First Look: All-New 2015 Ibis Mojo HD3

View as: Slideshow | One Page
<b>The Ibis Mojo HD is back for 2015, and it's their most refined bike to date.</b>
<b>The original Mojo HD blurred the lines between efficiency, lightweight, and long travel suspension. This new bike does the same but even better.</b>
<b>Longer, lower, and slacker - just the way we like it.</b>
<b>Suspension advances from dw-link Version 2 to Version 5.</b>
<b>It's part Ripley, part Tranny, and part original Mojo HD.</b>
<b>Anne-Caroline Chausson raced a prototype to multiple stage and event wins after receiving the bike at the La Thuile Enduro World Series race.</b>
<b>With the rapidly evolving nature of the sport, it was high time for Ibis to update their big rig.</b>
<b>Anne-Caro's results showed just how quickly it's possible to get up to speed on the new bike.</b>
<b>Watch for Anne-Caro to make more podium appearances aboard an Ibis bike in 2015. She's already beginning to train for next season.</b>
<b>Because it's now optimized for 1X drivetrains, Ibis made the direct front derailleur mount and ISCG tabs removable to keep things super clean.</b>
<b>The goal was to create a bike that climbs better than a lot of 4-inch bikes, but feels like a 7-inch bike when pointed downhill.</b>
<b>It's ideally suited to a 28 to 34 tooth chainring up front paired with a large range cassette out back like the new Shimano XTR.</b>
<b>Smaller links and repositioned dual row angular contact bearings improve lateral stiffness of the rear end.</b>
<b>With the help of the clevis, the new linkage on the HD3 is lighter than ever.</b>
<b>Save the rear brake, housing is an entirely internal affair. You can run full or interrupted cable housing, and a stealth or standard style dropper post.</b>
<b>As with their other recent bikes, the carbon layup is done in one piece with no joints, no foam, and no filler. This creates a lighter and stronger frame.</b>
<b>The Mojo HD is available with super wide Ibis 741 carbon wheels that really add to the ride experience. They've been updated with an ultra fast 54-point DT Swiss ratchet.</b>
<b>We're also pleased to see a short stem and wide bars in place.</b>
<b>A post mount rear brake, 12x142mm rear axle, and threaded bottom bracket complete the package.</b>
<b>The new Mojo HD is the most capable do-everything long-travel mountain bike Ibis has ever made.</b>
<b>Bikes will be available this December. Visit <u>www.ibiscycles.com</u> or your local dealer for more details.</b>
Intro Graphic
firstlookSlideShow
Description
The Ibis Mojo HD is back for 2015, and it's their most refined bike to date. Now in its third generation, the Mojo HD is designed to be the fabled do-it-all mountain bike. It's longer, slacker, lower, and even sports the newest version of dw-link suspension.







Mojo HD3 Highlights



- Full carbon frame

- 650b (27.5-inch) wheels

- 150mm (6-inches) of rear wheel travel

- Updated dw-link suspension

- 7.875x2.25-inch shock size

- Internal cable routing including dropper routing, external brake routing

- ISCG 05 compatible with removable adapter

- Removable direct front derailleur mount for a clean 1X look

- Threaded bottom bracket

- Water bottle mount inside front triangle

- Optional polycarbonate downtube guard

- Dual row angular contact bearings on driveside lower link, large radial bearings on non-driveside

- 12x142mm Maxle rear axle

- 160mm post disc brake mount with room for up to 200mm rotor

- Tapered head tube

- 2.4-inches rear tire clearance

- 5.9-pounds for size Large frame and shock with matte finish

- Available in blue, green, and black



Geometry








Initial Impressions




We spent one day, roughly 20 miles, and 3,900 feet of climbing and descending aboard the new rig. Our 'Werx Spec' test bike was equipped with a 160mm FOX 36 RC2 fork, Cane Creek DBinline shock, Ibis 741 carbon wheels, and Shimano XTR 1X drivetrain. Shock sag was set to 25% with the stock settings and a quick adjustment to low-speed rebound. It rained the day before so traction was pretty awesome to begin with, save a few slippery corners. There aren't many rocks where we rode, but lots of roots, off camber bits, and flat out speed kept the Santa Cruz, California trails interesting.



Ibis lowered seat tube heights across the board allowing you to pick the frame length that suits your style best. At 5'10" we hopped on a size Large frame and were pleased to find a spacious cockpit and healthy amount of reach, immediately providing a more stable ride than the various Mojo HDs of the past.



The 66.6-degree head angle is somewhat conservative compared to some of the competition, but this creates a more all-around trail bike feel that handles quickly at lower speeds and jumps incredibly well. The 13.5-inch bottom bracket height and snug 16.9-inch chainstays help it corner very nicely while adding to the fun nature of the ride.



Suspension wise, the FOX 36 RC2 fork, DBinline shock, and dw-link combine to create a well balanced bike with excellent small bump performance, controlled through stroke, and a deep travel feel when the going gets rough. Whether you're casually putting along or really getting after it, the suspension works well, helping to create a very confidence inspiring ride.



Given the chance to ride it again, we'd prefer a little less high-speed compression out back to take the slight sting off continuously rough sections and square edges, but this would need to be accompanied by the addition of another volume spacer in the shock. At a relatively firm 25% sag we felt as though we were reaching the bottom quite easily, though never harshly. The leverage rate gives a linear feel with a gentle ramp at the end.







Hard sprinting efforts were matched with a good boost of speed, and we were impressed by the bike's ability to quickly accelerate when coming out of deep corners. We'd have to ride it in some rockier terrain to really comment on technical climbing abilities, but on smooth singletrack and fireroads it moved along with the best in class. The 73-degree seat angle puts you in a pretty good position for seated climbing, and the front end is easy to pop up over obstacles.



Measuring at a massive 35mm internally, the Ibis 741 wheels are the widest we've tried. We were encouraged to drop pressures to 20psi up front and 22 out back, but if conditions were faster/harder packed we'd prefer to stay in the 24-26 range to prevent any squirming. It was pretty wild climbing up the mountain and seeing all the tires looking so low. The combined effect of lower pressure and a wider rim made the bike feel calmer and quieter through the rough, though riders who like to know precisely where their wheels are may find the deadened sensation too extreme at low pressures.



Tire choice gets interesting since the wheels square off all but the widest of tires. The pair of 2.3 Minion DHF tires seemed to lose their bite when really leaning it over on flat or slightly banked turns, but traction was improved in all other scenarios. We would love to do some back to back testing with these and a narrower alternative in the future.



There's no denying that the bike looks good, aided by the color coordinated accents, grips, fork decals, and wheels. It's clean, quiet, and all of the small details seem to have been considered.



In our opinion this is the best package Ibis has ever put together for the rider who likes to blast their way down trails. The overriding characteristic is a quiet, comfortable feel that enables you to let go of the brakes just a little bit longer and charge a little harder.



Build Kits, Pricing and Availability




The Mojo HD3 is available as a frame only or a complete bike. 'Werx Spec' models come with Ibis 741 carbon wheels, a 160mm FOX 36 Factory Series RC2 Fit fork, and a Cane Creek DBinline shock. Standard packages include Stans ZTR Flow wheels, a 150mm RockShox Pike RCT3 fork, and a FOX Float CTD Adjust Factory Series shock. The budget 'Special Blend' build has the same carbon frame, Stans ZTR Rapid wheels, and X-Fusion suspension.











Bikes will be shipping worldwide in early December and are available to demo through Ibis now. Visit www.ibiscycles.com for more details.



Photos by Brandon Turman and Sven Martin
12 comments

View replies to: First Look: All-New 2015 Ibis Mojo HD3

Comments

In reply to by jgusta

In reply to by bturman

In reply to by electricbilly333

In reply to by Big Bird

In reply to by Big Bird

In reply to by mp

The Latest