Ibis Ripmo V2S: A test of the bike that straddles the line between enduro and all-mountain

The Ibis Ripmo is replacing the Ibis Mojo

The American brand Ibis can already look back on over 40 years of history, and yet very few people here in Germany are familiar with its exceptional bikes. One of the Californian company’s most successful models is undoubtedly the long-stroke Mojo, which, with its organic, two-part carbon main frame, shaped the brand’s design for a long time. Another hallmark of Ibis is the DW-Link suspension system, which connects the closed rear triangle to the main frame via two rocker arms. The current range still includes the Mojo, the only MTB with 27.5-inch wheels, scaled down to trail bike dimensions. The Ibis Ripmo has since taken over as the model with the longest travel. It embodies Ibis’s new design language but, like all the other full-suspension bikes in the range, remains faithful to the DW-Link system.

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

With its 160mm fork and just under 150 millimetres of rear travel, the Ibis Ripmo V2S straddles the line between our All Mountain and Enduro categories. However, its thoroughly robust components – such as the massive 38mm Fox fork and the extremely wide aluminium rims with a 35mm rim width – push the Ripmo more firmly towards downhill riding. Set up like this, the bike – including pedals – tips the scales at just under 15 kilos, despite its lightweight 2763-gram full-carbon frame. In return, you can really let go on the descents with the Ripmo. Thanks to its modern, yet by no means extreme, geometry, the mountain bike handles nimbly and intuitively. Thanks to the short chainstays, the Ibis navigates tight hairpin bends swiftly and pops onto its rear wheel with ease.

Great grip thanks to the Maxxis Assegai tyres

The choice of tyres – a Maxxis Assegai on both the front and rear wheels – is somewhat unusual. Combined with the wide rims, the 2.5-inch tyres look very substantial, providing plenty of stability, precision and excellent grip even at low tyre pressure. The oversized fork also contributes to the bike’s stiffness, which is why, despite the low frame stiffness readings, we were unable to detect any issues during our practical test.

The rear end of the Ibis Ritmo can handle quite a lot

By enduro standards, the rear suspension offers rather little travel, at least on paper. However, its performance is beyond reproach and complements the fork perfectly. Even in a soft set-up with plenty of SAG, the rear suspension on the Ripmo – which can also be ridden with a coil spring shock – offers good progression and is very responsive and sensitive without bottoming out. You sit in a compact position when climbing. Due to the wide tyres and heavy rims, and because the rear suspension bobs slightly when pedalling out of the saddle, the new Ibis model lacks a bit of nimbleness.

Conclusion on the Ibis Ripmo V2S by Peter Nilges, BIKE’s head of testing:

For a ‘proper’ enduro bike, the Ibis Ripmo has slightly too little suspension travel, but for an all-mountain bike, it’s a bit too wild. As a powerful hybrid straddling the two categories, however, it’s spot on, offers plenty of riding fun and stands out thanks to its outstanding rear suspension.

Technical specifications and ratings for the Ibis Ripmo V2S

Manufacturer's specifications

• Price: 8,298 euros (frame 4,198 euros)
• Available from specialist retailers
• Frame material: carbon
• Frame size: S / M / L / XL (Tested in size L, 44 cm)

Measurements

• Weight excluding pedals: 14.83 kg
• Frame weight: 2763 g
• Weight of wheels: 5391 g
• Acceleration of the wheels: 4452 kg x cm²
• Handlebar width: 790 mm
• Frame stiffness (absolute): 38 N/mm

Facilities

• Wheels: Blackbird Send alloy rims, Ibis hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 3C Maxxterra Exo+ Protection TR 29 x 2.50
• Front fork: Fox 38 Float Factory Fit Grip 2
• Shock absorber: Fox Float X2 Factory
• Front/rear suspension travel: 159/148 mm
• Brakes: Shimano XT / 203/180 mm
• Gear system: Shimano XT 1x12
• Translation/Range: 32; 10–51 / 510 %
• Telescopic strut / travel: Bike Yoke Rev. / 185 mm

Rating

• Handling uphill: 22.5 out of 25
• Chassis efficiency: 15 out of 20
• Rolling resistance: 7.5 out of 10
• Weight: 3 out of 15
• Inertia of the wheels: 3 out of 10
• Bottle holder: 5 out of 10
  
• Handling handed over: 33.25 out of 35
• Front suspension: 20 out of 20
• Rear suspension: 23.75 out of 25
• Saddle adjustability: 10 out of 10
• Brakes: 12.75 out of 15
• Tyre grip: 13.5 out of 15
• Handling: 3 out of 10

TOTAL UPHILL: 56 OUT OF 90

TOTAL DOWNHILL: 116.25 OUT OF 130

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

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

*The BIKE rating reflects the laboratory measurements and the test riders’ subjective impressions. The BIKE rating is independent of price. BIKE ratings: excellent (250–205 points), very good (204.75–170 points), good (169.75–140 points), satisfactory (139.75–100 points), with weaknesses, inadequate.