Emmeline Ragot Bike Check - Mondraker Summum

Jun 13, 2012
by Colin Meagher  
Emmeline Ragot s Mondraker Summum pro team bike. Her bike frame is thus far a stock frame there have been no shortcuts on tubing or custom geometry tweaks. Mondraker does put a special custom paint job on each of the team bikes for MS-Monderaker.

Emmeline Ragot's Mondraker Summum pro team bike. Her bike frame is thus far a stock frame; there have been no shortcuts on tubing or custom geometry tweaks. Mondraker does put a special custom paint job on each of the team bikes for MS-Monderaker.


All housing--brakes as well as shifter--runs internally within the frame offering a nice clean look. It is a bit of a hassle if the brakes need to be swapped in a hurry. Unless you are running Formula s speed lock system. Again Andrew Ragot s mechanic adds a bit of a more robust housing to this somewjhat vulnerable portion of the disc brake hose before it wraps around the BB shell and goes into the chainstay.

All housing - brakes as well as shifter - runs internally within the frame, offering a nice, clean look. It is a bit of a hassle if the brakes need to be swapped in a hurry, unless you're running Formula's speed lock system. Andrew, Ragot's mechanic, adds a bit of a more robust housing to this somewhat vulnerable portion of the disc brake hose before it wraps around the BB shell and goes into the chainstay.


A glimpse of the Linkage for the rear shock as well as another example of Mondraker s use of an eccentric bolt for a clean look vs a hexagonal bolt.

A glimpse of the Linkage for the rear shock.


The Summum uses an IS brake mount.

The Summum uses an IS brake mount.


Schwalbe first ride Muddy Mary tires for Ragot. I like the grip they have and the rubber compound is awesome -Emmeline Ragot.

Schwalbe first ride Muddy Mary tires for Ragot. "I like the grip they have, and the rubber compound is awesome"-Emmeline Ragot.


The Summum sports a carbon fiber mud guard for the rear shock.

The Summum sports a carbon fiber mud guard for the rear shock.


The SDG i-beam system is stil the lightest available.

The SDG i-beam system is stil the lightest available.


The SDG saddle surface has a bit of grip to it to keep Ragot planted on the saddle when she wants to be. Although like many other riders when conditions are truly horrific like Champery Ragot will have Andrew zip tie a strip of tire tread onto the saddle to help keep her firmly seated on the saddle.

The SDG saddle surface has a bit of grip to it to keep Ragot planted on the saddle when she wants to be. Although, like many other riders, when conditions are truly horrific (like Champery), Ragot will have Andrew zip tie a strip of tire tread onto the saddle to help keep her firmly seated on the saddle.


A personal touch on Ragot s bike is this moto inspired headset steerer damper. In heavy cornering it stiffens up the steering feel of the bike. Zero offset stem for the Summum.

A personal touch on Ragot's bike is this moto inspired steering damper. In heavy cornering, it stiffens up the steering feel of the bike. Zero offset stem for the Summum.


Custom laser etching on the Formula RO disc brakes. Being World Champ has it s perks...

Custom laser etching on the Formula RO disc brakes. Being World Champ has it's perks...


Team Sponsor Marzocchi Roco rear damper.

Team Sponsor Marzocchi Roco rear damper.


The Summum uses eccentric nuts in a variety of areas but not to adust geometry. Rather they feel that these oval nuts offer a cleaner look.

The Summum uses eccentric nuts in a variety of areas, but not to adust geometry. Rather, they feel that these oval nuts offer a cleaner look.


E-13 chainguide handling the chain retention duties.

E-13 chainguide handling the chain retention duties.


Team MS- Mondraker is running SRAM shifters this year. Andrew Ward Ragot s mechanic prefers to add a clear protective layer to the shifter housing as it exits the chainstay. This is a trick that more than a few riders use on the World Cup level.

Team MS- Mondraker is running SRAM shifters this year. Andrew Ward, Ragot's mechanic, prefers to add a clear, protective layer to the shifter housing as it exits the chainstay. This is a trick that more than a few riders use on the World Cup level.



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100 Comments
  • 17 1
 Quick question, I know that a few of the DH riders put tire tread on their seats when it's wet and muddy, but why? I never touch the seat on a downhill run...especially if I was trying to put in a fast race time.

Also, Holy slack head-angle batman!
  • 8 1
 my guess:

when you look at those racers, you'll see them using the saddle to get more grip on the bike,
for example like when you push your pedal on the side of the bike closest to the outside of the corner. when you do this your leg is stretched and you might be able to touch your saddle in those turns, which can lead to more grip.

also when you jump, sometimes you clamp your saddle between your legs, and then also, the more the saddle stays where you want it, the more you have control over the bike.
  • 5 0
 They do when they pull a Tear off. Look at Danny Harts World Champ run, you can clearly see sit him down when he does it.
  • 11 1
 I don't get why she would have her engineer do that when SDG makes seats that have it molded into the saddle already, seems like an unnecessary amount of work for an already solved problem
  • 6 0
 Thats what I was thinking, the SDG Storm was designed specifically for downhillers to use in the mud...
  • 24 0
 In a downhill race back in april, i ripped my seat of its rails on the top section of my first race run. I had to ride the rest of the run saddle and seat post - less, it was then that i realised, much to my arses discomfort that my bum must use the seat for extra grip and also stability as i kept shifting around all over the place and couldnt find a nice position. So i guess you use you seat for more than you realise Razz
  • 2 0
 I thinkg same than the IH rider. And my thought why she no use the sdg strom is that it`s not the available for i beam seatpost.
  • 3 0
 As to why use the tyre over the storm, well i guess it's personal preference too. She may prefer the extra grip or feel, I mean, we can buy mudguards, but how many of use simply zip tie some tube between the crowns of our forks??! I guess she should advertise the storm but when it comes down to it, she will do what feels right for her to WIN.
  • 9 2
 Why not put the tire tread in your shorts and save the zip tie tree!
  • 1 0
 chances are a strip of tyre and some ties is lighter than the storm saddle. and i'd guess they go for a more aggressive tread to grip the thy better
  • 4 0
 because it feels nice on her bumbum, those treads are great for underarmour-induced ass chaffing
  • 7 1
 I still believe the oval 'nuts' were flip chips to adjust geometry.
www.mondraker.com/12/imagenes/manuals/Adjustment_guideline_Summum.pdf

(last word of the first frase is monderaker, and there's a 'stil' with single L in the article, by the I-beam)
  • 3 1
 Nah you use the adjustable headset and rear drop-out sections to change the geo, all 2012 mondraker frames use that same setup at the linkages, its offset to stop it spinning, because the bolt threads directly into the chip.
  • 11 8
 sampers

If you are to correct someone else's grammar, then at least use correct grammar to do so.

frase=phrase
  • 2 0
 Sampers is on a Rolllllllll Big Grin
  • 22 0
 If you are to correct someone's spelling, then at least don't confuse it with grammar Razz
  • 4 0
 I would love to see you write that in Flemish, or French, or German, without the help of google translator
  • 5 1
 Bollocks.
  • 2 2
 That's your idea, you can have it. Even though you're wrong.

Yes, I spelled something wrong, on the other hand, I did not write an article on one of the most visited bike/downhill news site. Which when I was one of the first to read and comment the article, there certainly will be others who'll notice after me...
So when there aren't yet lot's of comments, It might be easier to spot for those who wrote the article to adapt it.
  • 2 1
 Sampers, those flip chips would adjust geometry, would lower or increase bottom bracket height which would give another half a degree to one degree less head angle just like what offset bushes do on my shock. Never noticed this before, well spotted. I reckon you would need to increase chainstay length to not foul the seat with the tyre, also checking seat height clearance. This frame has it all!

I also think you could use the flip chip to fit a 3" stroke shock onto the 2013 frame seeing as they're using a 2.75" on the 2013 forward geometry frame. Little world cup secrets kept from the club racers maybe?...
  • 6 0
 this is an interesting/progressive looking bike. full floating suspension and a steering damper. everything on it looks like very committed attention to detail. the motorcycles i own/owned all have steering dampers on them and i highly value their aid in controlling the bike.
at a glance, my only question would be about the size of the lower linkage and how it attaches to so many points at such a critical place on the bike. are there any lateral flex issues arising from this point on the bike?
(pinkbike keyboard warrior disclaimer- please note that this is a question based on a view from a picture of the bike. i do not claim to be an engineer, industrial designer, nor do i find myself to be a professional mountain biker. but i am curious about this bike.)
nice looking bike.
  • 6 0
 That's a seriously nice bike. Love the zero length 'stem' - where can you get those by the way? And do they have be taller than the standard 50mm one?
  • 8 1
 Yes, they have a certain minimum height that longer stems do not (looking at her setup though she could probably go lower than she currently is). A50 mm stem extends out in front of the crown and often completely clears the front of the bike (answer makes a stem in this length that drops down for zero rise, for example). with 0mm stem, to clear the crown, steerer cap and adjustments atop the stantions (which themselves extend above the crown), the stem must be higher up than a 50mm stem is capable of being. As far as I know they aren't available at this time. A mondraker engineer whose name escapes me designed them and their team has been running prototypes of them exclusively for a while. With the summum, the HT angle is so slack (I remember hearing Fabien say he had it at 59 degrees at one point) that the extra height is actually is a positive thing, helping the bars reach the same height they would if they were mounted to a bike with a longer, lower stem, and a steeper HT angle.
  • 4 0
 Are you referring to Cesar Rojo ? Wink
  • 2 0
 That's it, just couldn't remember him for some reason...
  • 2 0
 We ran an article about the prototype stem a little over a year ago, you can find it here
  • 1 4
 Skip the zero-length stem... They didn't work years ago and they still don't work. It's called Castor folks and it's a little part of engineering and more so, physics. If you ARE dead-set on one, get s steering damper cause you'll need it when your bars are snapping back and forth because there's no centering force created by you pushing into the bars. They suck and don't work plain and simple. sure you can get a bike to the bottom of the hill with one, but they're just not on par with a 30-40MM stem in terms of steering stability.
  • 4 1
 You're posting that in an article showing off the bike of the winner of the most recent World Cup event in Fort William... Sorry if I'm inclined not to believe you but Emmeline's results with the stem (and Barel's and Spagnolo's before her) have made a pretty good case for them being very functional.
  • 2 3
 Yeah... go try one... It's not opinion it's physics. Todays "super slack" geo makes it less of an issue but it's still a really stupid way to fix something that no pro/sponsored rider should have to fix. Want a longer TT??? HAVE THEM MAKE ONE. You don't have to run a zero length stem you just need to get on the right bike. They're solving a sizing issue and a wheel-base issue with bad tech. Like I said, you can get down the hill but it's a bad design. Proofs in the pudding, she already has to run a steering damper she wouldn't need if not for that stem. Sorry if my experience and background trump your "inclinations" kid but you're 18, you'll learn over the years (or maybe not... try taking off the spandex). Hell I've been riding and racing longer then you've BEEN ALIVE.
  • 4 1
 That's great, but real world results tend to represent the real world pretty well. They can give her any TT length she wants, Mondraker's Team frames aren't the same as the one's available to the public in the sense that they're allowed to freely alter the geometry to suit their own needs. Part of the reason Barel liked the stem in the first place was because you could run an equally long wheelbase as he used to by extending the TT and steepening the head angle, the latter of which actually improved his steering responsiveness. She seems to be able to "get down the hill" pretty damn fast with one, so I really doubt it's that large of an issue. Bringing my age into this is very mature of you and entirely relevant to the conversation, good work. As is taking a shot at the fact I race XC and I'm wearing a fitted jersey in my picture, that just makes you look like you know what you're talking about. Cesar Rojo, as mentioned above, is definitely more knowledgeable and experienced than you are with regards to mountain bikes (and faster too, if you've seen the video of him in the link Ian posted), so I think I'll go with him and the other Mondraker engineers on this one.

Fabien explains the reasoning behind the stem in this article:
www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/Fabien-Barels-Mondraker-with-New-Stem-Configuration,2524/Slideshow,0/sspomer,2
  • 1 5
flag The-Medic (Jun 21, 2012 at 10:19) (Below Threshold)
 FAIL... "real world results blah blah blah..." yes, ONE RESULT compared to the MYRIAD of riders NOT using one sure makes your point doesn't it... And last month when she DIDN'T WIN and the rider who did was using a regular stem??? Does that mean anything??? She won A RACE (and didn't exactly shater any world records in the process...)and now you've decided you're an engineer with all these "facts" surrounding your ridiculous theory. Sounds about par for the course with you. Look, we all know you've now discovered the name of some tech who you'll now not shut up about. Go watch your own video, he says that the MAIN REASON he goes with that stem is because it allows him to run a larger frame giving him more wheel base and then uses the stem to get him back in the middle of the bike. He claims it makes for "a more 'from the center' center steering feel" for about a second and then goes away from any further description. He also never even goes into what would happen if you just extended the TT and then kept proper castor in the steering geometry so you can't really comment on that aspect. I simply cannot slap my head hard enough to experience what life must be like for you on a daily basis. What would Pinkbike be with out some teenager spouting off like they're educated. These stems are ANYTHING BUT new and with all the things people have done to go faster and faster over the last 20+ years of DH racing don't you think this would have figured more prominently if it were such a "great design"??? Please don't study any sciences in uni, it's clear the process is way over your head.
  • 3 0
 You're the one getting all worked up about this. I'm not saying they're better than normal length stems, but they would never be able to win a world cup if it was as bad of a design as you say. Yes, this is one result, but she's been doing consistently well with it this season so far, so has Brook Macdonald, and Barel/Spagnolo before them. If it was really that bad they wouldn't have continued to run them. In that video, he says that they are essentially rotating the headtube of the frame around the front axle, steepening the HA and lengthening the TT. Because the handlebars are now farther forward than would fit him normally, they run a 0 length stem to compensate. The last 4 sentences of what you wrote are just personal attacks and reflect poorly on you as an individual. You shouldn't need to tell me how much of an idiot I apparently am, this really isn't that big of a deal. I never called it a "great design", you're misquoting me on that. I just think that they're an interesting alternative to standard length stems and that being so dismissive of them when riders are doing well with them doesn't make much sense.
  • 2 0
 Sorry if this is somewhat of a dumb question but how do you align the brakes on a bike like this with the adjustable chain stay length? Like this bike has the different length chips where the rear axle connects. Ragot is running it in the shortest position, but if you were to run a longer one which essentially pushes the rear wheel back in the frame, wouldn't the rotor then line up differently in the brake caliper, which is static on the frame? Is there some adjustment that also needs to be done to the brake caliper mount or is the difference in position just so small that it doesn't matter?
  • 2 0
 There are different brake adapters that correspond to each of the available chainstay lengths. In the photo it looks like the bike has the 450mm brake adapter with the chainstay in the 435mm position, but that may just be a function of what they found fit best. Short answer - each of the 4 chainstay length adapters has a corresponding IS mount adapter.
  • 1 0
 Got it, thanks.
  • 1 0
 She's using the 450 mm adapter because she's using a 200 mm rotor instead of a 203.
  • 2 0
 I wonder what this weighs, since the standard summum pro team is already only 34.4 pounds (for a medium I think), and this has more than a few components that will save weight (that top crown for example).
  • 1 0
 I ride a summum and have had no issues with the cables running under the bb, my gear cable is ziptied to the outside of the chainstay tho as i just could not get it to thread back thru. In the uk i like to run 435 back end chips and 64 deg head angle to keep it twitchy, gonna try 62 for france tho. Also does anyone else with one run hardly any sag? I find the rear works best with about 15%. Oh and as for weight, the new pro team stock bike is running carbon wheels isnt it? So i'd imagine would be lighter than the team bikes deemax
  • 1 4
 The team aren't running Carbon Wheels, they're running Deemax.
  • 1 0
 On the mondraker site it just says easton havocs, which come in aluminum too. If they included the carbon set I'm sure they would have made the effort to specify since that's a pretty big deal/selling point.
  • 1 0
 I just got the adjustable geo kit for my summum. In the box is just 2 brake adapters but 3 spaces in the box for brake adapters. Does anyone know if I am missing one. I chucked on the 450 rear end chip and put it with the 450 brake adaptor. I run a 203mm rotor. But checking out that photo of her bike she has a 435mm chip with a 450 brake adaptor. Whats the scoop there? I have the instruction manual but still a little confused?
  • 1 0
 I'm being a little pedantic here, but the protective tubing over the shifter cable outer isn't a "world cup" inspired modification - it's a pretty standard thing to apply when you have an obscene angle that the cable has to bend to. SRAM derailleurs are the worst for it too.

My old Sunday had a horrific outer cable angle to meet the SRAM mech I had on it and outers were lasting maybe 3-4 months before they frayed. Myself and some friends continue to do this regardless of the frame/mech combo as it provides extra protection in multiple ways at the cost of about 1 gram and 25cents.
  • 4 0
 Why was the fork not mentioned at all??
  • 5 0
 I agree, no love for the zoke?
  • 1 1
 Why can't Marzocchi make different colours for us to buy other than black and white
  • 1 0
 noticed she runs the shorest chip on the rear axle (435mm) I found this setting makes the front feel to light. I run the 440mm setting with the std 63 deg head angle and it's perfectly balanced front to rear
  • 1 0
 What settings are you running if you have a Summum, I've tried all the settings but find this to be the best

Rear 440mm / Front STD 63 deg
  • 1 0
 63 deg / 435 rear .. havnt tried any other combo but dont think i want to !!
  • 1 0
 Tried out 435 - 440 - 445 mm and various crown positions. Feels best for the stuff I like at 435 & 62.2 deg. Stable with the long front and carves beautiful in turns.
  • 2 0
 Hot damn. That's just what I needed -- one more reason to envy the shit out of her. Shame there's no mention of that Marzocchi, though. What a killer setup.
  • 1 0
 Kind of odd to see regular X.0 on the bike though, instead of X.0 DH. Maybe she's light enough on parts that she doesn't need the extra strength/weight of the DH group I guess.
  • 1 0
 are you talking about the cranks or the mech ?
  • 1 0
 Both. X.0 DH only comes with red accents.
  • 1 0
 why does it have DH on the mech then ? & the cranks have a 104mm BCD
  • 1 0
 I have the XO DH in the black colorway.
  • 1 0
 You can get normal X.0 cranks with a 4x104 BCD. And I think that it may be a DH cage, but if it were a DH body then the top pulley would be a lot closer to the cassette. And vpshore I don't see any black X.0 DH on any of your bikes.
  • 1 0
 According to the SRAM website they only make X.0 DH cranks in red and now silver. They may make some OEM colored versions though, as they have been known to offer custom products for various companies in the past.
  • 1 0
 I only run the red short cage on my Aurum to match the rest of my red XO groupo. I have a black DH in my desk, I just don't have a use for it at the moment.
  • 1 0
 Pics or it didn't happen.
  • 2 0
 Fair play, I'll take one later on.
  • 1 0
 I dont get it... I know weight is important, but keeping even the rebound knob at the mechanik is too extreme for me, even at this point.
  • 1 0
 does anyone else find it crazy how there are just deemax ultimates hanging up in the tent.. they're like a £350 wheel!? can i have them if they're not in use?
  • 1 0
 I'd find it less crazy if they didn't have them.
  • 1 0
 Top crown looks light! Would be interested to see a scale weight of these bikes
  • 1 0
 Is that a steering damener or fork stop?
  • 1 0
 Steering damper according to the caption, most in the motorcycle world are telescopic but this appears to be a rotary damper. I've been involved with damping for quote some time now in my line of work and have often wondered if there was an application for a steering damper on a DH bike and if they may one day become commonplace... who knows.
  • 2 0
 They used to be common place, in the late 90's, early 2000's... I think they went away, sort of, when forks got longer and HA's slacker. There's definately a performance benefit all the way around, though, from XC and AM to DH. I think, since they're hand made by Hopey, not distributed and not marketed anymore, no one really considers them or even knows about them...
  • 1 0
 @mattsavage: That's a good point! I did a lot of motorcycling as well and wondered a couple of times about their use on a DH bike. However, as dudes get faster and faster on AM/Enduro bikes (where the HA is not as shallow as a DH bike), it may start to make sense to employ them their.
  • 2 0
 raynal, I know they are used by riders with only one arm. not a big market, I know, but it exists. I would use a light one for sure.
  • 1 0
 It's called a Hopey Steering Damper. They've just released a new damper more focused toward DH called the "gravity" damper. video on youtube here: youtu.be/XIOX5xmKBkg

I have been running the new damper the past year or so and have had great success in the Pro ranks. Definitely recommend trying one out.
  • 4 1
 My cats name is summum!
  • 1 0
 Kthxbye
  • 1 0
 Look at head angle, i thing it will be below 63 degree, so using of zero offset direct stem idea make sense
  • 2 0
 Using a protractor and rule on my flat screen I make that head angle exactly 63 degrees.
  • 1 0
 Can you calculate what size frame she is on?
  • 2 0
 Would say a size small as she's tiny!
  • 1 0
 Not surprising considering what Cesar Rojo has been up to. They're also planning a zero stem on the '13 Foxy as well.
  • 4 1
 I think shes cute.
  • 8 0
 So does her girlfriend Wink
  • 1 0
 lmao nice
  • 3 3
 Really!? A lot of mtb girls are lesbians. Missy Giove, Tara llanas, Tracy Mosley, the BC girl who rides a V10, i cant remember her name, but she is too. Ther are a few others as well. Im down with the lesbian causeSmile
  • 1 0
 she is hot no doubt
  • 1 0
 It's just not fair, damnit!
  • 1 0
 That thing has got to be below 35 pounds.
  • 1 0
 bet its not !!
  • 3 0
 Considering consumer Pro Summum bike clocks in at 34.19 pounds, bet it is.
  • 1 0
 Steering damper? f*ck yea ;] mom please Big Grin
  • 1 0
 this makes me wish i never sold my summum Frown they are sick bikes!
  • 1 0
 to me it looks a lot like the iron horse sunday
  • 1 0
 Why the protective layer to the shifter housing?
  • 1 0
 Heres a thought, to protect the shifter cable possibly?
  • 1 0
 Yeah doesn't make much sense to me since I've never came across a damaged (outer!) shifter cable. Oh well, then again, I'm not a WC rider Big Grin
  • 1 1
 The tyres pictured are 'inspired by' first ride.. they're not actual first ride. Anyone can buy those.. I've got some
  • 1 1
 si las dos son muy lindas se complementan de lo mejor¡¡¡¡
  • 1 1
 you see those cables under ? hummm I m sure I would snatch them one day
  • 2 2
 ME GUSTA. So where do they keep the motor?
  • 1 0
 What chain is that?
  • 2 1
 SRAM PC 1091
  • 1 0
 Love the renthal swag.
  • 1 0
 She is hot.







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