Ibis

Mojo 3 Carbon 27.5 Plus XT 1x WERX Mountain Bike - 2016

Whether you've spent the last few years with your head in your hands, mourning the end of the 140mm Mojo's ten year reign, or you're wondering what all the fuss is about a new bike that seems less capable than the venerable Mojo HD3, we assure you: the Mojo 3 is worth a look. Ibis itself refers to the all-new Mojo 3 Carbon 27.5 Plus XT 1x WERX Complete Mountain Bike as the little brother of the burly HD3 enduro machine. Normally, that might seem like a slight, but in this case, it's a good thing.

Ibis' founder, Scot Nicol, is well aware of the fact that most of us don't ever encounter the type of apocalyptic terrain that would actually push a bike like the HD3 to display its full capabilities. So he wagered (correctly, in our opinion) that the majority of cyclists not racing enduro at the highest level weren't either. Put simply, the Mojo 3 is a more fun, more playful, more versatile ride for a much wider range of cyclists, but it won't shy away from the types of roughshod, technical terrain that you would've blasted through on a heavier enduro sled.

Ibis juxtaposes a long-and-low front end with a short, responsive rear triangle on the Mojo 3. It's got a 66.8-degree head tube angle up front, which looks right at home next to any six-inch enduro rig. Despite that slackness, Ibis used the increased clearance from front and rear Boost spacing to slam the rear wheel up, taking a big step towards XC-territory with stubby, 16.73in chainstays while leaving enough tire clearance for the 2.8in tubbies. This blend of relaxed posture, stiffer Boost axles, and a nimble rear footprint equips the Mojo 3 with intimidating versatility. You'll be able to spin up long climbs with ease then drop off the backside at the top to dice through a root latticed descent before the rest of your pals riding enduro brutes have even finished the climb.

Fittingly, Ibis trusted a carefully-tuned shock and DW-Link suspension to match the frame's sprightly nature, tuning the rear shock to initially ride on the plush side while ensuring it remains responsive and firm off the top. This plushness lends it ample small-bump compliance along with the ability to climb aggressively along rock-lined switchbacks, not unlike an XC bike. Later on in the stroke, the shock's ramp-up becomes significantly more robust, showing its enduro roots and delivering dependable big-hit compliance that will allow you to push the Mojo 3 through threatening descents without hesitation. In fact, with the 2.8in tires included on this build, the Mojo 3's five inches of travel will feel about a full inch deeper than it actually is. If you decide, as we would, to line up with the Mojo 3 on an XC start line and swap the 2.8's for more nimble 2.3's or 2.5's, the shock tune and suspension will maintain the same bottom bracket height at the sag point.

Ibis crafts the Mojo 3's frame as a sleek, full carbon monocoque construction with the same pedigree as the HD3 but at a significant weight savings — 0.4lbs, compared to its heavier sibling. The tapered head tube works alongside the Boost axles to further increase stiffness up front, contributing to the frame's line-holding confidence. As this Mojo 3 counts itself as a WERX build, it also comes with a set of Ibis' envy-inspiring matte carbon 742 rims, complete with DT Swiss 350 internals in the rear. These sleek rims boast a commanding 41mm throne and hook-less bead on which your 2.8in tires will sit with all the cool confidence of royalty, experiencing none of the distracting bounciness of wider tires forced onto narrower rims. Ibis also graces this build with a dependable one-by Shimano XT drivetrain, choosing not to take advantage of the space for a front derailleur that the shorter stays allow for, but leaving you with the option in case you want to take advantage of it in the future.