Ibis

Mojo HD3 Carbon X01 Complete Mountain Bike - 2016

Ibis closed out 2014 in a deluge of fireworks with the launch of the all-new Mojo HD3. The bike was reminiscent of the old HD naming convention, but with a completely overhauled design built for 27.5in wheels and boasting 150mm of plush travel to conquer enduro courses around the world. The 2016 Ibis Mojo HD3 Carbon X01 Complete Mountain Bike retains the geometry and handling of its predecessor and adds a beefed out Boost rear axle for increased stiffness and clearance for even bigger tires. Kitted out with 160mm of Rock Shox RCT3 Boost front squish, SRAM's X01 one-by drivetrain, Guide RSC hydraulic brakes, a dropper post, and fast-rolling Easton ARC 30 wheels, this rig is ready to rip.

The Mojo HD3's 27.5in-specific DW-Link suspension platform continues to completely isolate rear wheel movement from pedaling and braking forces — expect a plush and linear suspension motion that feels like an even bigger bike, yet pedals on flats and climbs with the attitude of an XC machine. The 66.6-degree angle of the tapered head tube confuses the issue further, taking advantage of DW-Link's solidity and the chassis' stability to hit a steeper angle than most six-inch bikes. That means the Mojo HD3 leads into climbs with an aggressive front end that doesn't sell you out when you're dropping in for the descent. The bike's spine is built on stout, 16.9in chainstays and a low bottom bracket, which team with the aforementioned geometry for an uncommonly agile enduro sled that gets up and goes or goes down fast, defying the categorizations that limit so many other bikes.

We commend Ibis for its decision to once again include a threaded bottom bracket on the Mojo, which mercifully dismisses any proprietary press-fit systems in favor of a rock-solid, dirt-simple standard that will last for ages. Dual-row angular contact bearings on the drive side of the linkage require zero preload adjustment and dramatically reduce play compared to standard, sealed bearings, further bolstering the bike's lateral solidity and your own sense of control.