Mondraker doesn’t do anything like everyone else. A big name in mountain biking, the Alicante brand only launched into gravel in 2023, well after its competitors… and with an e-bike, the Dusty. A surprising approach crowned with real success in the field which left only one question: when will there be a model without assistance? Nearly two years later, our wishes have finally been granted. Here is the Mondraker Arid Carbon:
Offered only in carbon (for the moment), the Mondraker Arid takes up the lines of the Dusty almost line for line. The lineage is therefore assumed, but a few discreet developments give it a slightly more refined side than its electrically assisted counterpart: thinner diagonal tube and head tube, redesigned junction between the stays and the seat tube…
This junction between the stays and the seat tube was an important feature of the Dusty, designed to provide comfort despite the absence of a suspension element. The result was there (read Novelty test | Mondraker Dusty: the bottle doesn’t matter, as long as you get drunk) but for Arid, Mondraker dwells much less on the subject. We will therefore have to wait for a test to assess whether the design has simply been kept for visual identity or whether it still brings something to the bike in action.
Geometry-wise, the connection between the two bikes is still there: same chainstay length (425 mm), same head angle (70°) and same seat tube angle (74°) for the Arid and the Dusty. On the other hand, the other dimensions differ a little but the spirit is the same: the Dusty was particularly long and on the Arid, Mondraker modified its size scale with smaller S and M, the arrival of a new ML and finally slightly larger L and XL sizes. With these changes, the brand hopes to reach more people without changing anything in the spirit that drives its gravel family.
The absence of electric assistance also freed up space on the bike, in the diagonal tube in particular (no battery) and Mondraker quickly exploited it: the Arid received a glove box, called “Carry-On”. with 3 bags inside: one for the inner tube and tire levers, another for a mini-pump or CO2 cartridges and finally one for a multi-tool. Of course, everyone is free to use them for something else… or not to use them at all and enjoy this space differently.
On the standard side, the Arid has sufficient clearance for 50 mm tires, a T47 bottom bracket and standard Flatmount 160 brakes. The internal passages enter through the head tube and are then guided into the frame, the dropout derailleur is in UDH format and the frame is not designed for double chainring transmissions: only single chainring.
The Mondraker Arid range is made up of four models:
- Arid Carbon RR SL, 9499 € : Sram Red XPLR AXS 1×13 groupset, Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels, Goodyear XPLR 700×45 tires, OnOff and Fizik peripherals.
- Arid Carbon RR, 6499 € : Sram Force XPLR AXS 1×12 groupset, Mavic Allroad Pro Carbon SL wheels, Maxxis Reaver 700×45 tires, OnOff and Fizik peripherals.
- Arid Carbon R, 4499 € : Sram Rival XPLR AXS groupset, Mavic Allroad SL wheels, Maxxis Reaver 700×45 tires, OnOff and Fizik peripherals.
- Arid Carbon, 3199 € : Shimano GRX 610/820 groupset, MAvic Allroad wheels, Maxxis Reaver 700×45 tires, OnOff and Physical peripherals.
The frame kit will also be available at a price of €1,999, for those who would consider a personalized assembly.
More information: mondraker.com
