[tensim]

Hi All, Merry Christmas :thumbsup:

I'm in a bit of a quandary with regards to choosing a new bike, so I thought I'd put the question out to the forum. A bit of background first:

Currently I ride a Yeti ASR-sl which was my first ever full-sus rig. I bought the frame secondhand on Ebay with the view to get back into MTB racing, I used to be a pretty decent XC rider in my 'youth' ('cause I'm so old now at 31 ). In the end that hasn't eventuated and what I've ended up doing is just 'plain old' UK trail riding. Lot's of singletrack mixed with rooty descents and the odd steeper bit to test me (which I usually bottle due to a lack of skill!). I weigh in at around 93kg kitted out and I've found the ASR to be a bit too light weight for me, I'm always at the bottom of it's 4" of travel (I don't have a particularly 'light' riding style either).

For the past year or so I've been coveting the Mojo SL as my next full-sus bike, I love the design (so different to other bikes) and I love what I've heard about it's capabilities. So I've been saving my pounds (and pennies ) with a view to purchase a frame in the New Year. Trouble is, a SL frame in the UK comes in at £2000... I have a £300 credit at my LBS, who just happen to now stock Ibis, so I could get it for £1700. Then I'd need a new fork and a set of wheels to match (or at least a front wheel, as I'd most likely go for a TA setup, I'm considering the DT Swiss EXC 150 TA as my front end). So all in I'd be looking at around £2500 for the Mojo + fork + front wheel.

On the other hand, I've found an 08 Enduro S-works frame on sale for £1650 fully built up with a predominately XT groupset, which is 50% off of the RRP... I could sell quite a few of the components off of this and probably recoup at least another £300 if not more, so all in I'd be looking at around £1350 for the whole shebang, which is very tempting...

Both seem to be similar bikes, 6" of travel with very similar geometry. I think the Mojo would be a tad lighter but not by much, maybe a pound? The main difference I guess comes down to the DW-link vs the FSR (Horst) four bar setup. What are the thoughts on both?

So... what would you do in my place? Probably a silly question to be asking in this forum I guess, ya'll are going to recommend the Ibis right? But I'd like to know why you'd choose it (or indeed, why you chose it over any other top-end bike on the market!)

Cheers chaps, thanks for reading my long post, I appreciate your time and thoughts :thumbsup:

 

[Triple T]

This may come across as shallow and somewhat vain, but I chose the MojoSL because it's a beautiful bike. Nothing else out there like it.

When I was debating on what I wanted for a new bike, I was looking at the Pivot Mach 5, Gary Fisher Roscoe, Cannondale Rize, and the Mojo. I chose the Mojo and am completely happy with my decision. That being said, I'm not an expert. I don't have years of riding experience, I just loved the looks of the Mojo. I did do some research, but ended up always coming back to the Mojo.

I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you choose, and good luck with your quest.

 

[tensim]

Not shallow at all, in fact that's one of the main things that keeps drawing me back to the Mojo

 

[kakachi]

here in Singapore the price difference between the 2 bikes is negligible with the ibis being slightly cheaper depending on build. So given you have a bargain on the s-works I'd go for that. It's an S-works after all!

 

[tensim]

actually.. just checked up on this a bit further and it's on '07 S-works Enduro, though it's not a demo bike and has full warranty etc... Cost is actually just £1500 with the following build spec:

FRAME: 2007 S-Works
HANDLEBARS: Easton EA70
GRIPS:ODI Lock ons
FRONT BRAKE:Shimano XT
REAR BRAKE:Shimano XT
FRONT DERAILLEUR:Shimano XTR
REAR DERAILLEUR: Sram XO
SHIFT LEVERS: Sram X9
CRANKSET:Shimano XT
RIMS: DT 4.2 d
FRONT HUB: Specialized bolt through
REAR HUB: DT 240s
FRONT TIRE: Sp resolution 2.3
REAR TIRE: as above
SADDLE: Fizik gobi
SEATPOST: Thomson

I'd swap out the XT brakes for my Oro Puros and the crankset for my FSA carbon + Middleburn rings. Selling these items would probably net me around £200 I guess?

 

[Iwan]

Let's forget about the money,cost and such and such issues and topics.

Let's compare the ride.
The Spec feel feels agricultural compared to the ride of the DW-linked Mojo. They are world's appared. The Mojo feels controlled and bottomless whereas the Enduro and SJ feels harsh either too hard or too plush and just plain out of sorts when compared to the DW-link. I have spend lots of time on a Stumpjumper,Enduro and a Epic.
If you're going to ride hard and want to to take pick drops and jumps, maybe go for something with longer travel...but then again, you find a bike that does as much as the Mojo does so darn freaking good. I have mine build with a 36 Talas, burly wheels and a Joplin and I manage to do stuff I could only dream of.

Go for the Mojo. You won't regret it.

 

[tensim]

Ah, but if I go for the Enduro, will I regret that?

With the money, well, it's around a £1000 difference... not an insubstantial sum is the Mojo going to be worth the extra grand?

 

[kakachi]

save the extra grand and go pimp with some nice riding clothes, shoes and gear.

 

[Iwan]

Go for the Mojo. Do it. Whether you'll regret it is up to you. Will regret the op to buy one of the best bikes out there now, or will you be able to live with the Spec till next year when you finally give in and buy the Mojo.

It's that much better than an Enduro. If you don't go for the Mojo, there are other options that are better value for money than a Spec.

 

[mtb143]

At face value, that is a very tough dilemma. A year ago I would have totally jumped on the Specialized. Now though, after putting around 3000 km on my Mojo SL, I wouldn't trade it for any bike. If I had to pay for my Mojo or I could get any other bike for free, but couldn't sell it and I could only have the one bike, I would buy the Mojo again. I know, that is a totally over the top endorsement, right? But it's true. A while back an MTBR user, Alabama I think, posted something to the effect that his Mojo was the best investment he ever made in a bike and in himself. I totally understand what he meant. For me, this bike is an investment in quality of life. But that's me. Even though they are ultra-corporate, I've been a long time fan of Specialized too. They make good stuff. Even if they copy-cat a lot of it. I'd say get the Specialized if the pennies are tight, but if you can afford it go for the Mojo.

 

[tensim]

Well, if the Spesh was at full price then it'd be a no contest! I totally buy into the Ibis ethos and have honestly lusted after a Mojo for over a year, it was love at first site of it's curvy carbon frame

But a £1000 is a lot of cash, I could buy a lovely Ti hardtail frame for that money... ah the quandary I'm in.

If I go for the Specialized, am I sacrificing anything in terms of ride quality? Does anyone have experience with both?

 

[Tread Mark]

Well, if the Spesh was at full price then it'd be a no contest! I totally buy into the Ibis ethos and have honestly lusted after a Mojo for over a year, it was love at first site of it's curvy carbon frame

But a £1000 is a lot of cash, I could buy a lovely Ti hardtail frame for that money... ah the quandary I'm in.

If I go for the Specialized, am I sacrificing anything in terms of ride quality? Does anyone have experience with both?

i ride with a guy that has both bikes...he is quite an accomplished rider...he really likes and does well on his specialized enduro but he says his mojo is so much smoother...point being, the numbers look similar but the ride is very different...good luck...

 

[oakfield]

i ride with a guy that has both bikes...he is quite an accomplished rider...he really likes and does well on his specialized enduro but he says his mojo is so much smoother...point being, the numbers look similar but the ride is very different...good luck...

Best point made so far above - the ride is different and will be different for each rider. Can you demo them both? I know that Jungle have their SL back at their base now ( I posted it Friday!) so hopefully your LBS would be able to get you a ride on that, and there are heaps of places where you can demo the Spesh - try both out and see what you get on with best. If it's the Enduro, buy it, if it's the Mojo buy that instead. It's all about what works best for you.

 

[KenDobson]

I own a Mojo SL and love it, I took the spec on a demo well waiting for my SL along with a epic and cant say enough about the Mojo. If your trails are lined with chics, they will love the Mojo. Mine are not but I do get compliments from the dudes.

 

[tensim]

see, that 's one of the things that isn't important to me as I'm married What I'm most interested it is which one is going to be the best for me, mainly because I can't see myself being allowed to spend this sort of money on a bike again for a while (at least 1-2 years anyhow)...

 

[Guesswho117]

see, that 's one of the things that isn't important to me as I'm married What I'm most interested it is which one is going to be the best for me, mainly because I can't see myself being allowed to spend this sort of money on a bike again for a while (at least 1-2 years anyhow)...

If that's the case, get the bike that you really want. Don't let the discount on the Specialized blur your vision on what you really really want which sounds like is the Mojo. Otherwise you will always regret it.

 

[Rainman]

Ibis..

Forget the money difference. Go with your heart. You want the Mojo, just do it. You won't be sorry. It won MTBR bike of the year for a reason, it really is the best, no question. If you don't get the Mojo, anything else will be second best, and you will always be wondering if you did the "right thing" getting the other frame. Ibis CS is top notch. Really, there is no contest, just go and get that Mojo... :thumbsup:

R.

 

[BitterDave]

I'm going to have to agree with Iwan here. I have three Specialized bikes (two of them FSR design, but not the brain/AFR design), but my vote is for the Mojo. I think the downhill abilities of the Mojo are similar to the FSR, but the Mojo climbs much better. The Enduro that I have probably corners a little better than the Mojo (probably due to stiffness, but I'm not going to elaborate on that again), but the Mojo fells better/different. The Mojo feels like it's floating over things while the FSR feels more connected. I'm going to guess that it's because of carbon fiber vs aluminum. But if you are just considering suspension design, I feel that the Mojo is generally better than the FSR design.

 

[tensim]

The Enduro I'm looking at is the SL version, so it's a carbon frame as well... I've got a demo model to ride for the next few days, I guess I'll see what I think after that. For a nett cost of around £1200, the Enduro is looking very tempting at the moment!

 

[d-bug]

I've had an 04 Enduro, and an 08 Stumpy with the brain shock. Both are excellent bikes and rode well, but neither of them are as good as the Mojo IMO. The DW design on the Mojo is much smoother than the FSR design. Every time I ride my Mojo I'm impressed with it, that feeling wore off quite quickly with the Enduro and Stumpy.

I would not go with the Enduro due mainly to the fork because:
1. it's dual crown, so you can't turn as tight (minor issue)
2. the front hub will only ever work with the Specialized fork. Want to get a better fork, you'll have to get a new wheel. Want a better wheelset, you'll need a new fork.
3. the fork has reliability issues. Specialized will stand behind their product, but downtime for having the fork repaired might not be worth saving a bunch of money.

Random thoughts:

• No bike on the planet is better looking than the Mojo IMO (and in opinions of many others too )
• Get the Enduro and you'll be happy for a while.
• Get the Mojo and you'll be happy and amazed for a long time.
• The guy selling the Enduro is probably going to use that money to get a Mojo.
• If money is important, get the Mojo. It will cost you less to get it now, than to get after you realize you should have gotten it to begin with.