The Mojo HD is the longer travel bigger brother to the Mojo and Mojo SL. The “HD” as we call it, has 160mm of rear wheel travel, up 20mm from the other Mojos.
The Mojo Carbon, which we introduced in 2005, pioneered efficient, lightweight long travel suspension, blurring the lines between those previously separate categories.
The Mojo HD takes this concept a step further, giving riders another level of skill and confidence in nearly every situation.
Brian Lopes has ridden the HD more than anyone, and we asked for his thoughts on how we should talk about the HD.
“Let people know that this frame, although it looks very similar, it is a completely different beast when the limits are being pushed. When I am charging down any hill I can feel the differences in every aspect. The angles, stiffness, and that added amount of travel all are huge factors that translate into the ability to ride steeper, rougher, more technical terrain with more ease and confidence. While the regular MOJO is NO whimpy bike, the HD enhances the capabilities of a rider to the next level, especially when pushing the limits.” – Brian Lopes
Due to the success of the Mojo, the bar was very high for this bike (high jump reference, not a limbo reference). After reading what Brian said about the frame, consider that the weight of the HD frame is 6.3lb, half a pound more than the Mojo. Light weight combined with the pedalability of the dw-link along with all that go-fast stuff Brian mentioned means we’ve hit our goal.
The HD is designed to be used with forks in the 160mm to 180mm travel range. Two geometry charts are provided for your viewing pleasure (one at 160mm and one at 180mm)
Although there’s a family resemblance, the Mojo HD uses all new molds and layups for both front triangle and swingarm. The frame is made from the same modulus carbon as the SL. The lower link and Lopes Link are all new too.
Here’s a lot more on the various features and design of the HD.
Headset
The HD features what’s being referred to (at least this week) as a mixed tapered headset with a 1.5″ lower and a 1.125″ upper.
The 1.5″ lower provides an exceptionally rigid front end platform. Combined with the through axle fork and our very stiff front end layup, you’ll be amazed at the precision found in the front end, particularly when pushing hard.
The HD is also compatible with the King InSet headset.
Not Your Father’s 160mm Bike
One of the things we’d like to stress is that while 160mm of travel might not seem like a big change from the Mojo, or enough for the huck demons out there, you’ve got to try it. 160mm of Ibis spec dw-link feels like a lot more. The spring curves and leverage rates we’ve spec’d along with Fox on their RP23 resulted in a bike that surprises people when they ride it. The HD feels bomber unless you’re pedaling it uphill, when it feels downright svelte. The 1.5 tapered steerer, our refined carbon layup, and the sum total of many customers’ feedback being incorporated into the design of this frame—all these things combine to give the HD a very surprising feel. It’s built like a tank, but doesn’t ride like one. Welcome to the new era.
Lopes’s Influence
The HD has been in development for three years, before we started working with Brian Lopes. We had originally planned on a 68 degree head angle and had already done the CAD models that way. When we started working with Brian he pushed hard for 67 so we actually went back and redid the models. We’re happy we did.
Brian and his mechanic Joe also helped us refine the cable routing so that cables are well protected, run clean and friction free and also have compatibility with single and multiple chainring setups and adjustable seatposts.
Although people suspect we do, we haven’t been making special layups for Brian. He’s just been riding the most current rev of the latest proposed production layup and been giving us feedback. We’ve done several versions now and the frame he rode at Downhill World’s in 2009 isn’t as good as the one that the consumer will be able to buy (sorry Brian).
Brian and Joe were also pretty adamant about having the chain guide attach in some way other than just around the BB. They didn’t want the guide to be able to rotate when you hit the bash guard. Joe came up with tapping threads into the main pivot bolt to secure it and it worked really well. The head of the Ibis engineering department (the amazing and incredible Colin) refined the idea and designed a custom guide that we’ll be stocking for it. They’ll be made by MRP and one is pictured below (note the nifty bolt that secures it to the lower link-definitely click on this image for a bigger view).
Dropouts
The post-mount Magnesium left dropout is forged (as compared to the more common die cast). This gives much higher strength and more consistent material properties. It works out to be about the same strength as aluminum but at 2/3rds the weight.
Tires and Rotors
Depending on brand and depth of knobs, 2.35″-2.5″ tires will fit the Mojo HD.
You can fit up to a 200mm diameter rear rotor.
Cable Routing
Cable routing is provided for cable actuated adjustable seatposts.
An optional polycarbonate cable guard is available that bolts under the down tube.
Cable guides are all removable so you can have the cleanest possible look depending on your cable orientation and whether or not you’re running a front derailleur.
Polycarbonate Cable Guard
If you are an extremely aggressive rider, we’ve found that it’s possible to damage the brake line and derailleur housing that will be routed under the down tube. To prevent that from happening, we have available an optional polycarbonate cable guard that bolts on under the down tube. We don’t have a production version yet, so you have to look at the ProE render below.
ISCG Compatibility
The Mojo HD is not ISCG compatible because the upper ISCG bolt interferes with the lower link.
Instead, we’ve made a custom MRP guide. It will provide all the robustness of ISCG and will be much easier to install.
Robust Lower Link
We expect the HD to get an extra heaping helping of abuse, so we’ve beefed up the lower link considerably. It features dual row angular contact bearings in the front of the lower link that have less play than standard sealed bearings. The large 28mm x 15mm x 7mm radial bearings in the rear offer greater stiffness and longer wear.
Hammerschmidt Compatibility
Because we don’t use ISCG mounts, there’s no provision for mounting a SRAM Hammerschmidt.
Not to worry though, it wouldn’t have worked well on the Mojo.
Modern suspension bikes are designed such that chainring/cog combinations have a significant effect on suspension dynamics. The Mojo HD suspension is optimized for a 32T chainring. The Hammerschmidt two-speed gearbox has a 22 or 24T chainring that then uses a planetary system to give you the equivalent of a 36T ring in the higher gear. They do it this way because the inefficiency of the planetary system is less detrimental in the high gear than in the low gear. As mentioned before, chainring/cog choice has a significant effect on suspension dynamics, and unfortunately the 22T Hammerschmidt chainring will promote pedal bob.
Paint
As you can see by the photos on this page, the Mojo HD will come in white. What you can’t tell is that it will also come in a matte black / clear carbon finish, and we’ll get pictures of that frame up as soon as we can. A third, more colorful version is in the works as well.
Links will be available in Red, Blue and Black
Pricing
The Frame price is $2399, which includes the RP23 shock.
The initial groups we spec will be an X9 based group and an XT group.
Click here to see the group spec.
You may upgrade to a DHX Air shock for $133.99
If you want to buy a frame only and build up the bike yourself, we will offer headsets and bash guards separately.
Ordering Information
To place an order for your Mojo HD, please contact your Ibis Retailer.
There will be high demand for the Mojo HD for the first few months of production. We have distributors in 33 countries, not to mention all the retailers we have in the US.
Get in your order quick, we fill orders strictly on a first ordered, first shipped basis. If you’re lucky, your retailer might have been one of those who pre-ordered and will be getting theirs from the first batch.
First deliveries will be in March and will take a couple of months to ramp up to full production.
To see a list of Ibis Dealers, click here
Mojo “HD” Specifications
- 160mm of rear wheel travel.
- DW Link Suspension.
- 26″ Wheels.
- Weight for the frame and shock, size large: 6.3 lbs, 2.86Kg.
- 67 degree head angle with a 160mm fork.
- Polycarbonate down tube cable guard.
- Chain stay length: 17.125″.
- 12 x 135mm Maxle rear axle.
- Post mount magnesium left dropout, carbon right dropout.
- Compatible with the new tapered steerer standard: 1 1/8th hidden upper, 1.5 traditional lower.
- Compatible with both Chris King InSet and Cane Creek Frustum headsets.
- If you want to run your current straight 1 1/8″ fork, we’ve got you covered too. We will have an adapter available, and you will be able to use a King headset top and bottom.
- 2.35″-2.55″ rear tire depending on brand and height of cornering knobs.
- Dual row angular contact bearings in the front of the lower link that have less play than standard sealed bearings. Preload adjustment is not necessary. Large 28mm x 15mm x 7mm radial bearings in the rear for stiffness and long wear.
- The leverage ratio, like the Mojo and Mojo SL is designed for air shocks. The Mojo HD comes with a 8.5″ x 2.5″ Fox RP23. A DHX air will work on all but the small size. A coil shock is not offered because the linkage rates weren’t designed for it. We lowered the top tube to get slightly better standover than the regular small mojo while having a higher BB because of the longer travel (we managed to retain the DHX air compatibility in 3 of the 4 sizes).
- The Bottom Bracket height is 13.8″-14″ depending on tires.
- Front derailleur (if you use one) and adjustable seatpost housing (if you use one) run along the top tube.
