Awesome review, kept the same BE style without hating on XC bikes...a little confusing but it works I think??? Sounds like a ripper and is a gorgeous looking bike. Would love to demo it some day when it's time to move on from my Blur TR.
I think this new category of XC/Downcountry bikes that come with 120mm forks and 66.5* or steeper HTA are amazing. The Spur, Epic 8, Scalpel, are some other examples that are very good. Very light-weight bikes with 110-120mm of travel, near Trailbike geometry, and fast-rolling tires make excellent Trailbikes if you don't ride a lot of black trails. And if you install more aggressive Downcountry tires, they are surprisingly capable. These are not the XC bikes of 5 years ago. If you can, you should have an XC/Downcountry bike in your stable. When I bought my 110/120mm travel Epic Evo, I didn't expect to ride it as much as I do. It has opened up a lot of rides where I mix pavement, gravel, and single track into one ride. With tires like the 2.2 Race King, 2.35 Thunder Burt, 2.4 Peyote, or 47mm Pathfinder these bikes roll very fast, even on pavement.
Nice job filling in! You guys have very similar speech cadences and mannerisms so I just settled in like normal. I'm a hardtail for life 56yr old dude, but if I ever went over to the soft side it would be an XC bike with a trail cockpit (no downcou.. word here) as that is the type of riding I love. Mondrakers are so gorgeous, well, except for the cable routing that is.
@@bikersedge 🤣 I thought that might be the case, but didn't want to assume. You guys are both very relaxed in front of the camera and have a great way of verbalizing your ride thoughts better than any others that I have seen. Get yourself healed up and next time, don't crash. 🙃
Compared to the Exie the rear suspension seems a little more supple and the extra slackness is noticeable. The Exie is a ton of fun but personally I think this is even better executed.
Yet another great review. I own and ride a Ripmo, but I've always loved the Mondraker brand. This bike looks like a really fun time!!! Also, bummer about Connor......DOAH!
Another great review! (I agree with the others on this post, you two are very similar in delivery.) I'd be curious on how the Mondraker F Podium compares to the Pivot Mach 4 SL?
I have a sweet spot for Mondraker I still have my 12 yrs old summum frame as a decoration in the basement, anyway this isn't THE bike for me but I have an itch to try it. Not that would happen by chance Mondrakers are pretty scarce where I come from 😅
wait, are zack and connor (conor?) brothers? if not, you sure could be. also, thumbs up for the return of 'other guys' to the presentation lineup--always in favor of that scenario in general.
My Blur TR is an absolute blast! Anyone that hasn’t ridden a modern xc bike is missing out. Little bikes are capable as all get out, fast as hell, and damn fun.
Great Review. Glad to see an XC rig use a suspension system that is NOT flex stay. Good to have options and choices. I wonder if the Exie will still go with a DW Link, or if they too will go Flex Stay. How does the F Podium compare to the Spur and Element? So many good bikes as of late!
The Spur and Element are definitely a step more trail. The F-Podium with the right setup might blur the line a bit but in the end geo and travel will limit it compared to those. But, it’s definitely faster up.
