Mad Max Mojo
Ibis Mojo (1995) — XS (13") — $600
Max looks mad in this picture, but I assure you he was having fun. I just told him to give me his “tough guy” pose and that’s the face he did. He likes green, and he likes bikes. When I saw this old Ibis Mojo on Craigslist, I had to go get it immediately. A nice old lady in Oakland pulled it out of her shed for me. She hadn’t ridden it in over a decade. It truly felt like a ‘barn find’ moment to me.
The original 90’s Shimano LX kit was replaced by something a bit more bling. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I’ve hoarded an overabundance of old mountain bike parts. The demise of 26" wheels was my time to shine. These old steel mountain bikes can last forever, even if no one wants them anymore.
I’ve owned a couple Ibises before. They’ve long held a coveted spot atop my generation’s Dream Bike List. I was lucky enough to own a Ti Mojo 20 years ago, as well as their sublime Ti Road about ten years ago. They both were the ultimate bikes of their time. But both of those have left the quiver many years ago, as times and tastes changed. I guess you could say I’ve lost my mojo…
Ibis is one of the few brands from the golden days. They’ve been reborn, with fresh designs (Hey Roxy!), under some of the same ownership (Hi Chuck!). I’m happy to say they’re still atop many younger folk’s Dream Bike List.
I think their latest bike, the Ripmo — the great-great-grandson of this steel Mojo — won some bike of the year award. I’d certainly be shopping for one if my riding style was a bit more wild, young and free. I get to recall my old Ibis days whenever I see this one hanging in the garage. It was Max’s elementary school bike, and has since been replaced as well. We still take it out in the dirt every once in a while. It’ll hopefully go to another good home, eventually.
