Submitted by
facelessfools
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley, CA Date Reviewed: June 30, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Happy Canyon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
ibexbikes.com
Strengths:
to many to list... Climbs excellent, suspension, though as nails, customer service, stable and nimble in descents.
Weaknesses:
not a single thing i can say bad about this frame!
Similar Products Used:
i have demoed or riden: santa cruz blur, trek fuel ex8, cannondale rush rize moto and scalpul, giant trance x and x0, and an iron horse warior.
Bike Setup:
i believe there isn't many components that fill change the frames performance but the forks will make or break a bike so here are the ones i have used:
magura menja 130mm (the best forks i have ever ridden and thats compared to several fox's)
rockshox recon 351 OE (a decent set of forks which crapped out)
specialized hardrock forks(cheap coil forks with no adjustment)
With this i have tested from intensely cheep forks to the plushes forks i have ever ridden.
i have ridden on a slew of different parts. things break and they get replaced.
Bottom Line:
climbing: i have ridden a few bikes close to 20 pounds and i can say my ignition at 33 pounds is still kicking them up the climbs. my buddy rides a 24lb blur and i still beat him every time. granted climbing comes down to the rider.. but what does matter is the bikes ability to stick a line in a climb, stay planted, keep traction, and make it to the top! this baby does all that. the front may lift time to time but thats only a result of bad form. on loose terrain it really comes to tires.
descents: the ignition has basted through everything i have hit it with. the suspensionhas worked flawlessly! its hit the local park dropping off park benches and various other urban drops that have shown me that this bike takes a beating and soaks up fair drops. on "downhill" trails, the ones people go to with 8 inches of travel, full faces and pads, this bike has soaked it all up without a problem even with crappy forks.
toughness: this thing has hit the ground so many times and never once has it been damaged in the slightest way. there is barely a flaw in the paint.
customer service: i worked with jack to get a black frame rather then a grey one and he made it happen for me. he gave me a frame that was not even advertised for sale, i think that says something.
overall: this bike has been my all purpose bike. i got it originally to have a bike for just that. now that i know it can handle it all i wouldn't have bought any other frame. i plan to do more XC racing and i know this bike will still be at home in a racing environment. if you want an all porous machine then i suggest you try an ignition.
the chilies!:
Value: for the price this frame cant be beat.
overall: this bike has performed outstanding in ever aspect. other riders i know are jealous of my bike and are considering one for them selfs, one of them has a blur the other a trance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron Hughes
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Haven, MI Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Egypt Valley & VASA single track
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
IBEX
Strengths:
Super strong, great price from IBEX bikes. Jack and the gang at IBEX are right on top of any questions or concerns. Superb customer service means a lot, especially when doing business over the internet! Looks pretty darn cool too!
Weaknesses:
DNM shock would be better suited bolted up to my lawn tractor seat. After about 100 miles, I replaced the DNM with an '04 FOX Float RL w/ProPedal. Holy S*#%, what a difference! Okay, so the Fox was more $ than the entire frame, but well worth it. Paint is a little soft and chips easily.
Similar Products Used:
Trek, Specialized
Bike Setup:
Mainly XT, Noleen cross-link fork, Truvativ seat post, Easton stem & bars, Fox Float RL rear shock.
Bottom Line:
For anyone looking to get into full suspension without spending a pile of money, this frame is a GREAT buy. The DNM gives moderate performance, but that's about it. I ride aggressive single track and experienced a fair amount of pedal-bob. The addition of the Float RL has been amazing! The new pro-pedal technology has all but eliminated the pedal bob, and the lock out is awesome for those long uphill climbs. It performs light years ahead of the DNM. I'm 6-2 and 190lb, and the Large frame size fits good. Jack threw in a seatpost with the frame, but it was not long enough for me (only 300mm). I replaced it with a Truvativ XR (350mm) and it is perfect. All in all, this IBEX frame is probably the best buy for your hard earned buck. If you do more than an occasional stroll through the woods, I would replace the rear shock with some newer technology.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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