Disclaimer:
As a product reviewer for Commute By Bike, I am providing my unbiased opinion of any products provided to us by any company. I do not posses any type of relationship with the product’s company or parent companies. Companies that send in their goods to be reviewed do not compensate me in any way.
My background:
I am 5’7, 165 lbs. I ride a Giant TCR for road, a Specialized FSR XC M4 S-Works for MTB, a Kona Smoke, Ibex Corrida, Xootr Swift and an Ibex Xray for my commute. I am bike commuter that travels 20 miles round trip. I’m also an avid cyclist that enjoys all sort of riding.
Testing Grounds:
The mean streets of L.A and the San Gabriel River trail.
Overview:
This review will be unique, Ibex bicycles provided me a 2005 X-ray Cyclocross Frame and an Evo Carbon Fiber fork. I then built the bike using different parts. The Wheels were obtained from Ibex Bikes, the rest of the stuff was purchased at a LBS, Ebay and from a parted bicycle. I decided to keep this bike simple, I wanted it to be a singlespeed.
Specs: (For the ’07 Model)
From Ibex Bicycles:
Frame:
The X-Ray’s frame features Double-Butted 6061 aluminum tubing including an aero downtube for flex-free integrity and S-bend seatstays that add power to cantilever brakes and provide plenty of clerance for wider cyclocross tires.. The geometry is engineered to deliver a stable ride without sacrificing quick acceleration and lightening-fast reflexes.
Fork:
The optional EVO carbon fiber fork was designed specifically for Cyclocross! with plenty of tire clearance and built-in cantilever (or V-brake) bosses.
Rims: Ritchey Girder XC
The Following components were obtained elsewhere:
Ritchey Comp Handlebars, Dia Compe Cx Brake levers, Tektro Purple anodized cantilever brakes, Shimano Crank, Crank Bros Eggbeater Chrome pedals, WTB Rocket V Saddle, Carbon Fiber Seatpost and Ritchey Crossmax tires.
Cheers:
The frame is light, responsive and durable. The Carbon Fiber Fork makes the ride comfortable without dimishing the feel of the road.
Jeers:
The rear wheel takes an MTB hub, so forget about using your road bike’s rims.
Summary:
The X-ray is my favorite ‘Do-it-all’ (except for climbing) bike. I love riding it to work on it, I love riding it to the beach, I love riding it around my neighborhood. I may be bias since I built this bike from scratch, but, the quality of Ibex Bicycles have really impressed me. If you want something different, something fast or a bike that can do trails AND pavement, a cyclocross is the way to go. I would highly recommend the Ibex X-ray frame and their complete X-ray bikes. Ibex Fits their complete bikes with better components than mine, they should be a blast to ride.
If you are interested in the progression of my build up,
Click Here for part I
Click Here for part II
Click Here for part III