Robin Wallner's Ibis Mojo HD3 Bike Check - EWS Round 5, Aspen-Snowmass

 @lkubica: Weight matters. Trying to argue it doesn't it pretty silly. Sure there are a myriad of other factors, but given the detail these articles go into, it's more than fair to suggest it be included.

 Yeah, the difference in weight with 73kg rider and 12kg bike vs 15kg bike is 3%. Does it matter ? You would need to have a scientific comparison to say this, as this bike is probably heavy for a reason. Do you know what matters more - overal robustness and stiffness of setup or weight ? You cannot state that a 15kg bike will be slower than 12kg bike on enduro race, this is what I am trying to say.

 @lkubica: Neither can you say something like that about tire pressure, yet it is included in the bike check. Weight is interesting to some people, and an easy to gather stat, just get it in there already You're welcome to gloss over the weight, as I do with eg fork pressure, as it is wildly dependant on too many factors to be relevant to me.

 I would not be surprised if pro bikes were heavier than what most people consider as a dream bike. It already happened with DH bikes. Around 2011 DirtTV went around the pits at a World Cup and the lightest bike was 34lbs, Minnaars V10c v1 was 36lbs, while you didn't have to browse forums for long, to find sub 32lbs bikes. Some nutters went under 30lbs and most people were like Woooooooow. I put a coil shock on my AM bike and the only air unit I would consider is Float X2. I run 1,5ply tyres and if Minion SS came in Double Down, I'd put it on without much hesitation. Robins bike easily weighs 14kgs with those tyres. Graves runs DH casings, adding a full kilo, to what most weight weenies run. Yes there are nutters like Nico Lau who got on a podium in Rotorua on Nobby Nics but that's not really normal. I saw some 160 bikes under 11kgs, the answer is compromising everything for the sake of weight, like using Rocket Ron tyres, no bash guard, xc pedals without platform, sub 100g saddles with almost no padding, 110g 780 bars, sometimes even dropper is out to make place for some stupid 150g seat post that won't take a single butt slam. With no cash limitations, the Weight game is quite often a stupid game...

 @WAKIdesigns: All well and true, nonetheless, or JUST BECAUSE of that, it is interesting to see what weight a racer's bike is. I mean, think about it, when during your next word-fight with an enduro weight weenie you can tell him "but Graves bike weighs in at 18kg" :-P
It's like a "all bikes are beatiful" campaign, where the average consumer like us can see that our weight-standards are far from reality, so far that even sponsored pro athletes run heavier bikes.

 I'm pretty interested in his tire pressure here actually. A wide tire on a massive rim? He's veering into plus territory here. The ultra low tire pressure he's running also backs that up.

 39lb sworks demo . 31 lb stumpjumper evo expert nothing i rode is light lol weight would be cool to list though for point of comparison

 I'm confused is his bike weight metric or not, the comments keep changing standards. If it's metric the weight change from one tire to another, or one component to another would be less, so that's better right?

 @teschenbrenner: Yes and yes.

 As much as I would like to deny it. This is in fact a mountain bike. Happy congradulations to yoooouu!!!!!!

 @rory: myriad factors*

 @lkubica: all the neg prop proves your answer is legit. Weight on enduro/DH Bikes is way overrated. Maybe people look for something to blame.

 @WAKIdesigns: "if Minion SS came in Double Down". Yo Waki, these just landed in our CA warehouse, your local shop should be able to order them any day now.

 @driftmonster: do you have some pics of the stumpy? coil suspension?

 @justincs: check this out m.vitalmtb.com/community/jonbokrantz,7656/setup,31549

 @justincs: no and no all air carbon frame cranks and bars at 31 lol

 X-Fusion makes dropper posts. . . KS?

 Sorry - Vector coil...

 @slimboyjim: Hi, I do not have exactly IBIS, however I have installed Vector Coil on my frame, that originally had an air shock, and does not regret a bit.

 I asked Ibis in the US about this - they're using prototypes..

"The shocks the team are running are prototypes.

Air is more progressive and the frame is designed around that..."

 @slimboyjim: I also put a coil on my frame which is designed for an air shock, and completely love it. I couldn't find any info, so just took a chance when a good deal on a coil came along. WAY plusher initial travel (first 3rd of travel is night and day beter vs. RP23), and still have never felt a bottom out to my knowledge. It is a full pound heavier though!

 @philstone: from my recollection, Ibis told me that the curve of the stroke actually goes regressive at the end which is why a special, proto coil shock is needed on this frame. Thus, the need for an air shock where the physical spring (air) gets progressively stiffer as it goes through the stroke. Compared to a coil where the spring is linear. That said, I love my HD3 to pieces with a float x. I'd love to try it with a x2.

 @garrettstories: I run a Vector coil on my HD3, its feels great, but since its not a proto shock, should I come back to air shock??, whats recomended? cheers

 The regressive curve at the end of the HD3 travel means a coil is not a great fit for the Ibis. That's one of the reasons you don't see it much, and PUSH doesn't have an elevensix fitment for it. Looking at this picture carefully it looks like a custom bump stop on the shaft. My guess is they are using this to provide a progressive spring rate at the end of the travel to mimic what an air shock does. It doesn't look like a progressive rate spring since the coils are equally spaced, but I'm surprised that isn't something we have seen much of yet.

 @norcal101: thinking about it some kind of custom bump stop or a short second spring (that only starts to engage at the end of the stroke) seems a cheap and simple solution to something like this. I'm assuming I'm missing something though, as I'm sure someone would be already doing it otherwise...

 @Pipoulloa: Hey buddy, I really don't have a good answer for you. I'd say talking to Ibis directly would be your shortest path to success. They have always been super helpful to me over the phone. I really value being able to call and talk to a human who knows the bike inside and out AND loves riding bikes.

 @Pipoulloa: Seconded on contacting Ibis - they are really helpful. I've emailed them in the past and always had a helpful reply really quickly. They seem like like genuine guys (and maybe girls) too.

I guess a coil blows through the end of its travel too quickly, so if the shock has some kind of end stroke adjustment you may be able to limit this, but I'm no expert. Good luck though and let us know how you get on...

 Those wheels are not light, they are boat anchors (I can tell you from experience), especially after you add 2.5 tires and sealant. Those rims are essentially Derbys, I think that they make them for Ibis. I'm surprised he runs them instead of some narrower aluminum wheels that will weigh the same, or less, with a lower likelihood of blowing up. Those wheels have a somewhat spotty reliability record.

 @SlodownU: those wheels are not light...but boat anchor is a bit strong. They weigh in about the same as the dt Swiss aluminum but are much stiffer. They did work with Derby to get started on their design but they don't get the rims from him (I run Derby's though). They had some trouble with their early hubs but DT350 and now I9 hubs are both solid choices.

 They're not - I'm 180cm and I now have a large HD3 with a 35mm reach stem - its lovely. I used to have a medium HD but that was way too short. He does say he can fit both but prefers the XL - I'm gonna suggest thats just his riding style?

 @philstone: I have to agree. I'm a touch taller than you and on a large, but I have short arms... He must have super long legs b/c, my 150mm dropper sits about at the same position on the large.. I don't think I could do 150 on the XL

 @EnduroRider1986 - I'm 173 cm (5'8") and run a large with a stub 35 mm stem. The HD3 does run a bit short in the reach compartment compared to other brands.

 yes the hd3 in xl has the same reach as my large bronson2. and the new bronson is running a bit short compared to other enduro bikes out there. i could not ride a 52cm seattube with his height. i would feel uncomfortable.

 I'm 175 cm and on a medium (from 2007)...maybe time to try a longer frame

 im 186cm on an XL hd3....spot on...ibis 741 rims on dt swiss 350 hubs...stiff as f-ck, loads of fun and reliable, so far...

 gonna try the offset shock bushes for a bit slacker head angle....

 I personally think that the standard HD3 (I have one) is slightly more at the "trail" end of the spectrum, compared to other offerings like the SB6, Nomad, Reign etc. That's why its more compact as its original intended use was an all rounder, but very capable (long legged) "trail" bike.

 @toddball: I was on a medium 2013 HD for a few years and haven't regretted going up in frame size.

 @jaydubmah: I should probably clarify that my 2007 bike is a Gary Fisher HiFi, not an Ibis. I can't find a geo chart from that long ago but I assume the reach is pretty short by today's standards. But yeah definitely looking for a longer bike, when I can afford a new bike.

 the metric has had the full HLR damper since day 0.. roughcut was introduced to the lower level Sweep/Slant ones as an option besides the RL2 damper

 Rough cut damper has comp. adjustments at top ( gold/blue). HLR at bottom. In pic you can see gold dial up top. Rough Cut

 good catch.. this is not what they state they sell with Metric... but who knows with x-fusion.. some forks are even unicorns that apparently do not exist...

 Their DH fork (RV1) does not even have the rough cut damper!

 That metric looks nothing like mine, the hsc/lsc is usually at the bottom.

 How's the bike?

 Yeah i think were gonna see EWS bikes getting longer slacker and heavier and more resemble small dh bikes or "superenduro". Riders are getting fitter and fitter with the likes of Rude pushing the power limits. It has become a very specific combination of power and endurance etc and as the top guys and girls get the training dialled the importance of stability at speed and therefore a more solid ride will become both essential and achievable as specific fitness improves. Lug it to the top and smash it down.

 @slowrider73: I think this could become an interesting factor with enduro, personally ide like to see them adding in some timed technical climbs so that riders dont basically build a mini DH rig they can granny ring up a fireroad

 @bluumax: @bluumax: Agree. I know these races are already a long day in the saddle, are already a heck of a test of fitness and the gravity side it what makes enduro sexy but most of these series claim to be about finding the "most complete" rider and a bit more balance on the climbing side could truly find the most rounded riders and equipment.

 @bluumax: @bluumax: Totally agree. Remember reading the an interview with Chris Ball* where he's asked about 180mm forks, the new Lyrik etc.

I kind of feel enduro will lose its all round appeal if its just a case of super strong athletes pedaling around the biggest bike they can get away with to win on the descents.

I can't see adding in a timed technical climb would be popular but I think it's a great solution. Either that or tighten up the transition times more.



*enduro-mtb.com/en/chris-ball-interview-enduro-world-series-where-next/

 @kiksy: I think if something isnt done, every bike will be a dh rig with lock out and 12 speed and it would be a shame for the sport that looked so cool and diverse

 @bluumax: They already have timed technical climbing in the stages, we just don't hear about it. Most enduro races do.

 Snowmass is a bike park, like other stops on the ews. It makes sense to ride a "mini-dh" bike in that setting. 15k in descending and 2.5k in climbing.

 @BeardlessMarinRider:
Enduro is balanced as in making your start time with whatever equipment you can pedal to the top. The fitter you are the more over bult your bike can be.
Diversity in enduro to me is in the terain and format races have ansd choosing the best bike for the venue where sometimes a hardtail could be viable , but EWS is not the local race EWS is the top event so more is more as it should be and bikes reflect that.

 @slowrider73: Plus one for lugging it up and smashing it down. Love it. IMHO this is the format that will continue to be very attractive and why enduro is successful. XC bikes are getting pretty capable on the downs now that droppers are so prevalent even at the WC level, so technical enough to make it enjoyable to watch if you are worried about ups contributing to a race.