In 2024, Mondraker launched the Arid, the primary correct gravel bike from the progressive mountain bike model. Two years on, the Arid is getting a refresh, with up to date colours, builds, and a number of other delicate updates to refine its efficiency. It appears clear that Mondraker already enjoys its distinctive Arid platform, however felt it may very well be just a bit higher with some minor tweaks, not an entire redesign.
Spec updates embrace wider-range MTB/drop bar drivetrains, proportional, size-specific handlebar widths, and a brand new Carbon RS construct. Mondraker additionally up to date the Arid frames with sleeker, lighter, and extra compliant forks, plus a redesigned in-frame storage compartment. Lastly, 5 new colorways developed in-house in Mondraker’s Blue Lab deliver recent seems to be to the lineup.
Mondraker Arid: Similar However Completely different
The Arid gravel bike was launched in 2024, and it stays principally unchanged from Mondraker’s authentic design. You may be taught all about it in our launch protection right here. The Arid body stands out in a sea of similar-looking gravel bikes with a reasonably distinctive design that falls consistent with Mondraker’s design language. Whereas it doesn’t look precisely just like the model’s mountain bikes, the slim prime tube and cutouts within the seatstay junction give it a few of that signature Mondraker aesthetic.
And for probably the most half, the Arid body stays the identical. The geometry is unchanged, and the body has clearance for tires as much as 50mm extensive. It’s designed to be used with 1x drivetrains solely, with clearance for a 46T max chainring. It’s suitable with 27.2mm dropper posts and devoted gravel suspension forks with 30mm or 40mm of journey. The Arid is supposed to be a flexible journey that’s quick sufficient for racing whereas remaining comfy for adventurous all-day rides.
What’s New?
Mondraker clearly felt there was room for enchancment, in order that they made some minor adjustments. Once more, these are pretty delicate, however supposed to refine the Arid platform’s consolation and efficiency.
Redesigned Fork
Arguably, the largest change to the Arid platform is a redesigned fork on the carbon fashions. The model took a less-is-more method, eradicating the three-pack mounts for a sleeker, extra streamlined look. This additionally allowed for a refined carbon layup, a bit extra vertical compliance, and a modest 20-gram weight financial savings.
Certainly some riders will lament the lack of mounts on the fork, however it appears the parents at Mondraker suppose the improved journey high quality and luxury will profit the vast majority of riders who aren’t utilizing fork mounts anyway.
Up to date In-Body Storage
Shifting to the downtube, Mondraker says it has redesigned the inner compartment of its Carry-On in-frame storage, making bag extraction simpler and smoother than earlier than. Whereas this transformation received’t influence the bike’s journey high quality, it ought to make it barely simpler to reside with and probably enhance the rider expertise.
Proportional Bar Widths
Within the mountain bike world, Mondraker helped to revolutionize geometry with its progressive designs. The model claims it’s nonetheless obsessive about geometry and has prolonged that obsession to the cockpit on the Arid gravel bike. Whereas size-specific bar widths are nothing new, Mondraker claims that its “handlebar widths at the moment are matched exactly to border dimension.”
Inventory bar widths are: S: 400mm, M and M/L: 420mm, L: 440mm, XL: 460mm. This could assist to offer a extra comfy and pure using place, which may enhance dealing with and scale back fatigue for all riders, no matter body dimension.
Mullet Drivetrains
For 2027, Mondraker has chosen to make mullet drivetrains commonplace throughout its RR, RS, R, and S fashions. What’s a mullet drivetrain? It’s basically a wide-range mountain bike drivetrain paired with drop bar shifting. Wi-fi know-how has made it a lot simpler to mix the huge gear vary and the sturdiness of mountain bike elements with drop bar shifters. Mondraker feels this “is probably the most sincere resolution for actual gravel.”
Contemporary Colours
Mondraker has additionally up to date the Arid with 5 new body colours. Within the model’s personal phrases: “Greater than only a colour palette, the Arid vary has been developed as a group of distinct visible identities. Every end carries its personal emotional intention and character: the graphic distinction of Silverflash, the uncooked photo voltaic vitality of Suncore, the quiet authority of Superblack, the ever-shifting character of Atmos, and the expressive confidence of Ionite Blue.”
Okay… All the new Arid body colours have been reportedly developed within the Blue Lab, which is the identify of Mondraker’s in-house colour and supplies division. Advertising and marketing converse apart, the brand new body colours are eye-catching, with various choices to go well with a spread of tastes. I’m a fan of Superblack.
New Carbon RS Construct
For the race-oriented riders, gram counters, and watt watchers, Mondraker is including a brand new high-performance Carbon RS construct. “Geared up with Shimano GRX Di2 digital shifting and Fulcrum Sharq GR wheels, the RS is designed for individuals who push limits on race days and refuse to compromise on the times in between.”
Mondraker Arid: Builds and Pricing
All the carbon-framed Arid builds can be found in 4 colours: Superblack, Silverflash, Atmos, and Suncore. The Arid Carbon can also be obtainable as a frameset in Superblack or Ionite Blue for €1,999 / £1,799. The reasonably priced alloy-framed Arid R is obtainable in Bunker Gray or Tokyo Blue, and the Arid S is available in Greyhound Gray or Rustbelt Pink.
Arid Carbon RR SL: €8,999 / £8,499 / $10,999
Arid Carbon RR: €6,499 / £5,999 / $7,499
Arid Carbon RS: €5,399 / £5,199 / $6,499
Arid Carbon R: €4,499 / £4,299 / $5,799
Arid Carbon S – AXS: €3,499 / £3,399 / $4,499
Arid Carbon S – GRX: €2,999 / £2,999 / $3,799
Arid R: €2,699 / £2,399
Arid S: €2,299 / £1,999
Availability:
Mondraker’s new Arid gravel bikes can be found now. Head to the model’s web site or your close by Mondraker vendor to be taught extra.
mondraker.com
