The new bikes for trail and all-mountain use have little more in common with their predecessors than the Ibis logo on the head tube - at least as far as looks are concerned. The Californians have thrown the typical Ibis design language with its two-part main frame and curved top tube overboard. Instead, the design is now characterised by straight lines and sharp edges. We already know this from the new Enduro HD6. The only remnant from the traditional Ibis gene pool: The rear suspension system with DW-Link linkage, which couples the closed rear frame triangle to the main frame with two rockers.
Ibis Ripmo and Ripley: two bikes, same features, many USPs
Much more than the new look, however, there is a lot of innovation in the details of the new bikes. Starting with the storage compartment in the down tube. Ripley and Ripmo riders can now transport snacks or tools hidden in the bike. In addition, the new expansion stages now offer a wider range of sizes. According to Ibis, the majority of its customers are between 1.70 m and 1.80 m tall. With the new intermediate size "Extra-Medium", this large target group in particular should be able to enjoy a perfectly balanced geometry. But all other types of riders will also get a trail bike that should harmonise the proportions of man and bike very well thanks to the size-specific seat angle, different rear triangle kinematics and chainstay lengths. On top of that, the bottom bracket on both models gets higher as the frame size increases. Why? The wheelbase increases with the frame size. If the bottom bracket height remains the same, the larger bikes are more likely to get stuck on steps with the chainring than smaller models. If the bottom bracket height increases, all sizes have the same ground clearance on edges. Last but not least, thanks to the flip chip, the bike can be ridden in all sizes with 29er wheels as well as in a mullet setup with a 27.5-inch rear wheel.
Ibis Ripley V5: A trail bike straight out of a textbook
140 millimetres of travel at the front, 130 millimetres at the rear and 29er wheels - the key data sounds like a trail bike straight out of a textbook. Just like its big brother, the Ripmo, the Ibis Ripley can also be equipped with a smaller 27.5-inch rear wheel for more playfulness. A flip chip on the shock mount makes this possible. The frame weight of 3.3 kilos (incl. Fox Float shock) is no reason to cheer, but is acceptable in view of the elaborate rear triangle construction and the storage compartment. For price-conscious bikers, the Californians offer the Ripley in two aluminium versions. However, those looking for maximum performance are more likely to be interested in one of the five carbon models. The price range for the entire model range extends from 4498 euros to 9298 euros.
- Aluminium or full carbon frame
- 29" or mixed wheels via flipchip
- 140 mm front suspension travel / 130 mm rear suspension travel
- Available in five frame sizes from S-XL (intermediate size: Extra Medium)
- 3.3 kg frame weight for size XM with a Fox Float damper
- Two colours: Blue Hour / Green Flash
- Five equipment variants with carbon frame, two aluminium models
- Prices between 4498 euros and 9298 euros
- Special features: Flipchip for wheel setup, between size Extra Medium, storage compartment in down tube, size-specific geometry and kinematics
The geometry of the Ibis Ripley V5
Ibis Ripmo V3: All Mountain reloaded
Ibis nerds know: The Ripmo, the all-mountain bike from Ibis, has not made a name for itself as a versatile tourer for alpine terrain. No, most people know it as a race bike from the Enduro World Series. How come? Before the Enduro HD6 came onto the market at the beginning of the year, the Mojo represented the Enduro category in the Ibis line-up. However, the 2019 bike had gathered so much dust by the time the HD6 was launched that downhill enthusiasts preferred the more modern all-mountain Ibis Ripmo. In other words, the Ripmo has more downhill potential for all-mountain conditions than almost any other bike in this category. The key data: 160 millimetres on the fork, 150 millimetres on the rear triangle and 29er wheels. In order to create new buying incentives with the third expansion stage, the new Ripmo has just as many USPs as its little brother Ripley: a flip chip for converting to mullet tyres, an intermediate size called Extra Medium, a storage compartment in the down tube and size-specific geometry and kinematics.
- Aluminium or full carbon frame
- 29" or mixed wheels via flipchip
- 160 mm front suspension travel / 150 mm rear suspension travel
- Available in five frame sizes from S-XL (intermediate size: Extra Medium)
- 3.5 kg frame weight for size XM with a Fox Float X shock
- Two colours: Olive Swamp Monster / Heckleberry Purple
- Five equipment variants with carbon frame, two aluminium models
- Prices between 4198 euros and 9648 euros
- Special features: Flipchip for wheel setup, between size Extra Medium, storage compartment in down tube, size-specific geometry and kinematics
The geometry of the Ibis Ripmo V3
Max Fuchs
Editor
