Ibis Mojo HD3 Plus version released
The HD3 is now available with Plus sized 2.8 wheels (click to enlarge).
What is it?
The capable and versatile Ibis Mojo HD3 will become even more capable. With the addition of an all-new swingarm design, the HD3 is now both Boost and Plus tire compatible, accommodating the delightfully grippy Plus tires up to 2.8”.
The new HD3 is in stock and available for immediate shipping in all three colors. The bike can now be purchased in with either 2.3 tires or 2.8 Plus tires.
Same frame with two different tire standards?
With the creation of this new Boost rear swingarm, the frame can now fit up to 2.8 tires. There will be gobs of tire clearance with standard 2.3 tires and a sufficient but not ample amount of clearance with 2.8 tires. The bike was fully tested with Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8 tires and it clears seat stays and the seat tube with no problems.
The new rear triangle is Boost compatible and both this and the non-Boost rear frames will be available until the non-Boost frames are out of stock.
They use 148 designated stickers at the headquarters to identify the rear ends (click to enlarge).
Why 2.8?
Ibis tested a lot of tires and they like the handling and responsiveness of the 2.8 tire, specially for this caliber of all mountain bikes. The bike achieves a good balance of playfulness and steering while gaining the gobs of traction offered up by 2.8 tires at about 15psi.
They also wanted to work within the constraints of their existing 35mm carbon wheels and they said 2.8 tires are the max of what these width rims can handle with little handling compromise.
What about the change in bottom bracket height?
Here’s where it gets tricky. The heights of 2.3 tire and 2.8 tire are different with the 2.8 tire taller by 6mm or .25 inches. The unsagged bb height of the original HD3 is 13.4 inches with 2.3 tires. So unsagged, the bb height of the HD3 Plus with 2.8 tires rises to about 13.65 inches.
But the beauty of it according to Ibis is 2.8 tires are ridden with much lower tire pressure. Maybe 14-16 psi for 150 lb riders. At these pressures, the tires sag several millimeters more than a 2.3 tire at 22 psi. So the net effect on the bb height is not that high, perhaps 2-4 mm.
What about my old HD3 frame?
The good news is your existing HD3 frame can be upgraded fairly easily. With a rear swingarm replacement, the frame will become Boost and 2.8 tire compatible. The old wheels can be converted to Boost with a hub conversion kit from Lindareets. There’s a few other steps too that we’ll detail in a step by step article coming out this week.
Exiting the corner at full tilt (click to enlarge).
Details
With the addition of Plus capability, you can build the HD3 in three distinct categories that will accommodate wildly different conditions and styles of riding, all with a single set of wheels.
- Our dw-link suspension effectively decouples suspension travel from climbing performance, so if XC or light trail bike duty is what you’re after, a nice light set of 2.3” tires will turn this beast into a svelte shredder.
- If you ride in mud a lot, some 2.3 mud spikes will fit with gobs of clearance.
- For those of you who just want to point it straight downhill or if you ride in very rough and rocky conditions, put on some 2.5s with good sidewall protection and hold on tight.
- Hint: if you want to use every mm of the 150mm travel HD3, the new Wide Trail (WT) Maxxis Minions are an ideal match for our 35mm internal width carbon rims.
- And finally, the new kids on the block, equally confidence inspiring for beginner and expert alike, the 2.8” Plus tires from both Maxxis and Schwalbe offer levels of grip we’ve never seen this side of Velcro.
The HD3 will now be available with Plus 2.8 tires or normal 2.3 tires both on 27.5 wheels (click to enlarge).
That’s Not All
For current HD3 owners who want to upgrade to Boost/Plus, we’ve got great news. We are offering a swingarm retrofit kit for the 142mm HD3s to convert to the Boost/Plus swingarm.
The retrofit kit consists of:
- All new HD3 Boost/Plus Swingarm
- New 148mm Hexle
- Boost lower link
- Boost lower link rear shaft hardware
- Boost compatible front derailleur mount
- Retrofit kits will be available in April
Rear profile of tire clearance (click to enlarge).
Continue to page 2 for more info on the HD3 and HD3 Plus »
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