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Bike Perfect

Lifestyle

Paul Brett

Mondraker's new NEAT model aims to set the standard for lightweight e-MTB, but comes with very hefty price tag

Mondraker Fox Maxxis SRAM Fizik Mavic

Details on the new Mondraker NEAT RR SL e-MTB

The arrival of e-MTBs has changed mountain biking forever and is without a doubt the fastest-growing sector of the market, with new bikes, motors, and batteries dropping almost weekly. With brands focused on making their best electric mountain bike offerings as lightweight as possible, the e-MTB with a heavy battery and even heavier motor could eventually become a thing of the past. However, the recent birth of lighter e-MTBs aimed at offering greater versatility of use has been compromised with underpowered motors, small capacity batteries and short travel suspension options.

Spanish brand Mondraker says they have taken stock of the current market trends and interpreted their own Light e-MTB category, which wasn't to go down the lower power, limited performance route, but the opposite. A light e-MTB that utilizes an innovative system of motor and battery, but doesn't compromise on the performance of the whole package, suspension travel or the handling. Mondraker claims that with the NEAT they have merged the best of both worlds by blending the two category-leading bikes, the Foxy Carbon and e-MTB Crafty Carbon which they say sets a benchmark in the lightweight e-MTB category.

The NEAT looks like an excellent e-MTB on paper, but will cost serious cash even for the lowest spec models (Image credit: Mondraker)

Mondraker started the NEAT project three years ago, with the lofty aim of redefining mountain biking and creating a new generation of e-MTBs. Designed to make any rider faster, anywhere, with a powerful motor that is also silent, and an e-MTB that is stable but super agile. The result is the NEAT, available in three builds: the top of the range NEAT RR SL, the NEAT RR, and the NEAT R. They all share the same Full Stealth Air Carbon frame, with the Mondraker e-bike optimized Zero Suspension System which has 150mm of rear wheel travel paired with a 160mm fork.

Mondraker says that it is mission accomplished, and introduce the first light e-MTB in the brand's history, with the TQ-HPR50 motor, an integrated removable 360W battery, and a claimed weight of under 18kg. So what makes these bikes as special as Mondraker claims? I had a delve into some of the details on the NEAT range.

The Neat has a 2-inch display fitted into the top tube (Image credit: Mondraker)

The TQ-HPR50 system

Mondraker says their TQ-HPR50 system, unlike the vast majority of motors in the market, uses a proprietary drive system named the “TQ Harmonic Pin-Ring” which is the first and only motor utilizing this revolutionary technology. The TQ Harmonic Pin-Ring tech has removed belts and cogs present in other designs, which they say gives greater reliability and lower noise. The mechanisms also reduce friction to a claimed negligible level, ensuring the pedaling sensation mimics a conventional MTB drivetrain.

The TQ-HPR50 system has a compact motor and a 360Wh removable internal battery located in the downtube, a 2-inch display fitted into the top tube, a remote control that controls the three assist modes, and an optional 160Wh range extender. Mondraker adds that the entire system weighs in at 3.9 kg, split equally between the motor and the 360Wh battery, with the optional TQ range extender weighing in at 950g.

The TQ-HPR50 provides up to 300W of power with 50Nm of torque, and they say an average-weight rider can expect around three to four hours of ride time and can cover around 40 to 50km. The optional range extender can increase that by a claimed 50 percent.

Mondraker says the TQ-HPR50 system utilizes revolutionary technology (Image credit: Mondraker)

Lightweight frame with balanced geometry

The NEAT is the lightest ever e-MTB in the history of Mondraker, which they say weighs in at under 18kg for the top RR SL build. The frame alone is a feathery 2,300 grams, with a redesigned swingarm which is lighter and more compact. The layout is more angular, and cleaner, especially around the headtube. Mondraker adds that this area, where the headtube joins both the top tube and the down tube, defines the identity of this new model.

The NEAT comes with a category-specific geometry inspired by the proven Foxy Carbon and Crafty Carbon numbers. The head angle is as slack as a Foxy Carbon at 64.5 degrees, with a 76.5-degree effective seat tube angle which is 1-degree steeper than the Foxy Carbon. 450mm chainstays, 5mm shorter than the Crafty and 5mm longer than the Foxy. The BB height of 348mm is claimed by the brand to be the perfect height for an e-MTB of its class. The Reach is from 450mm to 515mm, depending on size, and again is inspired by the Foxy and Crafty models.

Geometry is inspired by the proven Mondraker Foxy Carbon and Crafty Carbon models (Image credit: Mondraker)

Updated Zero Suspension

The new Light e-MTB category has led Mondraker to develop a new suspension kinematic. The NEAT Zero Suspension System showcases a new configuration that drops the shock lower down in the frame, with a more compact, lighter and stiffer swingarm. This optimization is said to provide greater sensitivity at the start of the shock’s stroke and better overall shock absorption deeper into its travel. The more compact swingarm also allows for longer seatposts, and gives more space between water bottles, tools and range extenders, which gives better balance between weight and rigidity.

One app, infinite options

There are three modes available Eco, Mid and High which allows a rider to quickly flick through the different levels of assistance provided by the motor. Controlled via the TQ E-Bike smartphone app with Bluetooth connection, it gives riders a host of fine-tuning parameters for the TQ-HPR50 system, with a claimed almost limitless choice of options and control.

Within each mode there are a further three parameters which can be individually adjusted via the app, Max power, Assistance, and Pedal Response. Maximum Power can be adjusted between 30W and 300W. Assistance is the percentage max assistance level of the motor, adjustable from 25 up to 200 percent, and Pedal Response regulates the delivery of power from the moment a rider starts pedaling.

Mondraker says the option of being able to regulate each mode individually, with each mode being adjustable by a further three parameters, means that not only is the number of possible permutations huge, but more importantly it can be tuned to perfection and give an improved riding experience.

Suspension on all models comes from Fox Factory (Image credit: Mondraker)

Pricing and specification

The NEAT RR SL is priced at $15,699 / £10,499 / €11,999, the NEAR RR at $12,499 / £8,499 / €9,999 and the NEAT R at $9,699 / £6,799 / €7,999. More information on spec can be found below and at Mondraker.com.