New e-gravel bike from Spain: The Mondraker Dusty put to the test

The Mondraker bike brand from Alicante in Spain has been synonymous with mountain bikes since it was founded. Initially, it made a name for itself with brute downhill bikes, later slim cross-country bikes were added to the portfolio and most recently motorised siblings with more or less suspension travel. Now, however, Mondraker is venturing into something special: a gravel bike with electric drive. The Mondraker Dusty is presented as a fast, aggressive E-gravel bike. The Dusty has some arguments in its favour - we have already tested it in the hills of the Alicante hinterland.

The Mondraker E-gravel bike will initially be available at selected dealers. There will then be three model variants: Dusty XR as the top version, RR as the middle and the Dusty R with the most affordable components. So far, we have ridden the top model, which is characterised above all by a gravel bike suspension fork, electronic shifting and electric Vario seatpost. However, all three Mondraker Dusty models have the same motor, which we will be talking about here.

This is the Mondraker Dusty XR gravel e-bike

The Mondraker Dusty is certainly not the first gravel bike with an e-bike motor on the market - there are already bikes from Rose, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant, Merida... The Mondraker Gravel is also not the first bike with a rear hub motor - many people remember the early days of e-bikes, when their rear wheels were fitted with very heavy hub motors the size of pizzas. But: Mondraker claims to have developed an exclusive version of the Mahle X20 e-bike motor and therefore probably one of the lightest motors on the market. And the Spaniards claim to have developed the gravel e-bike from their mountain bikes. The geometry and range of use are based on Mondraker's "Forward Geometry" and are accordingly: long reach, short stem and a slack steering angle should enable the Dusty to master even rough single trails with calm and confidence. "Confidence inspiring" is what the developers call it.

Especially the Rockshox Rudy suspension fork with 40 millimetres of travel filters out many a small obstacle on the way up, while the top model Dusty XR forgives a few inaccuracies on the way down and finds its way through gravel and rocks. When things get too steep, the electric Rockshox Reverb XPLR AXS dropper post helps to get some air under your bum. Its stepless adjustability is a feature that also contributes greatly to safety on a gravel bike. Because even on flat, fast trail sections, a few centimetres more space above the saddle is not insignificant.

>> Scott Solace Eride: New E-gravel bike & E-road bike with TQ motor

Frame kit alone weighs just under 1300 grams

The frame, constructed from the high-quality carbon fibre called "Stealth Air Carbon", which is also used for the Mondraker XC hardtails Podium, for example, does not initially show that the Dusty is an e-bike. The silhouette with the familiar, ultra-slim top tube has also been realised here. The frame kit alone weighs 1298 grams.

The battery permanently installed in the down tube does not detract from the graceful appearance. Above all, however, the short 425 millimetre chainstay and the 70 degree steering angle contribute to the smooth running of the E-gravel bike. Up to this point, you can draw comparisons with a (long, flat) MTB hardtail, including chainstay protectors and 12 mm thru-axles. But then Mondraker gives its new 2023 model holes for attaching two bottles, mudguards and a pannier rack. The frame is at least compatible with a 2x drivetrain - but all models are fitted with 1x12 drivetrains. There will also be a collaboration with Apidura for frame bags specially designed for the Dusty. The high-end E-Graveler Dusty XR also wants to go on bikepacking trips.

Mondraker Dusty XR: Power through Mahle X20 motor

The Mahle rear hub motor is not a mass product in the road bike segment. Mondraker had already fitted a Mahle Ebikemotion X35 to its children's MTB F-Play. The Mondraker Dusty is available in all three versions equipped with the new X20 e-bike motorwhich has 350 Wh available in the battery at a weight of 3.6 kilos. The hub motor delivers 23 Newton metres of torque in three progressive support levels - which, according to the manufacturer, corresponds to 55 Nm on a mid-motor. According to Mahle, this should generate 200 to 250 watts of additional power when pedalling. An optional range extender (1.1 kg, 499 euros according to the manufacturer) adds another 171 watt hours to the system, which is around 50 per cent more than the main battery installed.

On the sometimes very steep and very rocky climbs in the coastal mountains of south-east Spain, support is a lot of fun. Mondraker claims that up to 180 kilometres and/or 2400 metres of climbing are possible with the frame battery. The impression of a medium-fit, medium-heavy test rider, however, was that with the preset parameters of the motor characteristics and when using the mainly second and occasionally also the third speed setting, the battery ran out after a good 50 kilometres and 1600 metres of altitude. According to a sample calculation by Mahle, the X20 e-bike motor should provide 200 watts at 100 watts of rider power, with an additional 250 watts at 400 watts of input. The developers call this "progressive support". However, due to the position of the motor on the rear wheel, it feels significantly less powerful off-road. But this is to be expected with 55 Nm of torque, and is also intentional on Mondraker's part: the aim is to create an unobtrusive impression of support, made for sporty gravel biking - the suspension fork can also be locked, which provides a racing bike feeling on the road.

This impression was confirmed for us. The first support level is a gentle tailwind that helps you pedal smoothly when you're going up and down a bit. The second assistance level has significantly more pressure. However, when used over a longer period of time, it feels as if your own legs are providing the power. The motor is barely audible - it perhaps sounds most like the sound of high-chamber carbon rims in motion - and is only noticeable when you switch it off or throttle it down. The Mahle motor also doesn't "pull" on the chain like mid-engines with a lot of power do. And it doesn't rattle either. This means that steep climbs can be climbed with a good dose of sporting ambition, with the feeling that the motor's thrust is coming "out of the bike". The third speed setting lights up pink on the LED display embedded in the frame and is noticeably more powerful than the second. After the first test rides, we would adjust the parameters in the setting here slightly: On steep sections, you shift to an easier gear, which the motor interprets as less pressure on the pedals and also reduces its assistance. Using Mahle's very comprehensive "MySmartBike" app, however, it shouldn't be a problem to change the cadence and torque settings.

The Mondraker Dusty also has all the peripherals of the Mahle X20. In addition to the display in the top tube, which shows the U-levels in colour and can be used to switch them and switch the motor on and off, the Dusty has two small switches for the U-levels, which are attached to the handlebars with a rubber band. The control centre is the computer, which is fitted as standard on a Garmin mount and also displays the support levels and changes them using buttons. It also displays various system and journey data; battery status, remaining range, distance travelled, time, wattage and more. The Mahle X20 can also be paired with Garmin sat navs and smartwatches such as the Fenix 7 - which worked without any problems.

Ride test of the Mondraker E-gravel bike

On trails and bumpy paths, the Dusty XR from Mondraker rides like a lively hardtail mountain bike with a very firm suspension fork. This is a positive feature in this case because it actually has a balanced centre of gravity (quite centrally above the bottom bracket) and is not weighed down in one direction by the hub motor or the battery. You can easily pull it into a bunny hop to jump over obstacles with ease. The 40 mm of the Rudy suspension fork feels very progressive: it absorbs slight bumps sensitively - but we didn't notice any bottoming out even when riding harder. Together with the geometry of the Mondraker E-gravel bike and the dropper post, there is rarely any uncertainty, even on steep single trails or rocky sections. But: A solid riding technique is a basic requirement here.

However, the Mondraker Dusty also reaches its limits when the 45 mm wide Maxxis Rambler no longer grip, for example on deep gravel or loose soil. Once they start to slip, whether sideways or in the direction of travel, you have to come up with something.

The Mondraker Dusty XR e-gravel bike in detail

• Frame: Dusty Stealth Air Carbon, internally routed cables, integrated battery, 12 x 142 mm rear thru-axle, 1x and 2x compatible, flatmount brake mount, integrated speed sensor in dropout
• Suspension fork: Rockshox Rudy Ultimate, 40 mm travel, 12 x 100mm thru axle, 45 mm offset
• Vario seat post: Rockshox Reverb XPLR AXS, 27.2 x 400 mm
• Brakes: Sram Force Etap AXS
• Circuit: Sram X01 Eagle AXS, 1 x 12-speed
• Gear lever: Sram Force Etap AXS
• Rims: Mavic Allroad Pro Carbon SL Disc
• Motor: Mahle X20 Drive Unit, XDR Freewheel
• Battery: Mahle X20 IX; 350 Wh
• Bottom bracket: Mahle DUB Pressfit, incl. torque sensor
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler 700 x 45, tubeless ready
• Weight: 13.8 kg
• Price: 9999 Euro >> here available
• Sizes:
  S = 440 mm seat tube length (1.58 - 1.68 metres tall)
  M = 460 mm (1.67 - 1.76 metres)
  L = 500 mm (1.75 - 1.86 metres)
  XL = 530 mm (1.85 - 1.95 metres)

Other models of the Mondraker Dusty

The frame made of Stealth Air carbon fibres, equipped with the Mahle X20 e-bike motor with a permanently installed 350 Wh battery is the basis for all three equipment variants of the Mondraker Dusty. The most affordable Dusty R is equipped with a Sram Rival 1 x 11 drivetrain, MDK-XG1 wheels, narrower Maxxis Rambler EXO 40 mm tyres and OnOff components. The middle model Dusty RR comes with a Sram Rival ETAP 1 x 12 drivetrain, Mavic Allroad Disc wheels, Maxxis Rambler EXO tyres and OnOff components. The top model that we have already been able to ride, Mondraker Dusty XR, rides with a Sram Force ETAP AXS 1 x 12 drivetrain, Mavic Allroad Pro Carbon SL carbon wheels, 45 mm wide Maxxis Rambler EXO tyres, a 40 mm RockShox Rudy Ultimate suspension fork, and a Rockshox Reverb XPLR AXS dropper post with 75 millimetres of travel.

All models are initially available from selected dealers with immediate effect. The Mondraker Dusty will be available in more shops over the course of the year.