Ibis Hakka MX opinions
 

Hey gang,

Just wanted to know if anyone has any first-hand experience with this bike? And, if you do, do you think the carbon wheelset upgrade is worthwhile? Thanks in advance...

I've test ridden one. It's a nice frame but spendy. If you got 3 grand blowing a hole in your pocket it's probably the best bike out of the bunch in that range. I also really dig the build with the 650x2.1 Thunder Burts. Super fun.

Buy a Giant TCX Advanced for $1000 less. I'm not sure if it could fit 650x2.1 Thunder Burts. For sure 650bx47.

Not if you are Bike packing with it , maybe if you go to bragging cafe meetings at the Espresso bar on your days off.. strutting your stuff..







...

Cept the geometry is not even close to being the same. The Hakka is for comfort, the TCX is not. The TCX might fit a 650x47 but then you got no mud clearance. Even with the Thunder Burts the Hakka still has plenty of room. Two different bikes for different purposes.

Thanks. Not looking for a CX bike... Anyone else have any actual experience with the bike?

I don't.....
but can I sell you on eating apples. Some are red, some green, some are sweet, some more crisp... you should eat apples!

In all seriousness it looks like a really cool bike!

What different purposes? I am really wanting to know.

I'm interested in the Hakka MX as a gravel bike. The traditional threaded BB appeals to me. The one main problem that I can see is that the rear brake is flat mount, and the front brake (fork) is post mount. That's weird. What happens if, down the road, you want to upgrade the groupset?

The new shipments are going out with the new Enve fork that has the flat mount...

I just saw an OPEN UP bike on my regular road ride today and, boy, that's a nice frame as well. But even more spendy than the Ibis...

The Hakka is flat mount both front and rear.

i'm glad to know that! Thanks to you and to Caliwild. I'll give the Hakka MX a closer look now.

Although post mount for the front shouldn't deter you at all. The post to flat mount adapters work with no issues. As for the groupset the mount type doesn't matter when connecting to shifter. A hydro road brifter will always work with a post or flat mount caliper.

Yeah, I know that. But at least for a while, Ibis was shipping these with a fork that took post mount and a rear flat mount. That's f-d up.

I personally like post mount calipers because they are cheaper to replace. You can get SLX calipers for around 20 bucks a pop vs flat which tend to start at 40. Plus if you want serious stopping power 4 piston calipers from Shimano or Hope are cheap whereas that option is just not available with flat mount unless you buy the expensive hope rx4 flat caliper which is a whopping 40 bucks more than the post mount version.

I came very very close to ordering this bike from Jenson. I have ridden Ibis mountain bikes and this one seems to be a lot of value for money. But, I got a Ritchey Outback, basically the same build but a steel frame and without 650B option, which I am ok with.

Since it's my thread, I'm guessing I can derail it a little?? Anyway, would you put a dropper on this bike if not planning too much single track?

Pulled the trigger...
 

That is sick, congrats.

As for dropper post why not? Although based on the amount of seatpost showing you will be needing a very short dropper. Swap out the left shifter for a 2x one and you can activate the dropper with it.

Thanks for the tips... Will do some riding before deciding on the dropper...

Went with 27.5 wheels and I'm glad to report that there is NO toe overlap with a 9.5 shoe...

Also, bike (size 55) weighs exactly 19.2 lbs with the XT pedals and the carbon bottle cage...

I am very impressed with the fit and finish of the frame and components.

That is a sharp bike!

A few more pics...
 

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d9f3a7c96.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...28ebadd98e.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f2ad0b7317.jpg

Sick bike man, congrats. I have one in red. If I saw this thread sooner I would've chimed in and recommended it. I've used this bike for relaxed road rides w/ the gf as well as plenty of legit gravel events. I'll be using it this year at Barry Roubaix, Rebeccas Private, unPAved, d2r2 and a few others. Also used it for cx, but it's not really the best for racing cross. It does fine for what it is in that category though.
Anyway, I'm sure you'll be very happy w/ the bike. It really is an amazing ride.

The Hakka was on my very short list but there was no way I was going to convince my wife to let me get a $3300 bike. There's only 1 Ibis dealer where I live and they weren't budging on the price.