For gods sake, don't post ANY IBEX cons, not if you like this forum.
Negative things about IBEX were said on the Political-Socio-Economic-Religion forum so they removed the search function so IBEX wouldn't hear about it.QUOTE]

Forums are for opinions. Feel free to post yours.

6061 in Taiwan or in the USA is manufactured to the same spec. Maybe yours came from ALCOA in the US and mine came from KUHMZ or another one of their companies in Russia. They may build their bikes in the US, but that doesn't mean the material for them is from the US or was even cut and bent to shape in the US. Do American bike manufactures perform NDE on every TIG weld they do to ensure that the heat affect zone did not degrade the mechanical properties of the weld and that the weld is solid? Bikes in the US are built to a spec just like bikes are built all around the world. Kmart bikes are built to a low spec, they don't need to survive very much. What that spec may be is completely up to the bike company. After talking to IBEX I was confident that their specs had their foreign manufacture overbuild them. If you feel like supporting US companies then do so. But IBEX is a US company and they ship their product with a US company.

OP-Both the bikes that you are also considering are great(better) bikes, but can you justify spending the extra $. It sounds like you are in a similar postition that I was in. I took the less expensive route because I'm trying to be more practical.

cheers.

 

WORD! I have a real problem with all these companies that insist on using proprietary components. It's kinda like instead of doing one thing and doing one thing well, they have to do everything sacrificing quality inorder to lock customers into their product. Not saying that c-dale makes inferior products, by no means, but my draw to the heckler was the fact that YOU could truly customize it with a variety of shocks, forks, and various components to make the bike that YOU want not what some company thinks you want or what you should be riding. And as far as IBEX goes, I have a bad taste in my mouth from them. I bought a bike from them a couple years ago, and bent the rear triangle within 6 months. The frame is the cornerstone of a good bike and in my experience, Ibex couldn't deliver that.

How did your frame get bent? Ride too hard?

 

WORD! I have a real problem with all these companies that insist on using proprietary components. It's kinda like instead of doing one thing and doing one thing well, they have to do everything sacrificing quality inorder to lock customers into their product. Not saying that c-dale makes inferior products, by no means, but my draw to the heckler was the fact that YOU could truly customize it with a variety of shocks, forks, and various components to make the bike that YOU want not what some company thinks you want or what you should be riding. And as far as IBEX goes, I have a bad taste in my mouth from them. I bought a bike from them a couple years ago, and bent the rear triangle within 6 months. The frame is the cornerstone of a good bike and in my experience, Ibex couldn't deliver that.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I wouldn't be caught dead on an IBEX.

 

WORD! I have a real problem with all these companies that insist on using proprietary components. It's kinda like instead of doing one thing and doing one thing well, they have to do everything sacrificing quality inorder to lock customers into their product. Not saying that c-dale makes inferior products, by no means, but my draw to the heckler was the fact that YOU could truly customize it with a variety of shocks, forks, and various components to make the bike that YOU want not what some company thinks you want or what you should be riding. And as far as IBEX goes, I have a bad taste in my mouth from them. I bought a bike from them a couple years ago, and bent the rear triangle within 6 months. The frame is the cornerstone of a good bike and in my experience, Ibex couldn't deliver that.

I think that even with that they do make a good parts kit. I mean, get the bike strip it off, e-bay the frame and you still end up ahead.

 

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I wouldn't be caught dead on an IBEX.

I can understand where you are coming from. If we were talking about snowboards or cars then I would be the same way, you'd never catch me on a "cheap" board or slow car. I splurge on things Im good at, biking isn't one of them currently. You are probably at a much higher level than both the OP and I are currently at. If I stick with biking then I can justify $5000 on a bike.

man we are way the hell off topic

 

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I wouldn't be caught dead on an IBEX.

:lol::lol::lol::lol: You obviously have never riden one in the real.

 

I can understand where you are coming from. If we were talking about snowboards or cars then I would be the same way, you'd never catch me on a "cheap" board or slow car. I splurge on things Im good at, biking isn't one of them currently. You are probably at a much higher level than both the OP and I are currently at. If I stick with biking then I can justify $5000 on a bike.

man we are way the hell off topic

Beyond the obvious - that is Ibex being (relatively) cheap, low end bikes, that aren't sold in bike shops, can't be test-ridden or fit before purchase - I think TVC has other motivs at play here.

Just a guess.

 

There are some folks who keep misinterpreting what I have wrote here and use it as arguments to steer the readers to one direction only or to beef up their egos (post-purchase syndrome) so I have decided to remove all what I have said here and no longer participate in any discussions where these people are likely to participate.

 

TVC like Thermal Vacuum Chamber or Trapped Vortex Combustor?

Anyway, what's for dinner tonight?

spinach?

 

TVC like Thermal Vacuum Chamber or Trapped Vortex Combustor?

Anyway, what's for dinner tonight?

Temporary Vocal Chords?:skep:

 

TVC like Thermal Vacuum Chamber or Trapped Vortex Combustor?

Anyway, what's for dinner tonight?

Salmon grilled on the Barbi with lemon pepper & rice. :cornut:

 

I think TVC has other motivs at play here.

Just a guess.

You're right.

I like to respect people from whom I purchase.

Supporting your LBS is good karma.

I hear repeatedly that IBEX frames are a little, um, on the fragile side.

And last but not least, Yetis are much, much cooler.

 

TVC like Thermal Vacuum Chamber or Trapped Vortex Combustor?

Anyway, what's for dinner tonight?

What, you haven't heard one of the coolest Davd Bowie songs ever? You really should.

And i'm with her on her comments on the bike.

 

I think that even with that they do make a good parts kit. I mean, get the bike strip it off, e-bay the frame and you still end up ahead.

Yeah, I have definitely thought of that.

IRMB, heh :thumbsup:

 

You're right.

I like to respect people from whom I purchase.

Supporting your LBS is good karma.

I hear repeatedly that IBEX frames are a little, um, on the fragile side.

And last but not least, Yetis are much, much cooler.

What is your daily job

Cool does not mean you know what you are doing

 

Cool does not mean you know what you are doing

You're right ... but putting out frames that last more than six months before splitting in two on the trail suggests that the guys at Yeti do.

Hey, it's all personal preference. And reputation. And in the end, hopefully, we're each entitled to have and express our opinions.

 

"OP-Both the bikes that you are also considering are great(better) bikes, but can you justify spending the extra $. It sounds like you are in a similar postition that I was in. I took the less expensive route because I'm trying to be more practical."

This says it all. I am in the position where I could buy a more expensive bike but I do not have the skill level to justify it. I really haven't heard any substantial negatives about the IBEX Atlas (other than a frame breaking of which the details were never revealed - not even the frame model) but surprisingly I haven't heard anyone go on about the Heckler or Prophet being incredibly better bikes either. The other bikes seem to be viewed as better but for a price. I kinda hope that these full suspension bikes are like laptop computers where you can get a basic one for $500 if you wait patiently that will do 90% of what they $2k laptops will do but any true computer geek wouldn't be caught dead with the $500 laptop. Just some thoughts. Meanwhile, I really need to see this Dirt Rag article that someone mentioned. I checked the website but there's no mention of it there so I am assuming it is on newsstands now. Thanks for the info.

 

There are some folks who keep misinterpreting what I have wrote here and use it as arguments to steer the readers to one direction only or to beef up their egos (post-purchase syndrome) so I have decided to remove all what I have said here and no longer participate in any discussions where these people are likely to participate.

 

...but which "magic"

The part I don't get though is when you refer to "magic" I cannot tell if you mean there is nothing magical about the IBEX Atlas or do you mean that there is nothing "magical" about the Heckler or Prophet. I think I know what you are implying but the magic comment throws me off (probably because I am a huge fan of hypnosis shows, mentalists and clairvoyance demonstrations - none of which are magic but which are sometimes referred to in that manner). I mean to a certain point I think one does get what they pay for but then I believe there is a rapidly diminishing point of return and also some products do sell on their name and advertising budget. But do you like the Ibex Atlas, not like it, or just indifferent to it as just another choice in a bloated marketplace???
p.s - I think I get it but...

 

like $30 and $70 shoe.

OK, I'm here to tell you that there is an exponential difference between a $30 shoe and a $70 shoe.

I think maybe it's only one you'd discern in heels, though.

 

You're right ... but putting out frames that last more than six months before splitting in two on the trail suggests that the guys at Yeti do.

Tires blow out, dams fracture, trees fall, motors break down, there is no perfect manufacture of anything & when your in the mass production market it increases the chance of a potential problem. Yeti has had its share also.

Hey, it's all personal preference. And reputation. And in the end, hopefully, we're each entitled to have and express our opinions.

Agree it's all about getting out & riding. :thumbsup:

 

I really haven't heard any substantial negatives about the IBEX Atlas (other than a frame breaking of which the details were never revealed - not even the frame model) but surprisingly

I missed that one, which Ibex has a broken frame

 

Difference between a 15000 and 30000 toyota is the extra engineering time to adjust dynamics, cabin interior noise etc. Same steel is stamped for the body panels, same cheap plastic is injection molded for center console. You might get some fancier trim molding or interior. My dads an engineer for honda, I like to think through our regular discussions on these topics that I know what goes into vehicle design. I'm a design engineer for an aerospace company. We outsource components to OUR specs (not a foreign cheap spec) and get quality parts made overseas.

I can't help it if you cannot understand why IBEX is priced the way they are and that they took out the middle man. Their frames are manufacture to their specs. They design them and have them build especially for them. It is going to be built the same as if it were welded in the US. The difference is the labor rate which in turn determines the final price. The components on my bike are the same found on a bike costing 2x (SRAM is made wherever it is for every bike, they don't make it in the US for Yeti and overseas for IBEx, same goes for suspension components), but they were assembled by a foreigner who if they screw up they get fired because there ar 1000 people who would just love to have work. In the US we have unions which protect people and take away any responsibility they should have. If they screw up, there is nothing you can do because they are protected by their union.

Your bike shop marks the bike up 40-50% so if you cut them out of the equation your $3000 heckler now cost $1500. What if it was welded by an idiot who was new? Not all of their welders are of the same talent.

 

Tires blow out, dams fracture, trees fall, motors break down, there is no perfect manufacture of anything & when your in the mass production market it increases the chance of a potential problem. Yeti has had its share also.

Agree it's all about getting out & riding. :thumbsup:

You have to consider the companies ability to support the consumer, too.

If the company is new or teetering, are they going to be there when you need them?

Especially important with full suspension bikes where shock bushings, suspension bearings, bolt and sundry pivot peices wear. I noticed this was a problem for some of the IBiEX's recently.

Two years from now - will you still be able to get parts?

What if the frame is no longer made two years from now? What if the company is not around?

I'm not basking any particular brand here - notice in the "worst bikes" thread, I said my Intense Tracer was the worst bike I ever owned...

I try to buy bikes that

A) are not going to have problems to beging with (I own two Foes for this reason - 3 of my friends got FXR's and one got both a Fly and FXR - before I did - and beat the crap outta them, without any problems)

and B) the company has parts in stock and a plan to help you out - even if you break an older model. I know when/if I damage or break my Ventana that it is the same rear end used on the majority of their bikes - with interchangable linkages and front sections!

Not to mention, both of the above mentioned companies, you can work directly with the people responsible for welding/painting/machining the bike. The buck stops with them.

 

You have to consider the companies ability to support the consumer, too.

If the company is new or teetering, are they going to be there when you need them?

Especially important with full suspension bikes where shock bushings, suspension bearings, bolt and sundry pivot peices wear. I noticed this was a problem for some of the IBiEX's recently.

Two years from now - will you still be able to get parts?

What if the frame is no longer made two years from now? What if the company is not around?

I'm not basking any particular brand here - notice in the "worst bikes" thread, I said my Intense Tracer was the worst bike I ever owned...

I try to buy bikes that

A) are not going to have problems to beging with (I own two Foes for this reason - 3 of my friends got FXR's and one got both a Fly and FXR - before I did - and beat the crap outta them, without any problems)

and B) the company has parts in stock and a plan to help you out - even if you break an older model. I know when/if I damage or break my Ventana that it is the same rear end used on the majority of their bikes - with interchangable linkages and front sections!

Not to mention, both of the above mentioned companies, you can work directly with the people responsible for welding/painting/machining the bike. The buck stops with them.

All excellent points!

And what about pride in ownership? There's something to be said about that too. Riding is art, an indulgence, in many ways, a gift we give to ourselves. Having what you really want can make a world of difference ...