Nice review. Lots of good info and constructive criticism. I wonder if you might've enjoyed the bike a bit more in one of the "lower spec" versions with the Fox 38 and Float X shock. That might've softened up the ride a little bit since I hear the Float X is a huge upgrade compared to the DPS. I'm comparing this bike in either XR or RR Spec vs the Turbo Levo Expert. I've always been a fan of Specialized but I weigh ~100kg (~220lb) so I want to get the most powerful motor I can with the biggest battery possible (i.e. Bosch CX Gen 4 with 750Wh battery). I currently have a Commencal Meta Power SX Race and I've been a bit underwhelmed with the EP8 when really pushing it at higher cadences. It feels like the motor just runs out of breath and I end up having to go slower at a lower cadence for the motor to feel like its in its sweet spot. I like the fact that the Crafty Zero Suspension design is really efficient because that'll help to increase range. The Commencal is not an efficient bike at all and I think the EP8 is not great either. My girlfriend can easily go 30% further or more on her 500Wh Bosch Trek Rail even though I have a 630Wh battery and every time we go for a long mission, it's always my range that is limiting how far or high we can go. Obviously weight plays a huge role in range and she only weighs about 60% of me. I just hope that the 750Wh battery and Mondraker's suspension design will allow me to ride further and that the extra 20% power of the Bosch motor over the EP8 will allow me to ride faster and with more gusto at higher cadence. Do you think the Mondraker is worth it for me or do you still think I will appreciate the Levo more because it's just a better all round bike?
I just don't understand why someone specs a DPS on a bike like that. I rally dislike that shock on anything that isn't an XC bike or very light 100-120mm trail bike. I suspect that's one reason why the bike feels chatty to you. I can understand they wanted to save weight, but on a bike like this the shock isn't the place to save 100g!
TLW i think you need to do a suspension guide. I know is plenty of them, is not the most interesting stuff but do it your way will be cool. This ebike got some like 30% progressiveness and it’s a VPP so a coil probably will improve a lot on chunky terrain, and a smaller cog plate too
@@86309 Bosch motor I rode has a slight rattle also. Not as noticeable as the EP8 but it is there. Perhaps it’s much worse on this bike. Hard to believe it’s the battery moving making such noise, that’s unheard of from any brand, even Amazon specials…
Guys. Love your vids. But PLEASE, get a POV camera with stabilization. I was getting nauseous watching the downhill sections of this vid. Keep up the great reviews. As for the ebike, I think $15K USD is a little outside of my comfort zone. Like, $10K outside. So many other ebikes out there now for less than $7500 that are absolutely fantastic. But, I guess, if you have the money, and want the bike, then go for it. There's nothing wrong with that. Enjoy the ride. Having raced, ridden and worked in the bike industry for almost 30 years, I would have to say the top tier components just aren't worth the price. SLX and XT are the kings of the Shimano bike world. And, IMHO Fox takes the top spot for suspension. Going from 45 to 48 pounds, on an ebike, is just not a thing. The motor does not care. And the bike should not be spec'd with a DHF up front, and a Rekon in the rear. That's bipolar and just weird.
Thanks Howie. We're using a GoPro9 with stabilization on max, but we'll double check all the settings as we treat our gear pretty rough. Don't disagree with you on the level of performance to price rang. SLX and XT are great and we'd likely spend our money on as that's more inline with our budgets too. haha.
@@TheLoamWolf I think you might just need tighter straps to keep the GP more still. The GP Chesty's straps are too flexible. Maybe try a Stuntman Chesty, much better straps.
You can get an e-bike for 6K or so which will perform equally well. 15K for an e-bile is a joke. Although I suspect there are snobs out there that will get it.
@@richt3484 We could have assumed that it was the motor but because it wasn't mentioned , we could also assume it was an internal cable or even something else!
Well, we would pick the Levo Gen3 due to it's better suspension feel, more aggressive downhill capabilities in rough terrain. For our riding it's the winner. The Mondraker is stiffer and faster on smooth trails and more playful on those smoother trails. Mondraker also looks cooler (personal preference), Mondraker also has the Bosch system which we'd pick for durability/reliability and power over Specialized system, this bike is lighter as well. BUT, as we said, a bike's overall performance and what we would pick for our riding style and terrain is more important than the tier of components bolted to it.
Nice video - but please - it is a very small part of the world that use pounds, feet, miles and so on - pls also include the messurments in a metric-way!
As always an honest review guys….not sure how progressive the suspension is but maybe a coil would help the back end a bit? Heavy though… Do we really need featherweight ebikes or is the point of an Ebike that you can turn a full on DH rig into a machine that also climbs and goes trail (Kenevo Turbo for example). Keep it up. I’m subscribed and enjoying the content
Thanks very much Jules. Greatly appreciate it. A coil could help, but yes, it'll be heavy and likely overkill for a 36-equipped lightweight bike. Think it has more to do with the kinematics and anti-squat values tuned in.
@@TheLoamWolf Hi guys, the Mondraker range working on their Zero floating shock system (which I have also ridden) in my experience can be more plush and feel better on the bigger hits with less chatter and hang up: The Level RR runs the same zero suspension but on a coil. Did you find the Crafty smashing through its travel easily, perhaps bottoming out giving it that harsh feel ? Or you couldn’t get a pressure/ token setup in the shock that gave it both support and a subtle feel that helped through the chattery sections? I’m sure you did tons of fettling to try to get that “magic point”. I’ve not ridden a Mondraker but as mentioned above have ridden both VPP (know you guys love SC) and floating shock dual pivot bikes and liked both. They were supportive, subtle and nicely progressive. This Crafty doesn’t sound like that which I’ve experienced. The only other factor is Mondraker did invent forward geometry (seems a generation again now) so do have more rangy bikes in terms of reach, CS length etc so not sure how that may affect the feel. More stability normally ? Are you guys able to change suspension components to try and isolate why a bike handles as it does ? Us mtb riders love fettling and changing the setup on our bikes. It’s a tradition ! Thanks for the feedback. Really enjoy your format of reviews and the characters that contribute to it.
Please please please try and trick the eMTB community into calling 160mm bikes “downtrail” and say that to be enduro it has to be atleast 170mm with zebbs or 38’s. I would absolutely die of laughter. Imagine if everyone with a set of lyriks or 36’s was like “yeah man i’m a trail bike rider not an enduro rider but my 150 wasnt enough so i got that new downtrail eMTB from mondraker. Man it rips. Absolutely eats up the chunder. But its not an enduro bike. Its similar to a trail bike… based on a trail bike… but with a little bit more… DOWNTRAIL FOREVER!!!!!!!!” Im sorry. I know i took that too far. But please do it. Long legged trail bike… LOL
these guys from mondraker don't know how to properly mount the kiox on their bikes. That display in that position is just an accident waiting to happen
Great video. I think the value Proposition with this bike is worse than Specialized. Small battery capacity Rattalee Bike, rubbish rear shock, bad tire choice, and maxed out suspension on blue trails.
I love the channel but every new vid has me searching for a nother new bike, your killin me.
Ha ha. We’re sorry. On the flip side, we should be thankful so much cool stuff is out there.
@@TheLoamWolf HEY BRO, IVE BEEN ON UA-cam FOR 12 YEARS, YOU REALLY NEED TO MENTION IN VERY START OF VID THAT PEOPLE SUBSCRIBE, IT WORKS.
Thanks for the tip. we'll get on it.
Drew you are doing a great job on reviews. Well balanced on enthusiasm, pros, cons, etc. Thx
Thank you very much Dee. Greatly appreciate that.
I have a lower spec version, weigh ~150lbs and have a blast with the bike. I guess different specs do make a difference. Also no rattling on mine.
What about the XR model, and öhlins vs Fox. Haven't seen or heard a comparison
Nice review. Lots of good info and constructive criticism. I wonder if you might've enjoyed the bike a bit more in one of the "lower spec" versions with the Fox 38 and Float X shock. That might've softened up the ride a little bit since I hear the Float X is a huge upgrade compared to the DPS.
I'm comparing this bike in either XR or RR Spec vs the Turbo Levo Expert. I've always been a fan of Specialized but I weigh ~100kg (~220lb) so I want to get the most powerful motor I can with the biggest battery possible (i.e. Bosch CX Gen 4 with 750Wh battery). I currently have a Commencal Meta Power SX Race and I've been a bit underwhelmed with the EP8 when really pushing it at higher cadences. It feels like the motor just runs out of breath and I end up having to go slower at a lower cadence for the motor to feel like its in its sweet spot. I like the fact that the Crafty Zero Suspension design is really efficient because that'll help to increase range. The Commencal is not an efficient bike at all and I think the EP8 is not great either. My girlfriend can easily go 30% further or more on her 500Wh Bosch Trek Rail even though I have a 630Wh battery and every time we go for a long mission, it's always my range that is limiting how far or high we can go. Obviously weight plays a huge role in range and she only weighs about 60% of me. I just hope that the 750Wh battery and Mondraker's suspension design will allow me to ride further and that the extra 20% power of the Bosch motor over the EP8 will allow me to ride faster and with more gusto at higher cadence. Do you think the Mondraker is worth it for me or do you still think I will appreciate the Levo more because it's just a better all round bike?
And now it’s my bike pulling podium’s every time when I’m not breaking axles!
Man, by the time I even get my decoy mx, I think there is going to be 50 new ebikes out. Nice job!
Haha. The EBike arms race is on!
I just don't understand why someone specs a DPS on a bike like that. I rally dislike that shock on anything that isn't an XC bike or very light 100-120mm trail bike. I suspect that's one reason why the bike feels chatty to you. I can understand they wanted to save weight, but on a bike like this the shock isn't the place to save 100g!
X2 for the win.
Turbo levo gen2 has the same shock
I agree its on the 2021 Levo as well and it doesn't make sense to me.
Why put the Kiox there? madness!
Can you make a tutorial video about the mondraker mindsystem ?
THis would definately be a sweet ride!
Why have they stuck a tv on the stem?
Hi do you have ride crafty aluminion bike. Whichnarremte best fenefit to ride carbon crafty
wireless DT, wireless dropper, what's up with the remote cable there? need better cable placement.
TLW i think you need to do a suspension guide. I know is plenty of them, is not the most interesting stuff but do it your way will be cool. This ebike got some like 30% progressiveness and it’s a VPP so a coil probably will improve a lot on chunky terrain, and a smaller cog plate too
Nice review as always. Do you think L or XL for 188cm
So the bosch rattles like the Ep8?
The motor doesn't rattle like EP8, this is likely the battery inside the downtube.
@@TheLoamWolf ok, thanks for the clarification on that. First I “heard “ that the Bosch rattled , so thats good that it doesnt..
@@86309 Bosch motor I rode has a slight rattle also. Not as noticeable as the EP8 but it is there. Perhaps it’s much worse on this bike. Hard to believe it’s the battery moving making such noise, that’s unheard of from any brand, even Amazon specials…
Guys. Love your vids. But PLEASE, get a POV camera with stabilization. I was getting nauseous watching the downhill sections of this vid. Keep up the great reviews.
As for the ebike, I think $15K USD is a little outside of my comfort zone. Like, $10K outside. So many other ebikes out there now for less than $7500 that are absolutely fantastic. But, I guess, if you have the money, and want the bike, then go for it. There's nothing wrong with that. Enjoy the ride.
Having raced, ridden and worked in the bike industry for almost 30 years, I would have to say the top tier components just aren't worth the price. SLX and XT are the kings of the Shimano bike world. And, IMHO Fox takes the top spot for suspension. Going from 45 to 48 pounds, on an ebike, is just not a thing. The motor does not care. And the bike should not be spec'd with a DHF up front, and a Rekon in the rear. That's bipolar and just weird.
Thanks Howie. We're using a GoPro9 with stabilization on max, but we'll double check all the settings as we treat our gear pretty rough.
Don't disagree with you on the level of performance to price rang. SLX and XT are great and we'd likely spend our money on as that's more inline with our budgets too. haha.
@@TheLoamWolf I think you might just need tighter straps to keep the GP more still. The GP Chesty's straps are too flexible. Maybe try a Stuntman Chesty, much better straps.
You can get an e-bike for 6K or so which will perform equally well. 15K for an e-bile is a joke. Although I suspect there are snobs out there that will get it.
Crafty RR or Orbea Rise with a Range extender?
Holy Kiosk
Pretty sure the rotwilds are lighter but they only have small batteries that quickly swap out
Where is the rattle coming from?
I guess they never found it. Mentioned it plenty of times but no explanation given. 🧐
The motor - all Bosch Gen 4 and Shimano EP8 motors have it.
@@richt3484 We could have assumed that it was the motor but because it wasn't mentioned , we could also assume it was an internal cable or even something else!
This or sworks levo gen3?
Well, we would pick the Levo Gen3 due to it's better suspension feel, more aggressive downhill capabilities in rough terrain. For our riding it's the winner. The Mondraker is stiffer and faster on smooth trails and more playful on those smoother trails.
Mondraker also looks cooler (personal preference), Mondraker also has the Bosch system which we'd pick for durability/reliability and power over Specialized system, this bike is lighter as well. BUT, as we said, a bike's overall performance and what we would pick for our riding style and terrain is more important than the tier of components bolted to it.
Nice video - but please - it is a very small part of the world that use pounds, feet, miles and so on - pls also include the messurments in a metric-way!
As always an honest review guys….not sure how progressive the suspension is but maybe a coil would help the back end a bit? Heavy though…
Do we really need featherweight ebikes or is the point of an Ebike that you can turn a full on DH rig into a machine that also climbs and goes trail (Kenevo Turbo for example).
Keep it up. I’m subscribed and enjoying the content
Thanks very much Jules. Greatly appreciate it. A coil could help, but yes, it'll be heavy and likely overkill for a 36-equipped lightweight bike. Think it has more to do with the kinematics and anti-squat values tuned in.
@@TheLoamWolf Hi guys, the Mondraker range working on their Zero floating shock system (which I have also ridden) in my experience can be more plush and feel better on the bigger hits with less chatter and hang up: The Level RR runs the same zero suspension but on a coil.
Did you find the Crafty smashing through its travel easily, perhaps bottoming out giving it that harsh feel ? Or you couldn’t get a pressure/ token setup in the shock that gave it both support and a subtle feel that helped through the chattery sections? I’m sure you did tons of fettling to try to get that “magic point”.
I’ve not ridden a Mondraker but as mentioned above have ridden both VPP (know you guys love SC) and floating shock dual pivot bikes and liked both. They were supportive, subtle and nicely progressive. This Crafty doesn’t sound like that which I’ve experienced.
The only other factor is Mondraker did invent forward geometry (seems a generation again now) so do have more rangy bikes in terms of reach, CS length etc so not sure how that may affect the feel. More stability normally ?
Are you guys able to change suspension components to try and isolate why a bike handles as it does ? Us mtb riders love fettling and changing the setup on our bikes. It’s a tradition !
Thanks for the feedback. Really enjoy your format of reviews and the characters that contribute to it.
Please please please try and trick the eMTB community into calling 160mm bikes “downtrail” and say that to be enduro it has to be atleast 170mm with zebbs or 38’s. I would absolutely die of laughter. Imagine if everyone with a set of lyriks or 36’s was like
“yeah man i’m a trail bike rider not an enduro rider but my 150 wasnt enough so i got that new downtrail eMTB from mondraker. Man it rips. Absolutely eats up the chunder. But its not an enduro bike. Its similar to a trail bike… based on a trail bike… but with a little bit more… DOWNTRAIL FOREVER!!!!!!!!”
Im sorry. I know i took that too far. But please do it.
Long legged trail bike… LOL
these guys from mondraker don't know how to properly mount the kiox on their bikes. That display in that position is just an accident waiting to happen
11:56 SQUIRREL!
Haha Yes squirrel!!!
@@TheLoamWolf hey dude, did you find the bike slow to change direction in the tighter stuff due to long chain stays ?
Great video. I think the value Proposition with this bike is worse than Specialized. Small battery capacity Rattalee Bike, rubbish rear shock, bad tire choice, and maxed out suspension on blue trails.
That display is just begging to be snapped off an otherwise excellent bike, note it is showing absolutely nothing a rider needs to know
That nice Cable... (Kiox)
🤮
Sounds like a washing machine coming down and an electric wheelchair going up…… looks nice though.
WTF is going on with the cables from the controller to the display. I wouldn’t pay a dollar for a bike so badly set up is that one. Just garbage