The Revised Classic: Ibis Ripmo Review | 2025 Pinkbike Field Test

[@chrisrenda9353]

All I can say is I still really like my Ripmo AF. Built it up with my own component choices, full DVO and sram group. Done everything from long trail days to bike parks and it does it all pretty damn well. Feels ideal as aa true trail bike, pedals amazing.

[@joehoeper3941]

I am liking the new industrial design of Ibis frames - that straight top tube just looks right.

[@mkrj2576]

Long pedally traverses over techy terrain, punchy ups and downs, ease of pivot/bearing maintenance, quiet ride, ease of cable routing, reasonable weight for long days in the saddle…. These are the first things I’m looking for in a trail bike and a review. Completely enjoyed watching this, and I do value the hosts reviews, but it was too dh biased. Also, IMO a “trail bike” is fun on both the dh and on extended climbs. Can’t say the size of these bikes would make climbing fun. Fact is, true “trail riding” has you pedaling up hills or over flats at least 80% of the ride, probably more. I think if your hobby has you smiling only 20% of the time you are doing it… find a new hobby.

[@RookYZRM1]

Curious if PB’s reviews on bikes would change if they got out of B-ham and BC once in a while.

[@TeddyParker]

The budget ones used to always go to the southwest :/ Not sure if that will continue or what. But yeah even though they are finding good features, doing a trail bike review in Whistler is notoriously descent biased. But most riders are descent biased anyway.

[@thomasturnbull8770]

I'm sure it skews things. I rode the new Ripmo (and Ripley) for 90 minutes each in my home terrain of northern AZ and thought it was a pretty excellent bike for the area. Trails are rough, but not the steepest/fastest all the time and plenty of awkward tech. It felt like a noticeably better fit for my terrain than my Stumpy EVO (which PB loved) that feels better suited to higher speeds than are typical here. My far from expert opinion, at least.

[@Andy-co6pn]

I know how they would change if they got paid more , or less .....

[@project4funner]

There’s other places besides bham and bc?? Jk

[@mrvwbug4423]

Doubtful. Other regions just favor different styles of bikes. Example, Moab favors tech climbing prowess given how pedally its trails are. Colorado is pretty similar to interior BC just drier, looser and a tad rockier. Same with SoCal though maybe a bit less rocky. New England is comparable to Washington, just a bit rockier. Quebec is like Squamish on steroids. Most of the Southwest is just dry, loose and rocky.

[@tywitt3351]

Throughout this series if feels like the guys are evaluating the suspension setup more than the main bike designs. Like they say the geo and components are similar yet the fork and especially the shock tunes are the main point of the discussion. My takeaway is that any of them could be great but it depends on what you want it to do and do you have a tune to match

[@markvan3465]

How does the V3 compare to the V2? Thank-you

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

Swap out that Fox suspension for Rockshox and its fantastic! Like Callahan, I run a Zeb and a Vivid. YOU CAN run the Ripmo at 160mm with a 230X65 shock. I did a video on this. Rear tire does not even touch the seat tube, it has about a half inch still. Run it at 160mm and its even better. Full on plush traction and enduro feel. Fox is a bad choice on this bike. The bike is very progressive, so great off the top and mid stroke support, which makes it a great climber. The Rockshox with the 3.1 damper sits higher in the travel so it does not feel like you are leaning forward. The Zeb keeps it balanced. By the way, the XM sizes on up, the bikes don't feel small. If you are 5'10 or less, the bike will feel long. I would agree that you also need riser bars and higher stack as I run. Plus, I run a 170mm Zeb, which raises it up higher and gives you a 64 degree HTA.

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

By the way, moving the rear shock and re installing, its so easy, takes like 5 minutes.

[@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5]

Bigger has gotta be better?? Right, not always. If you want a ripper bike get the HD6 or a burly enduro with 170-180mm. The Ripmo is really more of a capable trail/allmoutain rig

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

@@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5 In this case, yes it is better. I know I have tested it this way. Unless you work for Ibis, that is their standard answer. Sadly, HD6 is mullet, not full 29. The Ripmo is also an enduro capable bike if you run it at 160mm of travel. It rips at 160mm of travel.

[@frienduro24]

Remember when the Ripmo was the best trail bike for like 3 years

[@scotto9712]

no

[@djean53]

Pinkbike forgot, they didn't mention any comparations from the previous model.

[@jarnold1789]

@@djean53I found that surprising. Found this whole review a bit surprising

[@djean53]

@@jarnold1789 go check at Jeff Kendal-weed's review, or MTB Yum Yum or Awesome MTB. Any of those reviews are better because they all have experience with the V2

[@leonshanahan2189]

Sounds like the fork was a significant limitimg factor. Needs an x2

[@tahoeebikes]

Sounds like Greg Callaghan perfectly chose his build to fix this bikes drawbacks. He has higher rise bars and 170mm zeb -raises low front end, Hayes dominions 2.0mm thick rotors -stronger brakes, beefier rockshox vivid air shock in the rear compared to that fox float x.

[@TheArrowFist]

Is there a golf tournament going on behind them?

[@cryx4]

Maybe it's maven-derived brake blindness, but in what world are code RSCs on 203mm rotors not a powerful brake?

[@kingflynxi9420]

My friend has code RSCs with a 220 in the front and they're still way less powerful than my Hope E4s with 203. You never tend to see people go out of their way to buy Sram brakes aftermarket for a reason.

[@Orphansmash]

I feel like it’s a setup issue a lot of time. Codes can be tricky to get super dialed.

[@TheMTBRider96]

they've always been, even when perfectly set up. the power is just missing, and combined with the Sram style hard to pull lever it's a bad combo, it shows especially when trying other stuff with shimano or maven or anything else really

[@45graham45]

SRAM. Not the best are they?

[@pgson8929]

Coming from Shimano and Magura. I cant stand my new Sram brakes. Would love to get rid of them.

[@NathanGilbert-m7f]

Looks Sooooo much better than the old one. The old Ripmo was an amazing bike but it looked dorky imo. lol

[@flyingnorseman]

My friend bought previous Ripmo 6 months ago at huge discount. Rode new one and old one back to back and I think he saved $ on the better bike.

[@ark530abe]

Goes to show new does not mean better. There are some amazing versions of bikes that came out 2/3/4 years ago that were absolutely great models and most of those are on crazy discounts. Just picked Up an Enduro for 55% off.

[@WilliamrikerNCC1701]

My buddy did same thing with a Hightower. Previous gen was more suitable for his riding and saved some $$$

[@flyingnorseman]

@@ark530abe Yeah I just got the previous Rocky MT Element at 40% discount. Not a fan of "flex stays" on suspension because its not tuneable and is part of suspension. Havent ridden the new model but think I got the better bike too.

[@JuanRamirez-hk8sf]

Same with the ripley. The 4vs is the pinnacle. The new model feels compromised and the extra 1.5 kinda adds insult to injury. I see no reason to get rid of my V2s Ripmo or v4s Ripley

[@pan0rama546]

Agreed 💯 with what you're saying here. Got a V2 TR Sentinel (PB have a V3 as a part of this test) and I'm convinced I ended up with a better bike...better in ways I wanted/expected from it anyway.

[@djean53]

So we are in Version 3 one of Ibis's most popular bike and not one comment on the pervious model, how it compares to past versions? We just get this trail bike is not enduro enough lol go figure.

[@rmhfpv9225]

it has a lot of travel to only be a trail bike. if only that travel worked well giving the components and price.

[@djean53]

@@rmhfpv9225 " If only that travel worked well" meaning in Pink bikes opinion, guys that ride Whistler, in the real world alot of reviewers love it.

[@luisguevara4113]

People can cry and defend it all they want but it was being compared against other similar bike that just seem to be better. PB is doing it's job, if I am going to spend that kind of money I want an honest review so I can spend my money and feel satisfied about it. I want the best I can get for my money.

[@djean53]

​@@luisguevara4113 Honest and complete are two different things. If I am trying to decide if I should upgrade from V1 or V2 ripmos don't watch this. If live in a area without super steep trails don't watch this.

[@wldtrak]

Oh boy. PB's love for Canyon will never cease. Let's compare everything to the Canyon. I have the V2 Ripmo and have not ridden the V3, but I LOVE the V2 and it's an excellent bike for where I live (Colorado).

[@mitchelladams306]

If Ibis offered a " lunch ride" model with bigger brake rotors, beefer suspension, and a riser bar that would be amazing. This bike looks great but when the time comes to upgrade my V2 I don't wanna be forced to get an hd6.

[@casestudymtb]

My biggest regret about the release of the v3, was not upgrading my ripmo af to the carbon v2s frame when they blew them out.

[@chrisrenda9353]

You and me both brother....

[@tabbasi]

Me three 😢

[@joelshuman8661]

PB reviews an all-around trail bike at Whistler and is disappointed. Shocker. And seemingly spends little time bedding in brakes, dialing in suspension and cockpit. Not to mention riding the wrong size frame …

[@jarnold1789]

Bedding in the brakes takes one run, I doubt that colored their impressions much. They mentioned attempting to dial in the cockpit but not being able to make the bars feel comfortable. And they obviously spent some time setting up the suspension, but part of a review is reviewing the stock setup

[@joelshuman8661]

@@jarnold1789 ​And yet it did. Brake & rotor choice were mentioned at least twice. If you can't stop with 4 pot Codes then I don't know what to tell you. I prefer Hayes A4s but it's not a deal breaker. I've ridden those bars. Not perfect but after 5 minutes, I don't even notice them when switching from a different bike. Yes. I agree. Bikes should be ridden stock. However, things like stack height, stem length, and bar rise and sweep are highly personal. I don't believe those should be sacrosanct. Jeff Kendall-Weed takes a different approach in that he uses the same cockpit and brakes to review different bikes. There's value to both approaches. It was also curious that the tallest rider had the most review input on a frame that is on the smallish end for him. Keep in mind that Ibis specifically changes geometry specs and kinematics for each size. It's too bad that large and medium weren't sent and tested also. It's almost like these reviewers went out of their way to nit-pick things on the Ibis while going out of their way not to nit-pick the Spot Mayhem which was considerably more expensive and had much nicer wheels while also exhibiting a fairly consequential design flaw (super tight rear tire clearance). Carbon hoops and i9 Hydra hubs might have something to do with climbing prowess. I know they make a difference on my gen 2 Ripmo.

[@echobenav8]

I've ridden a Ripmo AF for the past 4yrs. Got a chance to ride the new Ripmo and Ripley and have to say, I think I prefer the new Ripley. It feels like a blend of the previous gen Ripmo and Ripley. With the HD6, not sure what role Ripmo plays now. It doesn't "Rip" that much more than the Ripley, where the older model clearly did.

[@davidrioux611]

Unsure what sensation you describe as a fluttery suspension feel. What is the bike doing during what rider input on what trail conditions?

[@Jeroensurf]

Stil love my ripmo v1

[@skitzer86]

Same. Climbs crazy well, short of bike park lapping pretty much handles anything all mountain. My size L is under 30lbs which seems to be completely unheard of with the portly trail bikes of today

[@mrvwbug4423]

Interesting. I rode a V2 Ripmo for 3 years and it always felt more like a big bike than a trail bike, I rode mine back to back with a Hightower and the Hightower felt busy and extremely poppy in comparison. My Ripmo always felt very glued to the ground but not as settled or precise at speed as a proper enduro bike. My take on the Ripmo is its happy place has always been either a black rated flow trail or a low speed tech trail. I liked the big bike feel enough that I finally replaced it with a RM Altitude last year.

[@CP-qx2ff]

Doesn't this version of the Ripmo share the same exact frame as the Ripley. I understand riding the bike as it's specced from the manufacturer but why not also test it with your preferred cockpit.

[@calumsmith3244]

It would help if the bike was the correct size for Dario

[@slapperdinky]

I'm 6'3" and probably not half the rider he is. I'd feel nervous on a bike that was 1-2 sizes too small for me.

[@alecfotsch3533]

In the Midwest, lively is fun!! It's why I'm on a switchblade.

[@benjy288]

You guys messed up the stats in the beginning, 32.4 pounds is not 13.7kg, its 14.7kg, I almost thought we had a light bike for a moment there

[@badfishgood]

I am all for you guys shitting on bikes if they are shit.

[@olivercar9602]

V2 the best for me. Needda try V3

[@djdentley]

So, what you’re saying is the Ripmo is better as the Ripley, or the Ripmo needs a Zeb.

[@MrMojoRisin22]

Since Ibis rebranded, they've been missing the mark. Not sure if there is a direct correlation between the two but it's something I've noticed as a seasoned Ibis fanboy with two older models in my stable. Sadly, I don't think there will be a 3rd Ibis in my future.

[@glpf5]

^This. Had an HD3, Had a Ripmo V1, had a Ripley V4 and just got a Rascal V2 and am enjoying it as much as my HD3! Ibis just seems to be missing a lot for me these days. Still great bikes but as Mojo states...they just seem to be off to me as well.

[@djean53]

@@glpf5 I have had all those bike and the HD3 was the worst by far. Terrible geo, the hd4 and hd5 are way better. Just sold my rascal for the V2s ripmo and love it. Pretty close in feel to me then the rascal.

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

Still have a Ripmo v1 💪🔥

[@ish474]

I wonder how much difference a 50mm rise bar would have made

[@alexh.4068]

I haven't ridden this Ripmo but I've ridden a bike with DW link. Not a fan. Sensitivity off the top isn't great. And yes rides high. Overall it didn't feel confident. I can say it felt efficient when pedaling. Not sure if actually faster though.

[@veers0r]

I shot out the Ripmo against the Bronson a while ago and ended up liking the Ripmo more. It felt more poppy and "fun" than the Bronson to me while still offering a lot of reserves for fuckups. But yeah, needs some different bars.

[@DavidLaburglier]

this whole review has me thinking, "all of this is true of my 2019 Ripmo, so I guess I'll just keep it?"

[@RobLunn1]

They ripped the Ripmo a new one!

[@tom2038]

got to like what ibis was trying to do here with the frames but it seams like it ended up killing the magic of the gen 4 ripley while also making the ripmo feel like a 140/130 bike.

[@mikemacpherson8138]

This current crop of Pinkbike hosts remind me of those wannabe hipsters that you'd see working in a record shop who would trash any music that was successful or popular because it isn't obscure or hip enough. It's like they waited to see that every other reviewer praised this bike and then decided that they'll do a hot take of crapping on it for clicks. Sigh.

[@MikeesTexas]

Hey guys, if the IBIS bar just wasn’t doing it for you. What is your preferred handle bar?

[@ericktorres1455]

Very Nice bike!

[@letour32rr]

I don’t get why y’all couldn’t spend 5 minutes properly bedding in the brakes before such a highly viewed review series.

[@markhegg7409]

Weird review. Suggested improvements for next time: Ride the correct size bike, take the time to get it set up properly (suspension, cockpit, brakes), and ride it on the terrain it was built for. This felt real lazy, fellas. I also don’t want to hear about brake rotors or handlebar choice on a bike at this price point. Swap them out if they don’t suit your needs or preferences. No need to drone on about it multiple times.

[@8FunGuy8]

32lbs no pedals?🤔 My ripmo v2s is the exact same with fox 38, Float x2, fox full mudguard, oneup pedals, bell, Headtube tool set, ergon grips, and ergon enduro saddle. All of these things weigh more than what's on this new bike. In fact, I charge to a little lighter enduro tires, and it was 31.8 lbs. I was thinking of going with a fox 36 and possibly a dpx shock and cutting more that a pound. If all you do is downhill, this won't matter, but in the southeast, it matters. One of my riding buddies has an older hightower that's 30.2 lbs with one up pedals and headset tool. His v1 ripmo is 31 with pedals. Take the battery out of an ebike and get a modern pedal bike weight.

[@joelshuman8661]

My carbon V2s weighs a tad under 30 lbs. Fox 36 grip X2, Float DPX2. i9 carbon wheelset. I may switch to carbon cranks at some point. I put on the X2 shock when I'm riding bike parks or more gravity-oriented days. And I had to spend quite a bit of time dialing it in. TBH, my guess is that the reviewers just didn't like the fork and a coil would probably been better suited. Which is fine. Their job is to be a little nit-picky. However, I'm also not sure these reviewers and the terrain they rode is really indicative of the intended market. Some of us like a playful, poppy bike that can also handle some bigger terrain on occasion. Every bike is a compromise. If I wanted a more gravity-oriented bike, I'd get one. Or put on a different fork, coil shock, and a more progressive cascade components linkage on my V2s. But then it's not as good for the other 90% of my riding. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of first impression bike reviews. Cockpit and setup take time to dial in for each rider and terrain. I much prefer long-term reviews and then an honest appraisal of where the bike shines and where it doesn't and what a person would change for their riding preference.

[@MikeesTexas]

Y'all should make the title say Ripmo V3

[@i-am-vonnegut]

Sounds like they need the HD6.

[@ambushell5778]

It sounds like its setup for slower riders, more comfort than support. Ibis is still doing their "traction tune" shock BS. Maybe a standard tune shock, GripX2 damper in the fork and beefier brakes would better suit a fast rider.

[@fonz1080]

Are these review videos posted in any particular order?

[@PatBK]

Love the new video format, but could you please consider getting rid of the background music? It doesn't add anything and is sometimes pretty annoying.

[@tinshield]

The Float X just isn’t a very good shock. Starting out with a deficit.

[@ericaho6256]

Not sure what the engineers were trying to accomplish/what rider/customer they are targeting. I have the Ripmo V2S and it's great. This one is more expensive, heavier (worse to climb), they chose a grip X 36 (should always be an x2 damper) and they dropped the X2 shock (worse at descending). On paper nothing has improved other than the looks...doesn't appeal to the dentists, newbies or hardcore riders.

[@a.r.8850]

This bike was way to small for dario. That does put the whole review in question.

[@rantingwrench]

So you’re saying it feels like a long-legged Ripley? Would that maybe be because that’s exactly what it is? I’d also argue that you’re criticising the bike for being a sporty-feeling all-rounder when, well, isn’t that exactly what a trail bike should be? This ‘Trail Bike Test’ is just the usual AM/enduro bikes and it’s pretty disappointing this year. Maybe I’m just old and grumpy and increasingly dismayed that trail bikes are getting bigger, longer and arguably more disconnected from what the average rider actually needs.

[@ChrisBakerElToro]

Interesting reviews but I have a hard time hearing/understanding what Henry is saying. Speaks too soft? My old age? 😬

[@Drogos79]

Fork squeaks like a gagged rubber duck!!!

[@rmhfpv9225]

Hi Ibis! ...now what?

[@davekal]

I can hear the ripmo fanboys on reddit crying from here.

[@pq5022]

The ripmo is a great bike for old people, they love it. Not for you young bucks!

[@prawnis]

lol they ride better

[@andrewpm2]

In a nutshell... the new Ripmo is just meh. It feels muted and doesn't live up to the hype. The V1 and V2 were way better.

[@FUTUBE608]

one guy sounds like the other guy looks...

[@danielfloyd9742]

Zero views after 14 seconds Pinkbike fell off hard

[@JAFO.]

So, *_Good_* at everything, great at nothing.

[@TheNationalTrails]

Wrong rear shock for a trail bike. It's the same eye-to-eye as Enduro bikes. Should not be out in trail-bike category; same with the latest Hightower. The downtube is destined for bashing failure. Where's the focus on Trail biking? It's literally only focused on downhill. So again, we have an over weight bike with a front triangle shared on multiple platforms, none of them technically being trail biking. And it's out here in the "real world" as if it should be. Doesn't anyone care about eye-to-eye shock measurements at PB? The weight of a 230mm vs 210mm and the positive/negative air chambers of a 230mm vs 210mm are completely different.

[@djean53]

The longer shock has better control through the stroke. Its a trail bike because of the quick and nimble feel it has. That is the reason they don't like it. They like there trail bikes to be free ride bikes I guess lol.

[@rmhfpv9225]

overall, the ripmo sounds horrible. great production pinkbike! love this series!

[@BuddinAdventures]

First

[@mike-b4h4d]

lol…sram brakes are garbage. Also ibis has way low stack heights. Throw on 35mm rise bars. Problem fixed

[@geronimopascuale9208]

Not sure about this videos. they are too long and they try to come with words and pauses to make it darmatically scientific .The fact is that every rider is different and has different skills. Get what you are comfortable with, what you can afford and just enjoy it. your skills will get you there Plain and simple