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Mondraker Gets Crafty with Plus Size for New Full Suspension RR+ and R+

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crafty_RR_plus-front

Given the fact that Mondraker already offered plus tires in hardtail form in their Vantage series, it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Crafty is getting the + treatment as well. When you combine the e+ bikes, that makes for a total of 8 different plus size models for the new year. And while the Crafty+ has put on some weight around the wheels, the bike looks to retain its aggressive enduro pedigree…

Mondraker 27 plus crafty full suspension mountain bike (1)

Mondraker 27 plus crafty full suspension mountain bike (5) Mondraker 27 plus crafty full suspension mountain bike (3)

Building on their Zero suspension platform which makes use of a short lower link with floating shock mount, Mondraker states the design has been optimized for bigger tires. This includes a redesigned lower link and makes for a 140mm travel aluminum frame.

Crafty+ geometry

Mondraker garnered a lot of attention when they introduced their Forward Geometry with their insanely short stems, and that geometry carries forward here – though with a more reasonable 30mm stem. Given the suspension and the aggressive geometry, it’s clear that the Crafty RR+ and the R+ are meant to be ridden like regular mountain bikes. Each bike is fitted with Mondraker MDK-EP1 TLR wheels with a 40mm internal width and rolls on Maxxis Chronicle 27.5×3.0″ TLR tires.

One interesting bit on the spec is that both bikes utilize a 12x157mm rear thru axle rather than the 12x148mm Boost spacing.

crafty_RR_plus

Offered in two builds, the RR+ gets the higher end spec with a Fox 34 Float 27.5+ FIT4 Factory Kashima Boost fork with 140mm of travel and a Float X LV EVOL rear shock. Stopping is provided by SRAM Guide R brakes and drivetrain duties are carried out by Shimano Deore XT 1×11 with a RaceFace Aeffect crank, 30t chainring, and a Reverb Stealth dropper post.

crafty_R_plus-front

The R+ is still a great build with SRAM GX 1×10 gearing with a RaceFace Aeffect crank w/ 30t ring, Avid DB3 brakes and a RockShox Yari Boost fork at 140mm of travel and Monarch Plus RC3 rear shock. Weights are claimed to be 14.5kg for the RR+ and 14.7kg for the R+. Pricing and availability TBA.

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Chasejj
Chasejj
8 years ago

Finally! Recognition that a 12×157 is a better solution than the Boost. Are Mondraker’s even available in US?

TedSanchez
TedSanchez
8 years ago

slow down there @chasejj, they probably used 157 so they could get a wider chainline for more clearance. this means they have a wider DH standard BB shell too, which might suck to pedal for a lot of people.

Also seems kind of pointless because their chainstays aren’t particularly short, even for a plus bike at 438. So the 157 spacing gets them nothing there.

Lastly, 157 has the same spoke flange spacing as pre-boost, so you get wider cranks, wider back end for more heal rub but you don’t get a stronger wheel or shorter chainstays. my guess is they needed to do it just to package their lower link/shock situation.

Steve
8 years ago

Most brands (DT, MAVIC, EASTON…) do have wider spoke flanges on the 12×150 and 12×157 hubs which are much stronger than 142 and boost 148.

Antoine
Antoine
8 years ago

my guess is mondraker isn’t necessarly obsessed with short chainstay which is not a bad thing. If you want to put some weight on that front wheel the rear one should not be excessively in front.

Sevo
Sevo
8 years ago

No Boost? Fail. Hell stay 142. But you go and do this DH hub standard stuff and you will have to go to an 83mm BB….which means DH cranks. So close….yet so far away. Coming up with problems passed off as solutions. Pity, because the rest of what Moondraker does is intriguing and would like to try one….but will have to wait until 2017 when they switch to Boost.

Boost works. And like it or not, it is the new accepted standard for such wheels. But having actually spent quite a bit of time on Boost I find it to be quite lovely.

Bazz
Bazz
8 years ago

Heard a number of rumors of brands going to 157 rears and sticking with standard BB’s and just offset chainrings.

Sounds great to me!

Al
Al
8 years ago

I have a 157/83 hardtail. Custom, specifically cos I flexed and broken 142 29er wheels and didn’t want the harshness of carbon rims. Yes, the pedals are 5mm wider each side. Can hardly tell the difference when riding, even back to back with a 73mm shelled bike. What I can tell us that the wheel doesn’t flex like it used to (same rim, cos it wouldn’t be a fair test otherwise).

Why 157 on a 650b wheel though where you don’t need that stiffness (you loose it in the tyre surely) I don’t know. Clearance perhaps. Either way, I want to try a Crafty R+ with 29er wheels in. Mondraker say it’ll fit fine.

Mortimer
8 years ago

Chainstays are 7mm shorter than last years 29er Crafty models, so the wider rear hub could have helped some in this regard.

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