View Full Version : New IBEX Forum


ibexbikes
10-31-2006, 12:05 PM
Hi All,

IBEX Bicycles now has a new manufacaturer's forum here on RoadBikeReview. I hope everyone interested in IBEX will feel free to make good use of it.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Jack. I am owner and founder of IBEX. I began the company back in 2001 with the first models being released that Fall (as 2002 models). I'm a long time cycling enthusiast... going back to the mid 1970's (for serious riding... kid's bikes before that, of course). My interest in starting IBEX, frankly, came from sticker shock and the realization that most major brands do not allow their bikes to be sold over the Internet or discounted beyond very tight parameters. My previous business experience with manufacturing in Pacific rim countries helped greatly with sorting out production and quality control. With many years in importing, warehousing and shipping other products, I had a big head-start on all the related red-tape and other headaches involved.

Being that my other company is strictly wholesale, what I did not have much of a background in was the retail marketing. While I had owned a local retail store for a few years a while back, the concept of IBEX was to go nationally with top grade bikes at very fair prices. The Internet has proven itself to be the perfect marketing medium for IBEX. While buying a bike online is not for everyone, those who are looking for the best value in a new bike will be hard-pressed to find a better deal or a better bike than IBEX.

Selling direct-to-the-consumer allows us to offer much lower prices for models comparable to those from mainstream brands found in in your LBS, and still be able to deliver high quality bikes. Anyway, enough of the commercial...

I've been an RBR member for several years, but I expect to be checking in more often now that the IBEX Forum has been incorporated into the site. I will be happy to answer questions regarding IBEX and I expect to enlist our Tech Manager to also help out with answering posts. Keep in mind that questions of a specific nature may be better handled through email or phone. However, any issues that would be of interest to other RBR readers will be answered here on the forum as quickly as possible. Please forgive me if it sometimes takes a few days in between sessions, though.

Direct contact info for IBEX is:

Sales:
toll-free: 1-888-741-1464
email: info@ibexbikes.com

Tech Help (for existing IBEX owners):
phone: (770) 569-0606
email: tech@ibexbikes.com

Best regards,
Jack A.
IBEX Bicycles

ibexbikes
11-01-2006, 06:19 AM
BTW, IBEX has had a manufacturer's forum on RoadBikeReview.com's sister site, MountanBikeReview.com (MTBR.com), for over a year now. It's located at IBEX on MTBR.com (http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=105). It's been quite successful there. Needless to say, I am hoping for similar results here on RBR.

JA

Dave Hickey
11-01-2006, 06:23 AM
Hi Jack. It's great that you have your own forum...Are we going to see a fixed gear from Ibex in the future?

ibexbikes
11-01-2006, 07:10 AM
Hi Jack. It's great that you have your own forum...Are we going to see a fixed gear from Ibex in the future?
Hi Dave,

We are coming out with a single-speed MTB for 2007. I haven't really thought too seriously about a fixed gear roadbike yet, but if there is a market for them we'd certainly want to look at it for future expansion. Any thoughts on what sort of specs would be interesting? Also what sort of price range you see on available models? We generally price out at 25% to 35% below LBS pricing on comparable models. So we would start with specs then make sure that we can support an appealling price point in that level. If the SS-MTB is any indication, we should be OK.

Best regards,
Jack

Dave Hickey
11-01-2006, 07:19 AM
The price point for budget fixies is right around $500-$600.. The most popular models are steel, drilled for brakes, and have a rear brake cable routing..

ibexbikes
11-01-2006, 07:29 AM
The price point for budget fixies is right around $500-$600.. The most popular models are steel, drilled for brakes, and have a rear brake cable routing..
So, are we talking Track Bikes coming stock without brakes? Given that IBEX's forte is aluminum, AL-carbon mix and (coming soon) carbon frames, would we be better off to look at an open-road single-speed with brakes and freewheeling capability?

JA

Dave Hickey
11-01-2006, 07:53 AM
I would say so....offer a flip flop rear hub that allows fixed or free.....I think aluminum is fine. There is nobody doing an off the self fixed/ss in carbon...I would buy one tomorrow but I'm not normal?

The fixed/SS market seems to be geared toward winter training, college students, and urban commuters.

quickKarl
11-01-2006, 05:21 PM
hey Jack good to see you on RBR.. :)

just wanted to say that the 2 Ibex Bikes i have, 1 road and 1 mountain, both have served me well and are still goin strong,. i have done some upgrades on both to suit my riding and i did get another road bike, i wanted a carbon bike and you didnt have one. i will be looking forward to seeing your carbon bike..
i'd buy another bike from you without hesitation, lots of things can happen during production, shipping, ect, but your customer service is heads above other companies ive dealt with.
glad to see your company here.

Karl

ps i'd be interested in a single speed also.

ibexbikes
11-02-2006, 06:13 PM
hey Jack good to see you on RBR...
Thank You!

JA