woogie11 said:
Just reporting my experience. Sounds like you may have a flexy Mojo build, mine is quite stiff, I do run a Lyrik and build my own very solid wheels. The new BLT Carbon is stiff to hand testing, stiffer than my Mojo, definitely stiffer than a Nomad. It could be every metal VPP I've tested new or used, 6.6 and under, has had weak wheels. That I cannot judge.
Aluminum swingarms that are flexier by hand test do feel stiffer when riding, it is true. I think that the reason is carbon fiber is probably more rising rate in flex resistance. So if there is that relative difference in flex rate, small deflections have more feedback feel with metal frames, particularly aluminum, CF being more "damped" so less noticeable feedback even if stiffer to heavier side loading.
I run I9 wheels with a Pike up front and a 10mm axle in the rear, the build is not the problem. I think the largest problem with the Ibis is in the linkage, the upper link is quite thin and has no bracing between the pivots. The lower linkage design has very little leverage to control the movement of the rear tri. Long story short, look at the linkage on a Pivot or a new Turner, there's a reason it's very different.
I'm not talking about yanking on a rear tri to determine stiffness, land a jump off camber. Put your legs over the swingarm, hold tight, and yank the seat back and forth.
With regard to "rising rate" flex resistance with CF, CF has a much higher yield strength than aluminium, so I see what you're saying but can't appreciate the context of that comment. Yes CF will initially flex more and then quickly stiffen up (typically).
The bottom line is the Mojo linkage design is not as good as the competition and it can be easily felt. I think rear tri stiffness contributes to this as well but, linkage is the biggest problem. A little bit of rear tri flex is minute in comparison to linkage flex.
Don't get me wrong, I really like my Mojo but, compared to my Tracer and previous 5.5 it feels like a little XC bike going downhill. I think part of that is because I believe VPP goes downhill better but, I think stiffness also plays a role...