When it comes to exploring the great outdoors, you have basically two choices: go on foot or with some form of transportation. Now, when it comes to transportation, you have a choice between noisy, gas-guzzling ATVs and bikes and quiet, eco-friendly e-bikes.
I'm pretty sure what's my choice - e-bikes, of course. Not because I'm all for EVs but because e-bikes allow you to get more in touch with the place you're exploring than on a bike. You won't scare off any wildlife, and you get good exercise to boot.
But you can't go on outdoor bike adventures with just about any bike you find. You need something that can handle the harsh terrain.
Enter, Ibex - QuietKat's latest e-bike that features a beastly motor, double suspension, and tires that can find grip on even the roughest of terrains.
Well, I’ve tested this new workhorse bike, delving into its many specs. Keep on reading to find out whether this bike is worth your while or not.
The frame of your bike is, as you might have guessed yourself, the backbone for comfort and performance. And truth be told, it’s a common hiccup.
This cutting-edge offroad bike comes in two frame sizes: medium and large. The former fits riders between 5'6'' and 6', while the ladder fits riders that are 6' and above. So, if you're on the shorter side, I'm sorry to break it to you, you're going to have a bad time getting on and off this bike.
So, if you're on the shorter side, I'm sorry to break it to you, but you're going to have a bad time getting on and off this bike.
Although we’re talking about a hunting-oriented machine, the frame design is more akin to a BMX rather than an offroad bike.
The guys and gals (and everyone in between) at QuietKat designed this bike to provide you with as much space as possible. This means there's not a lot of space for accessories. And those that are available are sold separately.
This is pretty exploitative if you ask me. I mean, I'm already paying an arm and a leg for this bike, the least you could do is throw in a couple of extra goodies.
One thing you should be aware of is that Ibex is a hefty boy - weighing 75 lbs. This means you're going to have a pretty tough time lugging this thing around. On top of that, transporting it will be a nightmare unless you get bike mounts for your car.
Other than these two little hiccups, the rest of the frame is as tough as it can get. Those fat tires alone will absorb most of the bumps coming your way, and if you ever run into a more serious bump, the double suspension will make short work of it.
Motor
Moving on to the key part of an advanced workforce bike – analyzing its engine. When we took a closer look, we can say that we were not at all disappointed, nor were we surprised by the specifications of this engine.
As you might've gathered from the intro, I'm pretty stoked about Ibex's motor.
This bike comes with a mid-drive motor that can churn out a whopping 1000 watts with just a single turn of the pedals.
On top of that, it's pretty torquey too. To be more precise, the motor can produce up to 160 Nm of torque. That's more than enough to climb a 30-degree hill without even hearing a whimper from a motor.
Of course, you can't have a rugged outdoor bike without a cutting-edge drivetrain. This is why the engineers at QuietKat slapped an SRAM 9-speed drivetrain.
The engine also comes with needed VPO technology.
What's that? I hear you ask.
Well, Variable Power Output Technology allows you to select between Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Unlimited Modes so you can adapt to the terrain you're riding over.
When it comes to controlling the motor, it's your standard e-bike fare. You have your control cluster on the left-hand side of the handlebars, where you can find buttons for turning the motor on and off, changing the level of PAS, as well as fiddle with what info the LCD displays.
Speaking of the LCD display, it's just as high-end as the rest of this bike. It will feed you all the riding info you need, from your current speed and battery charge level to the level of PAS and miles traveled.
Battery
Given the fact that this is not your round-the-block bike and that you will most likely spend a long time on it, what you need is a strong battery, to say the least.
In the past few reviews, I had the opportunity to talk about models that left riders with range anxiety, which is actually a huge minus. However, with the Ibex E-bike, it seems that you have no worries and no stopping.
This powerhouse can go up to 63 miles with a single charge on a swappable internal battery.
The battery on this model is intended to last a full 21 hours, with an additional amp hour. When you are finally all out, the full recharge time on this model is between 6 to 8 hours, which gives you just enough time to have a good rest if you are on the road.
Riders can also find a lock latch that removes the battery once the key is inserted.
Brakes
Whenever it comes to hunting-oriented bikes, it is very important that the rider can avoid danger at all times and put their foot on the brake without fear of something going downhill.
Luckily, Ibex E-bike's 9-speed drivetrain allows maximum torque range to climb the steepest hills, and its 4-Piston Tektro brakes keep everything under control while descending.
The brakes on this bike are fully adjustable. The riders can maneuver the bridge in the roughest areas fearlessly. However, you can try these fantastic brakes on your regular tracks.
Wheels And Tires
The Jeep comes with gigantic 26 x 4.8-inch CST Roly Poly tires.
These tires run on almost no pressure, which makes them super-efficient at absorbing hits and bumps on the road. It also allows them to find a grip on tough surfaces such as gravel and sand.
While they make the Jeep a bit sluggish when turning, you need all the grip and suspension when riding over rough terrain.
Pros and Cons After Testing
When it comes to the specifications for the Ibex E-bike and its overall performance, there are a number of features that left an impression on us after testing this off-road machine.
What definitely left the biggest impression on us, as well as on many previous riders, is the effectiveness of the battery. This is especially important to indicate because off-road bikes, like this one, are obliged to be equipped with a long-life battery.
With a 21h + 1h amp hour, this model definitely goes to the top of the pyramid.
Also, the power of the engine and the brakes on this high-speed model are two crucial factors that can determine the decision to buy. When it comes to hunting-oriented bikes, motor power below 750W can be a huge problem. Luckily, the Ibex E-bike checked out that box as well, with a whooping 1000W.
With its 4-Piston Tektro brakes, riders don't have to worry one bit when conquering even the steepest of terrain.
Despite its cutting-edge features and powerful engine, what we would like to see improved is the design. Although the classic gray-black colour contributes to simplicity, if you're going on a hunting spree, you're not the only one who needs camouflage.
Your bike should be adapted to the environment as well.
The Final Verdict
For a complete scoop of features, head to the best all-terrain off-road E-Bikes list. There, you'll find everything that can additionally intrigue you about this model. As for our humble opinion, the Ibex E-bike is definitely one of the stronger candidates for more demanding adventures.
This sturdy model does not play by the rule of "less is more." It offers the rider with huge engine power, sensitive brakes, and above all, comfort regardless of your height.
Our Rating - 91/100
It’s a “Yes” from us. This is definitely a machine you’d want as your loyal adventure companion. It all fits together perfectly – it’s fresh out the market, it’s geared up, and it’s ready to withstand even the steepest roads.
The only thing you should double-check before you bring home this bad boy is your wallet.