Ibis

Mojo 3 Carbon 27.5 Plus X01 WERX Mountain Bike - 2016

Contrary to the endless stream of epic video footage touting long, low, super slack 6in+ travel bikes as required equipment for achieving top dog status in the dirt world, the truth is, most of us won't ever ride terrain that's gnarly enough to necessitate that extreme of equipment. As Ibis communicates clearly with the launch of the new 2016 Mojo 3 Carbon 27.5 Plus X01 WERX Complete Mountain, sometimes less is more in the search for the perfect trail whip. Think of it as the Mojo HD3's baby brother, and a versatile deviation from the uber-slacked enduro sled crowd.

The Mojo 3 tempers the extremes that make the HD3 so good in apocalyptic terrain in favor of a chassis that's lighter, more agile, and still capable enough to handle everything this side of shuttled gravity loops. The 140mm Pike fork kicks the head tube out to 66.8 degrees — an angle you'll recognize from virtually every six-inch enduro bike, ever. Despite that slack front end and the bike's long, low posture, the Boost spacing allowed Ibis to slam the rear wheel up, shortening the chainstays to a stubby 16.73in while still leaving enough clearance for tires up to 2.8in in diameter. The benefits of the slack front end, Boost front and rear axles, and short stays add up to dual-threat versatility. We call it efficient climbing and line-sticking confidence whether dicing terrain or running roughshod over it; Ibis calls it "playful."

The Mojo 3's spirited kick starts with the shock tune and DW-Link suspension. Ibis tuned the shock to feel firm off the top but with small bump compliance that keeps the rear wheel glued across moderate lumps and while navigating switchbacks at climbing speeds. Ibis describes the shock's ramp-up characteristics as "robust," which gives the kind of big-hit confidence that can often be the key element in determining which side of the ragged edge you find yourself on. Paired with a set of tubby 2.8in tires, the five-inch travel feels around a full inch deeper than it actually is. Regardless of the tires you choose to run — plus or standard — Ibis built the frame so the shock tune and suspension keep the bottom bracket height at the sag point the same.

The 27.5+ WERX build is highlighted by Ibis' new 741 carbon fiber wheelset, which boasts hook-less rim beads and a massive 41mm external width to provide a strong, stable perch for tires up to 2.8in-wide. Ibis wraps these rims with Schwalbe's versatile Nobby Nic 2.8-inch tires, which somewhat counterintuitively sit only 0.15-inch taller than narrower 2.3in tires, complements of that wide rim stance. This means you'll get all the beefed up traction of the 27.5+ width, while the relatively low height minimizes the disconcerting bounciness experienced with other wide tires mounted to narrower rims.

The frame itself is what you'd expect from Ibis: a full carbon monocoque affair that incorporates the construction pedigree of the HD3 but at a drastic weight savings, shedding a claimed 0.4lbs compared to the enduro brute. The tapered head tube further increases stiffness up front, which makes for yet better tracking across terrain, and the inclusion of Boost rear spacing let Ibis slam the rear wheel up for the above-mentioned stubby stays while still leaving room for tubby tires and the option of including a front derailleur. Of course, Ibis has taken the liberty of spec'ing the Mojo 3 Carbon 27.5+ X01 WERX build with a blend of SRAM bits that forgoes that component in favor of a one-by set up, but it's nice to know you have the option in case the need ever arises.