Ibis Mojo 3 – designed for 27.5 and 27.5+ (not 29in)

The third generation of the Ibis Mojo has just been unveiled – and like the other bikes in the Ibis range it features stunning, sculpted lines.

Whereas the fairly recent Mojo HD3 features 150mm of travel and is designed around the harder hitting rider, the new Mojo 3 features 130mm of rear wheel travel and is aimed at the trail rider. It is designed to accept both regular 27.5in wheels, and the much talked about 27.5+ size too – but interestingly, not 29in wheels…

The all new 130mm travel Ibis Mojo 3 looks stunning. This one has 41mm Ibis 741 rims with 2.8in Schwalbe tyres. Fancy supreme grip? Look no further!

This plus sizer ain’t no wagon wheel rig

In case you don’t know, 27.5+ is a fairly new wheel size, based on a wider rim of about 40mm with a 27.5in wheel. You then run a tyre ranging from 2.8-3.2in which can make the outside diameter of the wheel nearer to that of a 29in wheel.

To get the same size as a 29in wheel, you’re looking for a tyre about 3.0in in size. Though we’ve not spent a lot of time on 27.5+ size tyres, there is certainly a bouncier feel to the bigger 3in tyres – whereas the smaller 2.8in tyres tend to feel similar to conventional 27.5in tyres, only with more traction and cushioning.

Santa Cruz recently launched the Hightower, which is based around the 29in wheel. It accepts the 27.5+ size and has a chip to tweak geometry, but also needs a longer fork with the plus size wheels to even out geometry.

Ibis chose not to go this route and keep the two wheel sizes separate.

Whereas some other manufacturers offer a frame to accept 29in wheels and 27.5+ wheels, Ibis chose to retain a better handling 27.5 bike. To make the most of two different wheel sizes, it can be expensive as you need two complete sets of wheels, and potentially a different fork, or at least internal adjustment. On the Ibis, the 741 rims accept both regular tyres, and 2.8in tyres from Maxxis and Schwalbe. Two different characteristics – same frame. Same wheels. Same fork.

“Quite a few people have asked us why we didn’t make this bike also 29er compatible. This is a good question that deserves a detailed answer.

In 2014 we started a project that would make the Ripley both a 29er and 27.5 Plus bike, because Plus tyres were supposed to be about the same outer diameter as 29er tyres. Then reality happened. When we got our early Plus tyre samples and started measuring, we found that all of the tyres measured smaller than what the tyre companies said they would. And when we rode a bunch of the Plus tyres, all the ones we liked were the shorter ones.

One thing that’s not talked about much is that tyres have their own sag, which is a real number at our preferred pressures.  When you measure the static BB height, it’s slightly higher with the 2.8 plus tyres. When you measure BB height with your weight on the bike, it’s the same as with 2.3″ 27.5 tyre.

When we realised this real-world scenario we decided not to convert the Ripley and looked at the Mojo 3 frame instead.

It works really well with ‘regular’ 27.5 tyres, which means you can choose different tyre sizes with the same wheel set and no frame or fork modifications. And it is an absolute bar-dragging game-changer with the 2.8 Plus tyres.

Note that the 2.8’s are an inch shorter than the 29er tyres.  In order to fit 29er tyres the chain stays would have to get significantly longer. The Mojo 3 enjoys 425mm (16.7″) chain stays. We think it’s probably the shortest plus-bike chainstay out there. The bottom line is that it’s a better 27.5 plus bike, because it’s not also a 29er”

Scot Nicol | Ibis Cycles 

The Lowdown

• Carbon Fibre monocoque frame and swingarm
• 68mm Threaded BB
• ISCG ’05 mounts
• 66.8º head angle (with 140mm Pike Boost fork)
• Frame weight 5.5 lbs with shock
• Fox Factory Float DPS shock, EVOL sleeve and Kashima coating
• 130mm rear travel
• 140mm front travel
• Latest generation DW-link
• 27.5 Plus compatible with 2.8” tyres (Ibis rate Maxxis and Schwalbe)
• Boost 148 rear
• Boost 110 front
• BB height at sag is the same with 2.3″ or 2.8″ tire
• 27.5 and 27.5 plus compatible with the same wheel set
• Internal cable routing (accepts full length outer, or interrupted housing)
• 1x or 2x compatible
• Bottle cage mounts on top of down tube on L and XL (underside on all models too)
• Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large sizes
• Frame £2649, complete build kit as shown £6249
• UK Distributor – 2Pure

The latest DW Link suspension system adorns the Ibis Mojo 3, and works harmoniously with the Fox EVOL air sleeve. Mud clearance is huge thanks to the Boost 148mm back end – which means this bike will be awesome for the UK conditions!

Smart internal cable routing accepts interrupted cables, or full length outer if you’d rather sacrifice the weight for performance in poor conditions.

The Ibis Mojo 3 looks stunning. Every year they come out with more stunning paint finishes – and this Corinthian red finish is possibly the best yet. Lovely!

What do you think of the new Ibis Mojo 3?  

Do you like the fact they’ve committed to 27.5in wheels, or would you prefer to have the 29in wheel option?

We’re interested to hear what you think – let us know below! 

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