Gear Reviews

Hands on the Ibis Mojo HD3

Does the Ibis Mojo HD3 Live Up to it’s Billing?

The Ibis Mojo HD3 has been one of the most anticipated bikes to be released within the last year, and for good reason. Ibis hit it out of the park with the previous HDR, and the Ripley has been receiving it’s own fair share of accolades. Never one to be first to market, Ibis takes their time releasing new bikes and product, taking a sharp-shooter’s approach to the design/build process whereas many manufacturers tend to shotgun it, going through a few model versions before dialing it in. Needless to say I’ve been waiting a long time to ride one, and it was the bike I really had my heart set on riding back in March at the Moab Thaw.

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So what was the verdict…? As much as I wanted to love this bike, it didn’t immediately have me digging for the amex like I thought it might. In all fairness to Ibis and the HD3, the bike had a few things working against it. However, let’s start with the positives.

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Ibis Mojo HD3 First Impressions

The Mojo HD3 is one of the sharpest looking bikes around. And for those who say that doesn’t matter, when was the last time you dropped 8K on something you thought was ugly? It matters, and the Mojo HD3 is a work of art. The matte black with baby blue highlights is a color scheme after my own heart.

Additionally, sitting on the bike reminded me a lot of the Pivot Mach 6 which is an absolute joy to point downhill. The cockpit is compact, yet at the same time feels stout and ready for business. While I could see how some longer-legged riders might feel about cramped, my 5’9″ frame had no complaints on a medium.

So where did the bike go wrong? One of the inherent inadequacies of demo days, is that often the bike setup is hit or miss, especially when you’re dealing with a rear shock like the Cane Creek DB Inline which has a reputation for being “ultra-tunable” ie; finicky as fuck. Furthermore, cockpit arrangement, tire pressure, fork settings, rebound adjustments, etc… can all dramatically affect one’s enjoyment level with a bike. Admittedly, in my haste and anticipation to get the tires spinning, I didn’t put the proper effort into getting the bike setup right. Realize this is not so much a critique of the bike as much as it is the circumstances that it was ridden within.

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Ibis Mojo HD3 Conclusion

With that said, the bike is still on my shortlist and I am definitely looking forward to getting another shot with the Mojo HD3 (if anyone at Ibis happens to be reading, I’d love to get my hands on an extended demo and put the time and effort into getting the bike dialed the way that it deserves for a proper review;).

About the author

Alex

Alex is a designer by trade & mid-grade adventurer by night who’s quite partial to knobby tired bikes, clean design, & dirty hands. When not updating this silly website, he's likely off exploring the nearby hills with a few of his favorite partners in crime.

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