Nothing has changed, but everything’s new. That’s how you could describe the HD6. The latest iteration of Ibis’ evergreen rolls into the new season with a sleek new look (and even a straight top tube!) but still relies on their proven DW-Link rear suspension. How does the blend of tradition and modernity translate onto the trail?
15.2 kg in size 3 | € 8,898 | Manufacturer’s website
Ibis were one of the very first manufacturers to build MTBs. The Californian brand has always stood out from the competition with its organic frame shapes and curved lines – until now! With the HD6, Ibis are breaking with their traditional design language and shifting to a cleaner, rectilinear style. However, Ibis’ engineers stuck to their trusted DW-Link suspension design, named after suspension guru Dave Weagle, which connects a solid swingarm to the frame via two rocker links. The Ibis HD6 is only available as a mullet bike, combining a big 29″ front wheel and a smaller 27.5″ wheel at the rear. At € 8,898, the price is just under € 1,000 higher than the average in this test. However, all HD6 spec variants rely on the same top-tier suspension, meaning that there are some significantly cheaper models that still deliver a tremendous performance on the trail. Tipping the scales at 15.2 kg, our test bike in size L weighs more than half a kilo less than average. And that’s despite generating 180/165 mm of travel (f/r), which makes it the longest-travel bike in this test. But is the Ibis just a rowdy bruiser, or can it also impress with good all-round qualities?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test
The 2024 Ibis HD6 GX AXS in detail
The cables of the Ibis HD6 are routed internally and disappear into the frame through conventional cable ports on the head tube. The ports are securely clamped, ensuring a quiet ride on the trail together with the extensive chainstay protector. A chunky TPU plate shields the down tube and bottom bracket area against stray rocks, with a shuttle guard further up for tailgate rides. A small plastic fender between the main frame and swingarm prevents small rocks from getting jammed in the gap. Ibis forgo a storage compartment in the down tube, but provide the frame with a tool mount on the underside of the top tube, which allows you to secure all your trail essentials directly to the frame.
The Ibis HD6 sports a brand-new design language with clean, straight lines, and it looks extremely fast even when stationary.
The bottle cage mounts are tucked away inside a recess in the down tube, meaning that the frame wraps nicely around the bottle, ensuring a very elegant look. A special feature of the rear suspension is that the lower links rely on simple bushings rather than bearings – something rarely seen on modern full-suspension bikes. According to the manufacturer, these are lighter, stiffer and completely maintenance-free. To back up their claim, Ibis offer a lifetime warranty on their bushings.
The bottle cage is embedded in a recess in the down tube – a very neat solution!
A shuttle-guard on the down tube is a must if you like to throw your bike over the back of a pickup truck from time to time.
The spec of the 2024 Ibis HD6 GX AXS
The suspension of the Ibis HD6 GX AXS consists of a FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 fork and matching FOX FLOAT X2 Factory air shock, although the rear suspension also supports the use of a coil shock. At 185 mm, the BikeYoke Revive dropper post is a little too short for our liking, but it can be fully inserted into the frame. SRAM CODE RSC brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear provide reliable, powerful deceleration. Although these aren’t the latest CODE Ultimate Stealth variant, they deliver the same excellent performance, with the only difference being that the older model routes the cables further away from the bars.
The small fender prevents debris from accumulating between the main frame and swingarm.
The DW-Link rear suspension gets its name from suspension guru specialist Dave Weagle, and has long been Ibis’s suspension layout of choice.
The lower link relies on simple bushings rather than bearings. According to Ibis, these are lighter, stiffer and virtually maintenance-free.
Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur and delivers butter-smooth gear shifts, even under load. On our test bike, Ibis upgraded the stock wheelset, combining their super-wide S35 carbon rims with a set of classy Industry Nine hubs. The production bike comes standard with Ibis’ in-house Blackbird Send alloy wheelset. Whichever wheelset you order, the HD6 comes equipped with MAXXIS tires, with an ASSEGAI in the EXO+ casing at the front, and a Minion DHR II in the robust Doubledown casing at the rear, both in the soft MaxxGrip rubber compound.
Ibis HD6 GX AXS
€ 8,898
Specifications
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 180 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 165 mm
Seatpost BikeYoke Revive 185 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle Transmission 1x12
Stem Industry Nine A31 50 mm
Handlebar Ibis Hi Fi Bar Carbon 800 mm
Wheelset Ibis S35 Carbon, Industry 9 Hydra 29"/27.5"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, EXO+, MaxxGrip/MAXXIS Minion DHR II, Doubledown, MaxxGrip 2.5/2.4
Technical Data
Size 1 2 3 4 5
Weight 15.2 kg
Specific Features
Toolmount
Tuning tips: none
The geometry of the 2024 Ibis HD6 GX AXS
The Ibis HD6 is available in five sizes, which the manufacturer has pragmatically called 1 to 5. Our test bike in size 3 combines a very average 480 mm reach with a 406 mm seat tube, which is the shortest in this test field. Unfortunately, the short dropper post doesn’t allow you to take full advantage of the short seat tube. Even though the HD6 has the most travel in our test, its geometry hardly deviates from the average values – only the chainstays are a little shorter than average at 435 mm. These measure the same across all frame sizes, which might affect the bike’s weight distribution, especially in the extreme sizes.
| Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 430 mm | 454 mm | 480 mm | 508 mm | 541 mm |
| Stack | 621 mm | 625 mm | 630 mm | 638 mm | 651 mm |
| Chainstay Length | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm |
| BB Height | 345 mm | 345 mm | 345 mm | 345 mm | 345 mm |
| Seat Tube | 400 mm | 400 mm | 406 mm | 450 mm | 470 mm |
| Head Angle | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° |
| Seat Angle | 76° | 76° | 76.5° | 77° | 77.5° |
| Horizontal Top Tube | 585 mm | 610 mm | 630 mm | 655 mm | 685 mm |
| Head Tube | 81 mm | 86 mm | 91 mm | 100 mm | 115 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1202 mm | 1228 mm | 1256 mm | 1288 mm | 1328 mm |
The 2024 Ibis HD6 GX AXS on the trail
When setting off towards the trailhead, you’ll be surprised by how efficiently it pedals for such a potent bike. The DW-Link suspension remains very calm, making it easy to negotiate long, tortuous climbs, even without having to reach for the climb switch. Combined with the relaxed pedalling position, this makes the HD6 one of the best climbers in the entire test field – only the SCOTT Ransom can keep up with its TracLoc system.
Going downhill, the high front end and low rear end combine to inspire confidence from the very first corners. The riding position feels compact, integrating you nicely between the wheels, with the weight evenly distributed between the front and rear. Combined with the super-intuitive handling, this really makes you feel at ease, encouraging you to crank it up to eleven, right from the top, whether you’re a newbie or a skilled rider. On flowing trails, the HD6 is extremely easy to handle, begging you to flick its rear end from one berm into the next. However, this doesn’t mean that the Ibis struggles once things get a little rougher – quite the contrary, in fact. The faster and rougher the going gets, the more comfortable it feels. Despite its agile handling, the Ibis is insanely composed, delivering the smoothest riding experience in the entire test field. Lap after lap, you’ll find yourself scanning the trail for the roughest possible line to satisfy the insatiable appetite for nasty rock gardens and big compressions the Ibis triggers in you. And the best thing about it? The suspension sucks it all up without batting an eyelid, impresing above all with mind-boggling small bump sensitivity and excellent traction, providing grip in all situations, even on the sandy rocks of our test track in San Romolo. At the same time, the rear suspension offers seemingly endless reserves, and enough support to generate speed by pumping through rollers and berms. All this makes the Ibis a real force to be reckoned with on the trail; a bike that has the answer to everything.
The Ibis HD6 is an unstoppable trail muncher downhill!
Who should take a closer look at the 2024 Ibis HD6 GX AXS?
The Ibis might look like it’s just a rowdy bruiser on paper, but it turns out to be much more than just that. It’s an excellent companion for all skill levels, from beginner to pro, and suitable for a wide range of trails – massive grin included!
Our conclusions about the 2024 Ibis HD6 GX AXS
With the Ibis HD6 GX AXS, the Californian manufacturer delivers a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. Although it’s not cheap, and lacks an internal storage compartment, the Ibis HD6 leaves the entire test field behind in a cloud of dust, proving to be a savage yet composed ripping machine. On top of that, it’s refreshingly nimble for such a capable bike – together with the incredible suspension, it feels unstoppable. As a plus, it’s also one of the best bikes on the climbs – a well deserved Best in Test!
Tops
- Outstanding all-round qualities
- Incredible balance between composure and agility
- Next-level suspension performance
Flops
- No storage compartment
For more info, visit the official Ibis website.
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test
All bikes in test: Bold Unplugged Ultimate (Click for review) | Canyon Strive CFR LTD (Click for review) | GIANT Reign Advanced 1 V2 (Click for review) | Ibis HD6 GX AXS (Click for review) | Norco Sight C1 (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Propain Tyee 6 CF MIX (Click for review) | RAAW Madonna V3 (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom 900 RC (Click for review) | Trek Slash 9.8 XT (Click for review) | Yeti SB160 T3 (Click for review) | YT CAPRA CORE 4 (Click for review)
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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker
