A touch of elegance
The Mondraker F-Podium Carbon DC in review
Mondraker F-Podium Carbon DC review – a touch of elegance
With third place at the World Cup in Leogang, the Mondraker F-Podium proved that it can go fast. But we wanted to know how much fun the downcountry version of the race bike is. That’s why we asked to test the F-Podium DC with 120 millimetres of travel.
You can ignore facts. But you can’t buy a mountain bike without looking at it. A bike’s appearance is secondary to its function, but still omnipresent. And whenever our eyes fell on the Mondraker F-Podium DC, our bodies automatically started producing hormones. Phenylethylamine is the name of the body’s own substance that causes high attraction when this flows through the bloodstream. With undoubtedly elegant lines, the Mondraker F-Podium DC Carbon makes the “infatuation hormone” bubble up. Combined with the much better-known “dopamine”, the result is a devilish mix of hormones that ensures that your thoughts can no longer detach themselves from the object of your desire. But you don’t have to be a relationship expert to know that it’s not enough to just throw visual stimuli around for a long-term relationship. That’s why we put the downcountry bike from Spain to the test.
Type question: Does Mondraker’s downcountry bike suit you?
With 120 millimetres of travel at the fork and 115 millimetres of travel at the rear, the Mondraker F-Podium DC Carbon is a classic representative of the currently so popular downcountry genre. Behind the cryptic category terms are – simply put – race bikes optimised for touring riders. The industry has taken up the tuning idea of the bike scene and equipped spartan race bikes with more suspension travel and telescopic seat posts on a broad front. The aim is to appeal to a larger target group. What sounds like clumsy marketing at first is actually a big hit for all touring riders. While trail bikes have become increasingly downhill-heavy and thus heavier in recent years, downcountry bikes inspire with excellent propulsion. By the way, here we have a complete buying guide for all downcountry bikes.
The Mondraker F-Podium DC shares the main frame with the F-Podium Racefully models without the model suffix “DC”. However, with its own rear triangle and, above all, adapted equipment, it courts customers beyond the race track. Because not everyone can move their mountain bike like Ondřej Cink, who rode the bike onto the podium at the World Cup in Leogang. The Mondraker F-Podium DC is a bike for everyone who loves to move fast and far through the terrain (including easy trails) with their own power.
What makes the Mondraker F-Podium DC unique
We will not go into the ultra-flat top tube or the drop-shaped seat dome of the bike in this section. Only this much can be said: The Spaniards have really succeeded with the design of the bike. On a technical level, the zero-suspension rear triangle deserves a mention. And of course, with a Mondraker bike you always have to talk about the geometry. But first things first. The zero-suspension rear triangle has a closed frame triangle, a floating shock and is used on all Mondraker models. The Mondraker company, which has its roots in downhill racing, placed great emphasis on the performance of the rear triangle earlier than many others. This is probably the reason why the Spaniards have decided to create a completely own rear triangle system.
The short bell cranks and the closed rear frame triangle ensure very good stiffness of the entire bike. Especially for fullys with little suspension travel, more and more manufacturers are using flexing rear stays to save joints (and thus weight) in the rear triangle. This is not the case with the Mondraker, which ultimately also shapes the riding impression on the trail. Compared to many competitors, the smooth responsiveness is particularly noteworthy. The fact that only the damper has to be compressed and the frame does not have to twist additionally makes the rear triangle react very sensitively to the smallest impacts.
The Mondraker F-Podium DC has a smooth version of Forward Geometry
. Whoever occasionally reads test reports on mountain bikes will certainly have heard the term “modern geometry”. Behind the term is the trend towards ever longer main frames and slack steering angles. And if you like, Mondraker started this trend more than 10 years ago. Together with Fabien Barell, the Spaniards developed the then unique geometry approach with an extremely long main frame and super short stem. Nowadays, the idea is obvious to everyone. The long main frame ensures a stable, smooth ride, while the short stem makes the handling pleasantly direct and does not stretch the riding position excessively. At the time of market launch, this theory was still viewed with scepticism, but in the meantime there is no way around it. It is fair to say that the small Mondraker company not only proved its innovative strength, but also had a decisive influence on the entire market. But a close look at the geometric data reveals that the approach has been implemented much more discreetly on the F-Podium DC than on other bikes from Mondraker. With a reach of 470 millimetres in size L, the basic features of the Forward Geometry can be recognised, but by now this measurement no longer shocks anyone. Especially on bikes with more suspension travel, Mondraker pushes the extremes much further. Nevertheless, this bike also has a relatively smooth character. The short head tube allows for a sporty riding position. Even with a few spacers under the stem, you can still pedal very efficiently.
The Mondraker F-Podium DC Carbon in the Oxytocin Phase
Back to the hormones. Hormone scientists say that in the long run, phenylethylamine must give way to the hormone oxytocin for great love. You can also put it bluntly like this: in the long term, visual showmanship should develop into a solid, deep foundation. Of course, this raises the question of how the Mondraker F-Podium DC will ultimately perform on the trail. We weighed the bike without pedals but with tubes in the tyres at 12.6 kilos. This makes it a little lighter than the factory specification, but still not an absolute lightweight. Especially the somewhat inexpensive equipment (aluminium handlebars, Sram Eagle NX cassette, Sram aluminium crank) puts some pressure on the scales. Nevertheless, the weight remains acceptable. In combination with the sporty seating position and the good-rolling tyres, the F-Podium DC is a real athlete. Hungry for propulsion, it devours kilometre after kilometre. The noticeable movement in the rear triangle can be easily switched off when pedalling from the handlebars. It is a pity that there is only the option of a complete lockout. We would have celebrated an intermediate stage with increased compression. However: even though the bike has 20 millimetres more travel than Ondřej Cink’s competition bike, it remains absolutely marathon-ready. But there is still some tuning potential, especially with the gears. With 455% range, it is behind what most suppliers offer in this price range. Nevertheless, we can say that the Mondraker F-Podium DC has what it takes to inspire us in the long term.
This is how the Mondraker F-Podium goes downhill
On the descent, the bike positions itself is a good-natured athlete. With its 120 millimetres of suspension travel, it allows detours onto real trails, but does not waft emotionlessly over all obstacles. The suspension fork leaves a solid impression, but does not respond quite as sensitively as the rear. Even though there are only 115 millimetres in the rear, there is a balance between front and rear. When it gets really fast on flowy trails, the F-Podium really come alive. This is when the advantages of its sensitive rear triangle and smooth-running geometry really come into their own. For rough trails, Mondraker has other models like the Raze in its portfolio, and that’s a good thing. Because with this clear distinction, the Spaniards do not dilute the range of use of the F-Podium. The bike masters trails, but requires a clean line choice from its rider. Heavier riders might long for a little more braking power.All standards on the Mondraker F podium
- Frame weight: 2.5 kg (incl. damper)
- Bottom bracket: BSA (screwed)
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Rear wheel installation dimension: 12×148
- Seat post: 31.6 mm
- Line routing:through the down tube
- Bottle holder: Space for one bottle
- Special feature: Steering limiter
- Shift hanger: UDH (SRAM Eagle Transmisson compatible)
