Ibis launches Hakka MX carbon adventure bike

OverIn the market for a new adventure bike? Here’s a new one to possibly add to your shortlist: the new Ibis Hakka MK.

The new Hakka MK is a descendant of the US company’s previous Hakkalugi cyclocross bike but geared much more towards the growing trend for gravel and adventure riding.

It’s a full carbon fibre frame and fork with a dropped chainstay (reminiscent of the Open UP) to increase tyre and chainset clearance. It’s compatible, as is the want of modern adventure bikes, with 700 x 40c or 650b x 2.1in wheels and tyres. There’s nothing stopping to fitting a 25mm slick tyre for road-based activities.

- 18 of the best 2017 gravel & adventure bikes

Versatility is a key appeal of adventure bikes, and it’s a theme that Ibis is keen to communicate. “The Hakka MX is our answer to the Swiss Army Knife. It’s the bike we’d choose if heaven forbid, we could only have one bike. The Hakka MX is a gravel bike. It’s also a cross bike and a road bike. We’ve logged a few bike packing trips on the Hakka too,” says Ibis.

There are the now industry standard 12mm thru-axles front and rear and flat mount brake calipers. The dropouts are moulded in carbon to shed a few grams of weight, it’s dropper post compatible and cables and brake hoses are internally routed. There's a port in the bottom of the downtube for stashing a Di2 battery, in case you're using a dropper post and can't put the battery in the seatpost.

Are you wondering what sort of bottom bracket the Hakka uses? You are! Ibis has adopted the T47, a standard put forward by Chris King that uses a 30mm axle but with bearings that thread into the frame. Oversized and creak free. Brilliant. 

- Chris King and Argonaut Cycles launch new T47 bottom bracket standard

Easily the standout feature of the new bike is the maddest mudguard mount we’ve ever seen. If that isn’t a reason to rush out and buy this bike we don’t know what is. Oh yes, the Hakka has full mudguard compatibility. 

There’ll be a choice of builds available, from £3,349 with SRAM Rival 1 up to £6,099 with Shimano Ultegra Di2 and carbon wheels. The frameset will set you back £2,099. Availability is scheduled for January. More info at www.ibiscycles.com

We don’t often mention warranties, but it’s worth noting Ibis gives a seven-year warranty with the Hakka MX. Not five or 10 years, or lifetime, but seven.

If you want to get more regular adventure and mountain bike fixes, be sure to head over to off.road.cc for more knobbly tyre action.

This could be you.