First produced in 1997 the ‘Hakkalugi’ as it it was known, at the time was a steel cyclocross bike. Since then the Hakka has been largely upgraded, offer versatility and stability for all your bikepacking adventures.
Ibis call this steed their “answer to the Swiss Army Knife”. being that bike that can tackle, road, cross and gravel. With the option of running both 700c wheels, or if you are into burlier backcountry exploration, 27.5/650b wheels.
Ibis Hakka MX Weight and other specs
Built from a lightweight (1000 grams) carbon fibre Monocoque frameset, with a ultra versatile geometry. It is available in the colors (bone white, teal, coal or fireball). Featuring a 155 mm (depending on the size of bike you get, this is for a size 55), IS 41/28.6 upper, IS 52/40 lower, tapered head tube. At a 71.5 degree head tube angle and a 430 mm dropped design chain-stay. Which has been lowered to increase chainring clearance. And still keep the rear end short for snappy handling.
Included is a T47 threaded bottom bracket with a 70 mm bottom bracket drop. It has been wowing riders since it was unveiled a few years ago. This bottom bracket option provides some stiffness and giving you the option to fit a variety of different cranksets. Coming with the ENVE G Series carbon fibre gravel fork, with a 100 mm x 12 mm front thru-axle and 142 mm x 12 mm thru-axle at the rear.
The Hakka features full internal cable routing, with the Di2 port on the underside of the downtube. As a result there is no bottle cage mount eyelets and the same for the fork. But there is many creative ways to mount without them if needed.
Ibis Hakka MX Geometry and Sizing
The geometry of the Hakka for the 55 cm model, is a 71.5° head tube angle, 73.5° seat tube angle, a 70mm bottom bracket drop, 430mm chainstays, and 580 mm of stack and a 382 mmm reach. With a wheelbase of 1021 mm. When comparing the Hakka’s angles, it might appear to be a tad more race-oriented and less slack, it seems well-suited to long days in the saddle.
When having a look at the bikes overall angles it seems as though it is not targeted to any one type of riding. And this is a common trait with Monster Cross bikes. Did I mention? that is what the MX stands for in the name. Just like the All-City Gorilla Monsoon the geometry is able to feel good on any type of terrain you through its way.
The Hakka is available in five frame sizes: 49, 53, 55, 58, 61
Ibis Hakka MX Tire Clearance
Ibis claim a safe 40mm tire clearance. But you can get up to 27.5” x 2.1” or 700c x 40-45 mm wheels and tires on it. The Ibis Hakka MX Disc Rival comes with 27.5 x 2.1 in, Schwalbe Thunder Burt tires. You can get the 700c version from Jenson USA on sale from $2799.99, with Schwalbe G-One 700c x 400 mm tires.
ibis Hakka MX Fenders and racks
Even though this is a carbon bike you still get the option for mounting racks and fenders.
Great Things About The Hakka MX
- Can accept any drivetrain on the market today
- Very light weight only coming in at 1000 grams
- Able to accomodate either 700c or 650b wheels. Being able to switch between the two wheel sizes adds a great amount of versatility.
- Can handle roads, dirt roads or single track.
- The fit and finish is good
- Bike climbs like a billy goat on steep singletrack and is extremely composed on rooted, rocky descents
- Tires soak up most of all the bumps and the frame is stiff but compliant. It seems comfortable for a stiff bike.
- It is a quiet as a mouse, with the rival 1 drivetrain and internally-routed cables
- The 1x set-up is great. The steps between gears aren’t that noticeable.
Things To Keep In Mind
- Lacking mounting eyelets and the possibility to mount a water bottle cage on the bottom side of the downtube, due to the Di2 internal cable port. Also no mounting eyelets for cages on the fork.
- On the expensive side.
- The paint does have a slight orange tint to the red that may not be apparent in photos.
- Also the finish isn’t bad by any means, but there are gaps in the paint (dropouts, seat tube etc) noticeable on close inspection.
- You do feel the bumps, after a while, it does take a bit of toll on your body.
- You do have to use more technique and concentration when riding the Hakka
- The Enve fork, comes only in post mount but the frame is the newer flat mount. It is not very well thought out. Not a huge deal, just seems silly on a bike in this price range. (Updated* the 2019 frames have an updated fork with a flat mount brake.)
- The bar is not the best and the seat isn’t great either
- With a ritchey venturemax, carbon seat post, and fizik saddle this thing will be perfect.
- On the dirt the 27.5″ tires did a great job soaking up the bumps compared to a 700c tires due to the increase in volume.
- Seat tube cage sits low, meaning that depending on your water bottle cage mounts it may contact the downtube. It is not a issue across the board, but it seems as though the water bottle mounts make for a lower overall positioning of the water bottles when reaching down.
Bike Owners Thoughts on the Ibis Hakka MX!
After putting this bike through the wringer, it is safe to say that this bike is “one of the best bikes I have ever owned!”. This bike flows nicely on all surfaces. Enjoying the gearing and find that this bike fits very well. Perfect with a Tailfin rack and packs while road and gravel touring. The bike and pack system worked very well. “Met some guys road touring and thought about what they were missing by not traveling the gravel back roads in the national forest.” – Brent
This is a legit bike! “I have been riding a Cannondale EVO the last couple years and decided to sell it for this so I can hit gravel here and there and I am so happy I did. It’s a lot of fun to hit the road and dirt on the same ride.” – Landon
Better then advertised! Bike arrived perfectly packaged with every part secured from CompetitiveCyclist.com. If you are looking to buy one with these guys, they have great customer service where you can ask them questions, and other advice they are very helpful, and very responsive to emails.
“On gravel. The bike is stiff and responsive, while being pretty compliant. Handling is stable (no twitchiness whatsoever) and agile (more on this later). The Thunder Burt tires roll reasonably fast on gravel and are sufficiently grippy. Unless you plan on riding a lot pavement, I think the 650b set up is the way to go.” – Charles
The bike handles like a dream on single tracks. And you can really lean the bike in the corners. Tight switchbacks are a breeze. “The bike just rockets up climbs. Overall, I was actually faster on this bike than my Santa Cruz Tallboy riding the same trail.”
IBIS HAKKA MX RIVAL 700C BIKE 2019
IBIS
HAKKA MX RIVAL 700C
Save 15% at $2,799.99 was MSRP $3,300.00
This build from Jenson USA offers the excellent SRAM Rival drivetrain with a 1×11, 11-42 speed cassette. The Rival hydraulic disc brakes give you high powered stopping control, and the Ibis Alloy wheels give you great power transfer and smooth control, with options for wide, grippy tires.
IBIS HAKKA MX ULTEGRA DI2 700C BIKE 2019
IBIS
HAKKA MX ULTEGRA DI2 700C
SAVE 20 % at $5,199.90 MSRP $6,500.00
IBIS HAKKA MX RIVAL 27.5 BIKE 2019
IBIS
HAKKA MX MX Disc Rival 27.5
Full Price at $3,299.00
IBIS Hakka MX Frameset
IBIS
HAKKA MX DISC RIVAL FRAMESET
$1,999.00 USD
Final Thoughts
It seems like a smart idea to get the 27.5 option as it is a lot easier to find 700c wheels with a 12mm through axle than it is for a 27.5″. That means you get a set of 27.5 that fit and you can change them over to some 700 c if you find yourself riding more road.
If you are looking for a versatile bikepacking bike that is super lightweight and more then capable of tearing up roads and gravel tracks. With the ability to cruise up hills like a billy goat and a overall nice looking appearance and finish. This is a great option for you.
IBIS Hakka MX
$2,799.99
Pros
- Any drivetrain compatibility
- Very light weight
- Fits either 700c or 650b wheels
- Climbs like a billy goat
- Quiet as a mouse
Cons
- Lacks extra mounting eyelets
- On the expensive side
- Gaps in the paint which is noticeable on close inspection.
- Bar and seat is not the best
- Seat tube cage sits low
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