Back in July we got an early look at the 2019 Mondraker Chrono race hardtails alongside the long travel enduro Dune’s updates. Now we get the full details on the all-new XC mountain bikes that slot in under their more expensive Mondraker Podium hardtail siblings.
2019 Mondraker Chrono Carbon hardtail XC mountain bike
Developed as a bike for riders first getting serious about cross-country racing, the all-new 2019 Chrono Carbon shares much of the same tech and the exact geometry as Mondraker’s World Cup level Podium Carbon – all at a much affordable price point. They see the new bike of filling the void for riders looking for their first carbon hardtail to race cross-country, or even to toe the line on longer distance marathon events.
Mondraker Chrono Carbon Tech Details
The Chrono gets a new Stealth Carbon frame option with a sleek look like the Podium with thinner, smoothly rounded carbon tubing, flat flexing seatstays, and the same dropped toptube design. The new bike also moves to a standard 27.2mm seatpost, away from more dropper post compatibility, instead to boost comfort at the saddle. At 1150g the new frame again isn’t quite as light as the Podium, but at a fraction of the price.
The new budget carbon hardtail gets the same Mondraker XC Advanced geometry, with a long toptube (paired with short stems), 70° head angle, and short 430mm chainstays. The XC 29er hardtail comes in four stock frame sizes (S-XL.) Together with the updated tube shaping it promises modern technical XC racer handling, with rear end compliance.
The Chrono Carbon gets full internal cable routing compatible with 1x drivetrains, Di2 and Sideswing, low direct mount front derailleurs. The bike features a tapered 1.5″ headtube, Boost axle spacing, a flat mount rear disc brake, and a standard BSA threaded bottom bracket.
Mondraker Chrono Carbon Pricing & Spec
Mondraker says that the new Chrono Carbon offers the best ready-to-race XC value in their lineup, and offers the carbon bike in two complete builds.
The top-level 2500€ Chrono Carbon R gets a 100mm RockShox SID RL fork, SRAM Eagle 1×12 drivetrain mixing NX components with a GX rear derailleur, Shimano M501 brakes, Mavic Crossmax 29 wheels & Maxxis Ikon 2.2″ tires for a claimed complete weight of 10.4kg.
The slightly cheaper 2000€ Chrono Carbon shares the same frame but with a Fox 32 Rhythm R fork, a complete NX Eagle drivetrain, and MDK alloy wheels for a claimed 10.7kg.
Mondraker Chrono alloy Pricing & Spec
In addition to the budget carbon Chrono Carbon, Mondraker has three builds with a butted 6061 aluminum framed Chrono that brings the cost of race entry down even further, still sharing the same geo and tech features. The 2019 Mondraker Chrono RR retails for 1600€ with NX Eagle and a Fox 32 Rhythm fork and a 12.2kg weight.
The Chrono R sells for 1250€ downgrades to a RockShox Judy Silver fork, but keeps the NX Eagle drivetrain adding a bit of weight up to 12.5kg.
The base 1000€ Chrono still gets a SRAM 1x drivetrain, here stepping down to regular 11-speed NX, and with a RockShox 30 Silver fork at the same 12.5kg total.
