Crafty 2025/2026: recurring cracks on triangle inserts?

[Davzell]

Hi all,


I'm reaching out to the community to gather feedback on a specific issue I'm dealing with on my Mondraker Crafty Carbon (2025), and I'd really appreciate hearing from other owners.


The issue:I've noticed cracks developing around the inserts where the rear triangle attaches to the carbon front triangle. From what I've gathered through my dealer and from owners who've already gone through warranty, this is a recurring issue on this model.


Important update from people who already went through SAV/warranty:The defect is actually located on the front triangle itself (the main carbon frame), not on the rear triangle as one might initially think. The cracks appear on the carbon front triangle at the mounting points/inserts where the rear triangle bolts on. Which means the warranty replacement is actually a full front triangle swap — i.e. the whole main carbon frame.


It seems related to how the suspension geometry loads these inserts, causing them to crack — and potentially fail.


What I'm trying to figure out:

1. Have any of you experienced cracks in the same area on your Crafty Carbon 2025 or 2026?
2. For those who already received a replacement front triangle: did the issue come back on the new frame? After how long / how many km?
3. Is anyone on their 2nd or 3rd full frame replacement? I've seen this mentioned but haven't found detailed firsthand accounts.
4. Has Mondraker officially communicated anything about a design revision or reinforcement on the 2026 frames vs 2025? Is the insert area actually different?
5. For those who pushed back and asked for something beyond another frame swap (different model, refund, etc.): how did it go with Mondraker?

Why I'm asking:Before accepting another front triangle that might fail again in a few months — with a potentially serious safety implication on a carbon frame — I want to make an informed decision. Photos, timelines, dealer/Mondraker responses, anything you can share would be hugely valuable.


I'll happily compile and share the responses if there's interest, so we have a clearer picture of how widespread this really is.


Thanks in advance

 

[big_scot_nanny]

it seems pretty prevalent on the Mondraker Ebike FB group, but happy to pitch in here.
1. Yes, on a 2 month old, 600km 2025 crafty r frame
2. awaiting new front triangle, been 22 days so far with no news - considering forcing a refund
3. NA
4. not that I'm aware of, only online intelligence shared by users, but not facts
5. pretty sure this is up to the dealer, not Mondraker, will update depending on how it goes over the next week or so

 

[Davzell]

it seems pretty prevalent on the Mondraker Ebike FB group, but happy to pitch in here.
1. Yes, on a 2 month old, 600km 2025 crafty r frame
2. awaiting new front triangle, been 22 days so far with no news - considering forcing a refund
3. NA
4. not that I'm aware of, only online intelligence shared by users, but not facts
5. pretty sure this is up to the dealer, not Mondraker, will update depending on how it goes over the next week or so

On my end, I’ve been told that as long as there aren’t enough SAV/warranty cases reported, there won’t be a manufacturer recall on the bikes.

Also no information from Mondraker about any actual design change on the triangle that would prevent the issue from coming back. Given that we’re seeing the same problem on both 2025 and 2026 generations, I doubt there will be any.

I’m also going to try and push for a refund, because I don’t want to be stuck with a bike I can’t trust.

Maybe if a few of us go down the refund route at the same time, it’ll send a stronger signal to Mondraker. Keep us posted on your case!”

 

[ntm95]

The insert design itself was changed on the 2026 models.
It is physically larger (inside) with surfaces designed to facilitate better bonding of said insert.
No way to tell externally, but all the 26+ frames have the better insert. The 26 frame is what is being provided for warranty replacements. Which can be problematic as they're cut out for the larger bosch downtube display.
I've not heard of a 26+ frame failing at the insert.

 

[Davzell]

The insert design itself was changed on the 2026 models.
It is physically larger (inside) with surfaces designed to facilitate better bonding of said insert.
No way to tell externally, but all the 26+ frames have the better insert. The 26 frame is what is being provided for warranty replacements. Which can be problematic as they're cut out for the larger bosch downtube display.
I've not heard of a 26+ frame failing at the insert.

Hello, unless there are different frame versions within the 2026 model year, I'm actually dealing with the issue on mine after just 400km on a 2026 Crafty R Carbon. So in my case, the problem clearly hasn't been fixed. On top of that, when I asked my dealer if Mondraker had communicated anything about a design change, he told me no. If there had been a real fix, you'd expect them to at least pass that info along to their dealers.

 

[ntm95]

hello, Unless there are several cases on 2026 frames, I'm dealing with the issue on mine after just 400km on a 2026 Crafty R Carbon. So the problem hasn't been fixed. On top of that, when I asked my dealer if Mondraker had communicated anything about it, he told me no. If there had been a real fix, you'd hope they would at least pass that info along to their dealers.

Does your frame have the larger cut out in the top tube for the newer bosch display ?
And was the insert actually loose, or just showed paint cracking around the edge ?

 

[Davzell]

Does your frame have the larger cut out in the top tube for the newer bosch display ?

Yes of course, I have a 2026 Crafty with the Kiox 400 display, not a 2025. And I've already had exchanges with several other people who own 2026 generations and are dealing with the same issue. I think I even saw a Facebook post from someone who had a 2025 Mondraker, got a 2026 frame as a warranty replacement to fix the issue — and it cracked again. I had also heard the story about the 2026 models being corrected before purchase, but honestly it feels like BS at this point.

 

[ntm95]

Yes of course, I have a 2026 Crafty with the Kiox 400 display, not a 2025. And I've already had exchanges with several other people who own 2026 generations and are dealing with the same issue. I think I even saw a Facebook post from someone who had a 2025 Mondraker, got a 2026 frame as a warranty replacement to fix the issue — and it cracked again. I had also heard the story about the 2026 models being corrected before purchase, but honestly it feels like BS at this point.

View attachment 185386

That sucks.
I ask about the paint cracking, as I've looked at several that were fine for bonding, but the paint work was poor around the insert and had cracked, making it look suspect. I also know lots of people with crafty's that ride them harder than most mortals, and they have had no issues with the '25 frames, so it all does seem a bit random.

 

[Davzell]

That sucks.
I ask about the paint cracking, as I've looked at several that were fine for bonding, but the paint work was poor around the insert and had cracked, making it look suspect. I also know lots of people with crafty's that ride them harder than most mortals, and they have had no issues with the '25 frames, so it all does seem a bit random.

Indeed, the cases vary a lot from one person to another — some frames crack after just a few hundred km, others not at all or only after several thousand. I've seen both intensive use and much lighter use among the reports with issues. I took some better quality photos, what would you think of them?

 

[ntm95]

Indeed, the cases vary a lot from one person to another — some frames crack after just a few hundred km, others not at all or only after several thousand. I've seen both intensive use and much lighter use among the reports with issues. I took some better quality photos, what would you think of them? View attachment 185387View attachment 185388

Those are fine, I'd ride it no problem.
When the bonding fails, the insert will actually spin in the frame and create a couple mm gap.
I'd say that's just cracked filler/paint, typically from thermal expansion/contraction under a thin layer of filler.

 

[Davzell]

Those are fine, I'd ride it no problem.
When the bonding fails, the insert will actually spin in the frame and create a couple mm gap.
I'd say that's just cracked filler/paint, typically from thermal expansion/contraction under a thin layer of filler.

I do think it's less serious than some of the cases I've seen, but from what I understand it typically starts like this and gets worse over time.

 

[ntm95]

I do think it's less serious than some of the cases I've seen, but from what I understand it typically starts like this and gets worse over time.

Most look like that, it's what happens when you skim coat filler over alloy inserts before final paint.
Nukeproof used to have the same artifacts around their bb's on a number of models.
But as they've had actual insert bonding failures, they're somewhat forced to warranty anything that looks even mildly suspicious.

 

[Davzell]

Most look like that, it's what happens when you skim coat filler over alloy inserts before final paint.
Nukeproof used to have the same artifacts around their bb's on a number of models.
But as they've had actual insert bonding failures, they're somewhat forced to warranty anything that looks even mildly suspicious.

Ok so if there's even a minor paint issue around the insert, they swap it without asking questions

 

[ntm95]

Ok so if there's even a minor paint issue around the insert, they swap it without asking questions

I believe so.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Those are fine, I'd ride it no problem.
When the bonding fails, the insert will actually spin in the frame and create a couple mm gap.
I'd say that's just cracked filler/paint, typically from thermal expansion/contraction under a thin layer of filler.

Some brands learned to leave reveals around similar features. Not having filler/primer/paint up to the edge of the alloy insert/bond line which will naturally flex at a different rate than the surrounding carbon. I heard some brands dealt with a LOT of warranty issues due to similar superficial cracking and its hard to convince the customer, "no, its fine... its just superficial".

I had disbonding issues on my Pivot Firebird and went thru 3 frames in 2 years. Currently on 4th and new generation. In each case it was the alloy insert for the lower DW link. What would start as faint cracks radially outward from the bond-line (in the paint) to a faint crack encircling the bond-line/carbon transition. Eventually become a notable crack encircling the bond-line and an insert which could be rotated in he frame. Most notable when you'd pedal and see the rear triangle move in relation to the front around the BB. Or grabbing the top of the wheel and rocking it side to side.

Never catastrophic and usual plan involved submitting a warranty claim when first signs of cracking were evident and then ride till new frame showed up. Could be 2 weeks or 2 months.

Separately, I broke 2 SCOR eMTB frames, rear triangles specifically, within 4 months of purchase. There was chatter on the FB owner's groups that "newer" frames were better and issues resolved. However the brand never admitted there was an issue in the first place and plenty of owner had the exact same failure. Well, sure enough a bunch of the "new" frames cracked too for me and others.