Mondraker Dune Review: First Time on the Bosch SX

[@Wiroe]

Riding is all about having fun! Stop the e-bike hate, comment sections on e-bike videos are just so awful

[@bikersedge]

I second this. Have fun on a bike how you choose and let other folks have fun how they choose. It’s really not that difficult.

[@erichbachman7363]

ALways a good day when Bikers Edge put out a new review! This guy is so chill and the format is excellent, def one of my fav mtb-reviwers!

[@bikersedge]

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words.

[@Rammers13]

Great review bro 👊🏻

[@bikersedge]

Hey thanks!

[@ZippidyMTB]

This would be a great comparison against the Kenevo, SL. Not necessarily motor power, but ride and descending capability.

[@bikersedge]

We’ve got a lightweight EMTB showdown in the works. We don’t carry specialized though so won’t be able to include the Kenevo.

[@johnssmith4005]

I can't wait to see what Mondraker does with the ZF motor

[@bikersedge]

Very excited about that one myself.

[@Nile49]

Any thoughts on how much versatility this gives up vs say the Heckler SL? and then conversely how much do you think the Heckler gives up in capability vs the Dune? Any issues with saddle height in the dropped position? Insertion looks ok on your XL but I am concerned about the size large. Have been waiting for more information on this bike, Thanks!

[@bikersedge]

No problems with dropper height/length for me. I think the Heckler is much more versatile in terms of not dumbing down easier terrain. The Dune is more capable in the rough, but I don't know if it's more capable in the rough than the Heckler is good on the easy stuff.

[@Manu_Air228]

I think the versatility of the Dune is brilliant for such a big bike. It feels more nimble then the Megatower or the Nukeproof Mega. It even feels more nimble then my own 150/140 Gen1 Rise, which is very odd and very welcome at the same time. Only when you go very slow, you realize that it is not a fun little trail bike. I prefer the Dune over any other bike I have ridden, unless on a flow trail. That said, I've heard from a few people (independently of each other) that the Heckler SL is the best bike in fun factor they have ever ridden, going to test that soon to make up my own mind. These two are also on my short list, together with one bike coming in early July I am not allowed to talk about yet. Guess I'll decide until end of July once I've tested all 3 of them thoroughly

[@Nile49]

@@Manu_Air228 thanks for sharing. I think this will be my next bike but it’s so hard to pull the trigger given the rate at which the market is changing right now and that these bikes are so expensive and depreciate so fast. I have only parking lot tested the Heckler SL but can reiterate that it’s handling is incredibly natural and regular mtb like. It’s certainly on the shortlist. It does seem like the enduro sl emtb category is ready for new entrants from a number of manufacturers. Heard rumors of a lightweight Rocky which would be interesting to me. Sounds like next year though.

[@Manu_Air228]

@@Nile49 very true. In Germany luckily we have bikeleasing, where you spread the costs over 3 years and effectively save 20% of the costs (if your income is high), which softens the depreciation. Effectively I paid 6900 for my Rise incl. add-ons like Range Extender and I expect roughly 4000-4300 when I sell it now after a bit more then 3 years. If I'd have to pay full price (which would have been 8500), I would not play that game but rather keep my bike until it breaks. Yeah, you can always play the waiting game, but it will be at least another 5 years until the Light-Emtb class starts settling and innovations and technology advances slow down, I am not that patient :)

[@Shawn-in-da-Canyon]

Having the bars a little high isn’t going to take away front control. Proper shock and fork sag will fix that. Try it, you’ll eventually really like it.

[@bikersedge]

It can lead to less weight on the front wheel which in turn leads to less control and under steer. I run my bars higher than just about everyone I know. Dak might have me beat but not by much. Ha.

[@Nile49]

I wonder if the unusually short stem could be a factor. I’ve tried and could not make them work for me.

[@bikersedge]

@@Nile49 depending on the bike I’ll run between 35-50. This was within the normal range. The stack height is really high. I think that’s a big part of it.

[@Nile49]

@@bikersedge did you swap it? Spec sheet says 30mm. Thanks

[@SkiRidesMTB]

Now THAT is a gorgeous looking emtb

[@bikersedge]

Does not look bad at all.

[@roellecorregidor1201]

What camera setup are you using now? Good to see something different.

[@bikersedge]

I use the Hero 12 for the POV and a Sony a7sIII for the other stuff.

[@tmae-9284]

How would you compare it to the relay?

[@gbrox17]

The trails on your channel look so nice.

[@bikersedge]

We’ve got some goods here in Utah.

[@K1ngJame5-mtb]

Awesome review. Can you confirm if the Bosch SX motor has the same rattle/clunk as the Bosch cx?

[@bikersedge]

Hey, thanks. I didn't notice it much at all on this one. Some bikes accentuate the sound more than others though.

[@Nile49]

As mentioned it does seem to be bike/individual motor related but others have said its essentially the same as the CX downhill noise wise.

[@K1ngJame5-mtb]

@@Nile49 I really want the dune but the motor clunk/rattle is a real problem for for

[@Nile49]

@@K1ngJame5-mtb yea a real shame to see new motors that still have this behavior

[@Manu_Air228]

it does not have any rattle, if anyone claims that, it is false. I had the bike for a full day and heard nothing on the downhill. Uphill it is not the most silent (TQ), but more silent then the EP8(RS)

[@albi9191]

really nice POV. what kind of camera r u using?

[@bikersedge]

GoPro Hero 12. Thanks!

[@K1ngJame5-mtb]

@@bikersedgewith the max lens?

[@bikersedge]

Yup.

[@Pppppgtillo]

Hi I’m riding this ebike too! Just to compare(i’m 210pounds rider) What are your suspension settings? Thks a lot👍🏻

[@bikersedge]

To be honest I set up so many bikes in any given week I can remember what I’ve done for setup. I should be better at writing that stuff down.

[@nicholashines7686]

If you guys are going to sell Mondraker I can't wait to hear your opinion on the Foxy/Raze.

[@bikersedge]

I rode the Foxy briefly earlier this year. Really nice suspension feel like this one. Don’t have enough for a full review though.

[@HarryPotterFan777Wizard]

Cool looking bike

[@bikersedge]

Agreed.

[@shamrock4840]

Connor gotta ask your honest opinion I’ve been watching you for years: e-bikes - what percentage of your writing has switched over to e mtb ? Also do you feel the stigma as you ride one ? - miss feeling of accomplishment of a big climb? I’m struggling with this .

[@bikersedge]

It seems like right now it’s been way more e than meat powered. That’s only because there haven’t been many new pedal bikes released to review. Personally I ride the ebike about 15-20% of the time. I love e-bikes and I love pedal bikes. I have folks that will give me a hard time while I’m on the ebike but I’m usually prepared with a snarky response for them. Ride what you like and let everyone else ride what they like.

[@shamrock4840]

@@bikersedge great mindset - agreed 70/30 is a good mix.

[@dhkorni]

How tall are you?

[@bikersedge]

6’2”

This, with the full powered motor and a 750wh battery

[@bikersedge]

It would change the bike so much though. Wouldn’t have nearly the same ride quality.

@@bikersedge Maybe, but considering the Wild with the full powered Bosch and the 750 battery, the Mondraker would be still more playful as a mullet.

[@ondrejjanoska660]

Missing XXL with 525 reach

[@bikersedge]

That would be great for the really tall folks.

[@jdmbeaner182]

So did y'all just forget about the other channel lol

[@bikersedge]

Basically. Seemed silly to separate them. We’ve moved everything back here now.

[@jdmbeaner182]

@@bikersedge yea It seems like the community as a whole has sorta just accepted ebikes now.

[@bikersedge]

@@jdmbeaner182 you’d be surprised. We get a lot of hate on ebike videos over here.

[@jdmbeaner182]

@@bikersedge yea even on pink bike there's always negativity but it's nowhere near as bad as it was in 2020.

[@bikersedge]

@@jdmbeaner182 very true. Moving in the right direction.

[@shaymtbrider7244]

Over price shit . Better buy dirt bike

[@bikersedge]

I would also really like one of those. The more bikes the merrier.

[@Cartsp70]

Would you choose this or the new Orbea Rise ??????

[@bikersedge]

Not sure. I haven’t ridden the rise yet.

[@Manu_Air228]

very different bikes, I own the Rise but going to switch for the Dune soon

[@Cartsp70]

@@Manu_Air228hey 👋🏽 I tried the Dune RR today, omg , it’s in a different league to my M10 Rise , the suspension is absolutely incredible, it’s comfort is outstanding, I want one so bad 😢

[@Cartsp70]

@@Manu_Air228the 24 Rise you mean??? Don’t tell me you already don’t like it? 😢

[@Manu_Air228]

@@Cartsp70 no, i overread the "new" part, I have the '21. The new LT might feel quite different