Ibis Cycles joins a growing list of companies offer cyclocross bikes with disc brakes, launching the all-new Hakkalügi Disc at the USGP stop in Fort Collins, Colorado. The new bike promises the same creamy ride quality of the standard rim brake-equipped Hakkalügi but with the increased stopping power, consistency and modulation that discs provide.
"We've been waiting patiently – okay, maybe anxiously – for disc brakes to hit the road and 'cross scene," Ibis principal Scot Nicol told BikeRadar. "As you know, rim brakes have greatly diminished braking power in the wet. Would you accept driving a car that required you to think ahead a couple hundred feet before the brakes started working in wet conditions? No.
"Since cross bikes get ridden in inclement weather quite often, you are faced with this same dilemma. With the advent of disc brakes, that's not true any more. You can bring the speed down faster with the discs vs. rim brakes and there's no fork shudder. It also takes lower brake lever force, so you are less prone to hand and arm fatigue. This becomes a noticeable advantage on fast bumpy descents."
The new Hakkalügi Disc retains the older version's mostly round and modestly oversized carbon fiber tubing throughout for what we hope to be a continuation of the predecessor's admirably smooth and forgiving ride. However, the head tube now houses a tapered 1 1/8-to-1 1/2" steerer tube for what Nicol says is noticeably improved steering precision while the newly press-fit bottom bracket shell now measures a wider 86mm across, providing more real estate for the more aggressive flared down tube and seat tube plus wider chain stay spacing for improved tire clearance. Nicol says 38mm rubber will fit.
The fat new tapered head tube has greatly improved steering precision, Nicol says
Ibis is again touting versatility as one of the new Hakkalügi Disc's greatest attributes. At 1,150g (claimed), the frame is nearly as light as dedicated high-end road chassis and with high-volume slick or finely treaded tires installed, it's admittedly well equipped for the up-and-coming gravel scene. That being said, the revised geometry looks more 'cross race-oriented than ever with a lower 70mm bottom bracket drop for improved stability in corners – perfect for American-style courses with their typically tighter and more frequent turns.
Routing has been improved relative to the older Hakkalügi, too, and this will be available for those that prefer rim brakes. All three lines now run across the top tube and there's also a tidy housing clip atop the seat stay wishbone to keep the housings away from your legs while attacking the barriers. Sadly, though, the elimination of rim brake posts has also had the unfortunately side effect of eliminating the old Hand Job housing stop. (We suggested it could be used for the front derailleur.)
Ibis has chosen to size both the front and rear post mounts for 140mm rotors – seemingly the perfect diameter for 'cross racing's lower heat dissipation requirements – but larger discs will fit with appropriate adapters.
The wishbone seat stay junction has huge clearance - and no brake calipers to collect mud
Suggested retail price for the bare Hakkalügi Disc frame is $1,449 (add $33 for the headset) while a complete frameset with Enve Composites Cross Disc fork will cost $1,799. Ibis will also offer two complete builds – one with a Shimano Ultegra mechanical transmission for $3,699 and the other with SRAM Rival for $3,579. Both will include Stan's NoTubes IronCross tubeless aluminum disc wheels, Specialized Tracer Pro clincher tires, FSA's Energy hollow forged aluminum crankset with 46/36T chainrings, a Cane Creek 40-Series integrated headset, Shimano BR-CX75 mechanical disc brakes, and Ibis house brand finishing kit.
Nicol says 55, 58 and 61cm frames are currently in stock in white with all other sizes and the black color option arriving no later than early December.
Hey, it's ’cross - even lions hock loogies