Mondraker’s carbon Chrono hardtail follows in aluminium sibling’s footsteps with up to date geometry and an optimistic down-country vibe
Mondraker claims to have introduced its standard carbon fibre Chrono XC body into down-country territory with the launch of the Chrono Carbon DC vary. To us, that looks like a stretch too far, however Mondraker asserts that the brand new Chrono DC is appropriate for each XC coaching and marathon racing, with extra of a deal with descending than the aggressively styled XC bikes we extra usually see raced in World Cups. Both manner, the sunshine weight (11.6kg for the DC RR mannequin) and slack geometry imply it’s nonetheless (actually) in stiff competitors with a few of the finest cross-country race bikes on the market – each hardtail and fully-suspended.
Within the Spanish model’s quite evocative announcement, Mondraker says the Chrono Carbon DC is a “carbon fibre hardtail that delivers all of the emotion of the path.” We presume it means the good, gushy emotions of lastly getting up a tough climb in a single go and feeling the crunch of dry leaves beneath your tyres quite than the fatigue and inevitable meltdown whenever you realise you’re out of Soreen. Even when that’s not the case, a minimum of your pockets received’t be feeling too unhappy on the prospect of the costs: the DC R begins at £2,299 and the DC RR top-of-the-range mannequin prices £3,599, which appears cheap for a top-flight XC whippet.
The high quality Mondraker Chrono Carbon DC RR mannequin posing in its pure atmosphere
Mondraker Chrono Carbon DC must know:
- Three new fashions constructed from Stealth Carbon, and all with 29″ wheels
- Chrono Carbon DC weighs 13.2kg and prices £2,299
- Chrono Carbon DC R weighs 12.1kg and prices £2,799
- Chrono Carbon DC RR weighs 11.6kg and prices £3,599
- OnOff dropper posts on all fashions
- New, slacker headtube angle at 67.5º in comparison with 70º on earlier Chrono Carbon RR
The flatter tubes are evident from this angle, and take inspiration from different latest Mondraker redesigns just like the F-Podium XC race bike
Chrono Carbon DC body and geometry
The brand new course for the Chrono Carbon hardtail into down-country territory means the vary will now profit from a slacker head tube angle, particularly 67.5º in comparison with 70º on the earlier Chrono Carbon RR. The bike nonetheless utilises Mondraker’s Ahead Geometry, which inspires riders to take a extra balanced assault stance on the bike, and the slacker head tube and longer body means it’s extra suited to descending than the earlier XC fashions. The changes could look refined, nevertheless it works to fill a spot between extra race-oriented XC bikes and heavier, longer path bikes. For Mondraker, the Chrono Carbon DC is, in its personal phrases: “one of the succesful and versatile carbon fibre hardtails ever and preferrred as an XC, marathon or path bike.” That’s fairly the ocean change from the earlier Chrono. When we examined the Chrono Carbon R again in 2019 we stated: “From the very first pedal stroke it felt purposeful, poised and exact, immediately reacting to probably the most refined of rider inputs.” Summing up with the road: “To say that it felt 100 per cent race centered is an understatement.” So, if Mondraker has really turned the Chrono right into a down-country shredder, will probably be a notable achievement.
Every mannequin makes use of elements from SRAM’s Eagle 12-speed drivetrains, with the RR principally utilizing GX
The body is made with Mondraker’s Stealth Carbon, and weighs 1,150 grams. Totally constructed, the RR mannequin weighs 11.6kg in whole, so nonetheless gentle sufficient to throw round a XC course if want be. It’s additionally following within the footsteps of a few of its different latest redesigns, particularly the F-Podium, launched again in October. The flat tubes from head tube to seat tube are harking back to its full-suspension cross-country racing machine, and positively add a contact of aptitude.
The Chrono Carbon DC vary
Chron0 Carbon DC RR £3,599
The high quality DC RR is the one mannequin to boast 34mm stanchions and Fox 34 SC Manufacturing facility 120mm forks. You’ll additionally discover SRAM Degree T brakes with 180mm rotors up entrance and 160mm on the rear. Mondraker has used a mixture of SRAM’s Eagle 1×12-speed choices, with a GX Eagle rear derailleur, and NX shift levers. Solely the highest two fashions (RR and R) get a dropper put up, which is an OnOff Pija with between 120mm and 170mm of journey relying on body dimension.
The Mondraker Chrono Carbon DC bikes include Fidlock integration and two bottle cage mounts for all of your hydration wants
Every mannequin additionally makes use of OnOff’s ending package with 760mm huge aluminium bars, and Twin grips, and are outfitted with 29″ wheels, and Maxxis Ardent 29×2.4″ EXO tyres. All in all, the RR is available in at 11.6kg, which isn’t terribly heavy for one thing bridging the hole between XC race machine and path bike.
Chrono Carbon DC R £2,799
In the course of the pack sits the Chrono Carbon DC R. You’ll discover this in an understated Nimbus gray, black and yellow mixture. Tools smart, the R nonetheless will get the OnOff dropper put up and Maxxis Ardent 29×2.4″ tyres. Up entrance, nonetheless, are Fox 32 Rhythm forks with distant lock-out and SRAM Degree T brakes, with 180mm rotors up entrance and 160mm on the rear. The groupset is a mish-mash of SRAM Eagle, however an NX chainset units the tone.
The mid-table Mondraker Chrono Carbon DC R mannequin comes with a dropper and Fox forks, however weighs 500g greater than the RR mannequin
Chrono Carbon DC £2,299
If funds and worth are a priority, then the DC mannequin is probably going extra up your avenue. It strikes away from Fox forks and makes use of RockShox’s Recon Gold 120mm as an alternative. To maintain prices down the DC mannequin omits a dropper put up, and makes use of barely extra entry-level wheels within the Mavic Crossride 29s. You’ll additionally discover a mixture of SRAM SX and NX parts, and SRAM Degree brakes with 180mm rotors up entrance and 160mm on the rear. In whole it weighs simply over 13kg, however prices practically £1,300 lower than the RR, so if you would like one thing to check the down-country waters with, it’s extra of a possible possibility.
Essentially the most primary mannequin of the Chrono Carbon vary is the DC mannequin, however is considerably cheaper than the top-tier mannequin
Every bike is accessible in sizes S, M, L and XL.
