Press Release: Meet the Ibis Cycles Hakka MX – Gravel, Cross, Road, Bikepacking – 650b or 700c

ibis cycles hakka mx review

About Ibis Cycles

Ibis Bicycles was founded by Scot Nicol, one of the earliest mountain bikers in northern California. It began in Scot’s garage in 1981, when a friend asked him to build a frame. Nicol sold the company to an investment group in 2000, which went bankrupt within 20 months. Ibis returned to the industry at the 2005 Interbike tradeshow – source Wikipedia.

ibis cycles hakka mx review

The Hakka MX is our answer to the Swiss Army Knife. It’s the bike we’d choose if, heaven forbid, we could only have one bike.

ibis cycles hakka mx review

The Hakka MX is a gravel bike. It’s also a cross bike and a road bike. We’ve logged a few bike packing trips on the Hakka too.

ibis cycles hakka mx review

You can outfit the bike with 27.5 mountain bike wheels, where it’ll accept up to a 2.1” tire.

ibis cycles hakka mx review
Ultegra Di2 build kit pictured.

In 700c mode, it’ll accommodate very nicely tires from 23c to over 40c.

ibis cycles hakka mx review

With the hydraulic brakes being so good on CX/road/gravel bikes now, coupled with the ability to run big-volume big-traction tires, this bike is a total blast on dirt (especially fast flowing singletrack).

ibis cycles hakka mx review
SRAM Rival build kit pictured.

Features:

  • Ability to run 700C Wheels or 27.5″ Wheels
  • 142mm through axle rear dropout spacing
  • T47 Threaded Bottom Bracket
  • Versatile Internal Cable Routing
  • Compression Molded Carbon Dropouts
  • Disc Brake Compatible
  • Two Color Choices, Fireball or Coal
  • Dropper Post Compatible
  • Headset is: IS 41/28.6 upper, IS 52/40 lower
  • 1.5″ Tapered Head Tube
  • Warranty: 7 years

The Ibis Hakka MX is also available in a frame and fork only option.

ibis cycles hakka mx review
Fireball (Red).
ibis cycles hakka mx review
Coal (Black).

Wheels and Tires – 700c

The Hakka MX performs well as a gravel, cross or road bike. Each of these disciplines likely uses a different tire, and the Hakka plays nice with any of them.

ibis cycles hakka mx review

You can run any number of 700 x 40c tires for the ultra-plush Barcalounger style ride. We like this size tire for bikepacking and burlier terrain, or if you simply want to be prepared for whatever mother nature and the road less traveled wants to throw at you. Our standard tire if you’re going for the 700c option is the Schwalbe G-One in a 700 x 40c size.

Wheels and Tires – 650b

If you’d like to foray into Monstercross BEAST mode, we recommend a set of 27.5″ wheels with a set of 2.1 tires mounted (we like the Schwalbe Thunder Burt’s). We’re seeing more and more people embrace the floatation traction and comfort advantages of the 27.5″ wheels for light offroad and gravel use.

ibis cycles hakka mx review

Cables of both the Electric and Stainless Kind

All the cable routing is internal, and we use our new plastic ports to allow maximum adaptability for whatever spec a rider would want.  We also have a slick Di2 battery mount for complete Di2 integration.

ibis cycles hakka mx review

Bottom Bracket

We are big fans of the T47 bottom bracket standard, so have included that on the Hakka. We like the T47 because it allows a beefy 30mm spindle, and the bb simply threads into the frame so your bike mechanic won’t hate on you and your bb won’t creak on you.

ibis cycles hakka mx review

Drivetrains

Both component groups we offer have 1X drivetrains, and the Hakka MX is also compatible with 2X drivetrains, if you simply must have a front derailleur.

ibis cycles hakka mx review

Disc Brakes and Fender Mounts Too

The Hakka MX has some nice flat-mount rear disc mounts and utilizes a 160mm rotor. and you’ll notice fender mounts on the seat stays (removable at the bottom of the stays) and forward by the bottom bracket yoke. The ENVE fork does not have fender mounts, but there’s a good one you can purchase an externally attached one here that requires no built-in fender mounts.

ibis cycles hakka mx review

Ibis Hakka MX Gallery

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

ibis cycles hakka mx review

More details direct from Ibis Cycles.

Ibis Cycles

15 Comments

  1. Avatar wheels

    Oh Lord, another version of UP. Does it never end…..

  2. Avatar Heffe

    I really like this bike. It reminds me a bit of the Parlee Chebacco in its geometry. The T47 is a big win. It is light and very pretty. One odd thing is that it uses a post mount brake on the fork but flat mount on the frame – is that right?

  3. Avatar GM

    Looks awesome, but is that open mould?

    • JOM JOM

      A question for Ibis, but I’d doubt it.

      • Avatar GM

        Thumbs up to that. Guess I’m skeptical these days when I see a small batch carbon frame at that price point. Solid entry to the field, there.

  4. Avatar Steve f LAGG

    Gorgeous bikes, the red one would be faster ???? but the black one made me drool…. there’s something about BLACK bikes!

    JOM, with so many bike companies making “gravel” bikes these days, do you agree that gravel cycling isn’t just a “passing phase or fad” that some so-called industry experts are claiming, but is in fact drawing more and more riders away from the sometimes egotistical driven road scene?
    The road less travelled has returned the love of cycling to this withering ex roadie….

    • JOM JOM

      I think and hope it is here to stay.

  5. Avatar stephen

    So near, but yet so far. Good to see T47 and flat mount rear, but front centres are a bit short for my liking, I’m not so keen on 73.5° seat angles, and there are no rack, fender or bottle mounts on the stock (and expensive) fork. Guess that Ti custom is still going to happen. [sigh]

  6. Avatar Jrhenk

    Ibis has been making solid cross bikes for a very long time. Not to mention the heritage in Mountain Biking. Scott Nicol knows a thing or two about making outstanding bikes. Personally, doubt that this would be open mold or a copy. It has probably been in the works for awhile. I have a hakkalugi disc that i built from a frame set. Currently use it as an all road race bike with a fair amount of single track for good measure. It is versatile as hell and rides so well. Even throw on skinnies and do quite well with the seasoned roadies. I have no doubts that this bikes improves upon the hakkalugi disc. Kudos Ibis, keep the good stuff coming.

  7. Avatar Ryan

    Those are some very dark photos

    • JOM JOM

      Yep. Ibis supplied a bunch of interesting photos.

  8. Avatar TimG

    Nice looking bike. Well done review. It’s cool they included the old school “hand job” which now looks removable and purely for aesthetics

    • Avatar Littlewood

      Handjob fender mount. You wouldn’t want to leave it dangling.

    • JOM JOM

      Tim, this text came straight from Ibis… not exactly a review, but that may be on the cards later.

  9. Avatar Michael

    Hi what gear is attached to the bike

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