Issue #036, Review - December 21, 2018

Ibis Ripmo Review

The Ibis Ripmo is the new star in the American brand’s portfolio: a combination of their popular trail bike, the Ripley, and their enduro bike, the Mojo HD4. This group test proves how well it’s succeeded in uniting the best of both worlds.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike you can buy

**Ibis** Ripmo | 160/145 mm (f/r) | 13.10 kg | € 8,498

One look and you’ll know: this is an Ibis. The Ripmo features Ibis’ typical flowing lines and the DW-Link rear triangle. The suspension offers 145 mm of travel, controlled by a FOX DPX2 Performance shock. If you prefer, you can upgrade the shock for a FLOAT X2. Ibis gives its customers a lot of freedom in the choice of components on the bike, offering various combinations of builds. Admittedly, at a price of € 8,498 the bike we reviewed is very expensive, but regarding the componentry, you’ll get your money’s worth. It features a SRAM X01 drivetrain and a 160 mm FOX 36 Factory fork (currently without GRIP2). The Ibis 942 carbon rims with a 35 mm inner width are an absolute highlight. They come fitted with a set of MAXXIS WT tyres consisting of a Minion DHF 2.5″ and an Aggressor 2.5″. Again, a point of criticism is the small 180 mm rotors for the Shimano XT two-piston brake. They work much better with the XT than the SRAM Guide on long descents, but we would still have preferred bigger rotors for more power.

Playful trail bike or potent enduro rig? The Ripmo is both!

The Ibis Ripmo in detail

Fork FOX 36 Performance GRIP2 160 mm
Schock FOX DPX2 Performance 145 mm
Brakes Shimano XT
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle
Seatpost KS LEV INTEGRA 175 mm
Stem Thomson Elite X4 40 mm
Handlebar Ibis Carbon 800 mm
Wheelset Ibis 942 Carbon
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF WT/Aggressor WT
Weight 13.10 kg
Price € 8,498

**Grip monster**
MAXXIS WT tyres on wide Ibis 942 carbon rims provide maximum grip and comfort with acceptable rolling resistance. The Aggressor on the rear, however, reaches its limit in soft, damp ground.

**Beautiful**
The workmanship of the carbon frame is beautifully finished. It’s like a work of art that you’d like to hang on the wall. But that’d be a shame because this bike belongs on the trail!

**Drop it!**
The straight seat tube makes it possible to insert the 175 mm KS LEV INTEGRA dropper seatpost all the way into the frame – very nice!

**Potent**
The rear end of the Ibis is as potent as a man after two Viagra pills. The 145 mm of travel feels like a whole lot more in rough terrain.

Geometry of the Ibis Ripmo

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	368 mm	368 mm	418 mm	470 mm
Top tube	573 mm	603 mm	632 mm	655 mm
Head tube	90 mm	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm
Head angle	65.9°	65.9°	65.9°	65.9°
Seat angle	77°	77°	77°	77°
Chainstay	435 mm	435 mm	435 mm	435 mm
BB Height	341 mm	341 mm	341 mm	341 mm
Wheelbase	1177 mm	1190 mm	1220 mm	1249 mm
Reach	431 mm	446 mm	471 mm	493 mm
Stack	613 mm	620 mm	629 mm	642 mm

**Helmet** Troy Lee A1 | **Glasses** Oakley Jawbreaker | **Backpack** EVOC STAGE 12 l | **Jersey** Troy Lee Designs Sprint | **Short** Troy Lee Designs Ruckus

The Ibis Ripmo on the trail

Once you’ve swung your leg over the Ibis Ripmo, you’ll never want to let it go. The bike features by far the most comfortable and central sitting position in the test field. One of the reasons for this is the steep 76° effective seat tube angle, which slackens only slightly when the seatpost is extended. Your position on the bike is very relaxed and the front wheel sticks to the ground, particularly on steep climbs. Although the rear linkage isn’t 100% neutral while pedalling, it doesn’t bob excessively and it manages to generate a lot of traction on technical climbs – we never felt the need to reach for the climb switch on the shock. Before going downhill, simply drop the 175 mm KS LEV INTEGRA dropper seatpost for maximum freedom of movement. Descending, the Ripmo shines with an outstanding mix of quick acceleration, agility and composure. Whether on fast jump or flow trails, downhill tracks or rough alpine trails, the Ibis excels in every kind of terrain and you’ll have a lot of fun doing so! Oh, and it’s fast. So fast, in fact, that we can’t find any reason to argue with the Ibis team’s choice to race the bike in the EWS. However, anyone who believes that this must make the bike feel lethargic on anything less demanding is mistaken. The Ripmo leaps forward when you get on the pedals. The rear linkage performs excellently on the descents too, combining a sensitive response with good mid-stroke support. However, very active riders will want to increase the progression with volume spacers. The MAXXIS WT tyres on the wide carbon rims provide tons of grip and offer a defined ride feel despite their width.

Conclusion

If only the very best will do, the Ibis Ripmo is the perfect trail bike for you. No other bike in the test field proved to be as versatile and as convincing on the climbs as well as descents as the Ripmo. The clever details on the frame combined with high-quality workmanship and carefully chosen componentry results in a trail bike by which all others have to measure themselves. The Ibis Ripmo is our “best in test” winner and therefore the best trail bike of 2019!

Tops

unbelievably fun on all trails
excellent all-rounder
very comfortable climber
lively handling

Flops

price
small brake rotors

Uphill

Downhill

Stability

Agility

Value for money

More info at: ibiscycles.com