Mondraker Dune Review

The Dune is available with two different frame options; lightweight carbon fibre composite or more affordable Aluminium alloy. Both frames are tough and offer dialled enduro geometry with 170mm of rear wheel suspension travel.

Mondraker’s Forward Geometry, with its longer top tube and shorter stem, moves the rider back on the bike slightly to offer a more confident ride on steep descents. While this concept was considered radical when it was introduced five years ago, it is now a widely accepted approach that many other bike companies are moving towards. The frames have been updated for 2019 and now have Boost hub spacing as well as a new upper link and larger pivot bearings.

Both frame options have similar geometry with the same reach measurements. While the chainstay length (434mm) and head angle (65.5 degrees) are fixed on the alloy bikes, the Carbon Dune models have some added adjustability. With the help of a geometry kit (optional on the Carbon R, included on the Carbon XR) you can adjust the head angle between 67 and 65 degrees and the Chainstays from 430mm to 440mm.

The Zero suspension system is key to the Dune’s ability to take on tracks usually reserved for downhill bikes, while still being able to pedal around all-day-long. The dual link design features a floating shock that is compressed at both ends. This makes the rear suspension incredibly sensitive while still being capable of soaking up the big hits. It is called a Zero Suspension system because you get a very stable ride when pedalling with no power loss or pedal kickback. The suspension also keeps on working efficiently even under heavy braking.

The 170mm of rear suspension is controlled by Fox shocks on all models. The alloy bikes both get the capable performance of a Float DPX2 shock while the Carbon R gets the more DH oriented Float X2. At the top of the range, the Carbon XR get the coil sprung plushness of a DHX2 damper. Up front each model offers 170mm of capable suspension travel with the damping becoming more refined as you move through the range. While the base level Dune gets a RockShox Yari fork, all the rest of the bikes get a Fox 36.

It is great to see that every Dune model gets a SRAM Eagle 1x12 speed drivetrain which gives you a massive 500% gear range. This means that even with a 34t front chainring, you have plenty of gear ratios for the climbs without spinning out on long fast descents. The 34t chainring also ensures that you get maximum suspension efficiency while pedalling. While the range of ratios stays the same on each model, the crispness of the shifts increases as you move up through the range from NX through GX and up to XO1.

As you would expect on such capable enduro machines, each model has big 200mm brake rotors for increased stopping power. The base Dune model get Shimano MT501 brakes while all the rest of the bikes are fitted with SRAM’s powerful Code four piston stoppers. As you would expect on an enduro bike, every model has a dropper post. The amount of drop is size specific with 150mm on the Large and XL bikes, 125mm on the Medium and 100mm on the Small sized bikes.

The Dune rolls exclusively on 27.5” wheels and the hoops on each model are tubeless ready. The base level Dune gets capable in-house wheels while the rest of the range get enduro specific DT Swiss hoops. The Dune R and Carbon R bikes both get DT E1900 wheels, while the top of the range Carbon XR get a tough but lightweight DT EX 1501 Spline One wheelset.

Mondraker aren’t a brand that skimp on rubber, so you get high quality Maxxis tubeless tyres on every Dune model. Maxxis Minion tyres are ideal for aggressive mountain bike riding in all but the very muddiest conditions.