"Bikes of the Amateurs" - Dave's Ibis Mojo

Ever since I was a kid, one of my favourite parts of bike magazines were the articles about 'Pro Bikes'. I used to really love getting into the detail and seeing why these top guys used certain parts, and what wasn't standard, or even available in the shops. I remember the article about David Baker's Ti Raleigh, which with it's first gen' Hope Ti hub and ti skewers, not to mention an 'aheadset', was state of the art.
I even googled for the article and happened upon this Youtube of the same bike!



This guy looks to be about half as cool as a teabag, but back in the day he was the business and got 3rd in a World Cup XC. He sounds like an idiot, but this is because he is from the North of England.

So here is the first (and possibly last) in the Bushlove "Amateur Bikes" series.

I have a new Ibis Mojo. Its the best thing I've ever ridden and pretty much does the riding for me. Its a full carbon frame (except for all the lead weights Slacky no doubt put in the tubes for me) with 5.5 inches of super plush travel in the back and up front with the Fox RLC fork. It's got a DW link which basically means it doesn't shag you around when you try to pedal it up a hill. One of the coolest things is the look of this fine horse. The swoopy frame shape and the bright orange colour makes for a real head turner.



It's my first foray into the new world of modern mountain bikes. All the man cards I have held close to my chest for so long, have been thrown on the pile, as I embrace the full suspension comforts and even contemplate a super-camp adjustable seatpost and tubeless tires. My baggy shorts now even outnumber my tight ones.



It's been an interesting couple of months learning to ride it. It's good pedaling through rough ground, especially when climbing as the back end gives awesome traction. Descending is sublime and many technical sections of trail are now quite easy, until they get, er.. hard. I've set it up with an 80mm Thomson stem and sweet Easton EA70 680mm Monkeybar, which stops the bike feeling too 'XC Racer' and gives great handling, especially round steep corners or over drop offs. I run the saddle at my regular XC height which as all those in the know, know is inseam in shoes x 0.883 (per the great, Deadly Ned Overend) - 10mm to give more maneuverability on steeper trails. I get a lot out of the bike when I drop the saddle for some downhills so might get something like a Gravity Dropper or Joplin in the future. Once I've done some testing to see if the dollars spent translate into enough time saved.

I almost always run Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25 with tubes at 30psi. I reckon they are one of the best all round tires. I can race them wet or dry and they roll great. If I get a chance to do some racing this year (baby due in August ;o) I might get some super fast Racing Ralphs and run them tubeless when its not too wet.


Some of these airs are even bigger than Clive's. This is the same frame. I figure good enough for Lopes, more than good enough for me!

The other interesting thing I've tried is the 1x9 set up with the MRP 1x device. Working great so far. Coming off the singlespeed I still have plenty of climbing gears, and never came close to touching the bottom cogs doing a nice Makara ride yesterday Although I did do quite a few climbs in the 34t. But then I am feeble and lazy. I like riding steep techy uphills though and it might be too tough with this set-up. Time will tell. Although there is a 12-36t cassette I could get. And when Shimano brings out 10spd, it will have the range required to make this set-up more versatile. Nothing says 'probably wearing bib shorts underneath' like a World Cup XC gear set up.


I'm not hugely experienced in riding different fullys. The Mojo has won a few magazine test showdowns and the MTBR bike of the year a few times, so I thought it was a safe choice and I've been very impressed. I've done some fun amateur jumps and drops on it, and even gone fairly well in a couple of XC type races, which was reassuring. The customer service is also meant to be excellent, and I've had some great chats and support from Mike Stylie at Hyperformance Hardware, the NZ distributor.

Its an awesome machine. I read somewhere that the measure of a great bike is how much you look forward to riding it. Driving over to Makara yesterday I felt like I was 16 again, in my best undies, on the way to a new girlfriends house, knowing her parents were out.

Cheers
Dave