Raaw Mountain Bikes came out with their first race-ready alloy enduro frame in 2017, named the Madonna after one of the best trails in Finale Ligure: Madonna Della Guardia. The frame was designed around the rowdy rock party that Finale is known for throwing, while considering affordability and longevity across the board.
After a few years, the design team at Raaw has refined the original model, and the 160/170mm (or 180mm fork) V2 Madonna 29er looks ready to get loose. The bike now comes in size small, where the original frames only ran medium through XL. The first iteration of the Madonna had a V-shaped top tube, allowing owners to stash gear inside the rear segment. The new model does away with the split top tube and stash hole, dropping 150 grams in the process, and adds a set of bolt holes to mount gear instead. All four frame sizes offer space for a water bottle, though riders on small and medium frames will need to use shorter bottles.
The Madonna V2 is available with two different rocker options to push through its 160mm of rear travel. Raaw says “The Rocker 60 uses 60mm of stroke on the shock to generate 160mm of travel at the rear wheel. The Rocker 65 uses 65mm of stroke to produce the 160mm of travel. This results in a higher leverage ratio for the Rocker 60 that is best suited for riders up to 90kg and a lower leverage ratio for the Rocker 65 that is best for riders over 90kg.”
Raaw has redesigned the bike with the toughest modern enduro courses in mind and it shows in every detail. The bike comes stock with a 203mm rotor adapter, a 170 or 180mm fork (170 only on size small), 29×2.6″ tire clearance, 73mm external BB, external cabling (apart from the dropper), and massive sealed bearings in all pivots. The main pivot bearing is so large that it’s tightened into place with an external BB tool. Now that’s built to last. The bike is happy running coil or air shocks, and the cartridge bearing actuated shock mounts are easily accessible for folks who want to switch out their damper regularly.
The size large Madonna V2 has a proper long 480mm reach, 445mm chainstays, and a 64.5° headtube angle that all stretches across a 1269mm wheelbase. The bike’s deep 35mm bottom bracket drop should make for a proper “sitting in the bike” sensation, while the 78.2° (actual) seat tube angle will help riders pedal the whole party to the top of the hill.
Framesets sell for €2,290 without a shock, €2,590 with a Fox DPX2, and all the way up to €6,840 with a Fox DHX2 shock and XTR build kit. Get the full scoop on the Madonna V2 with designer Ruben Torenbeek in the video below.
The Madonna V2 is available in raw alloy or black. Raaw is taking orders for the new bikes now, with frames shipping in late February.
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