Submitted by
petiot
a Weekend Warrior
from Montpellier, France
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2010
Strengths: smooth looking design, smooth ride, comfy but sharp when powering, traction/grip, do-it-all bike, paint, etc etc ...
Weaknesses: cable routing, chain slap ... that is it so far
Bottom Line:
I managed to get one of the last Mojo classic frame. for info, Ibis stops the production of the Mojo classic, but keep the SL (and will add the classic's colors to the SL range), to make room for the HD140 (all this confirmed by Scot Nicols himself).
So I struggled a bit to get the size/color i wanted but here i am and honestly, it was all worth it: the frame design is really awesome. Once you have it in hands it feels much stronger than on photos. It is all curve and smooth shapes, and i could not help thinking "form is function" when looking at this bike.
The ride is as other have said: very smooth, but sharp when pedaling. bumps are swallowed to such an extent than technical climbs and tricky sections don't slow down the bike so it just scroll through this kind of stuff. One thing that amazed me compared to the Orbea monopivot system is how much grip you get on technical climbs ... simply amazing (pretty much like the BMC VPP system).
I am 1.80 meters tall and size L fits perfectly. I hesitated between a 150 or 140 mm fork, and went for the 150. It seems to be a perfect match for this bike as the front ends does not wander on climbs, and when pointing downhill, 150 travel front is all what you need. I am running 150psi in the RP23 BV shock (for 75kg all geared up) but i managed to blow through the whole travel without doing much. That said, it is clear than on the same tracks this bike allows me to go much much faster than my previous one.
One word on the paint; It is strong, definitely (just got a direct hit today and i can barely see the impact), and the nuclear green pesto color is just awesome. Kind of shine happiness in the gray weather! with an average set up the bike is just a tad over 11.6 kg so, with a bit of cash you can easily go under 11kg, which for a 140 travel bike is kind of sweet!
PS: you can see it here: petiot.dnsalias.com/photo_Ibis
I will update this review in a couple of month once i have discovered the downsides .... if any ;)
For me, this bike sets the standard for all hardtails. I have alot of experience on racing hardtails and this is the benchmark for all others hardtails to follow. I`ve owned this bike for 9 years and it`s still in very good condition; I`ve replaced numerous parts due to wear but it`s still sharp as new- this bike I will allways hold onto. To bad the new Ibis (2006) isn`t making any hardtails- atleast as of yet. Maybe they`ll make a carbon hardtail?
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from houston, TX
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2006
Strengths: The original steel "hand-job" frame-1994 model
Weaknesses: too cool
Bottom Line:
This bike sat and collected dust while I went thru my middle age full-suspension crisis. After the dbl. boinger went down for repairs (again) I decided to cruise the ol Mojo. Back in love again. The bike can do it all, even with only One F'n Speed! OFS means you are always in the right gear, plus no suspensiondrivetrain rattle. Pure riding pleasure!!
Strengths: Simply a great handling bike. Excellent workmanship
Weaknesses: Not made anymore
Bottom Line:
The best handling production bike I've ridden since I began mtb'ing 20 years ago. I have two Gunnars that steer as well but their 853 frames don't feel as compiant as the Moron Prestige of the Mojo. My 15" frame fits me perfectly at 5-6" and 140lbs.
Bike Setup: Currently set up as SS running 32:18 with a half-link in the chain.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jake
a Weekend Warrior
from Macon, GA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2003
Weaknesses: none yet i have not had a chance to get it dirty.
Bottom Line:
A friend talked me into getting this bike. I had a old rockhopper, but it served me well and got me to love riding. So bulit this new bike the way i wanted. It looks great,alot lighter than the old one. I wil be out riding it this week and i hope that it lives up to all the hype on it. I will posting another one after my first few rides maybe even a pic. have to give it good rating for now.
Strengths: The aura of riding an Ibis (Mojo). Pretty straight forward as far as this bike; it's a hardtail for cryin' out loud.
Weaknesses: Ibis is out of business, so replacement parts (downtube sticker) are hard to come by.
Bottom Line:
I've had this bike since 1999. Bottom line, I love it! The bike is a little "squirrely" at the bottom bracket, but I'm 180 pounds, so that may explain it. No substantiated complaints! It being a hardtail, there really isn't much that can go wrong. After three years, no cracks or other manufacturing defects or problems. The only complaint is that Ibis is out of business.
Similar Products Used: Diamondback, Trek, Bianchi....
Bike Setup: XTR and SRAM....
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
chris s
a Cross Country Rider
from san diego ca
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2001
Strengths: handling stiffness paint colors and quality one of the sweetest frames out there
Weaknesses: customer support and service cracked frame at seatpost lug weld woman in cust serv didnt even know what a seat lug was said the were going to cut out bad area and reweld just rewelded over cracked weld instead after second ride recracked in exact same location took way way too long to fix poorly the first time noone even asked if anyone got hurt from their defective frame
Bottom Line:
great handling frame one of the best ive ever ridden worth the ibis co. problems that go along with it not sure now that the co. has just been sold will see if things improve or get worse.
Similar Products Used: bianchi merlin khs raleigh specialized ritchey trek
Bike Setup: full xtr, 517, sid, monkeylite, easton mag stem,ct2 post, wtb saddle,yeti grips ritchey speedmax tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sparklenuts
a Cross Country Rider
from Fenton, MI
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2001
Strengths: I didn't know a frame could be this good!!!
Weaknesses: No local dealers.
Bottom Line:
I have tried this frame for a couple of weeks and it is Shaweet!!! I love how comfortable but responsive it is. I feel like I am riding a classic because it is so supple. It climbs great and screams through tight singletrack. If there is better i would like to try. I think that any frame from these small builders (Ibis to me is still small) will be great. Chris DeKerf is making great stuff and I have heard great things about Carl Strong frames. If you keep your eyes open you can build up a great bike for less than 1500.00 and have something that you won't see every day.
Similar Products Used: Other bikes, mostly Specialized aluminum hardtails
Bike Setup: Crossmax, Judy SL, XTR brakes/levers, 9.0SL drive train, RaceFace crank, Bontrager revolts, and some other stuff.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Robinette
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001
Strengths: The ride, the welds, the colors, the details.
Weaknesses: It's almost too pretty.
Bottom Line:
This frame is the SH*T! You will not find a more comfortable yet responsive bike on the planet! Stay away from the yuppie Ti and save yourself some bucks. I challenge anyone to find a better looking, better built bike.
Handling is just short of amazing. Making turns is not so much initiated by turning the handlebars but by leaning into the turn. It feels awkward at first, but the sensation is similar to skiing on mid-fats and allowing the skis to roll the arc underneath you. A very stable ride, point and go attitude. No nonsense riding. Beautiful paint job - cant beat the powder coat. Totally impervious to weather.
Bike Setup: 7 Speed XT/C-2 headset/Marzocchi Z-2 Atom 80
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
yankeeheel
a Cross Country Rider
from Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2001
Strengths: It's the shiznit
Weaknesses: It may rust one day.
Bottom Line:
I wanted to wait until the initial sugar high that a new bike brings wore off before I could review this frame objectively. After 7 months of pounding singletrack from one end of NC to the other, I can say this bike is incredible.
The geometry, feedback, handling, and beauty of it far surpasses large scale production frames. It chews up singletrack. The ride is unreal. It is an incredible climber, an able descender, and an all around monster of a trail bike.
The folks at Ibis are second to none in the customer service department. I'm glad I got it when it was less than eight bills. Even now at $895 it's a deal. Why buy a mass produced cookie cutter bike when you can make your own original?
Similar Products Used: Other hardtails with less than 1/10 the character of this bike
Bike Setup: It's nice. You'd be jealous
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Stan
a Weekend Warrior
from Niles, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2000
Strengths: Build Quality Ride Handeling
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Best frame I have ever seen. Very light but strong (I am over 200 Lbs) and have no issues with flex etc. Bike itself is beautiful (Ibis has the best colors in the business).
Aside from what I have already mentioned, the frame is amazing. The handling is precise and the ride quality is magical. If you have any doubts forget them. You will not be disappointed by this frame. Go out and buy one today!
By the way, the folks are Ibis are great people. They were very helpful during the buying process. In fact, one of the major reasons I went with Ibis was the fact that the customer service was sooo good (I had also looked at the IF - nice frame, but the people I talked to over there were not especially helpful - promised me catalogs etc and I never received them).
One last thing, I see a lot of people buying cookie cutter bikes from Specialized, Treck and Cannondale etc. They make ok stuff but honestly, you can build up a great Ibis for around 2000.....pretty much in line with a lot of the mid/high end of the major brands. Don't do yourself this disservice.
Similar Products Used: Steel WTB, OX tubed Trek, Yeti ARC, Several Klein Hardtails,
Bike Setup: White 70XC Time ATAC Pedals Flite Saddle King Hubs Mavic 618 Rear rim and 517 front Mostly XTR drivetrain Ibis bar, bar ends Race face stem Thompson seatpost Hutch Pythons
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mitch Fonda
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen, Colorado
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2000
Strengths: Powder coat, handling, climbing capability, acceleration, quality for a great price, single track sweetness !
Weaknesses: A piece of art you almost don't want to get dirty or scratch.
Bottom Line:
Try to remove my ear-to-ear grin!!! Buy it, ride it and be one with the earth.
Submitted by
John H
a Cross Country Rider
from Lowell, Michigan, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2000
Strengths: Steel!, Quality, Ride...ohh the ride
Weaknesses: Miss those beautiful fade paint jobs - only powder coat now.
Bottom Line:
Note- the price is now $775!, Ibis sells direct now. Excellent company to work with, great customer service. The bike is a singletrack dream - it seems to read my mind. Climbs like a machine. Comfortable (for a hardtail). Handles our michigan sand better than other rides. Best of all, Ibis sponsors the Michigan Mountain Biking Association - To help us with our great michigan trails!
Looking for some advice/suggestions...
[Note: my drivetrain is shimano XT 9 spd crank w/ SRAM X9 shifting, running a 24/34 and 11/34 cassette]
I built my HD up last fall. Ro Read More »
Does anyone know how to calculate, or know the HA on an HD140 with a fox 36 lowered to 150mm?
The info I can find so far from Ibis:
HD140 w/160mm fork 67 deg
HD140 w/150mm f Read More »
So I am riding an SL right now and it is pretty choice. I also have a Rip9 but to be honest its heavy and rides like a monster truck. Need to sell it, I think. Niners may be goo Read More »
Has anyone played with either Fox shims or homemade ones (like DG's from Turner's forum)? I found myself using up a lot of the low/middle part of the travel on my SLR, so I though Read More »
