Why We Like The DV9 Deore Factory Mountain Bike

Every knowledgeable mountain bike sensei will tell you that you should learn how to ride trails on a hardtail—and for good reason. Even riders with multiple seasons on full suspension bikes like to hone or refresh their skills on a trusty hardtail due to the instant feedback you get from the rear wheel. There are plenty of options out there, but there are few as versatile and capable as the DV9 from Ibis. This lightweight hardtail implements progressive XC geometry to compete in a 24-hour cross-country race, yet remains a capable daily driver for cruising through your local trail network. Ibis’ quality carbon frame construction gives the bike a lively feel with thoughtful details featured throughout the frame in classic Ibis fashion. This particular DV9 is set up as a cross-country race steed, featuring a 100mm Fox 32 Step Cast fork to keep the weight as low as possible while still offering great traction and ride feel. Shimano’s Deore componentry supplies consistent shifting performance at a reasonable price point, and the Schwalbe Racing Ray/ Thunder Burt tire combo keeps your rotational weight low for quick accelerations while providing ample grip for changing trail conditions.

The inspiration for the DV9 came from Ibis' CEO Hans Heim, who wanted to create a versatile frame for his high school XC-racing daughter Lili. Lili is in high-school, an active racer, and she has to buy her own bikes, so it needed the rolling benefits of 29-inch wheels, and be affordable and versatile out of necessity as well. Ibis gives the DV9 modern features such as internal dropper post routing, a tapered head tube, Boost rear axle spacing, and an in-house favorite, a creak-free threaded bottom bracket. The big story with the DV9, however, is its ability to be competitive on the racecourse as well as a capable trail bike when you just want to have fun. This is afforded by its progressive, slack geometry that Ibis appropriately refers to as "down-country." Of course, the aluminum construction keeps things light and stiff (the frame comes in at 1210g) and since it lacks any damping at the rear end, you'll appreciate the vibration cancellation afforded by the composite layup and clearance for high-volume tires.

Compared to Ibis' previous hardtail the Tranny, the reach numbers on the DV9 grew by 20 to 24mm depending on the size. The head tube also slackens from an XC dedicated 71-degrees to an all-around capable 67.4-degrees with this 120mm Fox Fork. These numbers encourage you to charge hard regardless of whether you're pushing towards the front of the pack at your local race series or chasing your friends down some raw singletrack on a big backcountry epic. Its low bottom bracket keeps it planted when railing berms, while its 17.3-inch chainstays enhance its responsive, lively feel.

The frame's carbon construction is everything we expect from Ibis with a nod towards optimized torsional stiffness and the ability to soak up trail chatter. It receives styling cues from other frames in the lineup visually with its angular contours as well as with its tapered headtube and versatile cable ports. Out back, burly chainstays ensure crisp response under hard pedaling while the thinner seatstays impart some give so jolts aren't sent directly to your backside.

• Ibis' carbon hardtail built with an aggressive XC setup
• Equipped with ultra-light Step Cast fork and fast-rolling tires
• Progressive XC geometry lends confident and precise handling
• Carbon frame is light, stiff, strong, and dampens the trail
• Boost axle spacing increases the stiffness of the 29-inch wheels
• Internal cable routing lets you add a dropper post, if desired
• Deore 12-speed offers unbeatable performance and value