Pro Bike: Brian Lopes's Ibis Mojo SL-R

A decidedly cross-country build for the BC Bike Race

Jason Sumner

Published: August 9, 2011 at 8:45 am

Testament to the reputation of the BC Bike Race is the fact that this year's contestants included a seven-time grand tour finisher, Chann McRae, and arguably America’s most famous gravity racer, Brian Lopes.

The seven-day cross-country stage race traced a scenic path from Cumberland on Vancouver Island to Whistler, back on the British Columbian mainland. In between was a testing barrage of technical trails that kept even ‘Flyin Brian' on his toes.

To take on the challenge, Lopes piloted his Ibis Mojo SL-R cross-country bike. Yep, his 140mm-travel SL-R is built up as a full-on cross-country race rig, complete with triple chainset, spare tube and a water bottle cage.

Marzocchi rocco air rear shock with lockout: - Jason Sumner

Lopes ran with a spare tube taped to the frame above his Marzocchi Roco Air shock

The large sized frame is fitted with Marzocchi’s Roco Air shock and 44 Micro Ti Air fork, a slick set of carbon ENVE Twenty6 XC tubeless wheels, and a pair of prototype Kenda tires with a little extra grip for the slick roots and rocks so prevalent in BC.

“It’s a stock Kenda [Karma] tread pattern, but it has a stickier compound all the way around,” said Lopes, who'll turn 40 in September. “They wouldn’t last the average person very long and they're a tiny bit heavier, but I figured it would help in the slick stuff.”

Lopes has the advantage of procuring custom made tires. these kenda karma’s include sticky compound all around in order to offset the slick conditions in b.c: - Jason Sumner

Lopes has the advantage of procuring prototype tires. These Kenda Karmas have a sticky compound in order to offset the slick conditions in BC

Call it a success. Lopes (Oakley-Ibis-Marzocchi-Kenda-ENVE) finished 12th in the men’s open solo category, including a stunning second place stage finish on the final day in Whistler.

“I have a place up here, so I know some of the trails we were racing on,” he explained of a day that saw him beat such cross-country stalwarts as Rocky Mountain’s Chris Sheppard and Kona’s Barry Wicks and Kris Sneddon. “It’s definitely the best cross-country result I’ve ever gotten.”

Bike specifications:

  • Frame: Ibis Mojo SL-R, size LG
  • Rear shock: Marzocchi Roco Air
  • Fork: Marzocchi 44 Micro Ti Air
  • Headset: Chris King
  • Stem: ENVE, 75mm +/- 6 degrees
  • Handlebars: ENVE, 700mm wide
  • Grips: ODI O
  • Front brake: Magura MT6
  • Rear brake: Magura MT6
  • Brake levers: Magura MT6
  • Front derailleur: Shimano XTR M986 direct mount
  • Rear derailleur: Shimano XTR M980 Shadow
  • Shifters: Shimano XTR M980
  • Cassette: Shimano XTR CS-M980, 11-36t
  • Chain: Shimano XTR CN-M980
  • Crankset: Race Face Next SL, 44-32-22t
  • Bottom bracket: Race Face
  • Pedals: CrankBrothers Candy 11 (custom color)
  • Wheelset: ENVE Twenty6 XC
  • Rims: ENVE Twenty6 XC 28-hole
  • Front hub: Chris King, 15QR
  • Rear hub: Chris King, 142mm through-axle
  • Front tire: Kenda Karma 2.0 stikE
  • Rear tire: Kenda Karma 2.0 DTC
  • Saddle: WTB Lopes signature Silverado
  • Seatpost: KS i950r
  • Bottle cage: King Cage

Critical measurements

  • Rider height: 5ft 9in (1.75m)
  • Rider weight: 160lb (73kg)
  • Saddle height from BB: 76mm
  • Seat tube length: 19”
  • Seat tube angle: 73 degrees
  • Saddle nose to center of bars: 53mm
  • Head tube length: 130mm
  • Top tube length: 600mm
  • Total bike weight: 23.9lb