Brian Lopes And Ibis Cycles Part Ways

Mar 14, 2014 at 9:06
by Tyler Maine  
Concluding a highly successful partnership of seven years, Brian Lopes and Ibis Cycles have mutually agreed to go their separate ways. Lopes joined Ibis shortly after the relaunch of the company under new ownership.  He raced nearly every discipline on the carbon Mojo, which proved the versatility of its design, and showed its outstanding durability in a wide range of abusive riding conditions.  By doing so, Lopes was instrumental in Ibis’ growth and development into one of the most popular boutique brands in the cycling industry.

Lopes said, “I really have to thank Ibis for all their support and belief in me. At the time I joined them, their marketing efforts were limited, but they had a great product and we were able to work together in a way that brought lots of mutual success.  At this time, our goals are taking us in different directions, but I will always be grateful for the time I spent with Ibis. They are a great company with an awesome bike, and while it saddens me to close that chapter I am also excited to start a new one.

"Our time working with Brian was filled with thrills, victories and lasting memories - from an unprecedented string of victories on Whistler's A-Line to the first World Cup victory in the XC Eliminator in Houffalize. We'd like to thank Brian for all he contributed to the ongoing Ibis story and wish him the best in his future endeavours." - Scot Nicol, Ibis

Ibis has put together a banger retrospective, check it out here.

www.brianlopes.com
www.ibiscycles.com

photo


Author Info:
brule avatar

Member since Mar 27, 2001
3,581 articles

119 Comments
  • 128 0
 Holly hell! I bought a commencal and next day the Athertons announce they are no longer riding with them, I buy an ibis and next day lopes leaves them. I think im never buying a yeti, I dont want graves to leave them.
  • 115 1
 "Take off my Van Halen shirt before you jinx the band and they break up!"
  • 48 4
 Don’t you ever, EVER, read the apocalypse in the Holy Bible.
  • 68 2
 Please do not purchase a Devinci Wilson. Thank You.
  • 122 4
 Please do purchase a specialized demo though. TIA Big Grin
  • 9 1
 Mtbguy87 FTW!
  • 6 2
 buy a specialized stumjumper HT 2005 edition on ebay for $175. guaranteed to last and rolling on twentysixes with QR skewers no thruaxles & no bike celebrities attached. LoL.
  • 8 5
 Please do buy anything Specialized!!!
  • 3 1
 is that a Do or DoNut?
  • 17 1
 Let me guess, you bought a Session las year?
  • 20 0
 Burn him! He's a witch!
  • 1 1
 He already bought a specialized...
  • 1 1
 Yeah he will ride a specialzed. He trains Cole Seeley who also rides specialized.
  • 1 0
 Who are we trying to get to leave from the specialized team?
  • 2 0
 Um, duh. We are trying to jinx Melissa Hauschildt, of course. She's so good at TT I hate it!
  • 3 1
 Please buy a scott. I want to see Brendog on something else...
  • 1 0
 @ Cuban-b, props to you good sir.
  • 41 19
 His riding is incredible, but I've heard he is super arrogant, probably makes it hard to work with him.
  • 37 5
 he is a quiet guy. At first I thought he was rude, but after seeing him a bunch of times and talking to him a bit I realized he is just very very focused on riding 99% of the time.
  • 18 2
 If that were the case, they wouldn't have stuck with him for 7 years. I'm sure sales are down or something along those lines and they don't have the marketing funding anymore to keep him on board.
  • 17 6
 Lopes is the most decorated mountain biker living in the USA- and with that- comes a bit of attitude, regardless, he is a nice guy who loves sarcasm. Who doesn't?! I predict he's going back to GT!! HAHAHA
  • 36 1
 I saw him on the San Juan Trail he was stopped at Cocktail Rock with a bunch of industry folks including Hans Ray. I was not part of the group and he walked up and introduced himself to me and shook my hand. Seemed super friendly, I'm sure when he is out for a ride with friends vs racing his demeanor is probably very different as I would expect from a competitive pro.
  • 12 2
 He is one of the most versatile riders ever.
  • 16 1
 I saw him at the registration day for a local roadie ride (don't hate Minnaar and Ratboy were there too). I stopped him to say hi and he was super friendly and absolutely no one else knew who he was so we chatted for a good 10 minutes. He was chill, fan for life.
  • 4 0
 I am a lopes superfan. I have no professional relationship with him but he has always been nice to me. And FYI I am supporting his push bring skinsuits and cannonball helmets to #enduro just wait.
  • 1 0
 I met him in Malaysia, he's a super nice guy.
  • 1 0
 yeah I met him in Brazil a few years ago (on brazil wc rounds) and he was super friendly with everyone. Anyway who cares about?
  • 1 3
 I thought I saw gully on the San Juan trail yesterday (knowing he's down in SoCal at this time) and got super pumped. Turned out to be some random guy with a cool beard. Sick you saw lopes tho!!
  • 1 0
 I'm glad to hear that he isn't a jerk, the guy that told me works for a different company-maybe he doesn't know what he's talking about. . .
  • 1 0
 @ unrooted, no, he knows.
  • 14 4
 There are a couple of things I can think of that could be causing Ibis to struggle. Announcing the Ripley and taking two years to actually produce it and not making a dedicated 650 bike.
  • 35 1
 It was actually the contractual obligation to pay Lopes' parking tickets. Sent them right into the red!
  • 3 4
 i doubt ibis is struggling....just sayin..i bought more than 5 ibis bikes in the last 3 yrs..What???!!!!
  • 6 1
 @westwardho nailed it
  • 3 2
 Parking tickets? Please elaborate.
  • 6 0
 Who says Ibis are struggling? Given the tone of their parting is it not possible that Brian has simply been made an offer he can't refuse by another manufacturer? Plenty of riders have been with teams and companies they've loved and seen success with, but had to chose between that and financial security being offered by someone else (see Minnaar/Peaty going to Honda/Santa Cruz despite winning for Orange, Gwin from Yeti to Trek etc). It happens and it doesn't have to be acrimonious every time.
  • 2 0
 I'm actually ok with the fact that Ibis may take a while to put out new bikes. They have almost put themselves in a tough spot in that every bike they put out is brilliant, not to mention they seem to be fairly long lived bikes. I would rather them take the time they need to absolutely dial a bike, than see them start crankin' stuff through RD, only to have it bite them with warranty claims or what have you. Sweet riding bikes need more than a year in development in my opinion.
  • 9 0
 At this time only Ibis and Brian know the "why" they parted. But what I do know is Ibis sent him off in style. That was an awesome send off. Way to go Ibis, such a class act.
  • 5 0
 Perhaps Ibis just wanted to free up $ to spend on someone who is going to spend more time racing and BL wants to be near his kid. Lots of reasons. Still a bit sad. I liked having 2 living legends on the Ibis team (ACC is the other for those that didn't know).
  • 1 0
 Yea, Brian's getting old, probably wants to spend more time with his young son, and he's probably made enough to be comfortable for awhile, then he can work as a suit for a bike company until retirement.
  • 10 1
 Check PB for his bikes to be on sale like all the other sponsored riders
  • 8 0
 this is true. If I were him though I would just hoard all of the old bikes and leave them in the garage and ride them when no one was looking. you can never have to many.
  • 2 0
 I'm sure Schley has a bunch of RM Switches and RM 6 and 7's in his garage then? I'd better give him a text see if he wants to get rid of one or two for my garage collection!
  • 8 3
 Those who think he's arrogant is totally BS. "Don't make any bad judgement if you never met him personally!"
He reside in Laguna. I met him twice, once when he was riding with Hans Rey at upper TOTW and other time he was about riding up Cholla. I teased him if he gonna break his KOM record again. He stopped for minutes, had a chit chat, friendly guy then he flew away. Riding up those hills with big ring. Sad both went different way and separated. Whatever his decision I wish him BEST of luck.
  • 8 0
 Brian Lopez and Chris Akrigg. Mongoose is building something special. Just not bikes.
  • 7 0
 Maybe he's going full time trainer for the MX pros. He's been training Cole Seeley and the TLD team for a while now.
  • 9 3
 moderators need to stop deleting posts....this aint russia and you need to stop acting like Putin let readers vote out the undesirables....russianbike.com?
  • 6 0
 My guess is he wants to stay closer to home now that he has a kid. Having a child got me to quit playing in a band 16 years ago. Priorities change.
  • 8 0
 So where now for Lopes?
  • 14 1
 hey wheres that WakiDesigns guy when you need some relevant info....whats up?

JK.
  • 5 0
 I predict Specialized or Trek as an ambassador and product development. Something that's in Cali. Wouldn't be surprised to see him with Intense too.
  • 4 0
 Can't believe it has been 7 years... I still remember Warner having fun of Lopes racing as a "tranny" during his last 4x days... Big Grin
  • 3 2
 I love my Ibis Ripley. Even if money were no object and I could buy any bike on the planet I would still opt for the Ripley. Keep in mind I live in Texas where we don't really have many downhill options, so a 29er makes more sense where I live. But if we did have downhill trails then I would consider adding Mojo or a Pivot Mach 6 to the stable.
  • 2 1
 Lopes is a rad dude, highly doubt will see him on any of his past sponsors . He's also a smart guy with good buisness sense , probably see him hooked up by Monday on a new ride . My guess is another smaller boutique USA based brand .
  • 1 0
 Brian Lopes at the bottom of the 2001 Fort William 4x said 2 words to me ^went ok" after qualifying on the Friday, always remember the bike white custom 4X Zaskar, fantastic racer is all I know about him. Mongoose still owned by the same company that make GT??!! Could he find his way back??!!!
  • 1 0
 Dorel Industries owns Cannondale, Schwinn (entry level mountain bikes around $500), Mongoose and GT. They also own the Sugoi clothing line

www.dorel.com/eng/recreation-product-portfolio
  • 3 0
 When I think of Ibis .. I think of the WEEDMAN ….. Jeff Kendall Weed !!!!!!! Super Sick RIPPER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLaNz5kinRI
  • 1 0
 First met Lopes at Mt. Snow in '02 along with Leigh Donovan and chatted with them for a bit. To this day I still have the Maxxis HighRoller tire he gave me with the dirt still on the tread as he only rode it a few times. Mounted it on a bare Sun Ryno Lite rim for nostalgic purposes...
  • 2 1
 Good riddance, douchey egotistical prick. People defend the dick because they happened to meet him when he was in a good mood & he wanted some positive attention to feed his ego. He's the Lance Armstrong of MTB. One of the biggest douches going. Don't stop at the Ibis exit there Cryin', keep on walkin' right on out the sport. You won't be missed by many, nor for very long.
  • 5 0
 Now he can find a sponsor that can afford to buy him a shirt
  • 5 1
 I put my $ on lapierre bikes signing lopes.
  • 1 0
 I'll take that action...
  • 2 0
 That's a pretty good prediction, actually. He has a long relationship with BikeCo, and guess what brand BikeCo has recently added to their showroom floor...
  • 2 0
 I really had him pegged for the Bloomingdales junior executive program - fearing that ship has sailed. Brian - call. I'll provide more sage council.
  • 4 2
 his style of riding convinced me to buy a mojo hdr. should've went for the jekyll..
  • 3 1
 its hard...both bikes are awesome, the jekyll seems like a beefier more stable descending build with that travel reduction on the fly. nice.
  • 2 0
 For me the Mojo HDR is perfect in every way. What makes you wish you went for the Jekyll?
  • 1 0
 well you made the right choice wait for the new jekyll 650b..............
  • 1 0
 pardon me for what i've said my friends, it really makes me feel sad and im still shocked with the news coz brian lopes is one of my mtb heroes together with jerome, fab and some other guys. yup my hdr is truly an amazing do-it-all bike! and i'm super happy with my 26" machine. Smile
  • 1 0
 I know I am old but its been seven years already on Ibis. Watching him race WC 4X seems sooo long ago. Now I really feel old.
  • 3 0
 What an asset to Ibis Brian was, and all of his sponsors.
  • 3 1
 Why Mongoose? Aren't they 90% a walmart brand?
  • 1 0
 BL and Mongoose have worked together in the past
  • 1 0
 fake news. I highly doubt he went to Mongoose...specialized maybe? or yeti?
  • 1 0
 Yeah. That means that mongoose has the money to pay him. Ha. By the way. The new mongeese look awesome and they are using a horstlink for trail and DH bikes. A truly huge bang for the buck. Worth a look.
  • 11 8
 Who cares?
  • 8 7
 pretty much my thoughts - old guy stops advertising bike company isn't really big news is it.
  • 18 4
 That "old guy "could spank you anyday,any where on any bike.so show some goddamn respect.!!
  • 4 2
 Key part is "on any bike." I dont think people care that Brian Lopes isnt riding for Ibis anymore... If the article was, "Brian Lopes gives up mountain biking forever" then you might have some news.
  • 3 0
 josefe obviously you care since youre wasting your time reading this article and trolling ha ha
  • 1 0
 @ Josefe, & what great news that would be, wouldn't it? Wink
  • 1 0
 Let me know when he starts liquidating his stable in the Classifieds section...
  • 1 0
 Love him or hate him, would anyone here buy a bike because he rides it? Serious question.
  • 2 2
 www.brianlopes.com/journal.html

He hasn't posted on his blog since 2011. He must've been unhappy at Ibis for his own personal reasons. 7 years is a long time.
  • 1 0
 Time to move on. Nothing lasts forever.. He rides for Chromag now. Steel IS REAL
  • 3 1
 He's going to mongoose.
  • 6 0
 1996 called....
  • 1 0
 Could see him on a Mach 6, another DW bike.
  • 2 1
 Lopes is one of the best riders ever, and a great guy on and off the bike.
  • 1 0
 Santa cruz or gt for lopes
  • 1 0
 The mx trainer makes sense to , good fit for him
  • 1 0
 so who is he signning with?
  • 2 0
 BH bikes
  • 1 0
 Will Ibis change the Lopes Links' name to another?
  • 2 1
 That Mojo is still the best-looking bike out there...
  • 1 0
 Maybe he'll join ENVE.... Envelopes...........
  • 1 0
 Just heard Ibis signed Matt Dennison....
  • 3 2
 he should go back to mongoose! lol
  • 5 4
 The big question is who will Ibis pick up now?
  • 2 0
 Some one cheaper Razz
  • 2 2
 Flying Brian, whoever picks him up will have a valuable resource on hand and a great asset to their their company.
  • 1 0
 I think I like my mojo even more now
  • 2 0
 Lapierre here he comes!
  • 1 0
 Intense or turner
  • 1 0
 Needs more ass garden.
  • 1 1
 He's going to Trek. Haha.
  • 1 2
 Oh god I also need to see what is up with Kim K. this is terrible I don't think I can ride anymore
  • 1 1
 hey BL, ride OG industries!
  • 1 1
 Moongoose.
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