Mondraker just revealed affordable XC hardtails, and a revamped long travel Dune enduro bike. But hidden in their full 2019 launch under a fistfull of e-MTBs was an allusion to an all-new carbon full-suspension bike – the Mondraker F-Podium RRSL – most likely the final evolution of the camouflaged prototype I spotted racing last year.
Mondraker F-Podium RR SL prototype full-sus XC race bike
The F-Podium has officially “not yet left Mondraker’s secret labs.” But apparently a few sneaky photos of the upcoming XC 29er have (as have some sneaky tech details too!) So what can we deuce from these spy shots that slipped straight from Mondraker’s photographer to us?
Well, the bike obviously shares the Podium Carbon’s race heritage & look, and with it short stem sleekly integrated into a dropped headtube.
What we can’t see entirely is exactly how the rear suspension works, with what appears to be the short lower suspension link that the shock is mounted to behind the chainring. There’s no doubt that this is a true short-link four-bar suspension layout, though – with Mondraker callingthe 100mm travel setup ‘Zero Suspension System’. The upper link looks forged, but is actually some type of molded carbon construction. Interestingly the uppermost pivot on the rocker link also appears to be a flip chip that would allow some geometry or travel adjustment.
That all fits with the prototypes I uncovered racing the XCO World Cups last season, again suggesting that after a full year of race testing, the F-Podium RR SL is probably very close to production. (Also not on the camo bike, that it likely uses a flat mount brake caliper.)
The prototype built up with a SRAM 1×11 drivetrain, although we can’t imagine that it would make production without an Eagle groupset. There doesn’t appear to be a mount for a front derailleur, but there looks to be like plenty more ports in the internal cable routing for a dropper or even a Sideswing derailleur.
The bike sticks with a lightweight seatpost, but both rear shock and fork are linked with a single remote lockout. The complete bike is built with Bike Ahead Biturbo carbon spoked wheels and 2″ Maxxlite tires, which definitely suggests Mondraker are trying to demonstrate a superlight race build.
What else can you see?
