TQ motor brings mid-weight assistance to 150mm-travel electric trail bike

By Tom Marvin

2023-07-25 14:00:30

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Mondraker’s new NEAT electric mountain bike features TQ’s svelte motor and battery system, integrated into a 150mm-travel carbon chassis that also features a fresh take on its Zero Suspension linkage.

The NEAT takes cues from Mondraker’s non-electric Foxy Carbon and the Bosch-powered Crafty Carbon ebike, placing it in the aggressive trail bikes segment in terms of performance.

With around 75 per cent of Mondraker’s revenue coming from electric bikes, the addition of a mid-weight option was the next obvious step.

Despite having had doubts about the segment when the Spanish brand first launched electric mountain bikes in 2015, their addition to the range is a sign of Mondraker’s strong position in the market.

The goal for Mondraker when building the NEAT was to create a bike that required no compromises from the rider, almost making you forget you’re riding an ebike.

With relatively long travel providing back-up when things get technical and an electric bike motor with enough muscle to help out without weighing the bike down, the NEAT is designed as the perfect compromise between fully powered and non-assisted mountain bikes.

Completely Carbon

With weight saving a key goal, the NEAT frame only comes in its Stealth Air Full Carbon, with both front and rear triangles, along with the main linkage, being built from the black stuff.

This gives a frame weight, including the paint and shock (but excluding the motor and battery), of around 3kg.

In this instance, the use of carbon has shaved a claimed 1.5kg off the bike weight, compared to an aluminium version. Mondraker claims the carbon frame’s ride quality is improved to boot.

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

This, along with the TQ motor system, means bikes come in at under 18kg.

All the usual accoutrements are present, including neat cable routing from the front to rear triangle and a pair of Fidlock bosses. One of these is on the down tube and one is slung under the top tube – more on those later.

And yes, cables do enter into the frame via the top cap of the headset.

Zero Suspension re-refined

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

Mondraker has used its Zero Suspension system for 15 years, however the design has not remained static in that time.

Zero Suspension is similar to many VPP systems, in that there are solid front and rear triangles joined by a pair of short links. This is done to help the company tune the feel of its suspension.

Current versions of the Zero linkage have the shock mounted at the top and bottom to the two short links.

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

On the NEAT, this has been modified so the bottom mounting point of the shock is on the rear triangle, with the top still joined to the link.

This ‘floating’ shock design means the shock is compressed from both ends.

By altering the linkage, Mondraker claims to have improved stiffness, reduced weight and optimised the performance.

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

It also means weight is placed lower down in the bike, and enables the use of longer dropper posts and improved space within the main triangle.

It is said to have higher levels of anti-squat for improved reactivity to pedal inputs. Mondraker expects the bike to appeal more to riders who want to earn their descents than those who want the full punchy power of the Crafty Carbon.

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

It also has a higher leverage ratio, which gives increased early-stroke sensitivity.

While the suspension might have similar anti-squat levels to the Foxy trail bike, it’s more progressive (24 per cent), reflecting the increased weight of the bike, and the expectation that it will be ridden hard.

Expect to see this new version of the linkage on more pedal-focused powered and non-powered Mondrakers in the future.

Electric integration

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

After trying most options on the market, Mondraker settled with TQ to provide the assistance.

The 1.85kg TQ HPR50 motor gives up to 300W of peak power, with 50Nm of torque. Its internal mechanism, which does away with belts and cogs, leads to a very quiet motor in use.

The 360Wh battery has three power modes. Power levels and various data is shown on a top-tube mounted display, while there’s a wireless controller on the bars.

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

An app enables you to tune each mode’s maximum power level (from 30-300W), the assistance level (as a percentage of what you put in from 25-200 per cent) and the responsiveness of the motor to your pedal inputs.

The 1.9kg battery can be removed and the bike ridden non-assisted if you wish.

Additionally, 160Wh Range Extender batteries can be fitted. In theory, two can be mounted, using a locking mechanism, to the pair of Fidlock mounts in the frame.

Well-shaped

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

Mondraker’s approach to geometry is well known, with its Forward Geometry concept being one of the first to adopt the long, low, slack philosophy.

Mondraker has looked towards the Foxy Carbon and the Crafty Carbon again here, with similar numbers across the board.

Reaches range from 450mm to 515mm across the four sizes, while the head angle is 64.5 degrees and the (effective) seat angle is 76.5 degrees.

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

The bottom bracket doesn’t drop too low, because Mondraker expects you to be tackling techy climbs, and doesn’t want you bashing your cranks off every rock.

The chainstays are consistent in length across the sizes at 450mm.

This isn’t particularly short, but because reach figures have grown over the years, Mondraker believes this provides a better, more balanced feel from front to rear.

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

Mondraker doesn’t recommend slinging a smaller 27.5in wheel in the NEAT, to make it a mullet bike.

While the brand believes handling in steep and tight trails is improved, full 29in wheels provide better balance, more speed and improved climbing. Mondraker also says battery range has been improved by using 29in wheels.

	S	M	L	XL
Seat angle (degrees)	72.6	72.6	72.6	72.6
Seat angle – effective (degrees)	76.5	76.5	76.5	76.5
Head angle (degrees)	64.5	64.5	64.5	64.5
Chainstay (mm)	450	450	450	450
Seat tube (mm)	380	420	450	490
Top tube (mm)	595	615	640	660
Head tube (mm)	110	110	130	140
Fork offset (mm)	44	44	44	44
Bottom bracket drop (mm)	25	25	25	25
Bottom bracket height (mm)	348	348	348	348
Wheelbase (mm)	1,235	1,255	1,275	1,295
Stack (mm)	626	626	642	650
Reach (mm)	450	470	495	515

A trio of models

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

Mondraker will be offering the NEAT in three models, and the brand believes its builds have been created with no compromises.

All bikes get four-piston brakes, reinforced tyres and piggyback shocks. This might fly in the face of weight saving, but Mondraker believes performance is improved.

Mondraker NEAT RR SL

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

This top-end model gets Factory-level suspension from Fox – a Float X shock and a 160mm 36 fork. SRAM’s XX Transmission shaves weight, while Level Ultimate brakes provide the stopping power.

A RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post and Mavic E-CrossMax Carbon XL R wheels add bling.

Claimed total weight is 17.9kg, and the bike is priced at £10,499/€11,999/$15,699.

Mondraker NEAT RR

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

The mid-spec bike also gets the same Factory-level suspension, but costs are shaved with a GX T-Type Transmission, a Fox Factory Transfer dropper and SRAM Level Bronze brakes.

Mavic E-DeeMax SL 29 wheels are wrapped in Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR tyres with the EXO+ casing – the same rubber found on all models.

This model is said to weigh 18.3kg and costs €9,999/£8,499/$12,499.

Mondraker NEAT R

Javier Garcia Juan / Mondraker

The entry-level NEAT gets Performance-level suspension and a mechanical GX groupset. SRAM’s G2 brakes bring everything to a halt, while there’s more of Mondraker’s OnOff finishing kit.

Again, Mavic supplies the hoops, with its E-Crossride wheels completing the picture.

Mondraker claims to have kept the weight under 19kg, coming in at 18.9kg and priced at €7,999/£6,799/$9,699.

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