Ibis Ripmo – A Return to Metal
SPECIAL THANKS TO IBISCYCLES.COM FOR THE IMAGES AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE
Historical context of Ibis’ material choices
The Ibis Ripmo is this weeks “Bicycle of the Week”. A versatile all-mountain bike, marks a significant return to metal frame construction for Ibis Cycles. This move reflects the company’s extensive experience with various frame materials throughout mountain biking’s evolution.
Ibis has worked with steel, aluminum, and titanium, including notable models like the Bow-Ti, often considered the first superbike. While carbon frames remain popular, the Ripmo’s aluminum frame showcases the enduring relevance of metal in high-performance trail bikes.
Benefits of aluminum alloy
The Ripmo’s aluminum alloy frame represents a strategic choice to combine durability and affordability without compromising ride quality. This material selection allows Ibis to offer a premium riding experience to a broader range of cyclists, providing excellent value for money.
Introducing the IBIS RIPMO: Elevate your mountain biking experience with the Ibis Ripmo, where modern engineering meets traditional materials to deliver impressive frame stiffness and pedaling efficiency. The use of aluminum in the Ibis Ripmo demonstrates how modern engineering can leverage traditional materials to meet contemporary performance standards in mountain biking, resulting in impressive frame stiffness and pedaling efficiency.
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Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)
Future compatibility
The Ibis Ripmo incorporates a Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH), enhancing its long-term compatibility with various drivetrain systems. This design feature is coupled with a 55mm chain line, wider than previous models, and is optimized for 1x drivetrain setups. The bike also features boost spacing for improved wheel stiffness and internal cable routing for a clean appearance.
Improved chain line and chainstay design
The increased chain line width contributes to improved frame stiffness, particularly in the chainstay area. These technical choices in the Ripmo’s frame design reflect Ibis’s focus on both current performance and future-proofing their mountain bike offerings, ensuring excellent bike handling characteristics.
Modern Geometry
Optimized angles (seat tube and headtube)
The Ibis Ripmo features modern, progressive geometry optimized for all-around performance. Its 76-degree steep seat tube angle positions riders centrally over the bottom bracket, promoting efficient pedaling and climbing efficiency. The bike’s reach measurement is generous without being extreme, balancing stability with maneuverability. The slack head angle enhances downhill capability, making it suitable for enduro bike enthusiasts.
Rider positioning and performance benefits
A 64.9-degree head tube angle enhances downhill capability, while the 44mm reduced-offset fork improves handling on steep terrain and at high speeds. This geometry configuration, detailed in the bike geometry chart, aims to deliver balanced performance for both climbing and descending, excelling on technical terrain, singletrack, and even in bike parks.
DW Link Suspension
Partnership with Dave Weagle
The Ibis Ripmo utilizes the DW-link suspension platform, a type of full suspension system developed in collaboration with suspension expert Dave Weagle since 2005. This long travel suspension system is engineered to optimize both climbing efficiency and downhill performance, a balance that has been validated in high-level competitive racing.
Climbing and downhill performance balance
The DW-link’s implementation in the Ripmo contributes to its versatility across varied terrain and riding styles, underscoring Ibis’s commitment to performance-driven design in their mountain bike lineup. It provides excellent traction control and braking performance, enhancing the bike’s cornering ability and overall descending performance.
Shock Compatibility
Air and coil shock options
The Ibis Ripmo features a versatile suspension design with a progressive leverage rate, accommodating both air shocks and coil shocks. This compatibility allows riders to choose between the linear response of coil shocks and the tunable characteristics of air shocks. The bike can be equipped with popular options like Fox suspension or RockShox suspension components.
Progressive leverage rate benefits
The suspension kinematics are engineered to provide a supple feel throughout the travel range, optimizing traction across varied terrain. For air shocks, Ibis specifies tunes that balance responsiveness with comfort, ensuring consistent performance during both small bump absorption and deep compression scenarios. Riders can fine-tune their suspension setup, including sag measurement, rebound adjustment, and compression settings to suit their preferences and riding style.
Tire Clearance
Accommodation for wide tires
The Ibis Ripmo, designed as a 29er, accommodates tire widths up to 2.6″, reflecting Ibis’s role in pioneering the wide rim trend. This design choice supports the use of modern, wider tires ranging from 2.4″ to 2.6″. The combination of wide rims and tires enables riders to use lower tire pressures, enhancing cornering traction without compromising straight-line speed.
Traction and performance benefits
This wide tire clearance optimizes the Ripmo’s versatility across various trail conditions, aligning with current mountain biking trends for increased grip and control. The bike is tubeless-ready, allowing for even lower tire pressures and improved puncture resistance.
Dropper Post Integration
Frame design for long dropper posts
The Ibis Ripmo’s frame design prioritizes compatibility with long dropper posts, enhancing rider versatility on varied terrain. This feature allows riders to maximize seat drop for descents and technical sections, while still achieving optimal pedaling height, crucial for tackling challenging switchbacks and rock gardens.
Sizing recommendations
The frame accommodates a 185mm dropper post for riders over 5’8″ (173cm), while those between 5′ and 5’8″ (152cm – 172cm) can use posts of 125mm or longer, depending on inseam length. The Ripmo’s dropper post integration demonstrates Ibis’s attention to practical, performance-enhancing design elements. Riders should consult the size chart for optimal bike fit.
Additional Features
Removable ISCG05 mount
The Ibis Ripmo features an optional ISCG 05 mount, providing flexibility for riders who prefer to use chain guides or bash guards. This mount can be easily removed if not needed, allowing users to customize their bike setup according to their riding style and preferences. The inclusion of this removable mount on the Ripmo demonstrates Ibis’s commitment to versatility and user-specific customization in their frame design.
Conclusion: Versatility and Performance of the Ibis Ripmo
The Ibis Ripmo stands out as a versatile and high-performing mountain bike, blending modern geometry with innovative features.
The bike’s geometry, featuring a steep seat tube angle and slack head angle, caters to both efficient climbing and confident descending. Key technical features contribute to the Ripmo’s versatility:
- The Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) ensures future compatibility and improves frame stiffness.
- The DW-link suspension system, proven in high-level racing, provides a balanced ride across various terrains.
- Compatibility with both air and coil shocks allows riders to fine-tune their suspension preferences.
- Clearance for up to 2.6″ tires enables excellent traction and control in diverse conditions.
- The frame design accommodates long dropper posts, enhancing the bike’s adaptability to different riding styles.
These features, combined with the optional ISCG 05 mount, make the Ibis Ripmo a highly adaptable platform suitable for a wide range of riding styles and terrains. Whether tackling technical descents, long climbs, or all-day trail rides, the Ripmo offers a compelling blend of performance and versatility for mountain biking enthusiasts.
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