Customer Review: Ibis Mojo 3 Review

Ibis Mojo 3 Mountain Bike Review

The Mojo 3 is Ibis’ first frame designed for 27.5”+ tires with a capability of running tire widths ranging from 2.3”-2.8” that are readily installed on its 12 x 148mm BOOST rear axle. It features the latest DW-link suspension system with 130mm of travel, which functions optimally throughout its entire range of travel, even in mid-stroke, and is engineered to handle a front fork with 140mm of travel. According to Scot Nicol, the Mojo 3 is designed for the average enthusiast because the 130mm of rear travel is the most widely sold rear suspension option in that range of travel. The bike is longer upfront, yet shorter in the rear due to the BOOST spacing. Its overall reach is aimed more at providing balance while riding over all types of terrain versus offering a longer reach that is superior, primarily, while climbing steep inclines where a weighted front wheel is desirable. In addition, the Mojo 3’s 425mm chainstay allows it to run either 1x or 2x chainring(s) with a front derailleur if employing the 2x drivetrain, thus making the Mojo 3 a bike built for all types of riding conditions for most riders.

Like its two previous incarnations, the Mojo 3’s carbon frame is laid out as a single piece, which eliminates the need for joints. In turn, this type of construction removes the need for fillers, resulting in a complex frame that’s lighter, stronger, and more rigid. The frame is designed to handle either full or interrupted cable; the latter will save 55 grams in weight.

Scot Nicol has been quoted as stating that the Mojo 3 will not be dramatically altered on an annual basis given that more than 1700 hours were invested designing it. In addition, he tends to push technology to its limit, which has resulted in his collaboration with advanced composite engineers in China, and that was not price dependent, but quality aligned with full commitment to building the best handling bikes with existent technology on the planet.

• 650b (27.5”) wheels
• 130mm rear wheel dw-link travel
• Designed for use with 140mm forks
• 8° head angle with 140mm forks
• Internal cable routing
• Polycarbonate down tube cable guard
• 7” chainstay length
• Threaded bottom bracket: BSA 68mm, English threads
• ISCG 05 compatible with optional removable adapter
• Tapered head tube and steerer: ZS44 upper and ZS56 lower
• 12 x 148mm BOOST rear axle
• 160mm post mount

My Mojo 3 frame, size large weighs in at 5.80 pounds and the complete bicycle weight with all componentry is 25.49 pounds. I’ve read that the Ibis plus sized bikes are difficult to get under 27 pounds but that’s very inaccurate as with a bit of tweaking, I can get this bike under 25 pounds.

It’s equipped with the following components:

• Fork: Fox 34 Factory Float, 140 mm Fit4 Boost 2017, 27.5”
• Rear shock: Fox Factory Float DPS
• Fox Kabolt Bolt-on Skewer: 15 x 110, black
• Fox Heritage Decals: blue
• Saddle: Selle SMP Stratos Carbon Rail, blue
• Seat Post Clamp: Ibis, custom anodized gold
• Dropper Post: Magura Vyron: 31.6mm post diameter
  • Ti Barrel nut + seatpost clamp bolts, blue
• Dropper Post Remote: Magura
• Wheels: Rims/Hubs/Spokes. Derby Rims: AM 45i, carbon, 32H, 40mm
• HUBS: I-9 Boost Hubs/center lock, gold
• Spokes: Sapim Laser
• Nipples: gold
• Decals: STICKRD LLC, custom.
• Tires: Bontrager Chupacabra 27.5” x 2.8”
• Handlebars: Race Face Next CF. 760 mm x 35 mm, 20 mm rise, blue
• Handlebar Stem: Hope AM-FR 50mm, 35mm clamp, blue
• Headset: Cane Creek 110 ZS44, ZS56/40, blue
• Cane Creek 110-Series Headset Cap, gold
• Headset Spacers: Cane Creek 110 Interlok spacers, blue & gold
• Steerer Tube Expander Plug: Extralite UltraStar 3 Expander:
• Handlebar grips: Lizard Skins Lock-On Peaty, cobalt blue
• Drivetrain
  • Cranks: Race Face Next SL G4 CF, 170 mm, stealth
  • Bottom Bracket: Race Face 68mm BSA threaded
• Rear Derailleur; Shimano XTR RD-9000, medium cage
• Rear Derailleur Shifter Lever; XTR SL-M9000, right-side lever
• Rear Cassette: SRAM XO1 X-Glide XG 1195
• Cassette Driver: I-9 XD1 Driver
• Chain: KMC X11SL TI Nitride 11 Speed, gold
• Front Sprocket: Race Face Narrow Wide Cinch Direct Mount, blue, 32T
• Pedals: Xpedo M-Force 8 Ti
• Disc Brakes: XTR BL/BR-M9000 Race Front/Rear
• Disc Brake Rotors CL: XTR RT99-S 160 mm/RT99-M 180 mm
  • Shimano SM-HB20 Center Lock Rotor Lock Ring

Cornering:

This bike is quick and agile in handling sharp, undulating, and winding curves that frequent the Arizonian desert trails around Scottsdale. The Bontrager Chupacabra tires bite firmly into the sand and rocks that predominate in that area, while providing durability against the stone steps with their attendant drops that one encounters. The Chupacabra’ allowed me to drop my tire psi down to 19 psi front and 20 psi rear, yet still prevented rimming out. I had previously run Maxxis Rekon+ 2.8” wide tires but the rubber was too hard, afforded poor traction, required 22 psi front and rear to avoid rim strikes while climbing over rocks, and were over 1 pound heavier. I’ve ridden Santa Cruz bikes that ran tires filled to 16 psi, but I’ve tried that with my current setups and can’t go that low without experiencing rim strikes. The lower psi increases traction, promotes tight and precise cornering, and requires minimal steering input. Leaning into corners is a breeze and the bike slides around tight corners with finesse. Bare in mind that my riding conditions are less variable versus other parts of the world. In the Arizonian desert, conditions outside of the  monsoon season, are typically dry, very dry, and totally dry.

Ascending:

Here is where the Mojo 3 shines as its front-end lifts effortlessly and playfully when encountering steep rocks. There is a trail I ride regularly in South Mountain park that has a section of successive 30-40 foot steep, rocky sections wherein you experience 4-5 foot drops followed by a brief 20-30 foot flat trail, followed by another steep incline. Some of the sections, if you don’t bail out on the easier escape trails, are readily attacked by popping wheelies, which eliminates the shock of bashing into the rock while surmounting it. I prefer the wheelie, which allows my rear wheel and suspension to absorb the majority of the impacts, and is technically elegant. The Mojo 3 is fast and playful on the ascents, yet the proper stem length is crucial so that your weight is kept balanced while the front wheel applies the necessary traction. You will lose traction if you’re too far back on your bike, i.e., hanging your arse over the back of the saddle or your psi is too high or your tires are crap.

Descending:

The Mojo 3’s overall agility allows for fast, controlled descending despite its light, 25.49 pound, weight. I don’t consider myself a trail-basher/masher, but more a finesse-type rider and the Mojo 3’s superb handling allows me to pick my way around the spiked, jagged rocks that infest my favorite trails. This quality is apparent on steep, fast descents where nimbleness and agility afford respite from the bone-jarring, ruggedness of the rocks. However, when the going presents no alternatives, the Mojo 3 runs over and handles drops with ease, while providing a plush, Lazy-Boy sofa-type ride, especially when coupled with a properly adjusted Fox 34 Factory 140mm fork. It blows my mind every time I take a 5-foot drop and experience almost no feeling on impact. This builds rider confidence to attempt steeper drops.

The only odd experience I’ve had on my Mojo 3 is that it feels as if I’m sitting too high over the bike compared to the feel from a Santa Cruz 5010 or a Yeti SB6c. It may be that I prefer riding with a lower center of gravity, which is why I ascend, descend, and handle tight corners with my dropper post positioned low over my seat tube because I ride faster and with greater control and confidence. I’ve talked with other riders and have heard that sentiment more than a few times. Nonetheless, the Mojo 3 rocks. It’s light, agile, responsive, playful, and requires minimal rider input, which is what I like in a bike. In addition, Scot Nicol’s service is legendary. I had issues in trying to fit a Chris King BB onto my frame. Scot worked with his engineers to resolve my issue quickly, within 3 days. He responds rapidly and thoroughly to emails. It’s a frame that I’d have no second thoughts about buying in the future, and/or recommending to others.