Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryville, TN USA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2004
Strengths: Componentry Looks Price Ride
Weaknesses: No bike store support/pre-purchase ride
Bottom Line:
What a joke - the above companies sell the same bike for $1100 - $1200; Ibex, with same or often better components was $800. For the price I would have paid for any other brand I could have gotten an Ibex Pro with all Shimano XT stuff. And the 880 is better looking than the Pro. As other reviewers have said, I also didn't pay tax - which makes me damn happy. Saved $90 right there. I think Ibex is a nightmare for the rest of these companies.
Strengths: This is a follow up review after riding this bike for about 6 months. I have been extremely pleased with my Ibex. I ride in hilly, rocky terrain and the bike has held up well. I am extremely pleased with the Shimano components that come stock - XTR rear derailleur on an $800 bike?! The Avid brakes have worked extremely well, and the WTB saddle is very comfortable. Everybody has been impressed that all the components are brand name - Shimano, Avid, Ritchey, WTB Even with heavier tires weighed less than advertised on website.
Weaknesses: Very few - the tires (Kenda Kharisma) were not the best pick for the type of terrain I ride, but so what - they have been replaced with something more appropriate, and would be fine for less rocky trails. The Manitou Skareb has performed well - my only complaint is that the reverse arch brace doesn't allow the use of bigger tires - I tried some Geaux 2.25" tires, but they contacted the brace. Tioga 2.1 fit fine.
Bottom Line:
Reliability, quality and performance equal or exceeding above name brands - value is outstanding Excellent customer service
Similar Products Used: Specialized, Trek, Gary Fisher, Bianchi
Bike Setup: Stock except for Ritchey WCS bar ends and Tioga tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matthew
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbia, SC, USA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2003
Strengths: Great components, sleak look, great value
Weaknesses: None to mention
Bottom Line:
To begin, the guys at IBEX bikes are the most cordial and inviting sellers, of any sort, that you can imagine working with; the owner was copious and expedient in each of the emails to me (even on a Sunday). As for the bike, especially given the price, you are not going to find a better rig out there. That said, independent of the price, this is a truly amazing bike. The frame is sturdy (this is essential for taller riders like myself) and able to endure whatever you take-on as a rider. Constructive criticisms... though there are few, I must concede that the geometry was a bit different than the other bikes I have ridden. Let me reframe this, I said "different" and not necessarily better or worse. In no time though, whatever difference was not noticable. Bottom Line: If you are looking for a great bike at a reasonable price, it would be absurd to go anywhere but IBEX. In fact, given you can loose the ego-entrenched desire to have the word Specialized, etc. on your bike, then you really shouldn't look any further (knowing that those stickers are not worth the hundreds of dollars in between costs). Ride on.
Favorite Trail: Spider Woman, Harbison State Park - SC
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At: IBEX
Similar Products Used: Rockhopper Comp
Bike Setup: Factory set-up
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dirk
a Cross Country Rider
from Helena, MT
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2003
Strengths: Fantastic bike for the money, climbs like a goat. I am really impressed with the way the bike is built. Sure, there are lighter bikes out there, and fancier names to boot; but what I was looking for is a bike with the best components for the buck and I sure got it. I am not especially 'nice' to my MTB since we have rocky trails out here and so far everything has held up nicely. Oh, Ibex does not cut corners if it comes to parts - all name-brand stuff!
Weaknesses: Got a flat because the tape in the rear rim was not seated correctly - the spoke head cut the tire. Was easy to fix, though, and certainly a smal mistake...
Bottom Line:
I can highly recommend Ibex to anyone in the market for a good quality bike. If you are looking for a brand to impress your buddies, stay away. If you are looking for value and want a solid performer AND have a few bucks left for other things, get an Ibex.
Similar Products Used: GT Karakoram, RedBull Louise (German bike) after 8 years on the GT I finally upgraded to a full suspension MTB - and sold that sucker fast. Full-suspension is just too much bob for me!
Bike Setup: Weyless bar ends, that's it.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville, Tennessee
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2003
Strengths: All brand name parts - spec's on website identical to bike received. Similarly spec'ed bikes cost $150-400 more. (plus state/local taxes) Company is extremely helpful by phone and e-mail. Frame quality appears to be excellent - welds are smooth and good-looking, paint is great. Attention to detail appears very good. The bike is significantly better looking in person than on website. Bike is surprisingly lightweight when compared with competitors (exception being Specialized Stumpjumper) You will not pay state and local taxes unless you live in Georgia - this is considerable - shipping is $35, my tax on a Stumpjumper was $82. Wife exclaimed "Holy s**t, that's awesome!" when she got home and saw the bike.
Weaknesses: No test ride before purchase. No lbs support. Manual from Ibex is weak - obviously not written specifically for their bikes, covers many different models, lacks detail, pictures are deficient. My biggest complaint. You will have to assemble the bike yourself - not a big deal if you like that sort of thing. I am picky, and wanted everything "perfect" - it took me about 3 hours (=5 beers)to assemble, adjust brakes, fork, seat, handlebars, pedals, air in tires, 3 test rides, etc. Can't easily customize before buying - my lbs's will change out stems, seats, pedals, etc with no or minimal charge before you buy - no way to know if you need a shorter/longer stem ordering online.
Bottom Line:
So far no question of frame quality - tough, rides great. Componentry, for price, is unbeatable. I called the company and talked to Jack - he is the owner. Try talking to the owner of any other bike company. If you are not willing or capable of building/repairing your bike, buying through a lbs may be a better deal for you. Taking a chance on a new company - if they go out of business in a year and you break the frame, too bad. OVERALL: A worthy risk. I am extremely pleased. Deserves 5 chilis for value and overall rating.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper (I came close to buying this bike, would have spent $150 more than with Ibex, and on sale) Trek 8000 (expensive at $1150, components not quite as nice, and NO discounts) Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo (Expensive, components not as nice, and ugly paint job) Bianchi Denali (great frame, but cheaper components and, again, more expensive - $1100 on sale from $1400)
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tony Vincelli
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, ID, USA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003
Strengths: Great looking, stellar components, definitely the most bang for your buck out there, and five-star Ibex customer service
Weaknesses: So nice the thieves like em, too!
Bottom Line:
I purchased last year's Trophy 850, and after a few grueling rides here in the Boise foothills, the bike's quality and performance were exactly as advertised. Never mind that I spent about $500 less than I would have for anything comparable; it was a great bike on its own merits. I thought it would be the last bike I would ever need. But alas, as winter rolled into spring this year, my trophy was stolen right out from under me. Well not literally, but pretty damn close. Obviously, the (expletive) who stole it must have immediately recognized the bike's quality and value. Luckily, insurance gave me the $$ necessary to replace it. So, I called Ibex and explained my situation. They told me that they no longer made the 850, but that the 880 LX — the 850's successor — was about the same price and that it was also "greatly improved"...understatement of the year. The 880 LX rocks! The picture on the Ibex website doesn't do it justice. This bike is not only absolutely gorgeous but it also screams "quality!!!". From the XTR derailleur to the sweet new Manitou shock, this bike will take whatever you can dish out. And don't worry if something does go wrong (which I seriously doubt), they'll take great care of you...they always do.
Trek? Kona? Specialized? Nice bikes, but not IBEX nice!
Similar Products Used: Nothing is like the Trophy 880 LX
Bike Setup: Easy! Put on the pedals, the seat post, the rear tire and the handlebars. I think it took a whole 10 minutes...They even put a little air in the tires for you!!!
