In 2024, Mondraker introduced the Arid, the first proper gravel bike from the progressive mountain bike brand. Two years on, the Arid is getting a refresh, with updated colors, builds, and several subtle updates to refine its performance. It seems clear that Mondraker already enjoys its unique Arid platform, but felt it could be just a little better with some minor tweaks, not a complete redesign.
Spec updates include wider-range MTB/drop bar drivetrains, proportional, size-specific handlebar widths, and a new Carbon RS build. Mondraker also updated the Arid frames with sleeker, lighter, and more compliant forks, plus a redesigned in-frame storage compartment. Finally, five new colorways developed in-house in Mondraker’s Blue Lab bring fresh looks to the lineup.
Mondraker Arid: Same But Different
The Arid gravel bike was introduced in 2024, and it remains mostly unchanged from Mondraker’s original design. You can learn all about it in our launch coverage here. The Arid frame stands out in a sea of similar-looking gravel bikes with a fairly unique design that falls in line with Mondraker’s design language. While it doesn’t look exactly like the brand’s mountain bikes, the slim top tube and cutouts in the seatstay junction give it some of that signature Mondraker aesthetic.
And for the most part, the Arid frame remains the same. The geometry is unchanged, and the frame has clearance for tires up to 50mm wide. It is designed for use with 1x drivetrains only, with clearance for a 46T max chainring. It’s compatible with 27.2mm dropper posts and dedicated gravel suspension forks with 30mm or 40mm of travel. The Arid is meant to be a versatile ride that’s fast enough for racing while remaining comfortable for adventurous all-day rides.
What’s New?
Mondraker obviously felt there was room for improvement, so they made some minor changes. Again, these are fairly subtle, but intended to refine the Arid platform’s comfort and performance.
Redesigned Fork
Arguably, the biggest change to the Arid platform is a redesigned fork on the carbon models. The brand took a less-is-more approach, removing the three-pack mounts for a sleeker, more streamlined look. This also allowed for a refined carbon layup, a bit more vertical compliance, and a modest 20-gram weight savings.
Surely some riders will lament the loss of mounts on the fork, but it seems the folks at Mondraker think the enhanced ride quality and comfort will benefit the majority of riders who aren’t using fork mounts anyway.
Updated In-Frame Storage
Moving to the downtube, Mondraker says it has redesigned the internal compartment of its Carry-On in-frame storage, making bag extraction easier and smoother than before. While this change won’t impact the bike’s ride quality, it should make it slightly easier to live with and potentially improve the rider experience.
Proportional Bar Widths
In the mountain bike world, Mondraker helped to revolutionize geometry with its progressive designs. The brand claims it is still obsessed with geometry and has extended that obsession to the cockpit on the Arid gravel bike. While size-specific bar widths are nothing new, Mondraker claims that its “handlebar widths are now matched precisely to frame size.”
Stock bar widths are: S: 400mm, M and M/L: 420mm, L: 440mm, XL: 460mm. This should help to provide a more comfortable and natural riding position, which can improve handling and reduce fatigue for all riders, regardless of frame size.
Mullet Drivetrains
For 2027, Mondraker has chosen to make mullet drivetrains standard across its RR, RS, R, and S models. What’s a mullet drivetrain? It’s essentially a wide-range mountain bike drivetrain paired with drop bar shifting. Wireless technology has made it much easier to combine the massive gear range and the durability of mountain bike components with drop bar shifters. Mondraker feels this “is the most honest solution for real gravel.”
Fresh Colors
Mondraker has also updated the Arid with five new frame colors. In the brand’s own words: “More than just a color palette, the Arid range has been developed as a collection of distinct visual identities. Each finish carries its own emotional intention and character: the graphic contrast of Silverflash, the raw solar energy of Suncore, the quiet authority of Superblack, the ever-shifting character of Atmos, and the expressive confidence of Ionite Blue.”
Okay… All of the new Arid frame colors were reportedly developed in the Blue Lab, which is the name of Mondraker’s in-house color and materials department. Marketing speak aside, the new frame colors are eye-catching, with diverse options to suit a range of tastes. I’m partial to Superblack.
New Carbon RS Build
For the race-oriented riders, gram counters, and watt watchers, Mondraker is adding a new high-performance Carbon RS build. “Equipped with Shimano GRX Di2 electronic shifting and Fulcrum Sharq GR wheels, the RS is designed for those who push limits on race days and refuse to compromise on the days in between.”
Mondraker Arid: Builds and Pricing
All of the carbon-framed Arid builds are available in four colors: Superblack, Silverflash, Atmos, and Suncore. The Arid Carbon is also available as a frameset in Superblack or Ionite Blue for €1,999 / £1,799. The affordable alloy-framed Arid R is available in Bunker Grey or Tokyo Blue, and the Arid S comes in Greyhound Grey or Rustbelt Red.
Arid Carbon RR SL: €8,999 / £8,499 / $10,999
Arid Carbon RR: €6,499 / £5,999 / $7,499
Arid Carbon RS: €5,399 / £5,199 / $6,499
Arid Carbon R: €4,499 / £4,299 / $5,799
Arid Carbon S – AXS: €3,499 / £3,399 / $4,499
Arid Carbon S – GRX: €2,999 / £2,999 / $3,799
Arid R: €2,699 / £2,399
Arid S: €2,299 / £1,999
Availability:
Mondraker’s new Arid gravel bikes are available now. Head to the brand’s website or your nearby Mondraker dealer to learn more.
