MTB Puerto Rico

Ibis Cycles Releases Photos, Pricing on 2010 Mojo HD Mountain Bike

At Interbike, we spotted an unpainted prototype of the 2010 Ibis Mojo HD and got some shots and info. Now, Ibis has unveiled the first of three paint jobs that are available, along with pricing and full frame specs and detail photos.

The Mojo HD takes the classic and well-received Mojo full suspension mountain bike concept and blows up the travel to 160mm. The full carbon frame uses the DW-Link suspension platform and incorporates a tapered headtube, a custom MRP chainguide (or you can run it fully geared, as shown) and the ability to run up to a 180mm fork in the front, and it does it all in a svelte 6.3lb package.

Brian Lopes has been thrashing this thing for most of 2009 as proof of concept, including racing it at the ‘09 Downhill Worlds, and here’s what he has to say about the frame:

“Let people know that this frame, although it looks very similar, it is a completely different beast when the limits are being pushed. When I am charging down any hill I can feel the differences in every aspect. The angles, stiffness, and that added amount of travel all are huge factors that translate into the ability to ride steeper, rougher, more technical terrain with more ease and confidence. While the regular MOJO is NO whimpy bike, the HD enhances the capabilities of a rider to the next level, especially when pushing the limits.”

Even if you’re not in the market for a bike like this (or you think you aren’t; it’s priced pretty competitively), the glossy pictures of shiny, curvy bikes are worth looking at. Go ahead, make the jump…

Thankfully, not all of the carbon is covered up, and there’s a Matte Black / Carbon finish that’s available, too. Ibis says there’s a third surprise colorway coming, too. The top tube has cable guides for the front derailleur and a remote height adjustable seatpost…run ‘em if you want ‘em.

The headtube uses a tapered 1.125″ to 1.5″ design with an inset hidden top section and normal outboard bottom bearing race. It’s compatible with both the Cane Creek Frustrum and Chris King InSet headsets.

While the Mojo HD bears resemblance to the Mojo and Mojo SL, these are entirely new molds and links. It uses the same UHM (Ultra High Modulus) carbon fiber layup as the SL. Ibis provides an optional $30 polycarbonate cable guard for the downtube to protect the brake line and rear derailleur housing for extremely aggressive riders.

For those wanting to run a normal geared triple up front, the front derailleur uses a standard clasp mount around the seat tube. If you want to run it with a single like Lopes-ey, they’ve custom engineered a front chainguide / bash guard that mounts to the main pivot bolt on the lower link. It’s being manufactured by MRP to their specs.

Ibis points out that the HD’s frame is not ISCG compatible because the upper ISCG bolt would interfere with the movement of the lower link. And, per Lopes’ request, they didn’t want to use a bottom bracket mount chainguide that could swivel if it was bashed on a rock. Thus, the custom made MRP unit. This also means that the HD won’t work with Truvativ’s Hammerschmidt, but Ibis says that the small gearing it uses isn’t ideal for the leverage ratios designed into the HD’s suspension anyway.

Speaking of the lower link, it’s been beefed up with dual row angular contact bearings in the front, and large radial bearings in the rear. Combined, they offer a stiff, long-wearing package that can take some real abuse.

The DW-Link suspension design offers an efficient pedaling platform, and you’ll find it on other well regarded bikes like Pivot and Turner, too. Another cool feature about the Mojo HD’s links? They’ll be available in colors:

Red, blue and black, to be exact.

The rear stays are designed to accommodate up to a 2.5″ tire, depending on knob design.

The left dropout is forged Magnesium, offering all the strength of aluminum at 2/3 the weight…I just hope it’s been treated to resist corrosion. The post mount design will take up to a 200mm rotor. That hole for the axle is made to fit the 12 x 135mm Maxle. The drive side dropout is carbon fiber.

PRICING:

Base price for the Ibis Mojo HD is $2,399.99 for the frame and a Fox RP23 air shock. There are a number of upgrades and packages available, including a Fox DHX Air 5.0 shock for an additional $133.99. Ibis recommends only air shocks for the frame due to the way the suspension ramp is designed to work, here’s why:

The leverage ratio, like the Mojo and Mojo SL is designed for air shocks. The Mojo HD comes with a 8.5″ x 2.5″ Fox RP23. A DHX air will work on all but the small size. A coil shock is not offered because the linkage rates weren’t designed for it. We lowered the top tube to get slightly better standover than the regular small mojo while having a higher BB because of the longer travel (we managed to retain the DHX air compatibility in 3 of the 4 sizes)

There are two complete bike build kits available: SRAM X9 ($4,099) and Shimano XT ($4,999), both with various upgrade options.