAS ECC 6 (Click for review) | GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 (Click for review) | KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime (Click for review) | Lapierre Overvolt GLP3 (Click for review) | Merida eOne-Sixty 10K (Click for review) | Mondraker Neat RR SL | Moustache Samedi 29 Game 11 FOX (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Shuttle AM Team (Click for review) | Propain Ekano 2 CF (Click for review) | RADON RENDER 10.0 HD (Click for review) | ROTWILD R.X 1000 Ultra (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOR 4060 ST (Click for review) | SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 Tuned (Click for review) | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax Pinion (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo Pro (Click for review) | Spherik E-SMT XX AXS (Click for review)

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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Mike Hunger