LOPES and IBIS are going for a ride.

Feb 27, 2008 at 9:48
by Jordan Holmes  
Over the fall and winter months the number one inquiry Brian Lopes has been receiving from fans, industry mags and mountain bike enthusiasts alike has been; "What bike will you be riding for 2008?" Well, we tracked down some information for you readers that you will be pleasantly surprised by, read on riders!With over 30 plus years of experience combined in racing, riding and product development, Brian has built a solid reputation and insists on riding nothing but the best products available. So naturally this was a question that he took very seriously!

After talks with several potential bike partners, his search lead him to Ibis Cycles. This storied boutique brand has a long heritage dating back to the beginnings of modern mountain biking. Ibis was founded by Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee Scot (A.K.A. "Chuck Ibis") Nicol. Most recently Ibis is best known for their gorgeous sculptural carbon fiber frames and integration of the infamous "dw-link" into its Mojo Carbon and Mojo SL mountain bikes. If you have been fortunate enough to ride one, you probably have been converted into an IBIS fan too.

photo

Mojo SL - Using the DW-Link


Brian and Ibis will be working together in the coming years to develop lots of new Ibis products and to attract a much wider audience to the Ibis brand.

This is what current World Cup Champion Brian Lopes had to say:

" I'm thrilled to be riding what in my opinion is the best looking and best riding bike on the market. I personally tested numerous bikes and the Ibis Mojo has won hands down as the best all-around machine. Which was the main driver for my decision, shortly followed by the the like-ability of the Ibis owners, their future products, heritage and long-term commitment and vision to make the ultimate working bikes in the market. To me it was a perfect fit."

This is what Scot Nicol from Ibis had to say:

"Ibis' collaboration with Brian Lopes is all about eyes and ears. There are a lot of riders who still don't know who or what Ibis is all about. I want them to hear what Brian has to say about the Mojo. I want them to see what Brian can do on our bikes, and once and for all end any speculation about whether or not carbon fiber is strong enough for a mountain bike. Brian's credibility and endorsement of Ibis will cause a lot of new customers to take a look at the Mojo for its functional beauty, the dw-link's plush efficiency and the durable lightweight performance of the Mojo's monocoque carbon fiber frame."

Check out IBIS Cycles for there complete line up on bikes.

For up to date information on the man, check out Brian's website.

For more information on Brian's 2008 sponsors check out:

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/Lopes-component-sponsors-2008.html

Author Info:
spoiledgoods avatar

Member since Mar 20, 2000
624 articles

63 Comments
  • 12 2
 I smell a good year for DW-link bikes.
  • 5 0
 go glitterSmile hahaha.. lets hope the "best looking and best riding bike on the market" that "won hands down as the best all-around machine" cures his urge to complainWink i didnt think ibis would sign him either, good luck anyways...
  • 10 2
 Well, good news for him (congrats!) and also good news for ibis, but ... who cares, really?
  • 3 0
 He's gonna help the world find out about the best bike on the market. For 4x the Mojo will kick ass! You can bet that Scott & Hans & co will get him a worthy DH rig if he wants one. And I bet it will be as fast as the Mojo, which is a very fast, awesome handling bike. Maybe Sam Hill will follow!
The Mojo puts the Cookie Cutter Nomads to shame anyway. DW all the way.
  • 4 1
 I just don't see the point is paying a hothead with a massive ego to ride their bikes. The bikes are already in high demand and if this pushes them further wait times will increase and quality could suffer. Who here wants to wait for a bike till july? Why didn't they sweep up three fast young guns and grow that new age tech with the next gen of racer. Probably could have got three humble young racers for the price of Glitter.

Honestly this is the worst move Ibis could make. You have to wonder why GT (big company) didn't want him anymore, and with rep of bad mouthing not only people, but the sanctioning bodys of racing and woman in racing...why Ibis thinks this is a good PR move.

Ibis bikes are about to take a jump in price, that is how they afford these high priced guys...money doesn't grow on trees.
  • 0 0
 Maybe Ibis wants to make bikes for 4X/DH/FR-market? I don't know how good Lopes is for research and testing, but this surely moves the brand closer to the scene.
  • 6 0
 Awesome, Brian's gonna help IBIS so much
  • 2 0
 This is fantastic! I can't think of 1 negative aspect to Ibis bikes powered by Brian Lopes; He's an accomplished professional & (regardless of whether he takes time to chat w/ every dude who speaks to him) a good person.
Any seasoned MTB rider would agree that the new Mojo is one of the top 5 trail bikes available.

Has anyone talking smack on this thread actually watched the man race, freeride, or checked out his rigs? he doesn't do long-ass travel DH stuff, he does small, 5 - 7 inch travel, BMX/4x type frames... Even w/ GT.

Its gonna be gr8 2 see Ibis folks & gear at events in '08 & beyond Big Grin
  • 5 0
 The bigest diff. between the DW link and VPP is the DW link travles in one arc, as the VPP travles in an s-path Duel-arc...
  • 3 0
 with sam hill's contract ending after this year and his love for the dw-link i wouldn't be surprised to see him riding an Ibis DH bike after this coming season...its going to get really interesting
  • 1 0
 No way man, not unless Ibis begins mfg'ing long travel DH bikes, besides Ironhorse needs hill more than he needs them, so unless Hill is shopping for a new sponsor IH be pretty keen to keep him, but if I know one thing it's that Hill won't be racing WC on an Ibis . .
  • 2 0
 obviously he's not going to race a mojo in a world cup. ibis is naturally going to make longer travel bikes, they have to with lopes on board. they said it press release. ironhorse does need him but his contract is up after this year. anyways, congrats to brian and ibis. this is great for the small companies out there.
  • 1 0
 Sam Hill will leave Iron Horse when they lose the DW bike. bank on it.
  • 2 0
 Hill like any pro doesnt really care what bike or suspension design to ride, the rider wins races not bikes
  • 5 0
 Sweet news, i never would have geused he'd sign for Ibis
  • 2 0
 what is he going to ride for dh and the mojo is more cross country/all mountain not 4x. interesting. if they are coming out with a new bike they dont have much time.
  • 1 0
 That's exactly what I was wondering too. I'm (only half jokingly) expecting Ibis stickers on spray-painted GT...
  • 0 0
 sorry guys but i think we are fortunate enough here in the phils. that brian lopes will be here with his newly sponsor Ibis at the terry Larazabal bike festival this april( together with his friend gt's hans rey)...can't wait the see this awesome collaboration...
  • 0 0
 I just saw him race recently on his Ibis. I couldn't believe how fast he was going on his Mojo in pretty rough terrain. He beat guys on full on DH rigs. Say what you like about his personality (haven't met him personally) but it was impressive watching him ride.
  • 6 1
 Congrats Brian and IBIS!
  • 21 1
 Loppes is kinda a dick but he still kills it. I have met him and he is not very friendly. Oh well when you win just about every 4x race i guess you can be as mean as you want. Nice pick up ibis.
  • 13 2
 damn thats a bummer. i hate famous assholes. they are too full of themselves
  • 9 11
 gotta disagree with pistol2ne...met him and he was pretty cool...caught him on a bad day perhaps?
  • 0 0
 His parents were really nice. I've heard a lot of people that have met BL and
have nothing but good things to say. As gloryhole said "caught him on a bad day
perhaps?"
  • 2 0
 an IBIS carbon framed DH bike sure could be interesting... anyone here old enough to remember the GT "thermoplastic" DH bike from the lat 90's?
  • 1 0
 Yeah - I had one! the bolts came loose on the rear linkage all the time. Now it just looks like a bad haircut from high school or something, but was my first full-susser. Like to see what Ibis does for a 4Xer, but...
  • 0 0
 I almost bought one when the Carbon Specialized C3 FSR was recalled. I then boiught an Ibis Bow-ti instead. the bike still rides like a dream after almost 40,000k of ass kicking trails. So happy I went for the Ibis
  • 1 0
 Lopes is a hell of a rider, but I have dealt with him and been in his presence at races plenty of times. All the best to Ibis, but that guy is the definition of a "SoCal Douche."
  • 1 1
 This as to be the worst news a I this winter. I was planning to ride on Ibis after seeing the bike at the International show but I rather ride a #%$% Kona now. Good job Scott!
  • 2 0
 Will be cool to see if they come up with some new frames for him to ride, or at least some custom Geo for 4x.
  • 0 0
 I remember those bikes, broke like crazy! Lopes still rides dh at crankworx, so I figure they will put a dh bike together for him.
  • 0 0
 lopes was running out of time, it's darn about March already,,,,,,he can ride still, but he might be running out of bridges to burn.......don't believe everything u read
  • 2 0
 fuck lopes i mean hes a good rider but i hate lopes hes a stuck up bitch
  • 0 0
 Brian Lopes will visit us here in the philippines this april.
Can't wait to see his new 4X dwlink ibis bike

is the next dw link Dh bike is an ibis?
  • 2 0
 he could also ride the tranny for slalom 4x.
  • 2 1
 Ibis best all mountain bike hands down? coming from a guy who have been riding GT's jajajaja
  • 1 0
 WoW!! great news!!! i would love to see how he dose !!!
  • 2 0
 not stoked on this...
  • 0 0
 I'm buying a carbon Mojo @Hardcore Bikes as soon as the mud & white mud (snow) clear up here... I can't w8!
  • 2 1
 Brians got a stacked setup for 2008. Congrats!
  • 2 0
 me too trekrules, me too
  • 2 1
 didnt see that coming, great for lopes and ibis! dw link rules!!!!
  • 0 0
 He went and won his first race using the Mojo, so it looks like a marriage made in heaven!
  • 2 2
 i think that he and Ibis dont match well
  • 0 2
 Those ibis bikes are about as swooping and lame and Oakleys
  • 0 0
 Try riding one Dyeroad, you might think differently.
  • 0 0
 it looks like a Nomad? wtf...
  • 1 1
 i dont think he races dh anymore, but he still gonna want a dh rig still!
  • 0 0
 waho did not see that one coming but congrats and sexy bike
  • 0 0
 i love that frame!
  • 0 0
 badass! brain kills it!
  • 2 2
 hmm...interesting
  • 0 0
 Great news!!
  • 3 6
 is it just me or does that look like a shorter travel, DW-link style, Nomad to anyone else?
  • 5 1
 It definitely resembles a nomad, yes.
But Nomads don't have a carbon frame option Smile
  • 3 0
 true, SC won't let you get a full carbon Nomad. oh well, maybe if they start loosing sales to this.....
  • 3 2
 they are not at all similar in regards to purpose. the mojo is an xc trail bike whereas the nomad has nearly 7 inches in the back and is built for aggressive trail/black diamond stuff
  • 1 0
 they are not even close... completley different shock placement its farther back than the nomad, ibis is xc like AqueousBeef said, and acompletly different swing arm design.
  • 0 2
 what model will brian be riding? maybe a signature bike to come out?
  • 1 0
 It says in the article hes going to be on the Mojo, and Mojo SL bikes
  • 0 3
 i don't get it, so he's gonna be ditching GT?
  • 3 0
 GT kinda ditched him actually.
  • 1 2
 wow, after like 20 years, they just up and leave him?







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