Ibis Ripmo V2S: The crossover between enduro and all-mountain bike in the test

The Ibis Ripmo replaces the Ibis Mojo

The American brand Ibis can already look back on over 40 years of company history and yet only very few people in Germany are familiar with these extraordinary bikes. One of the Californians' most successful models is certainly the long-stroke Mojowhich characterised the brand's design for a long time with its organic, two-part carbon main frame. Another typical Ibis feature is the DW-Link linkage, which connects the closed rear frame triangle to the main frame by means of two rockers. In the current model range, the Mojo is still the only MTB with 27.5-inch wheels, trimmed down to trail bike dimensions. In the meantime, the Ibis Ripmo has taken the place of the model with the most suspension travel. It embodies Ibis' new design language but, like all the other fullys in the line-up, remains true to the DW-Link.

Our impression of the Ibos Ripmo: too well-behaved for an enduro bike, too wild for an all-mountain bike

With its 160 mm fork and almost 150 millimetres of suspension travel at the rear, the Ibis Ripmo V2S between our All Mountain and Enduro categories. Robust components throughout, such as the massive 38 mm Fox fork and the extremely wide 35 mm aluminium rims, move the Ripmo more towards the downhill. When set up like this, the bike and pedals - despite the 2763 gram full carbon frame - just exceed the 15-kilo mark. On the other hand, you can really let go of the reins on the downhill with the Ripmo. Thanks to the modern, but by no means extreme geometry, the mountain bike is easy to handle and intuitive to ride. Thanks to the short chainstays, the Ibis goes quickly through tight bends and is easy on the rear wheel.

Plenty of grip thanks to the Maxxis Assegai tyre

The choice of tyres is somewhat unusual with a Maxxis Assegai on the front and rear wheels. In combination with the wide rims, the 2.5 mm tyres are very voluminous, which provides a lot of stability, precision and excellent grip even with low tyre pressure. The oversized fork also contributes to the stiffness account, which is why we were unable to detect any abnormalities in the practical test despite the low measured values for frame stiffness.

The rear triangle of the Ibis Ritmo swallows up a lot

By enduro standards, the rear suspension nominally provides rather little travel. However, its function is beyond reproach and matches the fork perfectly. Even in the soft set-up with a lot of sag, the rear suspension of the Ripmo, which can also be ridden with a coil shock, provides good progression and is very plush and sensitive without bottoming out. Uphill you sit compactly. Because of the wide tyres and heavy rims and because the rear end bobs slightly when pedalling, the liveliness of the new Ibis model suffers.

Conclusion on the Ibis Ripmo V2S by Peter Nilges, BIKE test manager:

The Ibis Ripmo has a little too little travel for a "real" enduro bike, but it's a little too wild for an all-mountain bike. However, as a potent border crosser between the two categories, it is spot on, provides a lot of riding fun and shines with its outstanding rear suspension.

Technical data and notes on the Ibis Ripmo V2S

Manufacturer information

• Price: 8298 Euro (frame 4198 Euro) >> available here
• Available from specialised dealers
• Frame material: Carbon
• Frame size: S / M /L / XL (tested in size L, 44 cm)

Measured values

• Weight without pedals: 14.83 kg
• Frame weight: 2763 g
• Weight of wheels: 5391 g
• Acceleration of running wheels: 4452 kg x cm²
• Handlebar width: 790 mm
• Frame rigidity (absolute): 38 N/mm

Equipment

• Wheels: Blackbird Send Alloy rims, Ibis hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 3C Maxxterra Exo+ Protection TR 29 x 2.50
• Fork: Fox 38 Float Factory Fit Grip 2
• Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory
• Front/rear suspension travel: 159/148 mm
• Brakes: Shimano XT / 203/180 mm
• Gear system: Shimano XT 1x12
• Ratio/bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510 %
• Telescopic support / stroke: Bike Yoke Rev / 185 mm

Valuation

• Driving behaviour uphill: 22.5 from 25
• Chassis efficiency: 15 out of 20
• Rolling resistance: 7.5 out of 10
• Weight: 3 of 15
• Inertia impellers: 3 out of 10
• Bottle cage: 5 out of 10
  
• Driving behaviour downhill: 33.25 from 35
• Front suspension: 20 out of 20
• Rear suspension: 23.75 out of 25
• Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
• Brakes: 12.75 out of 15
• Tyre grip: 13.5 out of 15
• Driving stability: 3 out of 10

TOTAL UPHILL: 56 OUT OF 90

TOTAL DOWNHILL: 116.25 FROM 130

• Other: 20.75 out of 30
• Ease of maintenance: good

BIKE test rating*: very good - 193 out of 250 points

*The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-170 P.), good (169.75-140 P.), satisfactory (139.75-100 P.), with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.