Mondra… who? With the new MONDRAKER ARID CARBON, a respected mountain bike manufacturer is pioneering new ground. Although this is Mondraker’s first foray into the drop-bar-bike arena, the ARID CARBO is not just another off-road renegade – it’s aiming to be a race-ready machine too! So, we brought the ARID CARBON out West, putting it to the test in Arizona’s Badlands to see if it can live up to the calling.
MONDRAKER is a name with a bit of magic behind it, inspired by the comic book magician “Mandrake.” Up till now, the brand from Elche, Spain, has been dedicated to the production of iconic MTB rigs, which are designed to conquer the most brutal trails – their first model back in 2001 was a burly downhill beast. Since then, Mondraker’s range has steadily grown to include enduro, trail, and cross-country models. These Iberian machines are known for their unique “Forward Geometry” concept, consisting of a long wheelbase, long reach, short stem, and slack head angle. Added to that is Mondraker’s signature look, with sharp tube profiles, aggressive lines, and a distinctive triangular “frame window” between the head tube, down tube, and top tube. The latter is as slender and elegant as a wizard’s wand. Mandrake would be proud of it!
But can all that flat-bar wizardry really transform, abracadabra, into a race-winning gravel bike? Where better to find out than in the birthplace of gravel racing? So, goodbye Old World, and howdy Wild West! Welcome to Arizona. The landscape is nothing short of epic: a barren semi-desert, “sky island” mountains, and a sun that still scorches at 38°C in October. It’s high noon, with rattlesnakes, cacti, and plenty of space for pushing limits. We’re ready – but is the ARID?
A confident gravel greenhorn – first look at the MONDRAKER ARID CARBON
Google “ARID,” and you’ll find definitions like dry, barren, and desert-like. Fitting, then, that this bike’s dual-colour finish in classic MONDRAKER blue at least quenches your eyes’ thirst for colour. The frame and tube shapes are refreshingly unique, too. Anyone familiar with the brand will instantly recognise the ARID CARBON as a true “MONDRAKER.” For those less familiar, this bike is a visual antidote to the rounded, teardrop-shaped, aero-tuned tube profiles that make many modern gravel racers look uncannily similar. With the ARID CARBON, you won’t risk saddling up the wrong steed after the second shot of whiskey on the saloon porch!
Angular profiles instead of oval tubes, defined edges instead of smooth transitions, and parallel lines instead of organic curves – the Spanish gravel newbie in a class of its own, at least in purely visual terms. Design highlights include Mondraker’s distinctive, slender top tube and the “Magic Triangle” where the seat tube meets the seat stays. According to the manufacturer, this feature increases rear-end compliance while providing massive frame stability. You might even find yourself double-checking to see if there’s a shock absorber hidden somewhere! The ARID CARBON proudly shows off its MTB roots, confidently standing in the dust with its impressive seat stays and wide handlebars. So, is it more of an adventure bike than a pure gravel racer after all?
Rough on the outside, soft at heart – the MONDRAKER ARID CARBON in detail
The ARID´s compliance isn’t solely entrusted to the flex-friendly triangle on the seat stays – Mondraker’s design team has thought beyond that. The seat post also features a triangular cut-out, which is designed to protect gravel cowboys and cowgirls against jarring impacts. It’s secured by a cleverly integrated clamp, with a screw on the side for easy, intuitive adjustments. And to keep this prized carbon frame safe from gravel’s daily hazards, chunky TPU protectors fend off stray rocks and a wildly bouncing chain, ensuring the ARID won´t prematurely meet its maker in the great beyond.
The ARID features a generously-sized storage compartment in the downtube, which is perfect for stashing away a spare inner tube, a pump, CO₂ cartridge, and a multitool. Mondraker also include three tailor-made pouches that fill most of the available space. Accessing the compartment is done via a side-opening flap. Admittedly, removing and replacing the pouches requires a bit of dexterity, but with practice, you’ll be whipping out that tube faster than John Wayne can say “sealant.” Best of all, there’s no rattling or clattering.
The wide 46 cm ONOFF handlebars dip slightly at the ends, ensuring a comfortable hand position. Not as comfortable, however, is the angle of the drops, which felt a touch too tight on the wrists – though that might be a matter of personal taste. Style points go to the sleek, straight fork with no offset at the crown and countless mounting points for a gun rack – or just water bottles. Additional mounting points are available in the main frame triangle and on the top tube. If you’re afraid of water coming pouring down from above, the rear even has bosses for mudguards. The bike’s rear dropouts also support direct-mount, making it future-proof on the drivetrain front – as long as you’re fine with a 1x setup, as 2x is not supported.
The glorious four – MONDRAKER ARID CARBON model range
| Model | ARID CARBON RR SL | ARID CARBON RR | ARID CARBON R | ARID CARBON |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (€) | 9,499 | 6,499 | 4,499 | 3,199 |
| Weight | 7.9 kg | 8.8 kg | 8.9 kg | 9.7 kg |
| Groupset | SRAM Red XPLR AXS, 1 x 13 | SRAM Force XPLR ETAP AXS, 1 x 12 | SRAM Rival ETAP AXS, 1 x 12 | Shimano GRX RX-610, 1 x 12 |
| Cassette | Sram XG-1391, 10-46T, 13s | SRAM XG-1271, 10-44T, 12s | SRAM XG-1251 10-44T, 12s | Shimano SLX M7100, hiperglide+, 10-45, 12s |
| Brakes | SRAM Red | SRAM Force | SRAM Rival | Shimano GRX RX-610 / RX-400 |
| Crankset | SRAM Red, 13s, Powerlock, 40 T | SRAM Force 1 Carbon, Power metre, 40 T | SRAM Rival 1 DUB GLS Wide, 40 T | Shimano GRX RX-610, 40 T |
| Wheels | Zipp 303 XPLR SW | Mavic Allroad Pro Carbon SL | Mavic Allroad SL, UST | Mavic Allroad Disc, UST |
| Tyres | Goodyear XPLR Inter 700×45 | Maxxis Reaver 700×45 | Maxxis Reaver 700×45 | Maxxis Reaver 700×45 |
| Seatpost | Onoff S9 Carbon 0-R | Onoff S9 Carbon 0-R | Onoff S9 Carbon 0-R | Onoff S9 Carbon 0-R |
| Handlebar | OnOff S9 GR CARBON 16º bar flare | OnOff S9 GR CARBON 16º bar flare | OnOff S9 GR CARBON 16º bar flare | OnOff S3 GR 16° bar flare |
The ARID CARBON is available in four spec options, but we’re going straight for the top shelf. For € 9,499, you’ll get the ARID CARBON RR SL, which comes equipped with a SRAM RED XPLR AXS groupset, Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels, and carbon parts from Mondraker’s in-house component brand ONOFF. The whole setup weighs in at 7.9 kg, with a frame weight of 1.25 kg. If you’d rather pedal across the prairie on a humbler steed, there are also FORCE AXS, RIVAL AXS, and GRX builds available – or you can pick up the ARID CARBON frameset for € 1,999. The cleanly-crafted, durable frame is the same across all versions.
Tuning Tip:A dropper post would be a perfect match for the ARID’s character.
Long, longer, ARID – the geometry of the MONDRAKER ARID CARBON
On paper, the ARID CARBON’s geometry is a showdown of opposing philosophies. Where most gravel bikes aim for agility with a shorter wheelbase and steeper head angles, the ARID CARBON takes the opposite approach, combining a long 1,089 mm wheelbase ( size L) and a relatively slack 70º head angle. This setup suggests stoic composure in a straight line but perhaps a slight sluggishness in turns. However, the combination with a short stem and wide handlebars (80 mm stem, 460 mm bars in size L) adds a twist to the tale. The direct steering setup is intended to shake off any MTB-induced torpor, hitting that sweet spot between agility and composure.
Officially, the frame clears tires up to 50 mm wide, giving you confidence on any trail or track. And there’s likely room for more – our test ARID was fitted with 45 mm Goodyear XPLR Inter tires, and there was still plenty of clearance around the frame. Enough chit-chat – the moment of truth is approaching.
| Size | S | M | M/L | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 520 mm | 550 mm | 580 mm | 600 mm | 630 mm |
| Seat tube | 410 mm | 450 mm | 480 mm | 510 mm | 540 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 125 mm | 145 mm | 175 mm | 200 mm |
| Head angle | 70° | 70° | 70° | 70° | 70° |
| Seat angle | 73° | 73° | 73° | 73° | 73° |
| Chainstay | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1003 mm | 1035 mm | 1067 mm | 1089 mm | 1121 mm |
| Reach | 363 mm | 386 mm | 411 mm | 411 mm | 423 mm |
| Stack | 548 mm | 572 mm | 591 mm | 619 mm | 642 mm |
Saddle Up – MONDRAKER ARID CARBON first ride
The sand shimmers, the frame crackles. Saddle up! As an ARID rider, you’ll feel right at home in the desert. The riding position is stretched but not extreme – you’re not hunched over the stem, so you can enjoy the view. The bike feels planted on the road, with the frame boasting impressive robust stiffness. But when you push hard, there’s a slight delay before the ARID picks up speed. By the time it’s up to pace, the first bison might already be disappearing behind the dunes.
On long straights, though, the ARID comes into its own, steadily ploughing through gravel, sand, and rocks with calm confidence. Thanks to its long wheelbase, it’s superbly composed and comfortable to ride, and even with cowboy boots, you don’t have to worry about your toes tangling with the front wheel on turns. At the same time, the ARID doesn’t feel sluggish in technical sections. With the short stem, steering is precise without being twitchy, and even when tackling baby-head-sized rocks, you stay firmly in control, ready to ride through whatever the trail throws at you.
The rear is as comfortable as the intricate connection between the seat stays and seat tube suggests. Unfortunately, the stays are so wide that more muscular or unshaven calves might experience some unwelcome contact with the frame.
The SRAM RED XPLR AXS groupset, however, is beyond reproach. The 40-tooth chainring combined with a 10–46 cassette is ready for unlimited adventure. The direct-mount rear derailleur shifts faster than Lucky Luke – or his shadow – and the brakes offer perfectly controlled stopping power with just a single finger, powerful enough to halt an entire wagon train.
So, what about the ARID CARBON’s gravel-racing ambitions? Gravel racing comes in many forms – a 100-km sprint on hardpack is worlds apart from an adventure race like the Spanish Badlands. But to us, the ARID CARBON doesn’t quite fit the bill as a true gravel-race bike. It’s a touch too sluggish off the mark, lacks a touch of aerodynamic focus, and has a more upright, adventure-oriented riding position. As a result, this bike feels more mild west than wild west.
The ZIPP 303 XPLR SW wheels also invite some subtle criticism in this context. These aero-optimised rims, with 40 mm external width and 54 mm depth, are pure racing wheels, which seem at odds with the ARID CARBON’s laid-back, adventure-focused design, sacrificing comfort and not fully aligning with its rugged off-road DNA. While the wide profile of the rims is ideal for saving a few watts at high speeds, they offer minimal protection for the rim edge and sidewall if you hit a rock in rough terrain – a risky trade-off!
Racer or rider – who is the MONDRAKER ARID CARBON for?
The ARID CARBON is a buddy bike. It inspires confidence, encourages long days in the saddle, and gives you the satisfying sense of having the right bike for any terrain. It’s happiest on the rougher end of the gravel spectrum, with its off-road DNA keeping things steady and the “Rocky” out of the mountains. Its ultra-stable frame, straight-tracking design, generous tire clearance, and robust frame protection also make it a natural choice for bikepacking tours and possibly even adventure races.
If you’re looking for a lightweight, aero-optimised gravel racer that will get you to the podium at a 30 km/h average, the ARID CARBON isn’t your best option. But if you want a unique, capable, and thoughtfully designed gravel bike that stands out from the aero crowd, there’s plenty to enjoy with the ARID CARBON. And it doesn’t have to be the flagship model we tested – true ARID aficionados will be equally happy with a SRAM RIVAL AXS or SHIMANO GRX build, or even using the frame as a foundation for a custom project to ride off into the sunset.
The MONDRAKER ARID CARBON stands out as the outlaw amongst gravel bikes, but it’s not some wild, untamed roughneck. Instead, it’s a unique character that confidently follows its own path with an individual design language, unconventional geometry, and smart details. It’s a confident type that remains composed even in the Wild West.
Tops
- Stiff, comfortable, and durable frame
- Distinctive design language
- Full control on any terrain
Flops
- Wheels don’t match the bike’s character
- Slightly sluggish acceleration
- Wide seat stays can rub against calves
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Words: Nils Hofmeister Photos: Ivan Marruecos / Nils Hofmeister / Josh Becker
