Mondraker’s Chrono DC puts downcountry riding in a hardtail form

Aoife Glass

Mondraker's Chrono cross-country hardtail gets a downcountry makeover with new frame and geometry, wider 2.4" wheels and a slacker head angle.

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Mondraker is putting the downcountry into hardtails with the new DC line of its Mondraker Chrono model. Boasting a slacker head angle than its XC counterparts, a full aluminium frame, dropper seatpost as standard and 2.4″ tyres, Mondraker claims it’s a “comfortable, super capable hardtail offering next level confidence on the downs compared to bikes of similar characteristics.”

Need to know:

  • A down country hardtail mountain bike
  • 68.5 degree steering angle
  • 120mm fork
  • 29 x 2.4″ tyres
  • Aluminium frame

The Chrono model is a pre-existing model in the Mondraker line-up. Named the Chrono XC, it unsurprisingly features cross-country focussed geometry and spec. But with the growth in downcountry and an interest in short travel or, in this case, hardtail bikes that are suited to more playful or aggressive riding, Mondraker has just unveiled the Chrono DC.

And yes, DC stands for downcountry.

Cables are routed internally for a clean look

Based around a sturdy aluminium frame, unlike it’s cross-country focussed sibling there are currently no carbon-framed options in the Chrono DC line.

Each bike also comes with a dropper seatpost as standard, as well as alloy bars, 1×12 Sram gearing, and either Fox or RockShox providing the 120mm of front travel.

The Chrono DC R comes with Fox suspension, while the DC with RockShox

Geometry

There are some significant frame geometry changes between the Chrono XC and DC models.

The DC features a slacker 68.5 degree head tube angle, compared to the steeper 70 degrees on the XC. And while both models have a seat tube angle of 72.5 degrees, the effective seat tube angle of the DC is 74.5 degrees versus 73.5 degrees on the XC.

The Mondraker has a slacker 68.5 degree head angle than its XC sibling

Looking at the size medium, other changes include a greater stack (624mm on the DC versus 610mm on the XC), longer reach and wheelbase, a 5mm lower bottom bracket height.

The Mondraker Chrono DC will be available in 4 sizes: S, M, L and XL

Mondraker Chrono DC range

There are two bikes in the Chrono DC range; the DC R and the DC.

Mondraker Chrono DC R

  • Price: TBC
  • Frame: Chrono 29 6061 Xtralite Alloy butted, XC Forward Geometry, 73mm BSA bottom bracket, tapered head tube, HHG Internal Cable Routing, Boost 12x148mm rear axle
  • Forks: Fox 32 29 Float GRIP EVOL Rhythm, 120mm, tapered steerer tube, Boost 15x110mm axle, offset 44mm.
  • Drivetrain: Sram GX Eagle rear derailleur, Sram Trigger SX Eagle shifters, Sram PG-1210, 11-50T, 12s cassette.
  • Crankset: Truvativ Stylo 6K Eagle, 12s, Boost, DUB axle, Direct Mount 34T chain ring, S size: 170mm, M/L/XL size: 175mm
  • Wheelset: MDK-XP1 29 TLR, 25mm internal width, tubeless ready rims with Formula hubs and Maxxis Ardent 29×2.40 tyres.
  • Dropper seatpost: Onoff Pija dropper internal, diameter 31.6mm, S/M size: 405×95-125mm, L/XL size 458×120-150mm

Mondraker Chrono DC

  • Price: TBC
  • Frame: Chrono 29 6061 Xtralite Alloy butted, XC Forward Geometry, 73mm BSA bottom bracket, tapered head tube, HHG Internal Cable Routing, Boost 12x148mm rear axle
  • Forks: RockShox Judy Silver TK 29, 120mm, TurnKey, Solo Air, tapered steerer tube, 9x100mm axle, 30mm steel stanchions, 46mm offset. Settings: Poplock 2 pos remote compression (open/lock), rebound,
    air preload
  • Drivetrain: Sram SX Eagle derailleur with Sram Trigger SX Eagle shifters, and Sram PG-1210, 11-50T, 12s cassette.
  • Crankset: Sram SX Eagle, Boost, DUB axle, Direct Mount chain ring 34T, S size: 170mm, M/L/XL size: 175mm
  • Wheelset: MDK-XP1 29 TLR, 25mm internal width, tubeless ready rims with Formula hubs and Maxxis Ardent 29×2.40 tyres.
  • Dropper seatpost: Onoff Pija dropper internal, diameter 31.6mm, S/M size: 405×95-125mm, L/XL size 458×120-150mm