Ibis Mojo SL - can it seduce you ?

It is not always the case that using heavy equipment also means to make a compromise in terms of weight.

There are several examples for light all terrain mountainbikes. One of them is the Ibis Mojo SL, which we already tested in a normal setup last summer. So the question is: Is there a difference between those two ? Will the reduced weight have an impact on the overall performance ? This review will try to give some answers.

The SL tag obviously stands for Super Light and for a bike with a rear travel of 140mm, weighting 2230g including the DT Swiss shock made of carbon in frame size M, this is more than true. Based on this frame, it should be easily possible to create a bike which beats the 10kg mark by far. Tri-Cycles - distributor of Ibis in Germany - equipped the bike with a set of components similar to the one we tested on the regular Mojo, enabling us to concentrate on the differences of the frame itself and to draw direct parallels.

The core of the frame is clearly the top-of-the-line model from DT Swiss. Casing made of carbon, lockout lever made of titanium and just over 160g in the 200mm long version. The lockout worked reliable and was easy to operate while riding on ascents or tarmac. Even though it worked flawlessly, in direct comparison to the FOX damper system it fell behind. The main reason was, that the rear end could not eliminate all of the pedal-induced movements when the shock was open. So we had to use the lockout quite often to ensure an efficient motion transmission. 1:0 for the heavier brother.

No experiments with the shift componentry, only well proven XTR parts were allowed to handle the gear changes, including the new shadow rear derailleur. Also the wheels and disc brakes of the 2007 XTR were used, combining perfect function and extraordinary durability. The only fact we might want to criticize is the use of a 160mm disc at the front, which - from our perspective - does not correspond with the bike’s potential.

Despite this minor flaw the rides on our home trails were quite entertaining. When riding uphill the bike climbed those gradients with ease, just to rock down the other side furiously. A rear and front travel of 140mm makes a ride on challenging trails and downhills almost to a walk in the park. The steering was very sensitive and subtle steering adjustments were made easy. Occasionally we got the impression not to overstrain the small carbon damper, but these fears were nedlessly, even during long, intensive downhills the rear shock performed well.

True eye catchers of the Mojo SL are the anodized components, especially because of the matt frame coating, what makes them stand out even more. The frame coatings offered are rubberpaint clear, brown and grey, obviously not too many options. Striking colors like the nuclear peso green or eddy orange are only offered - without surcharge - for the regular Mojo.

At the front end the bike uses the excellent FOX F32 rlc fork, which is certainly not lightweight with over 1800g. But its performance countervails that more than adequate, its suspension and damping is superior to models with less weight and therefore fits in the concept of the bike very nicely. Additionally the fork allows to adjust the travel from 140mm to 100mm in 2 steps, so the comparison to models like the RS SID seems more than inadequate.

The Shimano brake and RapidFire levers are mounted on a MonkeyLite SL handlebar from Easton, which ensures total steering control over the bike.

Quite unusual for this kind of mountainbike is the usage of a full integrated headset, which is delivered by Cane Creek. During our testing period, there were no problems to report.

The seating zone consists of an Easton EC90 Zero seatpost paired with a comfortable Aliante saddle from Fi:zik.

The Ibis logo is not only a decal but a machined aluminium part which is riveted into the massive headtube of the frame.

The frameset ( equipped with the DT Swiss rear shock ) has an MSRP of $2,499.

Surprisingly well performed the Nevagal tires of Kenda in a special John Tomac edition. Despite a catastrophic weight of 630g in size 2.1′, the tire offered a substantial amount of grip even in borderline conditions. However the tires would be the first spot to shed weight without sacrificing reliability and performance for reaching the 10kg mark.

Further impressions:

Conclusion: Ibis sets a certain course with the Mojo SL, but failed distancing it clearly from the heavier brother. Setting the top priority on weight, the answer is clear: get the SL. If you want the optimal suspension performance you should have a look at the regular version with the FOX rear shock. That’s why we perceive the Ibis as a must buy, alone based on the fact of its noble finish and uncommon frame shape. And like Austin Powers always said: “What am I without my Mojo ?”