Ibis Hakka MX Disc Rival Gravel Bike reviews and deals for sale

Cyclists are versatile creatures, and as such, it's good to have options. Now, to some that may mean having a quiver in the garage to sort through, finding just the right steed for the day, however we think we're better suited when we've got a single ride that transcends categories, like the Ibis Hakka MX Disc Rival Complete Bike. As the newest version of what used to be the Hakkalugi, its not surprising that versatility is a priority on the Hakka MX, however it pushes further into the realm of gravel than before, offering you a steed capable of dominating both between the tape, and well down the road less traveled. The Hakka MX is capable of rolling ontop of either 650b hoops, or the 700c wagon wheels we see here, which provide quick-rolling capability that we want when we're covering huge swathes of land in a day, all the while still accommodating lofty tires that keep us comfortable when things get rough and chattery. The bike is equally happy showing off it's stiff, snappy responsiveness between the tape as it is lumbering up singletrack or poorly graded fire roads. The only real limit to what this bike can do is your imagination and whether or not you have a different set of wheels handy.

The previous generations of Hakkalugis did a pretty good job of crossing over into gravel and road rides, but both the geometry and tire clearance hinted at its 'cross roots. The Hakka MX (or Monster Cross) does indeed take queues from the OG Hakkalugi, but it extends its range, making it more of a complete all-rounder outside of the course tape. The term monster cross has dropped out of use with the advent of industry terms like "road plus" and "gravel grinders" but Ibis is bringing it back into vernacular with tire clearance on a gravel grinder that we'd expect from an XC bike. With the exception of high-level road racing, this bike is poised to kill a quiver of cyclocross, gravel, and road bikes, because it lets you replace those other machines with a discipline-specific wheelset, instead.

Ibis mountain bikes have been built exclusively from carbon fiber for several years now, and its expertise with the material means they know how to build a stiff, light, durable, and responsive frame. A tapered headtube provides the perfect foundation of unyielding stiffness needed for excellent tracking, hard braking, and out of the saddle climbing. The included ENVE fork contributes to the stiffness while working in tandem with the frame to absorb the jolts from washboard descents and all the rocks and roots found off the beaten path.

We tend to geek out on bottom brackets, and Ibis has given us plenty of fodder here. Ibis made the conscious decision to uses a threaded T47, which provides an oversized, threaded shell and cup that is easier to install and maintain and less likely to develop an irritating press-fit creaking, popping, and squeaking. A wider range of crank diameter spindles can be used without sacrificing bearing diameter and larger spindles forced in a standard diameter threaded shell. The bigger shell also yields larger contact areas between the tubes, offering greater drivetrain rigidity.

Internal cable routing works with mechanical and electronic groups and it keeps cables and housing from contamination, snags, and preserves the bike's clean line while having dropper post routing. Rear, removable, fender mounts at the bottom of the seatstays and the rear of the bottom bracket shell will come in handy during a muddy gravel race, winter training, or commuting. This model runs one-by, but if you feel the need for a front derailleur, a standard 34.9mm clamp does the trick.