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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
