Introducing the HD6 - Ibis' All-New Enduro Bike - Mountain Bike Press Release

Ibis Cycles HD6 Traffic Cone Orange %283%29

Introducing the HD6, the evolution of one of the most successful enduro bikes in history. Designed with input from our Enduro World Cup team and building upon our award-winning Ripmo and HD lines, the HD6 features increased travel, a completely redesigned suspension layout, and mixed wheels.

Highlights

Carbon fiber front and rear triangle
165mm rear travel / 180mm fork
29” front / 27.5” rear wheel size
dw-link suspension layout, compatible with all coil shocks
Low maintenance lower link bushing design
64° head angle
5 numbered sizes to reduce gaps between them
Low standovers and uninterrupted seat tubes for long dropper posts
Internal cable routing in front and rear triangles
Porkchop bag compatible with sizes 2-5
Top tube accessory mounts
SRAM UDH
Lifetime replacement on bushings / Lifetime warranty on frames and wheels
Complete builds start at $6,099

With 180mm of travel and a 29” wheel up front the HD6 gives the confidence to charge into the rough. The 27.5” wheel out back gives you a bit more room as the 165mm of travel deals with the consequences. The all-new suspension layout is progressive enough to be sensitive off the top, yet supportive enough for the biggest hits. It is also compatible with all coil shocks, for those longer race stages that can tax air shock performance.

The suspension layout may be new, but it’s still dw-Link. The inherent efficiency means you don’t need an overdamped shock to climb well. Less shock damping allows the wheels to stay planted on the ground, providing more traction and that hover-bike feel that our frames are known for. The HD6 climbs with a finesse that defies its enduro race pedigree.

Design-wise, the HD6 breaks away from our signature curves, featuring straighter, sharper lines that give it a burly, fast look. The stout frame weighs under 6 lbs without a shock and is backed by a lifetime warranty. A complete HD6 with enduro-ready components can weigh less than 32 lbs. When you’re climbing more than 5,000 ft on race day, every ounce (or gram) matters.

We didn’t skimp on the details. Internally routed cable tunnels make changing a derailleur or dropper cable easy. Our combination of lower-link bushings and upper link bearings significantly reduce the need for yearly overhauls. We’ve also laser-etched torque specs on our hardware. There’s also clearance for 2.5” tires, a 26 oz bottle inside the frame (22 oz on the size 1), top tube mounts for tool storage, porkchop bag compatibility, and a super-quiet chainstay protector. With its unique combination of climbing efficiency and descending speed the HD6 is ready for the next evolution of enduro racing.

Size Specific Seat Tube Angle

Geometry, suspension curve, and the overall design goals were defined with input from our enduro team. The 64 degree head tube angle is one degree slacker than the current Ripmo, but a similar BB height and identical chainstay length (despite the 27.5” rear wheel) provides a balance between agility and stability.

At the same seat angle, a tall rider sits 45mm further back than a short one. In order to place every size rider in the same position over the rear wheel, the HD’s seat tube angles get steeper as frame size increases. This means larger jumps in reach, so we added a fifth size. The jumps between frame sizes are now smaller, so you can find the size that’s just right.

We’re also shifting to a numbered sizing system to encourage riders to delve into our geometry charts. Our frames showcase low standovers and uninterrupted seat tubes, enabling the use of extra-long droppers. We encourage riders to choose their bike size based on their desired reach and top tube measurement.

To support this shift, we’ve transitioned to a 34.9mm seat tube. These posts boast greater strength, enhanced stiffness, and expanded room for internal hydraulics, resulting in better reliability.