Montra Madrock 26" (2018) - Review

The Montra Madrock 26” has been made using an aluminium alloy frame which is lightweight and durable. The welding on the frame is smooth at the edges denoting good quality work. The geometry of the frame enables a comfortable upright riding position, while keeping performance in mind. The frame houses a mounting option for a single bottle holder. Additionally, it has mounting options for mudguards in the front and rear, and a pannier rack. Montra offers lifetime warranty on the bicycle frame. This bicycle is available in 3 sizing options - Small (16.7”), Medium (17.5”) and Large (19”).This bicycle comes equipped with a front suspension fork. The Zoom suspension fork worked well to absorb vibrations felt from rugged and bumpy terrains. The bicycle has a relatively narrow head tube, thereby decreasing the load bearing capacity of the fork. Additionally, the stem is on the longer side which impedes quick handling and strength, thereby restricting its usage to mild trails and not intense trails which require precision and tricky maneuvering. This bicycle is sure to perform well on uneven, rugged city roads and on mild trails without extensive rough downhill sections.

The Montra Madrock 26" is a 21-Speed bicycle that is equipped with Shimano Tourney front and rear derailleurs, and Shimano Tourney Shifters. This componentry is fairly standard when it comes to bicycles at this price point. The derailleurs worked relatively smooth, except for a slight lag in shifting to the higher gearing options at the rear. However, given that it is a leisure, city-focussed MTB, this should not be a huge concern.

The Montra Madrock 26” has an interesting frame design, with the top and bottom tubes being disconnected, and a slight curvature at the beginning of the bottom tube. However, the paint job and graphics used on this year's Madrock 26” came across as slightly lowered quality when compared to the brand's history of eye catching graphics. At first sight, the matte-esque finish appears to be low quality, and the accompanying graphics and branding looks a tad bit tacky, unfortunate, because the bicycle rides well. The bicycle we test rode came in a primary color of black with red and white graphics and branding. A slight plus point here would be the colour coded cabling to match the frame.

The Montra Madrock 26"" comes equipped with Logan LG-3 Mechanical Disc brakes. The brakes worked efficiently, ensuring powerful braking while staying stable. Both Interval braking and abrupt braking felt stable and safe. The Shimano EF-5 Alloy Brake Levers were placed well within reach, requiring only two or three fingers to operate. The brake levers required only a light pull to ensure effective braking. These brakes work effectively on both wet and dry surfaces. The XMR Alloy 68mm handlebar on the Montra Madrock 26"", ensures a comfortable ‘open-chested’ riding position. The width of the handlebar enables enhanced stability on rugged flat trails and rough surfaces. The handlebar grips were fairly cushioned and worked well to ensure minimal transfer of vibrations from the handlebar to the hand and arms while riding. However, I feel that the handlebars could do with a bit more cushioning to provide that extra comfort while handling the bicycle on rugged trails.

The Montra Madrock 26"" comes equipped with Wanda P1197 26” x 1.95” tires. The dimensions of the tires are standard when it comes to 26” bicycles. The tires are well treaded, providing additional stability and grip when on uneven surfaces. When tested on a smooth surface, the tires were fast rolling with enough traction to provide stability in wet riding conditions and on turns. The wheels do not have a Quick Release option, which could be slightly time consuming when tackling a puncture while on a ride. Though, I would not view this as a significant hindrance given the specs and price point of this bicycle. The Montra Trail saddle that comes on this bicycle is commendable. When on the test ride, we found the saddle to be extremely comfortable, without any unnecessary bulk. The seatpost does not have a Quick Release for the saddle. The overall ride quality of this bicycle was satisfactory for a leisure MTB.