This week’s Reader’s Rig comes from Alex in Michigan, who shares his Colorado Trail Race-ready Ibis Exie, which we also featured in an in-depth YouTube video earlier this week. Meet Alex and find a look at his full-suspension bike here…

Words by Alex Schultz, photos by Neil Beltchenko

Hello, I’m Alex, and I’m from Marquette, Michigan. I base myself out of my van most of the year and pursue ultra-endurance races that interest me.

Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie

Luckily, my work is remote and enables me to travel the country. This season consists of the National Ultra Endurance Series races, The Colorado Trail Race, and the Arizona Trail Race (800). Typically the harder the race/route is, the more it appeals to me. 

  • Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie
  • Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie
  • Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie
  • Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie
  • Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie

The bike I have been on is an Ibis Exie USA model. This bike is made to go fast. I built it to originally race at the marathon-type XC races but am getting into multi-day bikepacking with it. This 2024 CTR will be its first bikepacking race. My Exie is configured to be able to take a beating on long routes through the mountains yet still be light and fast. With all the climbing this bike will see on routes such as the CTR, I wanted an efficient pedaling bike that would still provide a good amount of comfort on long and rough trails. 

  • Frame: Ibis Exie
  • Fork: Fox 34SC
  • Rims: Berd XC 25
  • Hubs: I9 Hydra
  • Tires: Maxxis Ikon Exo 2.4″
  • Handlebars: Race Face Next R 780mm
  • Headset: Cane Creek Hellbender
  • Crankset: Sram XX Eagle
  • Pedals: Time XC8
  • Cassette: SRAM 1295 Eagle, 10-52
  • Derailleur(s): SRAM XX, mechanical
  • Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate, 4 Piston
  • Shifter(s): SRAM XX Eagle
  • Saddle: WTB Rocket
  • Seatpost: Fox Transfer, 150mm
  • Stem: Raceface Turbine R, 40mm
  • Front bags: Apidura Backcountry Handlebar Pack (11L)
  • Frame bags: Morrow Packs
  • Accessory bags: Morrow Packs top tube, Apidura downtube bag
  • Other accessories: Osprey Raptor 10 Pack, Fenix BC26R light mount

The DW link on this Ibis has been perfect for the single-day races. It is definitely one of the fastest platforms I have raced on, and I’m excited to be on it for some bikepacking events. I appreciate a cable-driven bike instead of a bunch of electronics on the bike for a bikepacking event. Not having to charge batteries is one less thing to worry about on the trail. I like a three-position shock on all of my bikes. Even though the Exie is stated as having a two-position shock, the three-position remote works and still provides a middle mode that firms up the rear end just enough on smoother trails. 

  • Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie
  • Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie
  • Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie
  • Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie
  • Reader's Rig: Alex's Ibis Exie

You can keep up with Alex on Instagram.

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