My Thoughts On The New Mondraker Arid Gravel Bike: When A Mountain Bike Company Makes A Gravel Bike

[@bicivini]

My frameset of Mondraker Arid RR will arrive in December - really looking forward to build-up and race in 2025.

[@bicivini]

…carbon layup is btw the same on all complete bikes

[@mellissanash7517]

I think you'd dig the upcoming Manzanita Cycles Whippet, it's like what mtbers wants a gravel bike to be on a gravel standard.

[@dewittlunsford2527]

A guy up here in Grass Valley just acquired the e bike version of that. It’s pretty interesting because it doesn’t look like an e bike due to the fact that it has the motor in the rear hub and the battery is mounted on the seat tube, and kind of looks like a black water bottle. It also has the RockShox Rudy, up front, a Reverb dropper and the new AXS gravel group set. It is definitely a company that is forward thinking to say the least.

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

I considered one of those here in the EU where they've been around awhile. But SRAM's a deal-breaker for me. I ended up with two other brands, one carbon with Campagnolo EKAR/MAHLE X20 and one aluminum with Shimano GRX/MAHLE X35. The cheaper Shimano bike sees more dirt while the Campagnolo one sees more pavement.

[@chadschoenauer7232]

@@larryt.atcycleitalia5786 Go ahead and get spare chainrings for that Ekar. FSA made rings. Light and soft.

[@daniellarson3068]

I liked the sunglasses. The videos come from Southern California. Hollywood comes to mind. A good practical man knows to take sunglasses off in grey rainy weather. I guess there's a lot to consider in the geometry of bicycle frames. Touring bikes are longer and I wonder if some of the characteristics of touring bikes are the most likely to creep into gravel bikes. It seems like the characteristics of time in the saddle and longer distance are shared with touring and gravel bikes. This video was one to make one think a bit.

[@chadschoenauer7232]

Shades or not, great clip. Keep it going. If people can't see what you offer past your shades, that's on them. You be YOU

[@oldguyandabike]

Thanks!

[@chrisbenten9971]

very cool bike...On my radar

[@MrKayaktom]

The Mondraker is interesting, the geometry is different than most gravel bikes but not by a huge amount, it is something I would consider. Plus, the Arid is a pretty nice-looking bike. The only other gravel bike developed by a mountain bike company I can think of is the Evil Shammy Hagar. The Shammy has some really different geometry, 440mm reach on a large, 115cm wheelbase, and 93mm or trail. I expect the Shammy is too far out there for anyone coming from a road background, plus is fugly.

[@K9Manhunters]

I have a Liteville gravel bike. It’s a german brand also coming from mtb. Reach is 395mm on a size S, running 50mm stem.

[@oldguyandabike]

YEEESSSS!!!! That is the bike I could not remember! Horrible thing. There are others as well, like the one from YT and a company...Revel, I think? Plus the Stigmata from Santa Cruz. I just noticed the Arid as I think it has all the modern/forward thinking touches besides just a long front center (and it is the newest thing as well). gg

[@K9Manhunters]

I just discovered your channel, thanks for the video. I was wondering what your thoughts were on the Santa Cruz stigmata. Reach is even longer there and they are also a typical MTB brand.

[@oldguyandabike]

Well this is only from a distance, but what I have read/heard about that bike makes me think I would like it very much. gg

[@thomaskuhn6541]

I'm surprised at how many times I've seen this bike pop up on KZbin over the last two weeks. It looks like any interesting bike but nothing revolutionary, I think they may find it challenging to make inroads into the North American market. Lots of established brands here and I don't know the extent of their dealer network. Can't imagine that many bike shops will be looking to test an unproven (in the US) brand, given all the challenges they are currently facing. Having said that, hope you get a chance to take one out for a test ride.

[@oldguyandabike]

I agree...nothing revolutionary but then what would be? Instead, I'll take incremental changes in the right direction...UDH, T47, semi-internal routing, tire clearance, and just a bit of help geo wise. But yeah...it's a tough row to hoe, as they say. gg

[@marksandoval5361]

I know they sell Mondrakers is the US but I've never seen one; Gravel or mountain bike.

[@marksandoval5361]

A 700x50 tire is already in the rear view mirror. I'm for new Gravel bikes that have clearance for a 700x56(29x2.2) tires. And personally, I might even like to try a 700x61(29x2.4) tire. So many great fast-rolling 2.4 XC tires like the Thunder Burt. Aspen ST, and the Peyote that might make great Gravel tires.

[@chadschoenauer7232]

We'll have to see how the IND. responds. 2 year design cycle for the whales, faster for the smaller companies.

[@inthebush3]

Yes 2.2 would be great. Even my 2.2 Ikons are not that terrible except for the noise on pavement but 2.4 that's a bit out there🤣

[@csparksnc1]

2.4s lol 😂

[@paulvanreesch2493]

I hate to be that guy, but I am that guy. When y're past 50mm, why not go 73mm BB and XC?

[@oldguyandabike]

I don't agree with the 50s being passe'. I think that might be a bit strong. There is a tipping point where you lose an awful lot of the agility and pep of what makes a gravel bike a gravel bike. It is underbiking at its finest. However, IF...IF...I could have the bigger tire capacity AND not totally mess up the geometry, etc,...well then..... gg

[@davidmclaughlin5431]

Better storytelling without the sunglasses, a lot of the nuances are in the facial expressions and particularly the eyes.

[@oldguyandabike]

Yes. I noticed that when I was editing and I agree. I actually had been debating this over the last year. Good to hear. Likely I will find.a balance point. gg

[@inthebush3]

50mm and 1x is the base line now. I wouldn't call a Giant revolt a progressive gravel bike and it takes 53mm. It's just cost cutting selling a bike with 37 or 40mm tires when it has clearance for 50mm and so is saying it's tubeless ready when you have to tape the rims and buy new tires. Not talking about the Mondraker.

[@BrianRPaterson]

Looks like a solid choice. But the proof is in the pudding. Maybe they'll lend you one?

[@oldguyandabike]

That would be most excellent. Not likely, but who knows! gg

[@Michael-s5i5j]

Never seen your eyes before😃😃

[@oldguyandabike]

Yes, I know. And lovely things they are too! gg

[@stephenkohler3472]

Interesting. Kind of the gravel equivalent of "down-country". Extremely racy but way more capable than a pure race bike.

[@martinhotan8946]

Is it really really a good idea to great people wearing sunglasses ??? Not to inviting to me at first glance

[@BrianRPaterson]

He did say "good morning." Anyway, I doubt anybody is here for the goo-goo eyes.

[@riderrunco]

Not the best tyre clearance, not the lightest, not the most progressive geo, not the best compliance.

[@oldguyandabike]

Ah...'the best'. I avoid that word like the plague. There is a fine line where 'more' is not better. Too light and it becomes fragile. Too progressive and you end up with a lousy MTB hardtail with curly bars... gg

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

Gravel bikes are splitting into two camps - drop-bar MTB's vs road bikes with room for fat tires. I'm in the latter camp...if things are gnarly enough for drop-bar MTB's, I already have one of those...a REAL MTB... with drop bars, which I never ride these days. No surprise a guy who came to cycling via MTB's would prefer the former while yours truly, who came from the other direction (though played around with MTB's starting in the mid-1980's) prefers the latter. As to Mondraker - no bike to ride and review so what's the point?

[@oldguyandabike]

The point is simply observations on trends that I think are the right direction. If someone came out with a new gravel bike that was QR, parallel 73 degree geo, and had a 200mm dropper post, I would pretty much be safe in saying that is the wrong direction. As I pointed out in the vid, it might be great and it might not be great, but it is, IMO, a good example of the maturing of gravel bikes. gg