Since its introduction several years ago, the Ibis Mojo has inspired with its unique, elegant and stylish design. Over the years the geometry has become somewhat dated and so the Americans have completely reworked the bike and now present an entirely new machine with a familiar look — the Ibis Mojo HD3. We took a closer look at the third generation of the classic bike and took it for a first ride. Our first impressions and details about the bike can be found here.

Auf den ersten Blick zu erkennen: Das Ibis Mojo
The new Ibis Mojo HD3 has 27.5″ wheels, 150-mm rear-wheel travel and weighs 12.55kg in the spec you can see here.

The Ibis team riders, especially Anne Caroline Chausson, have been riding the Enduro World Series races since July. At the last race of the season in Finale Ligure, Italy, we did a Bike Check and took a first look at the new machine. Final details remained a secret until today.

The bike

The best thing first: The new Mojo HD3 still looks like an Ibis. Even in the third generation the classy design, elegant lines and the DW-link rear suspension system still enthuse. However, the bike was completely re-developed and now has modern geometry as well as all current standards. This includes internal cable routing, Stealth seat post compatibility and a neat direct front derailleur mount, which can be removed if not required.

Herzstück des Rades ist das DW-Link genannte Hinterbausystem.
Heart of the bike: the DW-link suspension system

The suspension

The new Ibis Mojo HD3 has 150mm travel at the rear, which utilises the DW-link system developed by Dave Weagle. The main pivot is concentric and rotates directly at the rear wheel axle, ensuring minimal drivetrain influence on the suspension and preventing it from stiffening during braking. At the same time, thanks to the clever kinematics, the system offers a plush response to small impacts, good trail feedback and minimises bottom-outs.

Our test bike was fitted with the new Cane Creek Double Barrel Air Inline-shock as well as a Fox 36 Float fork with 160mm travel. Production bikes can also be fitted with a 150mm RockShox Pike fork and a Fox Float CTD-rear shock.

Der Cane Creek DB Inline-Dämpfer ermöglicht es den Hinterbau exakt an die persönlichen Bedürfnisse abzustimmen.
The Cane Creek DB Inline shock allows the rear suspension to be exactly set-up to personal preferences.
Auch die Fox 36 lässt sich dank High- und Lowspeed-Druckstufe, Zugstufe und Spacer in der Luftkammer komplett an die Bedürfnisse des Fahrers anpassen.
The Fox 36 can also be tuned to the pilots needs thanks to adjustable high- and low-speed-compression, rebound and air chamber volume (via spacers).

The Geometry

Longer and slacker — the new Ibis Mojo HD3 follows a development that can be observed on almost every bike. However, the Ibis isn’t nearly as extreme as some of its competitors. Ibis gave each frame size 2cm extra top tube length, a slacker head-tube angle and shorter chainstays. With a reach of 431mm in 18.5″ the bike can still be described as on the short side. The head angle of 66.6° (160 mm fork) is on the steep side.

An overview of the geometry: (with 160 mm fork)

Size 14,5″ 16,5″ 18,5″ 20,5″
Chainstays 430mm 430mm 430mm 430mm
Head tube angle 66,6° 66,6° 66,6° 66,6°
Seat tube angle 73,6° 73,6° 73,6° 73,6°
Bottom bracket height 344mm 344mm 344mm 344mm
Seat tube length 368mm 419mm 470mm 521mm
Reach 411mm 414mm 431mm 446mm
Stack 580mm 599mm 610mm 624mm
Wheelbase 1135mm 1146mm 1168mm 1189mm

The spec

The Ibis Mojo HD3 will be available in eight different specs. These build from four different basic models (Shimano XT, SRAM X01, SRAM XX1 and Shimano XTR), which additionally will be available in a werx version with better suspension and wheels (Fox 36, DB-line and IBIS 741 wheels). Prices vary depending on model choice between $6,000 (XT level) and $9,200 (Shimano XTR werx). All the base models use ZTR Flow rims and Shimano brakes.

Here you can see an overview of the prices:

Screenshot 2014-11-17 07.06.29

The parts on our test bike were not finalised but more or less correspond to the SRAM X01 spec option.

Die Befestigungspunkte für den Umwerfer sitzen unterhalb der oberen Wippe und sind in der Seitenansicht nicht zu erkennen
The mounting point for the front mech sits beneath the upper linkage and cannot be seen from the side
Ibis setzt auf Race Face Turbine Kurbeln in Kombination mit einem SRAM X01 Antrieb
Ibis fits Race Face Turbine cranks combined with a SRAM X01 drivetrain
Bei den Bremsen setzt Ibis bei sämtlichen Ausstattungsvarianten auf Modelle aus dem Hause Shimano
The brakes for all spec variants will be Shimano units.
Breit, leicht und stabil, ZTR Flow Felgen zählen zu den beliebtesten auf dem Markt.
ZTR Flow rims are some of the most popular available for good reasons: they’re light, wide and strong.

Our first ride impressions

We haven’t had a chance to give the bike a thorough test, but can’t wait to give you our first impressions. With my 180cm size I choose the 18.5″ model. The rider position is central and compact but in no way squashed. On the flat and on climbs the bike excels with its neutral rear suspension. Bob is almost impossible to provoke even with the Climb-Switch of the DB-Inline shock turned off, so we hardly used this feature. Even on steep ascents the front wheel stays planted on the ground, although we had the saddle adjusted quite far forward.

Das neue Ibis Mojo musste sich nicht nur auf den anspruchsvollen Trails in Latsch (Südtirol) sondern auch auf Christophs Hometrails in Garmisch Partenkirchen beweisen.
The new Ibis Mojo had to prove itself both on the demanding trails in Latsch (South Tyrol) as well as on Christoph’s home trails in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

On the descents, the suspension absorbs every impact cleanly. Whilst the fork still holds some travel back, the rear end gives full travel freely without diving or bottoming out. Thanks to the 66.6° head angle and the short chainstays the bike is a real corner killer and can be playfully and precisely navigated. However, the steep head-angle and short wheelbase make the Ibis Mojo HD3 feel somewhat nervous on faster and rougher trail sections.

Conclusion

The new Ibis Mojo HD3 isn’t just a real looker, it is also a heap of fun on the trail. If you want an agile bike with great climbing in a classy design, the newest offspring from this California company is sure to make you happy. Racers, however, will still wish for an even slacker and longer geometry.

More info at: www.ibiscycles.com

Words & Pictures: Christoph Bayer


Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.