3 years after we first saw one, the Mojo is still an impressive looking bike. Working out down the twin slalom gymnasium has done wonders for its aggression levels, too. It lacks the pointy edge of our favorite rides, but if you are after a completely able, trustworthy light trail bike that'll let you get on with enjoying the ride to the full it's still a comprehensive classic.
Ride & handling : Wonderfully neutral, giving you a clear head to take on the trail - The galvanizing thing about the Ibis is that the full ride feels as well rounded as it appears to be. Even with a comparatively narrow bar and long stem it threads and weaves thru the trees with a warranted and smoothly obedient ease.
Plug in bigger bars and, even though it intensifies the softness of the frame, it can still be hauled around turns within its natural arc. When you do push too hard the rear end just steps out smoothly and predictably to elbow the nose in while the back re-sticks itself prepared to drive out. The comparatively compact frame dimensions make it simple to move your weight between the wheels. This suggests fully instinctive and unstressed control of slip or grip at either end when the comparatively narrow Nevegal tyres get out of their depth.
Sometimes for a bike with a dw-link design, the suspension is just as well sorted. It feels positive thru the pedals for good traction management, but it is steady under power even without ProPedal platform damping switched on. Regardless of the small volume tyres, bump reply is controlled, cosy and capable right through from root rattle to huge stone hits and drops. The new squarer, stiffer links make a much more solid connection between front and back ends than the flexy older Mojo.
There's still conspicuous twist in either end compared to the stiffest competition, but it's spread uniformly across the frame. It just interprets as a slight softness thru pedals and tyres when you get assertive.
Frame : Still looks completely fresh and unique ; right on the money in performance terms too - A fortified head tube swallows the integrated headset while the monocoque frame flows back in an organic X-braced mainframe layout. More curved and flowing tubes form the similarly 'grown' looking rear swingarm, though extra protection beneath is crucial to stop chain slap damage. The detailing truly stands out too : a chiseled quick-release lever sits at the pinnacle of the extended seat tube while cutaway pockets on the frame take the short lower and upper dw-link linkages. These are now the beefed-up Lopes Links designed for backed twin slalom rider Brian Lopes, complete with pressed-in bearings for simple replacement. At under 6lb ( 2.7kg ) frame weight it's still competitive for a 140mm travel carbon bike, while the higher modulus carbon ( heat given treatment for higher strength ) and titanium bolt-pimped Mojo SL frame is nearly a pound lighter for an additional £350.
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