Ibis launches the HD4

The fourth generation of the HD re-made for the rigors of enduro

The new HD4 is ready to rumble

Photo by Dave Trumpore, Courtesy of Ibis Cycles

Josh Patterson

Published: May 30, 2017 at 3:00 pm
The new HD4 is ready to rumble - Photo by Dave Trumpore, Courtesy of Ibis Cycles
Got snacks? Blackburn's Porkchop bag is a nice option for the HD4 - Photo Courtesy of Ibis Cycles
Ibis claims the HD4's upper link is 30 stiffer than those used on the HD3 - Photo Courtesy of Ibis Cycles
If Fireball Red is not your thing, the HD4 is also available in Añejo Silver and Lime - Photo Courtesy of Ibis Cycles
The new HD4 is longer and slacker than its forefathers - Photo Courtesy of Ibis Cycles

Ibis has revamped the HD platform making it longer, slacker and better suited to the rigors of modern enduro racing.

In fact, the HD4 has already had a strong showing on the race circuit. Four members of the Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team rode the new bike to top 10 finishes over the weekend at the latest stop on this season’s Enduro World Series in Wicklow, Ireland, to retain the top spot in the team standings.

Ibis HD4 highlights

If Fireball Red is not your thing, the HD4 is also available in Añejo Silver and Lime - Photo Courtesy of Ibis Cycles
  • Longer and slacker than previous versions
  • 153mm rear travel
  • Stiffer frame and linkages
  • More progressive leverage curve
  • Designed around 27.5in wheels
  • Clearance for up to 2.8in wide tires
  • Threaded bottom bracket
  • Available now

Now in its fourth generation, the HD4 has nearly the same rear wheel travel of its predecessor. It gets a very slight increase in rear travel from 150 to 153mm as a result of some suspension tweaking, but departs significantly from there.

The new bike is significantly slacker than the HD3, which had a 66.6-degree head tube angle. The front of the HD4 has been relaxed to 64.5 degrees when measured with a 160mm Fox 36 fork.

Another nod to modern enduro trends is the increased reach measurements across the four-bike size range, from 4mm on the size small to a 34mm increase on the XL model. Essentially, every frame moves up a size in terms of reach when compared to the previous bike.

The new HD4 is longer and slacker than its forefathers - Photo Courtesy of Ibis Cycles

The HD4 features a shorter seat tube with a deeper bore, increasing the frame’s compatibility with longer stroke droppers. Ibis lists a compatibility chart on the HD4 page that will help riders determine how long they can go — from 100mm all the way to 175mm on some dropper models.

Ibis claims the HD4's upper link is 30 stiffer than those used on the HD3 - Photo Courtesy of Ibis Cycles

Ibis worked with suspension designer Dave Weagle to revise the bike's kinematics. The HD4 is more progressive, which should make it better able to cope with large, high-velocity impacts. Ibis notes that coil shocks are still not recommended with the new bike.

Got snacks? Blackburn's Porkchop bag is a nice option for the HD4 - Photo Courtesy of Ibis Cycles

This enduro racer follows in the footsteps of the shorter-travel Mojo 3 when it comes to tire clearance. The HD4 can accommodate 27.5in tires up to 2.8in wide.

Visit www.ibiscycles.com for more information.

Josh Patterson

Contributor

Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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