Big Bike Summer – Why Mick Chose the Ibis HD6
The journey for my next project bike began when I booked a trip to Maydena Bike Park. If you know Maydena, you know it’s steep, technical, and downright gnarly. My history of bikes for this destination reads like a Who’s Who of long-travel machines: Canyon Strive, Canyon Torque, Santa Cruz Megatower, and a dash of Yeti SB120 (spicy times indeed!). This time, I wanted something that ticked several boxes: lightweight, long-travel, and efficient. Enter the Ibis HD6.
What’s Under the Hood
The HD6 boasts a generous 165mm of rear travel paired with a monster 180mm fork up front. Its suspension is driven by the highly regarded DW Link and a Fox X2 rear shock. I haven’t had a chance to test ride it yet, so you could say I’m taking a leap of faith here, I’m keen. The frame is on a six-month loan from the local distributor, Rowney Sports, and it’s kicking my beloved Canyon Spectral with RockShox Flight Attendant to the curb; please, someone buy it.
Key Features
The Ibis HD6 caught my eye for a number of reasons:
Weight: 3.5kg with shock, pretty impressive.
Mixed Wheel Size: As a fan of the mixed wheel size setup on my Specialized Levo, this was a no-brainer. I’m retired from racing (don’t laugh), so let’s keep it fun.
Sleek Design: The HD6 cuts a mean silhouette. The frame comes in several colours, and though the purple and orange didn’t quite catch my eye, the green one did.
Attention to Detail: It’s loaded with rubber protection to keep things quiet, and the tube-in-tube cable routing makes life easier, even if it’s just for the rear brake.
Sensible Geo: A 64-degree head angle, 435mm chain stays, and 480mm reach in size 3. Progressive yet sensible numbers for a balance of all-mountain pedalling and shuttles.
Building It Up
I’m moving my SRAM XX1 drivetrain over from my Canyon along with SRAM Code Ultimate brakes, 220/200mm rotors, and a OneUp cockpit. For wheels, I’m keeping my options open with a set of Roval Traverse, Crank Brothers Synthesis, and Zipp Moto wheels. I’ve been impressed with the Pirelli Scorpion Race tyres on my e-bike, so they’re making the cut here, too.
To match the Fox X2 shock, I’ve sourced a Fox 38 with all the bells, whistles and colourful dials.
What’s Next?
Beyond Maydena and a trip to West Coast TAS, this bike has a summer filled with adventures at gravity-hungry places like Silvan, Barrington Bike Park, Ourimbah, and Awaba. I’m even contemplating a few shuttle days, and some old-school downhill runs. My only reservation? A 180mm travel fork. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden a bike with this much upfront, so I’m keen to see how it handles and if I can find a good fit and balance.
So that’s the gist of it! Stay tuned for more as I dive into building this mighty rig and put it through its paces.
