Mondraker's Chrono DC hardtail gains all-new frame
And the brand says it's more versatile than ever
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Early this year, Mondraker introduced the Chrono DC has a downcountry hardtail that was a bit more aggressive than its cross-country sibling, thanks to more travel and slacker geo. Now the Spanish brand has given the belowed downcountry platform a complete refresh, claiming that it's more versatile than ever before.
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Staking its claim as one of Mondraker's best sellers, the Chrono DC is Mondraker's most radical carbon hardtail yet, offering a capable and versatile ride that'll suit XC, marathon or trail riding. For 2024, the bike has an all-new frame that's been redesigned from the ground up using inspiration from some of the brand's full-suspension bikes.
2023 mondraker chrono dc tt.jpg, by Liam Mercer
As expected from Mondraker, this bike rocks a Stealth Carbon frame and motifs from the F-Podium, Neat, and Crusher. Weighing in at 1,150g, the Chrono DC benefits from a 120mm suspension fork and a 180mm front brake rotor. It's equipped with 2.4in tyres and an OnOff Pija dropper post on the R and RR models. The new frame pushes its down country-orientated geometry with a head angle slightly slacker than the brand's podium bike.
The rest of the geometry is right in line with what we've come to expect from a Mondraker bike. There's a 460mm reach on a large frame, a 74.5-degree effective seat tube angle and that head tube measures in at 68.5 degrees. With a 430mm chainstay, a large frame also gets a 1,160mm wheelbase.
2023 mondraker chrono dc ss.jpg, by Liam Mercer
That frame gets all of the mod-cons including space for two water bottles, a threaded BB73 bottom bracket and handy Fidlock integration. There's also HHG internal cable routing and custom frame protection.
There are three Chrono Carbon DC builds on offer with the range-topping RR build being the only one that gets a fork with 34mm stanchions in the form of Fox's Step Cast Float FIT4 EVOL Factory fork which also gets a remote lockout. SRAM takes up braking duties with the Level T brakes as well as shifting with a GX Eagle drivetrain. Wrapping up the wheels, there's a pair of Maxxis Ardent tyres with EXO casings.
The R build gets a slimmer-legged Fox 32 Rhythm fork with a remote lockout. SRAM's GX Eagle drivetrain drives the bikes while Level T brakes slow it down. Like the RR, there's a pair of Maxxis Ardent tyres.
2023 mondraker chrono dc riding.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Finally, the base-level Chrono Carbon DC is the most wallet-friendly build with a RockShox Recon Gold RL Remote 2 fork and a SRAM NX Eagle groupset. There's a pair of SRAM Level 2 brakes and Maxxis Ardent tyres.
If a carbon downcountry bike is for you, the Mondraker Chrono Carbon DC will set you back £2,300 and prices go up to £3,600 for the top-of-the-range RR build.
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