The New Generation of DUNE is Here
DUNE: SOMETHING SPECIAL IN ITS CLASS
DUNE is the last word in Mondraker’s light e-Bike range. Taking after the NEAT in some key aspects such as lightness and agility, it takes a different path by offering power and performance similar to longer travel, burlier bikes like the SUPERFOXY and LEVEL.
DUNE is the black sheep of the family, naughty and nice at the same time, the super enduro of light e-Bikes. Weighing in at under 20kg it’s the waking dream of anyone who’s been torn between a modern enduro bike and a full power ebike but who just couldn’t decide. Now they won’t have to.
The foundation of the DUNE is a Stealth Air Carbon frame weighing in at 2.650 grams, combined with the power and light weight of Bosch’s latest offering, the Performance SX. The frame showcases Mondraker’s Updated Zero Suspension and offers 165mm of rear-wheel travel and Forward Geometry specifically tuned for this long-travel hard-hitting light e-Bike.
TWO DUNES: 2009 TO 2024
Back in 2009 the DUNE hit the market as a no-compromise full-on enduro bike, and was, as chance would have it, the first ever Mondraker to feature the Zero Suspension System. An aluminium frame, 160mm travel front and back, and with the option of a 170mm fork if you went for the XR version, it was the perfect tool to take on the fledgling Enduro World Series. That DUNE was in the brand’s catalogue until 2020, and in the last five seasons you could get it with a carbon-fibre frame too.
Mondraker is convinced that the original DUNE was the most purebred enduro bike they’ve ever made. So they managed to take that breeding and improve on it and work it into their FOXY and SUPERFOXY MTBs, but now things have come full circle and this time it’s the DUNE that’s taking all that was learned from its descendants. This time it’s an e-Bike that will carry the legacy. DUNE: The natural evolution of enduro.
DUNE-NEAT: FAMILY TIES
When you’re talking about a light e-MTB you’re talking about an optimised frame mated to a lightweight motor and a more compact, lightweight battery. While NEAT stands out for its balance of lightness, integration and overall trail capability, DUNE swings the balance more towards the aggro, more powerful, burlier side of the scale without sacrificing that goal of keeping the weight well under control.
DUNE, then, is a model with its own identity. As well as having a Stealth Air Carbon frame and Updated Zero Suspension System, it’s also got long travel suspension, mixed-wheel sizes and that Bosch SX motor. All in all, it adds up to a combination of features which, considering the sub-20kg weight, make it the most relevant Superenduro model in it’s current range.
THE FRAME: 100% MONDRAKER IDENTITY
The DUNE’s frame is the next iteration of the design language adopted by the NEAT, with angular lines when seen from the side which really make it stand out, especially towards the front of the main triangle. It’s layered up from our top-of-the-range Stealth Air Carbon, Mondraker’s most advanced carbon fibre fabrication process, and weighs a meagre 2.650 grams.
It also integrates a monobloc carbon-fibre rocker linkage, an under-toptube Fidlock support, motor bash-guard, a mudguard for the shock and custom-made moulded frame guards for the rear triangle.
Frame hardware integration includes the Bosch Performance SX System Controller set into the toptube which allows you to turn the motor on or off, select the assist mode, and check your battery charge level at a glance. There’s also a downtube located bottle cage mount which can be swapped out for a range extender support bracket if desired (for the 1.5kg, 250Wh Bosch Powermore extender).
THE SUSPENSION: UPDATED ZERO SUSPENSION SYSTEM
Following in the footsteps of the brand’s latest releases such as NEAT, DUNE takes advantage of the all-new kinematics offered by their Updated Zero Suspension System. This updated design keeps the shock lower in the frame and makes the swingarm itself more compact resulting in an increase in stiffness and a reduction in overall weight. The optimization of the kinematics provides greater initial shock sensitivity and improved shock absorbance.
KINEMATICS: OPTIMISED
To get the absolute best out of this long travel e-MTB the kinematics were honed to get the progression Mondraker was looking for throughout the shock’s stroke, while never losing track of the anti-squat and anti-rise values needed to make the bike as dynamic and efficient as desired.
GEOMETRY: FORWARD
DUNE has been designed around Mondraker’s Forward Geometry philosophy, with generous reach figures providing greater stability and confidence at high speed so you can get on with planning your next line. Both the DUNE R and DUNE RR have a 64° head angle (which drops to 63.6° on the DUNE XR), steeper effective seat angles to keep your weight centred on the climbs and 445mm chainstays to strike the right balance between stability and agility when combined with a mixed wheel setup.
MOTOR: BOSCH SX. THE SWEET SPOT
DUNE really found its soulmate in the new Bosch Performance Line SX motor. Providing 55Nm of torque, 600W of peak power and reduced overall dimensions and weight, it’s the perfect partner for DUNE.
As well as the integrated 400Wh battery (2.070grams), DUNE and its Bosch SX have been designed to take full advantage of Bosch’s PowerMore 250Wh range extender (1.5Kg) providing you with up to 60% more range (this accessory is an option and is not included with the bike). When fitted, the range extender connects to the charging port on the downtube and gives you a combined 650Wh of power, giving your light e-MTB the range offered my most full-fat e-Bikes while still being significantly lighter and more agile.
While the Bosch System Controller set into the top tube allows you to turn the motor on and off, control the support mode and visualise the battery level, you also have the Mini Remote and Kiox 500 display on the handlebar to effortlessly switch between modes and have access to a greater range of ride info.
The Bosch Performance Line SX with Smart System offers 4 different riding modes: ECO, TOUR+, eMTB and TURBO, each of which can be individually configured through the eBike Flow app. The handlebar mounted Kiox 500 display shows you your ride data in real time including power, cadence, speed and battery level, while the Mini Remote controller next to your handlebar grip lets you navigate through the menu via three buttons.
DUNE: KEY POINTS
• Stealth Air Carbon frame
• Updated Zero Suspension System kinematics
• 170mm front, 165mm rear wheel travel (180mm front on the XR model)
• 2.65Kg frame weight w/o shock (size M)
• Mixed wheels: 29” front / 27.5” rear
DUNE+BOSCH: THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIP
• Bosch Performance SX drive unit with 55Nm torque
• 400Wh integrated battery
• Up to 1500m+ elevation gain with integrated 400Wh battery
• 4 completely customizable assistance modes
• 250Wh (+60%) PowerMore range extender compatible
• Integrated System Controller frame display with Kiox 500 handlebar display
THE FRAME: IN DETAIL
• Hidden Housing Guide through headset
• x1 bottle cage mount (Powermore or water bottle)
• x1 Fidlock mount under top tube
• Clearance for up to 66mm (2.6”) wide tires
• Integrated rear shock fender
• Custom made rubber and plastic protectors
• Post Mount 200mm rear brake
• Tapered head tube
• Boost 148x12mm rear axle
• Custom chain guide
• UDH derailleur hanger
• 4 sizes, 3 models: R, RR and XR
NEW BIKE TIME: IS DUNE THE BIKE FOR YOU?
The light e-MTB category is undoubtedly one of the most attractive for both people thinking about getting their first ebike as well as people who’ve tried a full-fat ebike and want something more responsive, more manageable. So, if you’re wondering if the DUNE might be just the ticket for you, below are some key-points to bear in mind. DUNE is for you if:
• You’re looking for a supremely versatile e-Bike with good overall performance.
• You already have a full-fat long travel e-Bike and want something lighter without sacrificing range or performance at high speed.
• You already have a full-fat trail / enduro ebike and you’re looking for something harder-hitting and lighter at the same time.
• You’re an enthusiastic non-ebike enduro rider who wants to try the evolution of the discipline.
• You’re looking for the most up-to-date light-eMTB on the market with a stand-out aesthetic, the extra power and assistance provided by Bosch’s latest offering and top-class suspension and geometry.
3 BUILDS: NO WRONG CHOICES
The DUNE range offers up three different builds, all of which have the same 165mm travel, Stealth Air Carbon frame with mixed wheels. Both the Dune R and RR come with 170mm forks, while the Dune XR comes fitted with an even burlier 180mm fork. So that none of the builds were “less” than the others, the brand deliberately chose to fit all three builds with the same tyres (Maxxis Assegai 29×2.5” WT up front and Maxxis Minion DHR II 27.5×2.4” WT at the back), 4-pot brakes with 200mm discs front and back, and OnOff 800mm bars and 30mm stems.
DUNE XR: THE HARDEST HITTING OF THE THREE
It’s the only build with a 180mm fork and coil shock. It’s got a 180mm Öhlins RXF 38 M.2 29 fork, Öhlins TTX22M.2 205x65mm shock, Sram X0 Eagle AXS transmission with T-Type rear mech, E.13 TRS Race carbon cranks, Sram Code Ultimate Stealth brakes, RockShox Reverb Stealth AXS seatpost and e*thirteen Grappler Race Carbon wheels.
DUNE RR: THE BALANCED OPTION
The intermediate build comes with a 170mm Öhlins RXF 38 M.2 29 fork, Öhlins TTX Air 205x65mm shock, Sram transmission with GX Eagle AXS T Type rear mech, E.13 E*Spec Plus cranks, OnOff Pija dropper post, Sram Code Bronze Stealth 4-pot brakes and e*thirteen Grappler Race wheels with 30mm wide aluminium rims.
DUNE R: THE ENTRY LEVEL BUILD
The entry level Dune R gives up little to its more expensive siblings. A 170mm Fox 38 Float 3P Performance Grip fork keeps the front wheel in check while a Fox Float X Performance EVOL shock tames things at the back, Sram supplies the GX Eagle rear mech and E.13 their E*Spec Plus cranks, OnOff provide the Pija dropper post, Sram the DB8 brakes and e*thirteen Grappler Core wheels with 30mm wide aluminium rims round things out.
ONOFF COMPONENTS BY MONDRAKER
All three models come fitted with bars and stems from Mondraker’s component brand OnOff. All three builds come with 800mm wide bars. OnOff’s Krypton 1.0 are fitted to the Dune R, while the Dune RR and XR get the OnOff Krypton Carbon 1.0. All three bikes come with OnOff Krypton FG 30mm stems, and OnOff Desert 1lock-on 135mm grips. Both the R and RR builds incorporate OnOff Pija dropper posts with between 125mm and 200mm of drop depending on frame size.
AESTHETICS: SETTING US APART
All three builds of the 2024 DUNE follow the same, yet individual, colourway and graphics combination. The base colour fades into two secondary colours, striking the balance between aggression and style typical of Mondraker.
This really sets these bikes apart and, as if that wasn’t enough, the top-of-the-range DUNE XR features an all-new colour for the brand, MARS, for an even more stand-out appearance. Stylish and stunning: The aesthetic for the whole DUNE range… Mondraker’s most aggressive light-e-MTB to date.
