Sizing Up on my New Ibis Ripmo V2 - Women's Mountain Biking

[@pauls3616]

Nice riding Dusty. Bottom out is an appropriate name for that first trail, you could hear your wheels slamming into the ground coming off the ledges and drops. The Ripmo looks like a great bike. Thanks for the video.

[@dianemulholland]

This was so interesting to watch - thank you! I got a new bike in November and although the small was recommended for my height, it felt weird so I went up to medium. I've still got my old bike and I can feel differences between them but couldn't really articulate what it was. What you said about 'in the bike and on the bike' is spot on. I love the way the new one handles, especially bike-packing.

[@hardtailparty]

Great work on bottom out, that's a very tricky trail.

[@keithstephenson7882]

It was great meeting and riding with you at the festival. Glad the weather improved by Sunday. I'm sure you made it up that one section when no one was watching, forget what the trail was now. LOL. Thanks for the stickers to give to the girls on my NICA team BTW. Keep the videos coming.

[@dustybettymtb]

So great to meet you! That was a great weekend.

[@megash1478]

I would love to see a video all about suspension and adjusting the settings. Looking forward to seeing more on this bike!

[@internetobrasil]

Anyone else thinking "how can she talk and ride at the same time?". Good job girls, awesome skills!

[@markymarkpowpow]

very nice bike, but the trails and views are breathtaking...thanks for the review!

[@dianesylvia280]

I sooo look forward to your videos. Thanks!

[@dustybettymtb]

Awe, thank you!

[@TimTuley]

Thanks for the your thoughts on sizing up. I sit between L/XL and the last time I rode XL you defined it exactly. Most people don’t get this in depth with the real difference in feel and you described my exact conundrum. Can’t wait for my XL Ripmo to arrive now.

[@dustybettymtb]

Right on!

[@TimTuley]

@@dustybettymtb FYI the XL is too perfect!

[@hsanseverino]

how tall are u Tim? I'm 6'1 and I am on the limit for L, I have been riding a XL for the past 2 years, no complaints, but I started to jump more I thought if the size large would be more manageable for it, everyone say if u are between sizes go smaller and I did the opposite, I can't stop thinking if I did the wrong choice.

[@TimTuley]

@@hsanseverino I am on the taller side of 6'1. I was on the limit for everything too. It was frustrating. I found the Ripmo large that I test rode to be just a hair too small. Like I could pull over the handlebars too quickly and the seat post had to be in the sky. So I felt like I sat on top of it. With the XL I feel like I am in it...I did shorten the stem which made it fit like a glove. I haven't looked back. I still think a large would be too small for me. You can see me ride it on my channel Live with Fitness.

[@edpacker5935]

I'm between a size medium and large and have been wondering which way to go. It helps to hear your insight.

[@johnnydoe66]

It's amazing how different brands can feel different in how they fit or ride, even though you may be on the "same" size and the geometry is very similar. I test rode two different hardtails, both sized large, and their geometries were pretty close. The only noticeable difference to the eye was how much their top tubes sloped and how long their seat tubes were. One I felt like as you described, "above" the bike and other I felt more "in" or part of the bike.

[@lizzypicardi]

Those Trails look so fun!

[@mbieber6663]

So excited for your new bike! My sb130 is a small and felt huge after coming from my Trek small Marlin HT. I agree totally about the Assegai (Mine came with Assegai in front , Aggressor in back-guy bought as surprise for wife, who then wanted an e-bike so it was available for sale during beginning of pandemic when I started biking)--SO heavy on flatter areas yet feels so safe on chunk and downhill is fantastic! Is there a happy tire medium somewhere, and what would it be?? Looks like you're having fun--enjoy!

[@ericrollins4607]

Can you please do a Ripley vs Ripmo comparison video? I know you've touched on some of the comparisons before, but a more focused video would help out a lot of people I think, especially being a smaller rider.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

I run DH casing Assegais on my Megatower and while the weight is definitely there, I don't notice it too much on the rare occasions I do trail rides on it (it's mainly my park bike). The grip is wonderful, tho. I'm also between sizes and so far I've been comfortable with the larger size. The main riding difference to me is using a more direct "monster truck" style rather than trying to go around obstacles. But from my DH racing background, that tends to be my riding style anyway.

[@SoGoMTB]

A hard ride but the descent is amazing!

[@bretwhite3842]

Hi Tess, I know the two bikes are quite different, but how does the Ripmo ride compared to the Rollik?

[@qtip919]

woot! been waiting for this update. At 5'6", Ive been debating a small vs. medium ripmo. Im coming from an evil calling (small) where I definitely noticed I am too big for that bike in certain conditions. At other times, tho, I love having a small to whip the bike around. Guess its gonna be nice for you to have both, so it will be interesting to see your progression as you choose which bike to ride day-day

[@dustybettymtb]

Yeah, it's nice to share and gain long term experience on both. I think you could go with the medium and feel totally good about that. 👍

[@lynxg4641]

@Joey Masterson not sure if you've actually looked the geo chart for that bike, but this size Medium that DB is recommending for people her height has a 460mm Reach, so I'd be VERY careful of going this route if your current bike only felt a bit small, sometimes, because this would be about 40mm/1.75" increase in Reach and that coupled with the almost 2 degree slacker HTA, your front wheel is going to be WAY out front compared to what you're accustomed to. Definitely get some tests rides in and don't go by what outliers say. FYI, Brian from BKXC, just made the switch from a size Large V2 to size Medium and is very happy with it so far, so :-\

[@qtip919]

@@lynxg4641 thanks for that info!

[@lynxg4641]

@@qtip919 No worries, also, forgot to mention, but the STA is also going to be quite a bit steeper, so if you do more than just climbing and descending, worth thinking about.

[@mellissanash7517]

Maybe keep the front Assegai & pair it with a lighter weight rear. That and trying some zip 3Zero Moto wheels on there.

[@stufftodoactivities2624]

So for someone who learned on a bigger bike (I think it's actually a large) and is considering moving down to a small, do you recommend it? I'm 5'3" and a little nervous about not shifting my weight properly and ending up otb on the downhills.

[@Windband1]

I was going to ask you about those Assegais... You have lots more hard rock in AZ, but still those things have tons of rolling resistance. Up here in the PNW running dual Assegais would be torture.

[@dustybettymtb]

Yeah, maybe I'll keep the front one for a while but the back one (at least,) has to go just because of the weight. I wouldn't know where to begin choosing tires in the PNW! Totally different riding surface for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@Windband1]

@@dustybettymtb What casings did they come with? Yeah, it's quite a bit different up here. Do you have a favorite back tire? My current favorite is the Dissector. It's a pretty amazing all rounder. My buddy up here runs one too, and he actually does an Assegai up front.

[@markmoshe]

You are comparing the small Ripley with the medium Ripmo. However, although the large and XL Ripley and Ripmo have the same reach numbers, the small Ripley has a reach of 425 while the small Ripmo has a reach of 433. Is it possible that you would had a better experience with the small Ripmo than you had with the small Ripley?

[@ireddie]

I’m digging your videos thank you. I believe you said you also own a Ripley. On the trail from this video would you rather been on the Ripley or Ripmo? My trails are not that different than yours on that one. Everyone tells me to get a Ripley but I think I want a Ripmo interested in getting your opinion on the climbing differences

[@dustybettymtb]

This particular route is tricky to decide which bike. I've ridden it on both. I definitely prefer doing the rock rolls and bigger ledges of Bottom Out on my Ripmo. The Ripley would be more fun on the spinny trails that connect bottom out to axis. I'll have to compare the two bikes as climbers in another video since I've had a few similar requests. Thanks for watching!

[@Bearded1DurGolf]

Where did you get that helmet!?! I’d like to get one for my wife before she sees this.

[@achillecappiello2508]

Hi Tess, nice video and good comments on bike size. However, you said that you are between sizes, how tall are you? Thanks for sharing your videos!

[@dustybettymtb]

I forgot to mention! I'm 5'4" with a 30" inseam.

[@achillecappiello2508]

@@dustybettymtb Thank you Tess! We are an Ibis family and our daughter wants her own Ripmo but she's not sure of the size, and your video is so helpful and well done! Greetings from Italy!!

[@lynxg4641]

@@achillecappiello2508I'd be VERY cautious about going on this rec, I think this is a VERY personal case scenario, she is riding a bike with more Reach than me at 6'2". Just FYI, Brian/BKXC, just recently moved from a Large to Medium V2 and is very happy with the switch, just some food for thought and he's about 5'10".

[@achillecappiello2508]

@@lynxg4641 Thank you so much for your advice. I definitely agree that it is a multifactorial and delicate issue but worth discussing.

[@AuroraClair]

How old are you guys? I'm feeling a bit self conscious about starting at 32... But it looks so fun, never had time as a students and bow I see what all I've been missing out on

[@dustybettymtb]

It's not too late. I was probably around 30 when I started riding and I've coached plenty of people who started even later. Bikes are so fun. don't rob yourself of the opportunity to try mountain biking.

[@mudkayak6305]

How tall are you, if mentioned I missed it

[@BGWordneemig]

Hi Tess! Your Camera is so many moving left-right. So you don't use Hypersmooth or something?

[@dustybettymtb]

I use a hero 7. It has some stabilization but not as much as the newer GoPro hero models.