E-mountainbikes from American boutique brands were a long time coming. Pivot made the start a few years ago, and only a year ago Yeti moved torecently even the small Cult forge Evil offers an e-bike. This makes Ibis one of the last brands with an illustrious mountain bike history to have been Relaunch of their logo last week is now finally entering the e-bike market.
However, the Americans are making a clear statement with their first e-bike. The look with the banana swingarm is deliberately understated and is more reminiscent of motocross bikes than conventional mountain bikes. The low-slung shock is just as unusual for an e-bike as the combination of Bosch's familiar CX drive and short chainstays. Unfortunately, the price is typical Ibis - quite high.
The facts about the Ibis Oso
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX Smart (85 Newton metres, 550 watts peak power)
- Battery: Bosch Power Tube 750
- Suspension travel: 170 / 155 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch (sizes XL and L), Mullet (sizes S and M)
- Carbon frame
- 24 kilogrammes (size L, manufacturer's specification)
- Only one model for 12498 euros
The Oso frame provides 155 millimetres of travel at the rear, while the front features a long 170-millimetre fork. That speaks for full-throttle ambitions downhill. The Oso rolls on 29-inch wheels, but a small 27.5-inch rear wheel is available in sizes M and S. The Bosch motor is powered by a 750 watt-hour battery, which can be conveniently removed from the side of the frame using a multi-tool. This eliminates the need for a rattling battery cover or annoying fiddling with the spanner on the down tube.
The frame itself is of course made of carbon, both in terms of the main frame and the rear triangle. Ibis only uses aluminium for small parts in the shock linkage. Unlike the new e-bikes from Evil or Pivot, the Ibis Oso does not come with a wide Superboost rear triangle, but instead uses the more conventional 148 millimetre dimension. However, the tyre clearance at the rear is "only" 2.5 inches. If you want to go for a wider 2.6 or 2.8-inch tyre, especially with a smaller rear wheel, you're in the wrong place here.
Chainstays that grow with you: The geometry of the Ibis Oso
To ensure that the Oso is suitable for both tall and short riders, the bike manufacturer from Santa Cruz in California has opted for a geometry that grows with the rider. It's not just the main frame that grows from size to size. The chainstays are also slightly longer from size L than on the smaller frames, and the seat angle increases slightly on the larger frames in L and XL.
Overall, the geometry is very modern. The 500 millimetre reach in size L is very generous, the steering angle is modern and slack (64 degrees), the bottom bracket is low, the seat angle is steep and the wheelbase is slightly longer. However, the short chainstays - 439 millimetres up to size M, 444 millimetres from size L - should ensure good steering behaviour.
Ibis e-mountainbike: details, models, price
The Ibis Oso also shines with some particularly well thought-out details. The cables run in specially laminated guides in the frame, which should make servicing easier and prevent rattling. Thanks to the horizontal shock, a bottle fits into the frame, the charging port snaps shut magnetically by itself and does not accidentally remain open during the trail chase. There are factory-fitted Lupine lights at the front and rear, which are powered by the battery.
The Oso will initially only be available in one model variant, which will be available from dealers with Fox Performance suspension, Srams GX Eagle, XT brakes and grippy, puncture-proof double-down tyres from Maxxis. Strong: 220 brake discs front and rear are standard, the bike is approved for coil shocks and even double bridge forks, but costs a whopping 12498 euros. The first bikes should be available immediately.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
