Mondraker Visit
Prior to this trip to Spain, my familiarity with the brand Mondraker was limited. I knew that Mondraker set a new standard for mountain bike design with their “forward geometry” approach, which has been widely imitated by other brands since. But beyond their well known design I was largely unfamiliar with the nuances of this fascinating company. Having recently added Mondraker to our portfolio of brands here at Contender, we jumped at the opportunity to head to the Valencia region of Spain for a short trip to learn more, see more and ride more. Mission accomplished.
As we rolled into Alicante late in the evening, we passed their ultramodern white circular headquarters with a stealth M logo which piqued our interest as to just what Mondraker had in store for a two-day event. Mondraker packs a lot into each bike so we assumed they would pack a whole lot into two days to experience all things Mondraker. Day 1 did not disappoint.
Day 1
Starting off early in the morning, we walked straight from the hotel to their HQ. The building is simply stunning inside and out. Based on our experience having toured multiple production facilities over the years, it was hard not to ask “are bikes really produced here?” All white, super clean and ultra minimalistic, the building’s design seems like the antithesis of a large assembly facility. Having been impressed by the facility's exterior we were intrigued to see what was held inside.
Following the styling cues of the exterior the inside impressed, as we walked into an ultramodern and stark foyer. However, we were quick to realize that Mondraker is anything but stark, as we were met with a warm welcome by CEO and Founder Miguel Pina. The building’s simplicity and “coolness” are contrasted by the warmth exuded by the Mondraker team. We cannot say enough about the hospitality extended to us from each member of the Mondraker crew.
After a quick introduction, we headed straight downstairs to the assembly line and warehouse area. Mondraker definitely keeps it clean. The facility was strategically and neatly organized. While warehouses and assembly lines are never the sexiest elements of the bike industry, a clearly well-run facility is often indicative of a well-run brand. One unique element of Mondraker's process is their assembly “line”. Each technician assembles one bike from start to finish. We have never seen this at any facility visited over the years. Most facilities utilize the typical production line where a frame moves from station to station with each technician performing a short series of tasks then passing the bike along. This attention to detail is evident throughout all aspects of Mondraker’s design process.
We headed back to HQ and the showroom to discuss 2025 and the nuts and bolts of all things Mondraker. We could do a deep dive here but we will save that for another time. However we want to share what we think defines Mondraker and what makes us excited to have the brand in our store.
Right inside the entry, a large wall graphic proclaims that to Mondraker “history is more than a timeline”. Considering the company is only a little over 20 years old, they are right. As mentioned previously, they pioneered the current Forward Geometry that is now the absolute benchmark in the industry. History was also made at the 2016 Val di Sole UCI Downhill World Championships with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place all riding Mondraker's. This was a first for one bike brand to sweep the downhill podium.
Plus Mondraker designs all their bikes to be 20% above ISO standards. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a global federation of national standards bodies. As a nongovernmental organization, it includes standards organizations from over 160 countries. Members work together to develop and promote international standards across various fields, including technology, scientific testing, workplace conditions, and social issues. Designing and manufacturing bikes well above the standard is significant and impressive.
In the grand scheme of bike brands, Mondraker remains on the smaller yet growing side of the industry. Growing is a rarity these days. Producing around 50,000 bikes a year, Mondraker caters to a wide audience of riders, with their number one selling model being the Crafty R.
After a quick break at the hotel, we regrouped for a very unique ride taking us from HQ to an overlook and ultimately the beach in between Alicante and Santa Pola. We cannot say too much on our ride now but look for something special coming soon. Let’s just say it fits in well in Utah’s extreme arid climate.
Day 2
Day 2 brought the mountain bikes. About 45 minutes from the office, we gathered at the base of a large trail network that any city would love to be able to access. Dry and dusty, we certainly were psyched to ride these trails in October as opposed to the heat of the summer. Since the Mondraker Crafty R is the best selling bike in the line, it clearly made sense that the Crafty would be the bike of choice for the day. We were lucky enough to ride the all-new 2025 Crafty Carbon RR featuring the new Bosch Performance CX motor.
While my riding style certainly tends to be more cross-country focused, a day of rallying on a full-power, long-travel bike didn’t disappoint. While I personally feel that the Neat RR would suit my riding style better, I was excited to experience one of Mondraker's best selling models.
Did I crash? Of course. Was the ride beyond my skill level? Absolutely. Did I clear stuff I didn’t think I could? Yes. With a little more time on the bike could I clear a lot more? Absolutely. But ultimately only one question needs to be asked. Did I have fun? Hell yeah.
The evening ended with a delicious meal, again late in the night, with wonderful people who all share the same passion. Many thanks to Mondraker Espana and Mondraker USA for a brand experience like no other. We look forward to our future with Mondraker bikes and sharing them with you.