May, 2009 - Here's an inside look at our bicycle R&D department. All 2009 IBEX models are in now and we're anticipating rolling out the 2010's beginning in late-November. We welcome your input on these developing ideas as well as other suggestions or improvements to existing models.

Mountain Bikes

Asta Series: Our full-suspension Asta series focuses on XC, trail and lightweight All-Mountain. For 2009 the Asta Expert X9 and Pro return with the Expert arriving late in 2008 with the Pro to follow in the spring along with our new Asta Comp SLX featuring Shimano's terrific new SLX drivetrain and Avid Elixir R discs.

 

Ignition series: The Ignition frame recieves updates to strengthen it for 2009. Three models comprise the new Ignition line-up which will be introduced January 2009. These include the new Ignition Sport with a SRAM X4 drivetrain (essentially the same components previously marketed as "X5 8-speed"), Rock Shox Tora 289 fork and Avid BB5 disc brakes. Our Igntion Super returns with it's SRAM X7 drivetrain, Rock Shox Tora 302 Air fork and Avid BB7 discs, while we add a new Ignition Super Pro with an X9 drivetrain, Rock Shox Recon 335 Air fork, and Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic discs. As always, the Ignition series hits the "sweet spot" in performance and value.

Alpine Series: The Alpines have been 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. With that in mind 2009 sees the Alpine series coalesced to a single model in our top-selling Alpine 550.

Trophy Series: Contrary to prevailing wisdom, the high-spec hardtail is not dead. The top-notch Trophy frame returns for 2009 in a special Comp model that's designed to deliver exceptional performance at an unbelievably good price.

 

Section 29: The Section 29 hardtail likely drops by the wayside for 2009 as we pursue other projects in big-wheeled MTB's. see "Other Projects" below for more on that.

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

Atlas: A new in-house design for the Atlas series is under development. We originally aimed to launch these new Altases early to mid-2009, but may now be looking more toward mid-2009 (or perhaps the Fall as 2010 models). While we'd considered combining the Atlas and the new Zone AM together under the Atlas name, upon firther reflection we decided to continue with our inital direction for a 5.5" to 6" travel Atlas targeted squarely in the mid-range of All-Mountain bikes. That'll require more time for development, but should work out for the best in the long-run.

Zone AM Series: We'd drifted out news that our Zone Freeride series would be returning for 2009, but as we went through development our focus changed a bit. The new Zone frame design actually lends itself more to the heavy-duty All-Mountain category while still cabaable enough for light FR. So, the new Zone will essentially be an AM bike, in fact named the Zone AM (versus the old Zone FR). While specs are still a little up-in-the-air, our target for the first new Zone AM model is a Pro level bike with XT drivetrain, 160mm Rock Shox Lyric fork and Avid Code dual-piston disc brakes. More on this later, but rest assured we're working toward having this ready for spring of '09.

Other MTB Projects: While the Ignition series outgrew it's "once-upon-a-time" mission of filling the elusive $500 full-suspension category, we are looking at devolving a new frame that will once again allow us to offer a worthwhile FS model in that price range. We're also in early stages of developing two big-wheel FS frames... 29er XC and a 650B AM. 29" wheels offer superior rolling characteristics, but place limitations on frame design. A medium travel XC bike seems the choice here. For a little longer travel AM style bike, we're really impressed with the 650B wheels & tires championed by Kirk Pacenti. With a little coaching from the master, we hope to be among the first companies to offer production-line 650B models... hoefully sometime around mid-2009.

Road Bikes

For 2009 it looks like IBEX will remain on the sidelines as far as road bikes go. We expect to re-enter that market in 2010 with several changes in the the works. Most notably the introduction of a new full carbon frame in the new Spectre series.

Aprisa Series: 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: The new Spectre SL will feature our new fuill carbon road frame with Shimano's new Ultegra SL groupo.

X-Ray Series: The big news on the X-Ray front will be the introduction of a disc brake model with Shimano Tiagra drivetrain and Avid Road Disc brakes.

Corrida Series: Introduced in 2007, our Corrida LTD (LT Disc) model should return for 2010, perhaps with a special optional commuter package. This true flat-bar roadbike makes an ideal commuter or recreational road bike.

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

Kid's Bikes

Our Alpine 320K and 440K MTB models will continue with a few notable changes introduced on them in 2008. The 20" wheeled 320K now features 24-speeds with SRAM MRX Comp shifters and an 8-spd cassette (up from 21-spd on previous version). The 24" wheeled Alpine 440K stepped up to 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. The 650c IBEX Vantage Jayvee kid's roadbike is currently out of production, but will get a new paintjob and a virtual upgrade in Shimano's revamped Tiagra drivetrain when it returns in 2010.

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.