Below is the full english translation of the Mountainbike Rider Magazine test of the Mojo HD.
If you want to see pretty pictures and a scan of the article in German, Klicken Sie hier.
There’s more than one way to skin a cat
We test four brand new Enduro rides.
Hardly any other bike is currently enjoying as much inovation and development as the enduro. On the
one hand there are the tough downhill orientated enduro rides with huge amounts of travel – on the
other hand there are the tamer rides, where flexibility is more important. And then there’s the rides that
try and combine these two ideas of enduro. We went and tested and compared four ultimately different
enduro concepts on our search for the biggest dose of fun.
The Bikes
Trying to define the term ‚enduro’ leads to a great variety of interpretation. This becomes all too
obvious when you compare the technical data of our four test bikes. Try to define enduro merely by
the amount of travel and you run into the first dilema. The ‚Last’ has 145mm of rear travel, whereas the
‚Mojo HD’ is equipped with a set of whopping 180mm forks and 160mm at the rear. ‚Rocky Mountain’
and ‚Specialised’ probably define the most common idea of the term enduro with 160 and 170mm
travel both front and rear.
Regarding weight the bikes are more on a par. The four bikes weigh in at between 13 and 15 kilos,
aptly prepared for the odd uphill. Outstanding at this point: The Mojo HD with the most downhill skills is
the lightest bike in the test with 13,55 kilos.
Apart from keeping the weight low there are different ways to push the enjoyment of riding uphill. For
example the geometry: Rocky Mountain uses a steep, forward set seat angle, giving the rider a sporty
sitting position. The idea behind this concept is that the rider usually stands whilst riding downhill, so
Rocky decided to optimise the sitting position for riding uphill. Another option is a set of djustable
suspension forks, as found on the Last and Rocky. Uphill the travel is reduced – changing the
geometry of the ride – downhill the forks expand to full travel. The drivetrain obviously also plays an
important role. Only the Last has a triple chainring, giving it the most uphill riding capabilities. Only
snatch here – theoreticaly the chain is not held in position as well as with a chainguide. Also, without
a bashguard the big chainring is not as well protected. Specialized equipped the Evo with two
chainrings and an adaptable Gamut chainguide. In order to allow for as large a ratio as possible the
Evo is built up with a Sram 10 speed cassette. Ibis importer Tri-cycles goes all the way, reckoning that
us boys from MRM are in it for the downhill fun, by equipping the HD with a single large front chainring
and a chainguide. Important note: all four bikes can be equipped with a front deraileur, only Rocky
Mountains has an E-type mount. Since we’re on the topic of drivetrains – apart from the HD all bikes
are ‚Hammerschmidt’ compatible. Consequently Truvativs crankset is a further alternative to a robust
drivetrain option.
The rear triangle performance is not only important on the downhill, but also when riding uphill. A
bopping rear end is not alot of fun when pedalling uphill. This can be solved either by a well designed
rear and / or an intelligent suspension system. For example the ‚Fox FP23’ rear shok has a small lever
which allows the rider to stiffen the suspension, reducing bopping.
One component that has definite positive up- and downhill capabilities that – once tried and testedcanot
be missed on any ride - is a hydraulicaly adjustable seatpost, ultimately with a remote control on
the handlebars. Especially when riding in a group where everyone else has this gadget it gets rather
annoying having to wait before and after every downhill for someone to get off and manually change
the height of their seatpost. A flip of a switch at the bars and the seatpost ejects or receeds – there’s
nothing better. Both Rocky Mountains and Specialized did their homework and equipped their
testbikes with on the fly seatposts.
Downhill is alot of fun and it would be a shame to reduce the amount of grin time through a poor
selection of parts. What however is most important when descending ? In fact it is a set of similar
features as wehn riding uphill that define the downhill. Again the geometry plays an important role –
after all what use is an enduro that rides well uphill but feels like a cross country racer when riding
downhill. What mostly guarantees downhill fun is a relatively slack head angle, which can be found on
all four test bikes. Also a compact main triangle with a low, sloping top tube allows for lots of
moveability whilst riding as well as giving the rider the essential amount of confidence. A good set of
tyres is also essential, at least they should have sufficient grip and puncture resistence. After
guaranteeing the above it may make sense to start concentrating on saving some weight. Contis
Rubber Queen as found on the Last are a good compromise. Friends of heftier tyres will prefer the
Maxxis Ardent, as found on the Rocky Mountain or the Clutch as found on the Specialized.
It’s the small details that can make a rider happy or sad and all four bikes seem to know what they’re
doing, the build being defined by practicality. Last has put alot of effort into the perfect functionality
and flexibility of its drivetrain. Both 135mm and 150mm wheels can be built into the rear triangle. The
front derailleur can also be mounted in two different positions allowing for flexibility up front too. Last
but not least the bike is designed to incoporate two different types of bottom bracket. By creating such
a vast flexibility the chainline can be exactly defined, allowing for less wear on the components.
Ibis also offers the Mojo in a more timid All Mountain version. The Mojo HD has increased rear travel
and is designed for forks up to 180mm. This is the bike Brian Lopes won the Sea Otter Downhill race
on. That shows the potential of this bike. Brians influence can be seen in some of the gravity details.
The rear wheel is fastened by the stiff and robust maxle system. The downtube is protected by a large
polycarbonate that also acts as a cableguide. The screwed cableguides along the top tube are great
for flexibility, keeping the cable routing tidy. For exmple if you aren’t riding with a front derailleur you
can simply remove the guides and you have a set of lovely clean lines.
Rocky Mountain has also gone and pimped up their Slayer. It has an extra cableguide for the remote
switch of an adjustable seatpost. The ISCG mount sports a kind of mini chainguide that stops the
chain from skipping off the rings, damaging the frame. The rear wheel is secured via Shimanos new Ethu
axle. (142mm x 12mm). This guarantees alot stiffness and easy handling.
Specialized is very consequent in its build. The Evo is a further model of the Enduro product range
and it consequently consentrates mainly on the downhill. The Evo also has a cable routing for the
Specialized adjustable seat post. The frame has an ISCG mount with a Gamut chainguide. Also the
steel shock and big tyres clearly marks the bikes territory. This makes the bike the heaviest in the test,
but at least you know why.
The components of all our test bikes is high end – there’s no need to complain there. Of course at the
end of the day it’s a matter of budget deciding which components you’ll be building onto your bike. The
good thing is that all the bikes – except the Specialized – can be bought as framesets – letting you
choose the components. The Last Herb AM is the least costly ride at € 1.999 for frame and shock. The
Ibis sets you back € 2.848, marking the top of the tests pricerange. This isn’t cheap, but you do get hiend
stuff for your money. The Last is also least costly as a complete build bike with a good choice of
light yet robust parts: Bikeman wheels, Truvativ Stylo cranks and an X-9 drivetrain are robust, fairly
light and have a good price. Eventhough its got big travel forks and a downhill orietated build the Ibis
is the lightest bike in the test. That comes as no surprise when you take a look at the parts: hugely
expensive ZTR Flow wheels, high end Fox suspension elements and an XTR rear derailieur. There’s
nothing more you could wish for – but then your wallet is also € 5.891 lighter. Rocky Mountain and
Specialized are somewhere in between with the bikes costing around € 4.000 – still no bargain.
Uphill
Theoreticaly there’s lots you can do, but how do the bikes perform out on the test track ? Rockys
Slayer presents itself in a new look, more athletic and Enduro than before. This is of course mostly
noticeable when riding uphill. Thanks to the ‚straight up’ design the sitting position is very comfortable
and the rear end does a good job of keeping bopping to a minimal.
Even more impressive is the Last when riding uphill. Absolutely no bopping and a superbly working
drivetrain make it the most efficient uphill riding machine. The triple chainrings can handle a little
steeper ascending as well.
Just because it is so lightweight the Ibis should be flying uphill – however because of its single,
relatively large chainring its wings a clipped after a certain amount of uphill. However until then it
accelerates very well. The rear end DW system works very efficiently. Because the HD version is
much softer than the normal Mojo there is quite a bit of bopping – it’s nothing annoying, but it is softer
than the other bikes.
The Specialized ignores the concept of lightweight, saying goodbye to carbon parts, air shocks and
light wheels. The Evo is for everyone who loved the original Evo classic and aren’t too bothered about
the weight. The rear triangle is the same FSR design as Speializeds other lightweight bikes, but the
Evo somehow feels more plush thanks to its steel shock. Going uphill there is alot of bopping though,
but also nothing annoying. With the Evo Specialized clearly defines its priorities. You just need to
know what you’re after.
Downhill
As soon as you’re riding downhill all the uphill gizmos just don’t seem to matter anymore. All that
counts is good grip, plush suspension and the right geometry. This is where the Specilized stands out.
As soon as you sit on it, it feels great, and you’re ready to just get up and go. Great tyres, great
brakes, and great suspension. Every ounce that seemed to be too much uphill is now quickly
forgotten. By the way, the Specialized adjustable seatpost works perfectly too. Every enduro should be
equipped with such a gadget.
Everything else is just plain annoying. Best example: Ibis. Before the downhill begins you need to get
off and start unscrewing the seatclamp. Good news here: the frame can also be equipped with a quick
release seat clamp. Ultimately the bike should be eqipped with an adjustable seat post – then it would
be a near perfect ride. Downhill the Mojo HD leaves the others behind. Although it has an air shock it
is the plushest ride of the test. It also feels the most secure, so you can really get some speed going. It
comes as no surprise that Brian Lopes is so quick on this bike ! Even though the DW system works
very well it does have two small disadvantages: Firstly the chain gets dangerously close to the frame –
that’s why Ibis added a massive protective sheet to the rear chainstay. Secondly, the design is perfect
for mud clotting, so you need alot of time and patience to clean the bike after a muddy ride.
Rockys Slayer is a great allrounder and is great fun downhill. The rear end isn’t quite as plush as
Specialized or Ibis, but the suspension still works really well. The adjustable seat post is again a
definite plus and would only be better through a remote switch on the handlebars. The Slayer has
great handling, is very agile and works especially well on technical singletrails.
Conclusion
Four bikes, four different concepts towards the perfect enduro ? We can conclude that we had alot of
fun with all four bikes, however there are definite differences amongst the rides and even the testers
had their favourites amongst themselves.
The Herb AM from Last shows that less can be more. 145mm rear travel are absolutely fine if the
geometry and handling are well designed. It may not be designed for hardcore downhill, but the Herb
AM is great for technical singletrails. Especially uphill the rear triangle works excellently. A fast trail
machine !
Rocky Mountain has completely redesigned the Slayer. It now presents itself as very enduro / trail
orientated with good allround capabilities. A good rear triangle and good components. You can have
alot of fun with this bike eitherway.
With the Evo Enduro Specialized brings its classic model back to life. Its main goal is obvious: fun fun
fun. A few ounces more or less don’t matter here. The suspension works well and the components are
tough.
Ibis Mojo HD is undoubtedly the eyecatcher of the test. Frame design, colour and graphics are very
well thought out. Thanks to its weight, geometry and rear triangle the frame has a huge spectrum of
useage: Depending on the choice of components the bike functions really well as a lightweight All
mountain ride or as a pure breed downhill machine. Either way our test bike exceeded with the best
downhill characteristics of the test.
| Click the image to download a scan of the article in German. |
Depending on the choice of components the bike functions really well as a lightweight All mountain ride or as a pure breed downhill machine. Either way our test bike exceeded with the best downhill characteristics of the test.Mountainbike Rider