Ibis Mojo HD Prototype Revealed

With a legendary rider like Brian Lopes onboard team Ibis, it was bound to happen… a longer-travel Mojo for longer-travel applications. While the “HD” isn’t going to be a dedicated downhill racer, it looks to be capable of everything from heavy-duty trail riding to the occasional downhill course. I can attest to the ride quality of the curent Ibis Mojo, so I can only imagine that more travel will continue with similar efficiency in a squishier and more downhill-capable design.

(6/24/10: Read my Ibis Mojo HD Review… yes, it lives up to the hype)

Here’s the word from Brian Lopes after racing in “The Enduro MTB Trophy of Nations” race in Vars, France this past weekend:

The Enduro race was a lot harder than I expected. The toll it took on everything: wheels, tires, brakes, suspension, the body, and of course the frame were beyond what I imagined. The new “HD” Ibis never missed a beat. For only getting the frame one week ago & with only one ride on it before packing it up for this race, it couldn’t have gone through any more of a test than the abusive one I gave it here in France. With 10 demanding races, 3 of which ended with flat tires, the French won all but one race (which I won!). It was hard to beat them on a course they knew better than all the rest, basically they were on their home track at times, where knowing the course saved them time.
It’s hard to believe that this bike isn’t much heavier than the standard mojo, as it was eating up courses that were worthy of full-on DH rigs. The added travel, stiffness, clearance for larger tires and a 8″ rotor allow you to take on the toughest terrain you can throw at it, but it’s still efficient and light enough to pedal up any hill. Another weapon is added to the ibis line up…

Both the HD and my current Mojo look stunning dressed in the new CrankBrothers Iodine wheels eh?

2010 Ibis Mojo “HD” Prototype Specs

Price and availability TBD (I hope to hop on one at Interbike)
160mm of rear wheel travel.
DW Link Suspension
26″ Wheels
Target weight for the frame and shock: 6.2-6.5 lbs. (we’re not there yet but are fine-tuning the layup)
67 degree head angle with a 160mm fork (Brian was running a 170mm fork this weekend, you can also run a 180mm)
Chain stay length: 17.125″
Top tube lengths are the same as regular Mojos
12 x 135mm RockShox Maxle rear axle
Post mount magnesium left dropout, carbon right dropout
Head Tube: Tapered steerer (1-1/8 to 1.5) or standard 1-1/8
Tire Clearance: Up to 2.5 (depending on knobbies)
Dual row angular contact bearings in the front of the lower link that have less play than standard sealed bearings. Preload adjustment is not necessary. Large 28mm x 15mm x 7mm radial bearings in the rear for stiffness and long wear.
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 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).
The Bottom Bracket height is 13.8″-14″ depending on tires.
Chain guide development is well on its way, we’ll announce compatible brands soon. The frame will not have ISCG mounts so it will not be Truvativ Hammerschmidt compatible (what are they thinking!?!?!).
The HD runs full cable housing. Rear brake and rear derailleur run on the down tube, with hidden swingarm housing for the rear derailleur.
Front derailleur (if you use one) and adjustable seatpost housing (if you use one) run along the top tube.