2024 Ibis HD6 Test Ride & Review

The Ibis HD6 is now a "mixed wheel" bike with the larger 29er up front and the quicker handling 27.5 wheel out back! This makes for a extremely capable and fun long travel bike! 165mm rear travel and 180mm Fox 38 fork! I picked this HD6 up from Salt Cycles in Sandy, Utah and they have HD6's in stock now!! Give them a call today to custom build your dream bike: 801-943-8502
Below are links to the products & gear I use everyday! Anything you purchase using these affiliate links to Backcountry .com go directly to support my channel. This is what keeps this channel going and I'm incredibly grateful for your support. Thank you!
Ibis HD6: alnk.to/9T9hx7S
ENVE M6 Bar: bit.ly/3Cq4Lwc
Giro Manifest Helmet: alnk.to/dAmP5mu
Smith Glasses bit.ly/3C3yjOY
Shimano XT Group set: bit.ly/3C21F0b
Shimano XTR Group set: bit.ly/3SvHOgO
Wahoo Element Bolt Computer: alnk.to/apTyCy4
Wahoo Tickr Heart Race Monitor: bit.ly/3RonVqA
Wahoo Outfront Bar Mount: bit.ly/3STHQip
K-edge Gravity Stem Mount: bit.ly/3UQtelL
Stan's NoTubes DART Tool: bit.ly/3giMYJ7
Maxxis Rekon Tire: bit.ly/3M0PQM3
Maxxis DHF Tire: bit.ly/3fzTf8y
Maxxis DHR II Tire: bit.ly/3e2oOYf
Troy Lee Design Drift Shorts: bit.ly/3EbziPQ
Pearl Izumi Pro Bib Shorts: bit.ly/3dWZMd0
Fox Flexair Gloves: bit.ly/3dXOaXj
TLD Speed Sleeve Knee Pads (light protection): bit.ly/3fvAOSt
Fox Launch D30 Knee Pads (more protection): bit.ly/3C23ZEr
Shimano XTR Pedals: bit.ly/3C4DmhR
Shimano SH-XC7 Shoes: bit.ly/3LXzB2y
OneUp Flat Pedals: bit.ly/3dXCKCL
Five Ten Freerider Pro shoes: bit.ly/3LXKD7Z

[@mtbyumyum]

Have you ridden an MX (29er/27.5) bike? Are they interesting to you? I've been riding many different MX bikes recently and loving it!! The HD6 is a lot of fun but needs speed.... if you're considering purchasing an HD6, Ripmo or new Ripley, give my friends over at Salt Cycles a call and ask for Chris! 801-943-8502 they are the best in the business and can help build your custom dream bike today!

[@jeffsharp4982]

Yep, my current bike is a small Knolly Endorphin MX. Loving it.

[@mikef2270]

I went from a full 27.5 SC Bronson to Full 29 stump jumper EVO. Travel numbers are the same but the Bronson was way more lively and playful. After 2 seasons on Stevo I set it up mixed wheel with a Cascade Link and WRP mullet yoke. Made the Stevo more lively and playful totally sold me on the MX wheel set-up. Been eyeing the HD-6, SB-165 and Nomad, but waiting to see what Specialized does with an updated Enduro, Demoed the High pivot Trek Slash. Not a fan for the most part but the suspension performance while breaking coming into heavy breaking bumps was pretty nice.

[@mtbyumyum]

Mike, I share your experience with the mx wheels.... loving it!

[@jamiemeckes8364]

Video didn’t suck and I’d rock that color way too! I’m an east coast Tallboy rider, but enjoy seeing the new bikes on your channel and hearing your take on riding them 👍🏻.

[@mtbyumyum]

haha thanks!

[@Jabeezala]

Thanks man! Love your channel here in Utah. I have that exact bike in same color with an XT build. I used it all season at DV and I can honestly say that this year has been THE MOST improved in my riding life. The HD6 hands-down is the reason for this. And I say this with confidence because I have the Ripmo V2 as well and the HD6 is waaaay better at DV and trails like Spinal Tap in Richfield, UT. You're spot on about the uphill pedal as well. It climbed Sardine Peak fine but is not as energy efficient as my Ripmo. With that being said... I have ZERO regrets begging my wife to get the HD6 (which I named Thanos) because riding it this season has gotten me ready for my birthday Bentonville trip with the fellas by completely charging the new Twist and Shout section one and Tsunami. Thanks for the vids. Keep em comin!

[@mtbyumyum]

Wow, nicely done on your improvement on some big terrain!! I can totally see how the HD6 would get you to a new level in your riding... such a good bike! Hope you have a blast in Bentonville!

[@marcid6527]

Such a cool eighties bike color!✌️

[@mtbyumyum]

I think so too!✌️

[@r28a]

I have am Alchemy Arktos 125, and your review today on the Ibis HD6 reminds me of it in that you have to get up speed for the bike to really do its thing. Your previous review of the Cannondale Scalpel 4, though, influenced me to go buy it, and I can confirm everything you said about the Scalpel is correct. I also now tend to only ride the Scalpel instead of my other bikes. Thanks for all your reviews. I'm subscribed and gave todays video a thumbs up. Happy Trails!

[@babooski92]

How does the scalpel compare? I'm very interested in the scalpel but worried it is too sketchy on rougher trails. I have a trail bike now but after demoing an epic I'm interested in all these new xc bikes

[@mtbyumyum]

Yep! I've been saying for years here on KZbin how good and capable short travel 29ers are... for 95% of the trails and speed I ride, that Scalpel is the bike!

[@henryharris4717]

Another great video. I have the HD6 as well. It is confidence inspiring in the rough for sure. I would love to see another back to back ripmo (V2 vs V3) like you did with the V1 vs V2 in St. George! Thanks for the content.

[@mtbyumyum]

That would be cool. Maybe we can do that. Thx!

[@SoGoMTB]

SUBSCRIBED way back! Love the info !

[@mtbyumyum]

Thank you!!

[@drbutter1]

Thanks for posting an honest review. Yours and Jeff Kendall Weed's review are likley the most honest. For anyone considering an HD6, look at these two reviews before you buy. I previously had a V2 Ripmo that I loved, but was always looking for a bit more out of it. I found the Rimpo was really fun but not great at jumps, straightline chunk, drops etc. So, I sold it an bought an HD6 as it seemed to be a reviewed intially as a Ripmo and then some. To honest, I am a bit disappointed. For most of my riding, it's too much bike. I live in Kamloops with high speed flow trails, jumps and Sun Peaks Bike Park near by. I would agree that you really have to pump the bike to keep it going on lower angles sections of trail. On these sections of trail on the Ripmo, it seemed to be gaining speed and I would have to hold it bck from doing so; but on the HD6, it seems to be holding me back. On my initial rides, I'd go through these sections and get off the bike thinking I had a flat or low tire pressure as it just wasn't carrying speed like the Ripmo. It was less zippy in the berms. Overally, less lively. It is much much better at drops. You land and feel more composed on the ride out. It jumps much much better. It's confidence inspiring on steep gnarly terrain at the bike park. You don't have to pick your way though it, you just go. In the end, I bought a 2nd bike for general trail riding. Back on a dual 29er set up which feels better for most of my riding. It feel much faster and that's what I am looking for at the moment. I think I'll keep the HD6 for road trips, bike park, shuttles days or new features that I am eyeing up. I agree, it is a great 2nd bike to have.

[@mtbyumyum]

Thanks for sharing your experience owning the HD6.... yup, it's a lot of work to ride if you're not at speed. Thx!

[@ssjj9584]

Enduro riders: bike pedals awesome and playful on the dh. Cross Country riders: pedals ok kinda sluggish. Lotta work pumping on decent. 😂 All relative

[@TheMaklooce]

So true! As an enduro rider, this is the best pedaling bike I’ve ever ridden. That DW link is so efficient and keeps you in such a good riding position. Descending the bike is so fun and capable. As fast and capable as the SB160 (my previous bike)? Don’t know yet. Probably not. Time will tell.

[@mtbyumyum]

Haha Well said!

[@erinsalazar1185]

Another great review!

[@mtbyumyum]

Glad you liked it!

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

Good review Jason! Been loving my Ripmo v3 and I take your word for how much livelier it is to the HD6. I ride mine with a Vivid though, sort of a mini light enduro sled. There was a time 150mm was enduro....😂

[@mtbyumyum]

Ripmo MX is the way for me!!

[@jeffsharp4982]

Great review, looks like a fun bike on some awesome trails! Thx for sharing:)

[@mtbyumyum]

You bet!

[@jeffsharp4982]

The ending...😂

[@mtbyumyum]

haha, I know most don't watch till the end so I though a blooper would be fun lol

[@himboslice_]

been loving my v4s ripley around summit county, but have the itch to start doing lift access runs at vail and copper next year (not the crazy technical/ big jump downhill runs). rip wallet, feel like the ripley would be fine on some of those runs but may want something beefier

[@mtbyumyum]

Yeah, for higher speeds the v4 Ripley will get overwhelmed… but I loved that bike!

[@carymcreynolds]

I agree with your wife, good video.

[@mtbyumyum]

haha, thanks for watching!!

[@shyde2078]

Enjoyed the review. Thanks! I disagree on the mixed wheel thing though. I have an SC Tallboy full 29 and a Specialized Status 140 MX. I can’t stand the MX set up. Maybe I should try a different bike with MX?

[@mtbyumyum]

Never ridden the Status... my experience on modern MX bikes has been very positive!

[@abouvet1]

@mtbyumyum Please make a comparison video of the new ripmo 29er vs sb140LR. Did you like it more than the yeti? The ripmo is the only ibis i would consider buying currently.

[@JavierGonzaleziii]

I debated between this and an sb165 and ordered the 165 based on some reviews saying this bike wasn't that playful...what are the main differences you have noticed between the 2? I appreciate it Jason, here you are once again helping me decide on a bike lol

[@mtbyumyum]

HD6 feels more playful and easy going...

[@LanceR33]

Definitely not for the all-around trail Rider guy, like myself. I'm sure it's a great bike for the more downhill bomber type riders. Great review!. You said it would be a great second bike. What's your current first bike you're riding? Just curious

[@mtbyumyum]

Right now I have a Yeti SB140 LR, Cannondale Scalpel 120/120mm and a Yeti ASR 120/115. Bit of overlap on the short travel bikes but I haven't gotten myself to let one of them go yet...

[@brianstevens5363]

Any chance you would be able to or want to review the Revel Ranger? Now that you can run Shimano on it, it would be nice to see a review with that spec and Fox suspension compared to Rock Shox.

[@healthman79]

I'm curious, Did you have the opportunity to test this bike on some really steep, techy, slow speed gnar? With drops and janky rock features? Or was it only high-speed stuff?

[@mtbyumyum]

I didn't ride any skidders but yeah, slower techy stuff was super easy... tighter switchback stuff was maybe easier on the Ripmo MX but marginally so...

[@ts-rf7er]

how is the riding position with these shorter chainstays mx bikes? Does your weight bias towards the rear and front get light/washes without constant pressure? Curious if they are closer to how you described the sb130 vs the more neutral sb140

[@mtbyumyum]

Ride position is good... I would say it for sure more balanced than the old Yeti sb130 you mentioned... I tend to load up the front of a bike anyway so I always liked the sb130. It was only when I would get on other bikes that I would notice how demanding that bike was. In any case, the HD6 is a very neutral and balanced bike... easy to ride! Very comfortable in the choppy scary terrain and high speed. Jumping is intuitive and easy on the HD6

[@HumphreyDoreen-r4c]

Bernhard Wall

The headtube is so short

[@Wes-o9t]

I never ridden an MX but I'm worried it wouldn't be as plush as a full 29er.

[@mtbyumyum]

I think the plush feeling has much more to do with the suspension travel... I know the rear 29 doesn't get hung up as much but all the MX bikes I've been riding have been great

[@Wes-o9t]

@@mtbyumyum Thats good to know, thanks. I will not be so hesitant to try one as much now.

[@alexsinbb]

How does it compare to the Firebird?

[@mtbyumyum]

HD6 doesn’t peddle as well as the Firebird and doesn’t have quite as good trail manners… think more moderate trails and speeds. But… for me, it’s more fun when at higher speeds. Really, the MX Ripmo is just the better option for me and probably most people.

[@alexsinbb]

@@mtbyumyum fair point. You can run the firebird as an MX btw!

[@mtbyumyum]

hum, now that I'm reading your comment I think I remember that haha. I should have tried that

[@Wes-o9t]

Are we ever getting a Blur review?

[@mtbyumyum]

That would be fun... I'll reach back out to the guys at GoRide and see what they have

[@Wes-o9t]

@@mtbyumyum Thanks so much! Dying to know what you think on this one.

[@turner02]

does it have motor? all mt bikes now have motors

[@mtbyumyum]

haha nope

[@drewsmith6066]

Looks Heavy that bike , is it

[@mtbyumyum]

Yeah, it's just over 30 lbs

[@BarrySnyder-h7m]

Schaden Common