With its "Forward Geometry", Mondraker was a pioneer of the trend towards long, low and flat geometries. The Forward concept was too extreme for many and the Spaniards have now toned it down a little and made it more suitable for the masses. However, one thing has remained constant over the years: the eye-catching frame design. The design language is unmistakable and runs through the entire range of full-suspension bikes.

"The independent geometry and zero-suspension kinematics speak for the Mondraker Foxy. Thanks to the new shorter fork offset, the bike is much easier to ride than previous Mondraker models. Added to this is the very high build quality of the frame and the good paint finish."
Stefan Brändle, Brand Manager Mondraker, Chris Sports AG

Equipment

The Foxy R 29 is the entry-level model in this category. The equipment is designed accordingly, but has been cleverly chosen. A "Fox 36 Performance" fork is combined with a "Fox Float DPX2 Performance" shock absorber. The brakes and drivetrain come from Sram: NX Eagle and Guide T. Both perform reliably. The 29-inch wheels come from DT Swiss and the add-on parts from Mondraker's own brand Onoff.

Processing & details

The look of the Mondraker is unmistakable. The unique design language is appealing and stands out from the mass of bikes. The paintwork is beautifully implemented and the details are also of high quality and appealing - such as the brake mount integrated into the frame triangle or the screwable cable guides. The rocker is solidly constructed and fitted with large bearings. This makes it stiff. The shock is protected from dirt from the rear wheel by a plastic mudguard. The whole area around the bottom bracket is very narrow and angled. During muddy rides, all kinds of dirt accumulates there and it doesn't want to come out so quickly, even with a pressure washer.

On the flat

The Foxy is long and, as a result, the riding position is sporty. The steep seat angle accommodates the length, making the bike efficient to pedal and easy to accelerate, even when pedaling in the saddle.

Up the mountain

The Mondraker doesn't just feel at home on flat terrain, but also uphill. Despite the "fat on the ribs", it climbs well. Other bikes of the same weight ride much more sluggishly. When the terrain gets steep and rough, the rear suspension doesn't follow quite as smoothly. We know this from other VPP systems. Overall, the Foxy is a pleasant climber. This is thanks to the patented "Zero Suspension System", which is said to have zero power loss and bob-free operation. If you ride with a lot of SAG, you will see that the rocker moves slightly. However, if you don't look at the suspension, you will notice nothing at all.

Downhill

Mondraker's fast-forward geometry - with the 30 millimeter short stem - takes some getting used to at first. It takes a few rides to get the bike completely under control. The front is slightly nervous due to the short stem, while the rear is nimble and easy to control thanks to the short chainstays. The Foxy masters open terrain more easily than tight and technical terrain. A little physical effort is required to get around the bends smoothly. Once you get the hang of it and grasp the character of the bike, it's fun to ride. The suspension also has its own character, efficiently absorbing large and hard forces thanks to good progression. Subtle bumps are absorbed just as well. It doesn't like medium bumps in quick succession as the suspension strut and fork can't quite keep up. To be fair, however, it must be mentioned that the temperatures reached a maximum of ten degrees during the test period. Perhaps the Spaniards just like it a little warmer. The Foxy is also available in two other model variants with higher-quality equipment, where the suspension is also a lot more potent.

Conclusion

The Mondraker Foxy R 29 is an idiosyncratic bike with an unmistakable character. The unique design and special riding characteristics are certainly not for everyone and come at a price. Those who can cope with it will have an exceptional bike and a lot of fun with it.

Recommendation

"Racing" is prominently printed on the top tube. The "RR29" model with the higher-quality suspension is more suitable for enduro racing. However, the tested "R" version is ideal for all those who like day tours and like to accelerate a bit downhill.

Specifications

Manufacturer/distributor

www.mondraker.com / www.chrissports.ch

Test report published in issue 03/2019 of Ride magazine