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 140mm travel Mojo, 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, combined with uncanny climbing prowess.

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 original 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 (for our frame, order the .005" over version).

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 was 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).

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.

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 32-36T 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.

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