New Bike Launch: Ibis EXIE

Full suspension carbon frame made in the USA

Before the launch of the Exie, our wrecking crew had the chance to visit the new factory that is just a short drive outside Ibis’s HQ in Santa Cruz. Impressed with their latest creation we’ve also been fortunate enough to be riding the Exie. With that said, our MBA crew still needs some more ride time before we make and reports. Before we give anything away from our visit and bike review, this post covers Ibis’s intention for their latest carbon machine.

(Ibis Press Release)

The Exie is a World-Cup capable cross-country race bike that flat-out shreds. With a sub-2,000g (4.4lb) frame weight and DW-link suspension, it offers a stunning combination of pedaling efficiency and downhill performance. It was designed, built, and tested in our Santa Cruz factory, powered by the warm California sunshine. This is the first carbon fiber full suspension bike we have developed and manufactured entirely in-house. It is the culmination of a seven-year project to rethink every aspect of the process. It is the lightest bike we’ve ever produced. The Exie is over a pound lighter than a Ripley, while not sacrificing pedaling efficiency or features in the pursuit of weight savings. For thirty years, XC bikes have been designed around 70mm or longer stems. We took a different approach: we cut 20mm off the stem and placed it back into the top tube length. This gives the Exie the confidence-inspiring balance of a trail bike, without sacrificing the immediate responsiveness you expect from a lightweight XC bike. We also departed from the current trend towards ever steeper seat tube angles. We calculated the weight balance of different sized riders, then adjusted the seat angles so that every rider’s weight is balanced in the same position on the bike. These seat angles were chosen to harness your strongest muscles while reducing any potential knee or wrist strain when tackling long days on the widest variety of terrain.

To keep you riding more and wrenching less, we use a thoughtful combination of bearings and bushings throughout the suspension links to reduce your required maintenance. But if you have to work on your bike, it should be easy. That is why we have mechanic-friendly internal cable routing and a threaded bottom bracket.

Continuing the theme of livability, we added clearance for two water bottles on all frame sizes. An ultra swank molded rubber chainstay keeps noise at bay, while an integrated upper chain guide allows you to drop the hammer – not your chain.

We admit it, we’re dedicated to the cult of the mega dropper. This allows you to pick your frame based on reach and riding preference, not your inseam. Most riders on a medium frame can fit a 170mm or greater dropper post, while riders under 5’5 can utilize a 125mm and up. We’ve also continued our tradition of clearance for big tires, so you can line up with 2.2” go fast tires, or throw on meaty 2.4” and shred.

The Exie is offered with three build kits starting at $7,999 with a frame-only option available in the near future for $4,500. To celebrate our 40th anniversary, the first 50 bikes shipping from our new American factory will have a special build kit that retails for $11,799.

The complete anniversary build weighs 22.6 lbs (for a size large with generous tire sealant) and includes some of the most beautiful cranks ever (Cane Creek eeWings), a 60g Italian stem, and a 125mm Bike Yoke Divine Dropper Post made just for us. All our frames are backed by our seven-year warranty and excellent customer service.

The Exie is ready for anything whether that’s a World Cup CXO, a multi-day epic, or an after-work sprint. It’s a true mountain bike. If you’re looking for a lightweight no-compromise tool that’s designed to be ridden hard, this is it!


KEY FACTS
• 29” Wheels
• 120mm front travel
• 100mm dw-link rear travel
• Made in the USA
• Carbon front and rear triangle
• 2.4” tire clearance
• Available in four sizes S-XL, fits riders between 5’ and 6’6
• Frame weight of medium 4.4 lbs w/ shock
• Available with Fox Performance DPS shock with remote lockout
• Complete builds starting at 22.6 lbs / 10.29 kg for a large with generous tire sealant

DETAILS
• Threaded BB (73mm BSA)
• Integrated upper chain guide
• 44mm Fork Offset
• Seat tube angles that get steeper on larger sizes
• 2 Bottle cage mounts inside the front triangle
• Size M-XL compatible with 170mm+ droppers, 125-150mm for smalls
• Molded rubber swingarm and lower link protectors
• IGUS bushings in the lower link, bearings in the upper link
• Metric 190 x 45 shock
• Post mount rear brake
• 180mm max rotor size


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