Montra Madrock 27.5" (2018) - Review

The Montra Madrock 27.5"" has been made using a hardtail 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”), 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, 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 hinders quick handling, thereby restricting its usage to mild trails that require less precision and tricky maneuvering. This bicycle is sure to perform well on uneven, rugged city roads and on basic trails requiring less technical riding.

The Montra Madrock 27.5" is a 21-Speed bicycle that is equipped with Shimano Tourney front and rear derailleurs, and Shimano Altus Shifters. This componentry is fairly standard when it comes to bicycles at the said price point. The derailleurs worked smooth, enabling efficient shifting. The Altus Shifters are well placed and functioned crisply, enabling quick and responsive transmission.

The Montra Madrock 27.5" has a fascinating 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 27.5" come across as slightly lowered quality when compared to the brand's history of eye catching graphics. The matte finish appears to be substandard, and the accompanying graphics and branding isn’t upto Montra's usual mark, unfortunate because the bicycle performs well. The bicycle we test rode came in a primary color of black with yellow and white graphics and branding. A small aesthetic addition worth mentioning would be the colour coded cabling to match the frame.

The Montra Madrock 27.5"" comes equipped with Logan LG-3 Mechanical Disc brakes with 16mm rotors at the front and rear. 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 handlebar on the Montra Madrock 27.5"" 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. Also, they are colour coded to match the overall colour theme of the bicycle. 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 27.5"" comes equipped with Wanda P1197 27.5” x 1.95” tires. 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 biggest advantage with 27.5” wheels is the ease of handling the bicycle on both on-road and off-road riding conditions. The wheels do not have a Quick Release option, which could be slightly time taking 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 has a Quick Release for the saddle, which is beneficial to adjust the saddle height while on the go. The overall ride quality of this bicycle was satisfactory for an urban-focussed leisure MTB.