The Ibis Tranny is a carbon fiber hardtail that weighs in at 19 lbs with teh WTF group. Pictured here is the XT group with optional Manitou MRD R7 fork. The Tranny has an adjustable length chainstay which allows for a simple conversion to a single speed.
Submitted by
Freegan Bikefascist
a Cross Country Rider
from Brussels, Belgium Date Reviewed: April 25, 2010
Favorite Trail:
the one I rode last weekend
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Duke's, Toronto
Strengths:
- vertical compliance amazing (feels almost like a softtail)
- Lateral stiffness all there
- accellerates out of corners like nothing I've ridden short of a road bike
- Light yet comfy yet stiff
Weaknesses:
- weight not as advertised. Mine is 1500gr (ok still light enough)
- SS dropout is an aftermarket extra (a bit mean for a $1500 frame)
- slotmachine is an overcomplex solution to chaintensioning. sliding dropouts would have been simpler and lighter
Similar Products Used:
Giant XTC carbon (not as stiff)
Cannondale F1000 (not as comfy)
Bike Setup:
Frame; med copper
Fork; '09 SID Team
Wheels; Easton XCone
Seatpost; Kore I-beam carbon
Saddle; SDG I-fly
Stem; Ibis 60mm
H-bars; Easton Monkeylite CNT
Brakes; XTR
Chain; KMC SL
Crankset; Middleburn Uno (ISIS)
BB; CB cobalt Ti
Tyres; Schwalbe nobby nic 2.1 (front) and Maxxis HR 2.1 (rear) with stans rimstrips (tubeless)
Bottom Line:
To start with a negative, I must say that given the option, I'd probably go with sliding dropouts rather than the slot machine, which I find a bit of an overcomplex solution to a simple problem (chain tensioning) especially as I have yet to fly with it. That said, it works so wth. The slotmachine also provides a nice mudshelf behind the BB, although this has been less trouble than I thought it would be over a winter's mud-plugging in Belgium. I copter taped the inside surfaces of the stays just in case, but running 2.1s High rollers, have seen no scouring so far. I'll change these to 2.35s when the current ones wear out.
Frame weight on my medium copper was *not* as advertised, coming in at 1500g incl the frame bolting hardware and seat collar but it's still as light as a decent alu frame and the vertical compliance in it is nothing short of amazing given how laterally stiff it is. Riding in the saddle over flemish cobbles, you'd be forgiven for thinking you're on a softtail. yet when you lay the hammer down it responds immediately.
I have mine singlespeeded with Easton XC one wheels (which are quite stiff) and a RS SID Team fork. It bloody flies, the accelleration, especially out of corners, is quite something and I look forward to riding it at the SSWC this year (first time I'll get to travel with it) not that I'll be "competing" as such, more of a take part and try to get to the end, affair!
The ride is superb, I like the steep(ish) HA and would happily chuck it at welsh trails and centres like the Gap, if I could get over my own paranoia at the impact resistance of carbon matched with the replacement value.
I originally fitted it up with a (nukeproof) carbon rigid fork but quickly realised that the frame is a lot better than that, it kept wanting to go places that my confidence in the fork wouldn't let me go. Much better balanced with the SID up front now. for me 100mm is where it's at handling wise, but I'm not too keen on slacker angled bikes so personal preference and all that.
If you want it for singlespeeding, beware that the frame comes with the normal dropout, the SS specific one is an extra (a bit tight on a frame this pricey I think). Dunno what 2pure's accessories prices are like but while I was dissapointed not to get the SS dropout included with the frame, I was happy that Ibis don't gouge too badly for the part
I'd give it 5 stars if they had been honest about the weight (I expect 1350 is small in nude?) and if the price wasn't quite so staggeringly high but if you can get past the price, this is one beautiful bike
one final wish, I really wish they'd have gone with a direct mount front D. the waisted seattube is a visual compromise to gearing that I would have preferred to be without.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TITUSIBIS
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: December 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
nothing particular
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Frame from flyingbal
Strengths:
Light, good Versatility, very all round, bike canbe travel in regular case when rea end detached
Weaknesses:
Sand and mud get into the joint and hard to clean up without detaching rear end
Similar Products Used:
GT Zaska 08 reissue
Bike Setup:
Crank: truvatuv Stylo 3.3, Wheel: DT 4.1 rim 240s hub
Controltec straigh bar, FSA 100mm Stem. Sram X9 deraileur, Maxxis Larsen TT 2.0 tyre
Bottom Line:
Reason price when compare with other carbon frames. It is amazing that almost no extra energy lose to the rear joint, power will get through the rear join all the way to the wheel. detachable end make the frame a little heavier but still light enough, just below 3Lbs. Apple green make the bike conspicious when riding in a group.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chinesegrump
a Cross Country Rider
from Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: June 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
any... as long as I am riding
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
light, solid, and stiff frame. Slot machine is a cool and solid way used to tension the ss chain set up. You can rally dial it in.
Weaknesses:
none discovered yet.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Hei Hei (circa late 90's) Ti frame built up as a ss with a chain tensioner.
Bike Setup:
Sid team fork, XT crank and brakes, Hope Pro II hubs with Stan's ZTRs, Maxxis Larsen TT rubber, Thompson cockpit, EC 90 risers
Bottom Line:
This frame was built up to single speed and it is fantastic. Nice and stiff and seems to rail the corners with the Sid locked out. There has been NO issues with the slot machine. Go to the IBIS website to see how this works. It is a slick design with really no headaches. A bit nervous about cranking on the slot machine's bolts to 15 foot lbs... recommended torque. It is a fun ride. Looking for a hardtail... this is a great frame. Want a cool ss... this is it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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