Mondraker’s Summum turned more than its fair share of heads when it first arrived on the scene five years ago and while the advances it brought to the table with its radical geometry and low weight were revolutionary at the time, downhill bike design has shifted once again.
In response, Mondraker went back to the drawing board to not only build a brand new bike around the larger 650b wheels, but also build the lightest production downhill bike on the market using technology and manufacturing processes perfected with its stunning Foxy carbon trail bike. Check out Mondraker's videos at the end of this post.
650b wheels
The advantages of 650b wheels over traditional 26in hoops in a racing scenario have been well documented so it should come as no surprise that the new Summum was designed from the ground up to accommodate and accentuate their speed enhancing properties.
Stealth carbon
What started with Mondraker’s popular Foxy carbon has manifested itself into the new Summum’s super stiff, yet carefully crafted curves and lines. It's built around an EPS skeleton, carefully wrapped in strategic layers of carbon and epoxy before being formed in a mould under pressure and heat.
Zero suspension
Delivering 205mm travel, Mondraker’s Zero Suspension system remains at the heart of the Summum’s action packed chassis. The ‘virtual pivot’ design has been updated for 2015 with larger hardware including conical expansion washers and needle bearing-equipped shock mounts to increase stiffness and small bump sensitivity, and reduce maintenance.
Forward geometry
Combining a longer front centre with a shorter stem to offset the increase in reach within the frame, Forward Geometry increases stability on steeper, technical terrain thanks to the improved distribution of a rider’s weight.
Light weight
To say that the new Summum Carbon is light is an understatement. With the medium sized Pro Team model pictured here weighing in at just under 33lbs (32.837lb/ 14.910kg, claimed), Mondraker has taken lightweight downhill bikes to another level, especially when the average pro race bike is still between 36 and 38lbs.
Attention to detail
An integrated fender in the swingarm, propriety chainstay and down tube protectors, integrated fork bumpers and internal cable routing enhance the sleek and purposeful demeanour of the Summum Carbon.
Adjustability
After extensive testing, Mondraker's design team settled on a 63-degree head angle but, thanks to the addition of two extra sets of headset cups, the head angle can be adjusted +/- in one- and two-degree increments. Adjustability also extends to the chainstay, which is adjustable from 445-460mm across all three sizes.
Spec and prices
The Pro Team is specced with a smattering of light race ready parts – SRAM’s X01 DH transmission system, Fox 40 RC2 fork, Schwalbe Super Gravity rubber, carbon e*thirteen chainguide and an SDG I-Beam post help maintain the bike’s race pedigree (and price to match).
The cheaper Pro model comes with a Fox RC2 shock, Marzocchi 380 R2C2 fork and an X9 10-speed transmission. A frame only option is available in the Pro Team livery and comes complete with the adjustable geometry kit (headset cups), headset and Forward Geometry stem.
- Summum Carbon Pro Team SRP £6,799
- Summum Carbon Pro SRP £4,999
- Summum Carbon Pro Team frame SRP £3,199
Videos
Creating the mondraker summum
Mondraker summum carbon manufacturing
Check out more at www.mondraker.com and www.silverfish.co.uk
