Montra Rock 4.1 (29") (2017) - Review

The Montra Rock 4.1 29 (2017) comes with a 661 hardtail alloy frame. Like any other MTB, the Rock 4.1 requires a strong and robust frame to take the hits and vibrations of trails. This frame does that well. The welds were neatly formed and the tubes are chunky making sure there is enough material reinforcement to handle the harsh trails. The frame geometry is aggressive for the rider and this felt perfect during the test ride.Perhaps the most impressive feature on the Rock 4.1 29 is its front suspension forks. The SR Suntour XCT HLO suspension fork comes with a massive 1mm travel and a hydraulic suspension lockout. During the test ride this suspension worked seamlessly and the hydraulic suspension lockout was easy to use and very effective.

Being a 29er hardtail MTB, the Rock 4.1 needs a performance focused drivetrain. The derailleurs consist of Shimano Altus at the front and Acera at the rear. These derailleurs are mid-level MTB components from Shimano and they performed well during the test ride. The gears shifts were translated on to the pedals fast which meant that acceleration was quick. Smoothness in gearing means climbing will be an easy affair. The Shimano ST-EF5 24 speed shifters were basic and did the job well without much complaints.

The Montra Rock 4.1's design is refreshing and new. This bicycle was designed in England and the model I test rode came in a matte black frame with blue and green graphics on it. The top tube and bottom tube are fused at the top and this creates a neat weld and also does save up some material thus decreasing the weight of the frame. The thin chain and seat stays makes the bicycle look sleek at the back. The colour coded brakes and gear cables along with the matching saddle add to the aesthetics of this bicycle.

The most important component in an MTB is the brakes, the Montra Rock 4.1 29 (2017) comes with a pair of Tektro Novela mechanical disc brakes with 16mm rotors. These brakes worked well during the test ride. Both interval braking and jamming of the brakes felt safe and the reaction time was good. The Shimano ST-EF5 brake levers were lengthy which made sure they could be reached from any part of the grip.The XMR Zoom alloy handlebars on the Rock 4.1 29inch were perfectly shaped to control a 29er MTB in trails. This straight handlebar was 66mm in length and this width made sure the rider is fully in control of the bicycle. The grips could have been padded better to absorb more vibration from the trails.

The Kenda K11 29 inch x 2.1 inch MTB tires were heavily treaded and well supported by the XMR doubled walled alloy rims. During the test ride these tires rolled over the roughest of surfaces with ease and surprisingly for a tire this size, the weight wasn’t felt much while pedaling.The Montra trail saddle was shaped ergonomically with cushioning at the widest part of the saddle but the material felt slippery. The overall ride quality of this hardtail MTB was aggressive and in control on rough surfaces.