This is No Skinny Puppy

Originally designed to be a trials bike, the Mt. Trials was sold as a mountain bike that could be used for trails. The frame is designed around a 26-inch front wheel and a 24-inch rear. The smaller rear wheel allows for ultra-short 15.25" chain stays, which allow for easier wheelies, and a shorter wheelbase. Ibis offered the frame in two sizes: 13.5" for riders up to 5'8" and 17" for riders that were taller. My frame is the larger size.

With the short stays, up-right angles, and shortish top tube, the Mt. Trails has a very non-traditional feel. I bought the bike to experiment with the effects of shorter stays. I like the feel of short stays, and was curious about the effects of even shorter stays - you can't have 15.25" stays on a frame that uses 26-inch wheels. The bike style is often called a "woods bike," and was popular on the east coast with similar frames offered by Cannondale and Eastern Woods Research.

This bike is equipped almost exactly as it would have been when bought new. All of the components are Shimano Deore, which are a bit heavy compared to XT components, but completely functional. Frame production was out-sourced to Asia to keep the costs down, although apparently some models were US-built.

- el 12/07