Mondraker pushes steering geometry another notch into the future with its 'Forward Geometry' - the combination of a zero-length stem and a proportionately lengthened top tube that is reported to increase both downhill and climbing stability. Forward Geometry will debut on the Foxy All-mountain model and ultimately end up on the Dune trailbike and Summum DH chassis.
Mondraker's Foxy XR FG strikes a different profile with its extended top tube and zero-extension stem.
Emmeline Ragot has been racing a zero-offset Summum Pro Team prototype this season. Mondraker sent Fabien Barel to the Passportes du Soleli to demonstrate the Foxy FG and the former champion downhill racer was absolutely shredding on the bike. Mondraker claims that their new
Forward Geometry will present 'clear advantages for any category compared with a traditional geometry, '...creating improved control, handling and riding confidence.'
Fabien Barel, as Mondraker ambassador and a key role in the development of the Forward Geometry gives a more thorough explanation about the new geometry in this video:
Fabien Barel Explains Mondraker Forward GeometryMondraker's Foxy FG, with its curving, hydroformed main tubes and gold anodized finish is a stunner, although its no-reach stem takes some getting used to. The Foxy's suspension is Mondraker's 'Zero' system - a dual-link, four-bar arrangement that compresses the shock from both ends to reduce stress on the frame and to keep the suspension low in the frame for better handling. The heart of Forward Geometry is that Mondrker removed 60-millimeters of extension from the stem and then added that 60 millimeters back into the top tube length. There is no change in the rider's position on the bike, but the handlebar has effectively been moved 60mm behind the front axle. Of course, that extends the bike's wheelbase 60mm, but other than that, the Foxy's 73-degree seat angle and 430mm chainstay length have not been changed.
Fabien Barel poses with his new Mondraker Foxy FG - the first production model to feature Forward Geometry.
Those who ride motos will not be shocked by the concept, as off-road motorcycles have had zero-offset bars and direct-mount stems for decades.The wider the bar, the slower the steering reacts to rider inputs. Lengthening the stem also slows down steering inputs. For modern slack head angles, and the desire to use the widest practical handlebar, the zero-offset arrangement offers the fastest steering response possible. Mondraker isn't the only bike maker that is lengthening the top tube of its All-mountain lineup. The trend is gaining momentum across the industry as a logical adjustment to the fact that stems have grown over 20-millimeters shorter over the past five years, while top tube lengths have remained stable.
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Barel says that the lengthened top tube prevents the front wheel from lofting while climbing steep technical trails, as it puts more weight on the rear tire (10-percent, Mondraker claims). The reverse is true on the DH sections where the new stem position reduces pressure on the front end by the same percentage. Fabien also claims that riding with the stem directly over the steerer tube gives a more positive sense between the handlebar and the ground. That said, one has to wonder how moving the rider back 60mm from the front axle can weight the front end correctly to keep the bike from pushing the front tire in the turns? The answer could lie in the possibility that the new position encourages the rider to stay farther forward and between the wheels in actual riding conditions. Mondraker is convinced that its Forward Geometry is the logical progression for mountain bike design.
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MondrakerStay tuned for a riding report
For too many decades bicycles have been in rut, focusing on archaic geometry, then trying to rectify the problem by introducing more problems; e.g. long stems to expand the cockpit, overly slack head angles to compensate for too short of a downtube/reach, etc....
The shorter stem, longer front-center allows you much more control over the bike, even though it may seem counter-intuitive to some....
A bike with a short downtube will always force you to stick your butt too far back in order to keep your shoulders/structure in a strong/secure/safe position.
A bike with a long downtube allows you to maintain good structure without sticking your butt too far back. Instead of stinkbugging in turns or technical areas, you can ride more centered and play with your weight placement easier without compromising the structural integrity of your position on the bike.
An analogy might be a 'military press' vs. a 'delt raise'; with the press, you are much much stronger and your shoulders are in a far more stable position. Whereas a delt raise is an extremely weak lift for most and doesn't offer much stability. The longer downtube design allows for more of a 'press' position over a 'delt raise' position, and doesn't require you to throw your butt off the back of the bike.
Sure i agree that the longer wheelbase ends up in the tight corners but this bike seems like the ultimate solution to people that ask themselves "do i want a DH or AM bike?" .
I think that in my experience I want AS short a wheel base as pssible without sacraficing stability (I don't mean "shorter wheel bases" i just mean as short as possuble with high speed stability not taking a hit and shifting the W/B "bias" between the CS length and the TT length) I DO like Mondrakers thoughts on shortening the rear and lengenthening the front as I ride off the back and like to tun off the rear wheel in tight spaces and I could see this giving a longer overall bike a snappier feel. I'm sure you could run a steering dampner and it would solve some issues with the steering "kick" and wider bars DEF. would make a difference.
I'll give Mondraker the benefit of the doubt and credit for the fact that they;re integrating a whole "engineering concept" here not JUST a zero-reach stem.The shorter CS/longer TT is a geat idea, but I'd like to see even a 10mm stem personaly cause I think it would make for a better ride. Would I try one of these out to be proven wrong??? ABsoutely, if it radically changed the way a bike handled though you can bet we'd have seen the trend develop before now because as I said, the "zero length" thing isn't new.
I agree with your comment on the way it could help with making AM bikes even more capable descenders and not give up climbing ability. But you're asuming that there is no component of "trying to lay claim to something new and great" going on and that is just the way marketing colides with engineering when it comes to a company trying to make a profit aye). htis industry has seen a lot of advancement, but it's also seen a lot of rehashing of old theorys and designs etc.
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Looks sweet...