Mondraker has launched the Dusty, its first electric gravel bike, and claims it handles long distances and technical riding with equal aplomb.
The mountain bike brand says the full-carbon Dusty has sufficient carrying capacity and range (claimed to be 180km with 2,400m elevation) for bikepacking trips.
Meanwhile, a compact rear triangle, dropper seatpost and suspension fork aid comfort and control over testing terrain, according to Mondraker.
The electric gravel bike is built around Mondraker’s Stealth Air Carbon frame and a Dusty carbon fork. The lightest model is said to weigh 12.6kg.
Prices start at £4,499 / €4,999 for the Dusty R and rise to £8,799 / €9,999 for the Dusty XR.
Integrated Mahle motor and battery
The three Dusty models share the Mahle X20 system electric bike motor with a 350Wh battery. It’s mounted internally, so cannot be removed from the bike for charging.
The Mahle X20 motor integrates into the rear hub and delivers up to 55Nm of torque with three levels of assistance.
The peak power, sensitivity and acceleration of each level can be customised in the MySmartBike smartphone app.
The percentage of assistance relating to the rider’s pedalling goes from 25 per cent in Level 1 to 50 per cent in Level 2, and varies from 75 to 200 per cent in Level 3, depending on the rider’s input.
The Mahle X20 system is based on torque (the rider’s pedalling force) rather than cadence. This means in Level 3 the motor assistance is proportional to the rider’s effort, which makes pedalling feel more natural, according to Mondraker.
The Dusty’s top tube contains the main display. It shows battery and assistance level via LED lights and has Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity.
Mondraker says the Mahle E185 X20 range extender (available to purchase separately) weighs only 1kg and boosts range by 50 per cent.
New full-carbon frame
Mondraker claims the Stealth Air Carbon frame features dropped seatstays in order to dampen vibrations on rough trails. In tandem with short, 425mm chainstays the seatstays afford greater control over the back end of the bike, according to the brand.
The relatively long reach and the slack, 70-degree head angle mean the gravel bike remains comfortable on day-long adventures, Mondraker says.
Although specced with a 1x drivetrain, the Dusty is compatible with a double-chainring setup. It can accommodate gravel tyres up to 47mm wide, which should prove plenty for most escapades.
Brake and gear cables are routed internally through the bar and stem and Dusty carbon fork. This has mounts for additional bottle cages and a front rack, boosting carrying capacity.
Mondraker Dusty geometry
| Frame size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| Actual seat tube angle (degrees) | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 |
| Top tube length (mm) | 550 | 570 | 595 | 620 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 125 | 150 | 175 | 210 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 440 | 460 | 500 | 530 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 425 | 425 | 425 | 425 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,034 | 1,056 | 1,082 | 1,110 |
| Reach (mm) | 393 | 405 | 424 | 440 |
| Stack (mm) | 548 | 576 | 595 | 628 |
Mondraker Dusty spec and pricing
The entry-level Dusty R is specced with a SRAM Rival 1x11 drivetrain, MDK-XG1 wheels, Maxxis Rambler EXO 700 x 40c tyres and OnOff components.
The mid-tier Dusty RR combines a SRAM Rival eTap 1x12 drivetrain, Mavic Allroad wheels, 40mm Maxxis Rambler EXO tyres and OnOff finishing kit.
The top-of-the-range Dusty XR is kitted out with a SRAM Force eTap AXS 1x12 drivetrain and Mavic Allroad Pro Carbon SL wheels, shod with 45mm Maxxis Rambler EXO tyres.
The XR also features gravel bike suspension via a 40mm-travel RockShox Rudy Ultimate fork, while a RockShox Reverb XPLR AXS seatpost gives 75mm of drop.
In this arguably gnarlier configuration, however, you lose the additional bottle cage and front rack mounts.
Mondraker Dusty XR
- Frame: Dusty Stealth Air Carbon
- Fork: RockShox Rudy Ultimate, 40mm travel
- Motor: Mahle X20 Drive Unit with IX350Wh battery
- Groupset: SRAM Force eTap AXS / X01 Eagle mullet, 12-speed
- Wheelset: Mavic Allroad Pro Carbon SL Disc
- Tyres: Maxxis Rambler, 700c x 45mm, tubeless-ready
- Price: £8,799 / €9,999
Mondraker Dusty RR
- Frame: Dusty Stealth Air Carbon
- Fork: Stealth Air Carbon rigid fork
- Motor: Mahle X20 Drive Unit with IX350Wh battery
- Groupset: SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS, 12-speed
- Wheelset: Mavic Allroad Disc
- Tyres: Maxxis Rambler, 700c x 40mm, tubeless-ready
- Price: £5,499 / €6,299
Mondraker Dusty R
- Frame: Dusty Stealth Air Carbon
- Fork: Stealth Air Carbon rigid fork
- Motor: Mahle X20 Drive Unit with IX350Wh battery
- Groupset: SRAM Rival 1, 11-speed
- Wheelset: MDK-XG1 rims on Novatec D041 hub
- Tyres: Maxxis Rambler, 700c x 40mm, tubeless-ready
- Price: £4,499 / €4,999
