Initial Review: Ibis Ripmo – Rip-mo Without Compromise

It’s pretty amazing where mountain bike design has evolved to currently.   We are now in more control on more difficult terrain than ever.  The current crop of popular trail and enduro bikes give the average rider the ability to bowl through the tech but not without compromises.    Enter the Ibis Ripmo that has some big tricks up its sleeves.

I recently had the opportunity to check out the hot new Ripmo for a proper shakedown on my home trails in Pisgah.  I’ve ridden a wide range of bikes on these trails and have an intimate feel for how bikes react on the terrain.  Even though I only enjoyed a few good rides aboard the Ripmo, my thoughts on the bike are crystal clear.  During this initial review of the Ripmo I am left surprised by a bike that crushes the mold of the typical bike in this travel range.

The longer legged (140mm+) enduro category bikes are ones that I enjoy riding on the proper terrain yet I generally prefer shorter travel bikes that I have more fun riding on a wider range of trails.  Face it, to go down you have to go up and much more of your relative time is spent climbing.  The more you can climb the more descents you can enjoy!

Ibis Ripmo | XO1 kit with 942 carbon rim upgrade | Size: medium | Price as tested: $7899 | 160mm F/145mm R travel | 76 degree ST | 65.9 degree HT |435mm stays | 27.6lbs

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As you may have guessed it the name Ripmo comes from the combination of a couple of their bikes.  The Ripley and the Mojo.  The Ripley is a bike that is widely known for its agility as a 29er while the Mojo HD4 is the longer slacked out enduro machine.

What makes the Ripmo so special?

The Ripmo puts all the latest tricks into the bag.  Long reach, slack, steep seattube angle, reduced offset fork, clearance for 2.6’s, able to utilize the longest droppers and very light for a bike with this much travel.  The bike definitely hits many of those trendy numbers without becoming too specialized in one particular realm.

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The 44 mm reduced offset fork (standard for 29 is 51mm) makes the 65.9 headtube angle feel like a 64.5 while keeping the wheelbase the same.  This increases stability while maintaining agility.

Riding the Ripmo

From the beginning of my first 1800ft+ climb I was impressed for a bike with this much travel.  The bike climbed without the typical soft mushy power robbing traits longer travel bikes generally have.  This is where that 76 degree seattube angle comes into play.  This minimizes rider weight induced bobbing and also keeps the front end down resulting in more control on the climbs.  The Ripmo rockets up the climbs possibly better than any bike I’ve ridden with 130mm or more of travel.

Going down my first descent I had confidence first coming from the burly Fox 36 and the Maxxis Minon DHF 2.5 WT front tire.  As things got rougher I started noticing how stable the bike was and began letting loose of the brakes more and more.  I am very impressed with how in control I felt even on the steeper and rougher terrain.

After the first ride, my Garmin told the story of what I already knew with the Ripmo.  I had racked up a crazy 14 PR’s on not only descents BUT climbs as well.  Crazy!  My next ride was equally impressive as I grabbed another 9 PR’s both up and down.  This is impressive to me since my main ride is the Ripley with 25mm less travel and much more conservative geometry numbers.

Is this bike really without compromise?

The Ibis Rimo retains the agility that I love about my trail bikes and gives loads of confidence.  While riding tight, twisty and rough downhills I was hugely impressed with the bikes ability to change direction.  Compared to other long travel bikes the Ripmo is super agile and fun.

The Ripmo is possibly the first longer travel bike that I can see myself owning.  I can’t think of another 2018 bike that inspires this much confidence on the downs yet pedals so freaking well.  Ibis definitely nailed the bike and the name!  The Ripmo allowed me to RIP mo trails without compromise than I have on any other bike.

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