August 17th, 2007 - Here's an inside look at our bicycle R&D department. Many 2007 IBEX models are sold-out now and we're anticipating rolling out the 2008's beginning with the new Alpine series in mid-November. Other 2008's will follow with most being launched between January and March of '08. We detail some of the changes here, while others will be announced as we go. Full specs will begin to appear on our website in September for most models and we'll begin taking pre-orders at special pre-launch prices at that time. We welcome your input on these developing ideas as well as other suggestions or improvements to existing models.

Mountain Bikes

We're always trying to find ways to make our current line-up even better. For 2007 we are particularly proud of our new Atlas series of 5" full-Suspension All-Mountain bikes and of refinements to our Asta series of full-suspension XC models introduced in 2006, along with many improvements to other returning models.

Asta Series: Our full-suspension Asta series focuses on XC, trail and lightweight All-Mountain. In its' introductory year (2006) it was extremely well received. For 2007 the Asta frame saw a few changes and improvements that will carry on for 2008. They now feature a lightweight triple-butted 6069 frame with a full 4" (100mm) of rear travel courtesy of a 7.5" rear shock format (2006 travel fell just short of 4" at 90mm) For 2008 we will offer three model levels in the Asta Comp X7, Expert X9 and Pro. Drivetrains range from SRAM X7 on the Comp through Shimano XT with the new Rapidfire-Plus XT shifters on the Pro and SRAM X9 filling the gap on Expert X9 models. Look for logical progressions of component spec and price.

 

Atlas: New for 2007, our Atlas single pivot design hit the hard-core All-Mountain category squarely in the mouth. Look for big news on the 2008 Atlases coming soon!

 

Ignition series: The Ignition series gets an all new 120mm travel frame for 2008 (just shy of 5"). The Ignitions will now truly be All-Mountain bikes in the modern sense. We'll expand to four model levels including our traditional Ignition-1, 2 & 3 as well as our new Ignition Super featuring a SRAM X7 drivetrain and Avid BB7 disc brakes. Our Ignition-2 also goes SRAM with an X5 based drivetrain while the Igntion-1 steps up it's game to fill to take over the Shimano Alivio/Deore territory that once belonged to the IGN-2. As always, the Ignition-3 hits the "sweet spot" with Shimano Deore/LX and Avid BB5 discs.

Alpine Series: The Alpines are the mainstay of our entry-to-mid-level hardtail mountain bikes... though what we consider "entry level" is far beyond what you'll find in bike shops or department store for the same price range. For 2008 the Alpine series gets an all new double-butted 6061 frame based on our highly acclaimed Trophy design. All adult Alpine models will now feature 100mm forks. The Alpine 450 returns with an imporved drivetrain including Shimano Alivio Rapidfire shifters and Deore rear derailleur. The Alpine 550 goes SRAM with an X5 based drivetrain and the 650 tops the Alpine line with Shimano Deore/LX and Avid BB5 discs.

Trophy Series: Contrary to prevailing wisdom, the high-spec hardtail is not dead. Oncve again we had an unbelievable year with the Trophy hardtails in 2007 and the new '07 frame design was a tremendous hit.. For 2008 the Trophy lines steps up yet another notch with frame revisions that allow us to go to 100mm forks throughout the series.

 

Section 29: Introduced in 2007, the Section 29 is our first 29er MTB. It was very well received and will return again for 2008.

 

B Series: The B-27 RSR is gone for now, but may return in 2009.

Zone Series: Our Zone Freeride series is is out of production at this time, but may return in 2009. With many new ideas for a frame re-design and a desire to make any new Zone model as impressive as the original, it will take some time before we're ready to jump back into "the Zone".

Road Bikes

Looking ahead to 2008, there are several changes in the the works. Most notably we'll be introducing a new full carbon frame in the new Spectre series.

Classic Series: Our Classic becomes a true classic, falling by the wayside in favor of our newer Aprisa frame.

Aprisa Series: For 2008 the Aprisa series will include the ultra-succesful Aprisa 4500 and Aprisa Elite 6600. These bikes offer sparkling performance at exptremely reasonable prices.

Spectre Series: Arriving March/April 2008 the new Spectre series will feature our new fuill carbon road frame as well as choice of either Dura-Ace or Shimano's new Ultegra SL groupos.

X-Ray Series: The big news on the X-Ray front will be the introduction of a disc brake model with Shimanos really nicely reworked Tiagra groupo.

Corrida Series: Introduced in 2007, out new Corrida LTD (LT Disc) model returns with several very nice upgrades.

Kid's Bikes

The 650c IBEX Vantage Jayvee kid's roadbike gets a a new paintjob and a virtual upgrade in Shimano's revamped Tiagra drivetrain. Its' carbon fork and carbon seatpost as well as 650c wheels make the JV a standout in an already sparsely populated field. Our Alpine 320K and 440K MTB models will continue witha few notable changes. The 20" wheeled 320K goes to 24-speed with SRAM MRX Comp shifters and an *-spd cassette (up from 21-spd on previous version). The 24" wheeled Alpine 440K gets disc brakes in addition to it's already outstanding Alivio/Deore drivetrain, making it among the few kids' bikes available with specs that are truly up to level of many grown-ups' mountian bikes.

Street Performance Series

Future plans for the B-series are a little up in the air right now, but it is possible that we'll see some special edition versions later on that revise it's original "Street Performance" concept.