NEW updates (primarily cosmetic) to the Ripmo mean prices have dropped on these "older" versions- check out Jenson USA for the details: bit.ly/IbisRipmoatJensonUSAjkw
You’re going to get me in trouble. I told my husband this morning that I wasn’t going to spend anymore money, but 25% off is hard to turn down. It might be time to upgrade from my hardtail.
I have two bicycles and three motorcycles, but want an Ibis Ripmo so badly. Would like that my wife spends money on an Ibis. My wife would say sell something of what you have to buy that Ripmo.
Charlotte, similar situation here. 6 years with my current hardtail, bike starting to definitely hold me back. $1,000 off the top on a new bike on sale. Bit the bullet.
Always really enjoy your videos. Can't ask for a better guy to be reviewing bikes with all your experience and talent. Thanks for what you do! I'm still riding the Ripmo V2 with a 160mm Fox 36 and Fox Float X shock... love the bike set up this way. Never got along too well with the X2 shock out back.
Fantastic review. Being honest about how hard you ride these bikes is the best way to preface a review, most people won't be riding these bikes half as hard as you do. Completely agree, it's just a fantastic do-it-all bike.
Agree. I believe most rec riders would be totally satisfied with the AF. JKW is not any rider though. Maybe if you are racing often, the carbon platform would be better. It is a lot of $ for just the frame-- $4600.
I had the Evil Offering V1 and currently ride the V2. Definitely my favorite bikes of all time, but I rented a Ripmo on a trip and have to say it was the most natural feeling bike I've ever jumped on, as far as just feeling comfortable right off the bat. 10 mins into the ride and it felt like I had owned one for a year already. It almost swayed me from the dark side 😆
What Jeff says about the Evil suspension is spot on in my experience. Whether it’s a good or bad thing depends on preference. The Ripmo feels like a midpoint between the Yeti SB130 and the Evil Offering.
Thanks for the note guys! And Jushri, your assessment of the suspension spectrum isn't far off. The Yeti's leverage curve is my personal favorite of all bikes I've ridden, the only exception being the Altitude (though that has 30mm more travel, so it's not an A-B comparison). Yeti has a great amount of progression coupled with solid traction.
The Ripmo v2 has been our go to bike the last 6 months, it has been a great bike for both the east coast and out west. It can handle park laps or long climbs in Colorado, even places like Bentonville have been super fun! 🤘🏽
My wife and I got the ripley AF’s a year ago and my son got the ripmo AF . After riding my sons AF I kind of wish I had gone with the ripmo . Both are good bikes but the ripmo feels more stable . All in we are happy with our Ibis bikes .
Even if you think your skill level doesn't justify owning a bike like the Ripmo, just buy it anyway. The bike is so confidence inspiring that it will actually have you handling things that you didn't know you could.
Totally agree, plus it makes you want to improve, because the bike can perform at a much higher level than the average skill set will allow. It is motivating.
As a relatively new rider on a Ripmo, I have had more than a few moments where I come up too fast on some kind of obstacle and it's too late to brake. I've learned to trust the Ripmo to just plow over almost anything and keep me out of trouble. Definitely makes me look like a better rider than I am.
I took advantage of the 25% off and got a Z1 fork and Jade x SLX build in a Medium. I am also 5' 8" and the fit is perfect vs the Large I tried. Solid value for this bike and perfect for All Mountain riding in the south coast of BC
3445.4 miles on my V2 Ripmo since September 28, 2020 (adding to that in an hour) and STILL loving this thing!!! BY FAR my favorite bike I've EVER ridden! I've ridden the Wreckoning, Switchblade, Firebird, Sentenal, & Repeater (what a tank, no thanks) but the Ripmo is just my favorite. Thanks for this one Jeff!
Hi Jeff, Great video,I have a size large 2021 RipmoAF with DVO Onyx and DVO JadeX which and as a 71yo novice trail rider I love. I watched your video because I'm contemplating buying a Ripmo V2S GX while they are on sale and available. But since I ride mostly hilly ATV Trails and don't do any jumps or stuff I may not notice much difference.
I really appreciate these reviews especially of bikes that are two three years old and you know them inside and out. And plus it's not like in six or seven years those bikes are going to be old news. I think a few of these bikes today will be hard to replicate as far as quality goes. I think in 10 years these bikes will still be relevant. 👍👍
Gotta say I agree with pretty much everything you said about the Ripmos. I've had my AF for about a year. It's a Deore build with the DVO suspension package. Love the Onyx SC D1 fork, but I found the Topaz T3 air to be unsupportive & blowing through the second half of the travel with the Ibis spec 'traction tune' shim stack. I ordered an AVR tuning kit from DVO, but before it arrived I found a smoking deal on a Push ElevenSix coil shock at Fanatik. The Push coil totally changed the way the bike rides in the best way possible. I had wanted a Jade X coil when I purchased the bike, but in the post #plandemic market last year they weren't available.
I've been riding the Ripmo V2 for two years now on Vancouver Island and it's just a fantastic ride for all the trails here. I purchased it with DVO including the Jade X coil, but after a year went with Fox 36 performance elite factory tune fork and a DPX2 shock with Ibis traction tune. Huge increase to how it rides and wouldn't go back. I refuse to take this bike to the bike park though and bring out my 200mm Norco Aurum for that :) Great videos as usual! I can't recall seeing you upload videos from Vancouver Island (and the Gulf islands). Would love to see you come visit and ride some of the amazing areas here.
@@Shred_Tube I've been riding park for many years now and it's very hard on bikes, especially if you are going down difficult tech lines. I consulted Ibis about taking the Ripmo to bike parks and basically got a response that it will do it, but they don't recommend it. Finally, I also appreciate the extra travel that a full downhill bike offers.
Good work Jeff! Still riding my Ripmo V1 2019 with a -1.5 angleset and love it. I might try a 170 air shaft on my next service. I bought a Ripmo AF SLX for my 13yo son with that 25% discount 2 months ago. He’s already 6’2’’ so I hope it will last for a while (XL frame). It’s amazing how his riding and confidence have improved. We now ride black diamond trail together and his progression in techy stuff is amazing. I agree with you that it is a good bike for someone progressing in mtb… I was a little bit worried about weight but it doesn’t seem to bother him… Keep up the good work, really like your channel
Im riding a Ripmo V1 with a -1.5 angleset, 170mm Zeb and X2 shock, its a fantastic all-rounder, solid frame and great climber, the only things I would change are alot more progression in the back end and another 10mm more travel.
Love your reviews and I take your comments to heart because you ride the shit out of the bikes and pushes them to their limits. Now that's how you do reviews. Thanks Jeff!
Haha thanks Lucas! I often see 50+ comments a day, but try to get back to folks when a video is fresh or when I have a moment! Ripmo AF is a great bike, enjoy!!
You're the Man JKW! I been waiting for this video! I still ride my V1 and love it to death - it's perfect for me! I have the I9 hubs setup with the S35 Carbons and those hubs make the most significant difference - makes climbing and techy sections a breeze! I notice in these videos JKW rides the AF a lot more than the V2. Maybe it's convenience or something else? I did go to Sea Otter earlier in the year and spoke to Ibis. They stated to expect new bikes this Fall. I'm patiently waiting........LOL!
I've got a 2021 Ripmo af with the slx build. I ride a good bit of park, live in western Colorado, and am 5'8" and 175 in full kit. So, far I have no plans to replace it and it seems to be the perfect (for the price) all around bike. I really like how progressive and fun the bike is. It also feels super fun on pretty mild trails which is a huge plus. I think it's just about the best all around bike I've ever had. Having said that, I have found the frame and stock wheels to be pretty flexy compared with even my 2014 Enduro. Not a big deal but the bike certainly gets knocked out of sorts through rock gardens. I have also flat spotted the wheels pretty substantially and had a rear wheel replaced for free by Ibis, though I'm maybe just a hack and need to accept 30 psi is the lowest I can go. For the price I can't thing of anything better.
Like the video and love how you treat the bike on the trails. Looking right now for a new frameset and this video explained me so much. Probably I will go for the new Ripmo V2S.
I keep riding, newer and newer bikes, but the Ripmo platform remains my overall favorite. Bike will ever be perfect but the rim sure hits on a lot of things that I really appreciate in a bike. I think it’s staying power as a testament to how solid of a rig it is
@@JeffKendallWeed Great to hear this! I was considering Transition, Santa and Ibis. DW link seems to fit perfectly my needs. I do longer trips but I also love descending. This should be a perfect compromise.
I absolutely love my ripmo AF. I was one of the first bikes they shipped out with the bomber z1 coil, and at first I was super bummed. But as soon as I gave it a solid ride I absolutely fell in love with it. Wish it came with a coil rear 😂😂
Congrats on the bike Sean! I've had a Bomber Z1 coil for the last 2 years. Rode it on my Evil Offering for a year then threw it on the Chromag Stylus. It's a great fork! I run the damper at the 1/2 mark on the stylus, and on the Evil I ran it at about 1/4. Works awesome! I don't understand why anyone would be bummed with the Marzocchi, it's a great fork. I did a whole review on the air Z1 a couple years ago, it uses the same damper, and I really liked it.
@@JeffKendallWeed yeah! I had never run a coil so i was nervous about that, and the weight, but honestly i barely notice the weight. I also throw my bike around pretty heavily so that’s a huge plus for the coil!
I also got to do a back to back test of sorts between my Ripmo AF and the Rocky Mountain Altitude on the same trail (Apex in Golden, CO if you're curious). The main takeaways, the Ripmo pedals up tech climbs and ledges slightly better than the Altitude, but the Altitude gets less pedal strikes. On the downhill, the Altitude feels like a scalpel compared to the Ripmo, and the faster I went the more this became apparent, I was able to take lines at speed on the Altitude that I wouldn't be able to take on the Ripmo just because the front end was that much more precise. The Ripmo seems happiest on black flow trails, and tech that has some flow to it, the Altitude felt just as good on that and absolutely flies down high speed rock gardens at warp speed while feeling totally in control.
Oddly enough, I cleaned more technical climbs on the Altitude than on the Ripmo. The extra traction of the Altitude meant I would hook up and be able to scoot right up things. If a climb isn't technical and challenging, it's usually just a mix of exercise and commuting for me, so I really liked the Altitude. Would go so far as to say I prefer it over the Ripmo! But I don't own an Altitude, and do own Ripmos, and that's been fine. All are great platforms.
I think you are spot on with your assessment. My favorite trails are hit Black flow and tech that has flow to it. SO I got a Ripmo and it is perfect for that style.
I have owned a Ripmo V2 for about 400 miles and have nothing to say about it other then I love it! It goes up hill great and goes down hill even better! Great video, nice riding!
Queue the comments about the x2 having too much oil and older style of damping. I was surprised to see your shock choice.I still run the dpx2 on my v1. Not the most plush bike in the world, but has always gotten the job done. Thanks for the vids Jeff. You da man
Thanks Jeff for another great video. The reason I bought my Ripmo V1 was your reviews. I still can't find a reason to upgrade my Ripmo V1 I bought just a few months before the V2 came out. Being 6'4" 250lb I did upgrade to the Factory fork and brakes to SRAM Code R and 200mm rotors from stock smaller offerings. That change has made the long down hill race like descents to fun instead of taxing. It has been great to ride Galbraith Mt and the same trails across the NW that you ride Jeff as we both live in Bellingham. Although I am not close to your level of riding, I do ride almost as fast as you and pound the bike maybe harder than you just due to being 70lb's more than you and my Ripmo has held up with no issues at all over 4+ years of riding. I used to crash often with both of my last 2 bikes when I went in to race mode, I am riding more conservative now at age 50 and yet going much faster looking at Strava times, and almost never crash now due to this bike, it just absorbs the rocks and roots and lets you flow down the trail. I am riding better and having more fun now then ever before, due to this bike. I recommended a friend buy the Ripmo AF 2 years ago since he did not ride as much as me so spending the extra cash on a carbon was not worth it and he has loved it, great value! I would highly recommend this bike to any Enduro want-a-be riders that want to also have a fantastic climbing bike. It is a true 1 quiver bike for the most of us that can't afford more bikes.
What an expert review, love it! 🙌🏽 I still ride my V1 everywhere: local laps, jumps trails, Alps, bikeparks. It shines the most on uphills & when it goes rough at speed. Just the small bump sensitivity could be better at low speeds, but it‘s surely due to the maxed out volume can of my DVO Topaz T3 (76kg rider). When owners make sure to replace the bushings and the rocker link once a year, they will certainly enjoy the solid platform for quite a while. Ride on 🤙🏽
I couldn’t be happier with my Ripmo AF. of course I’m not riding at the level you are so some of the issues you have with it, I don’t even notice. Except the cable routing and water bottle space. Great reviews!!
Great video! After getting into MTB in April, I upgraded 2 big box bikes, a FS and a HT. Totally enjoyed the experience and mild trail riding and because of your videos did a frame up large Ripmo AF sort of GX build, including Lyrik Select, Maxxis Ardent, Funn seat, 785 bars, and grips, I9 alloy wheels with 101 hubs, and 150mm KS DP. WOW, glad I didn't buy it first because I would have never believed just how incredibly awesome the Ripmo AF is. Thanks for the good info and your almost unbelievable riding skill!
Great honest review. I've been on an AF size XL since June and it keeps surprising me every time I head out. I'm in AZ and agree with Jeff's comments on pedal strikes, but I'd be dealing with that on almost anything around here.
I loved my Ripmo AF after I put a cascade link on with a Push coil shock. But once I started riding a Guerilla Gravity Megtrail (27.5") I realized I dont love 29 lol.
Why don't you like 29s? I have a 27.5 mojo 3 and while I like the nimbleness, I feel a bigger wheel could eliminate more chatter and hang ups on square edges.
On my second Af because I missed the first one too much. The 25% off promo at Jenson makes the Af the best value bike out there period. My first one had Topaz which was great but my new one has the Jade x shock and I love it more. I have Dvo Onyx fork which is great and I am sure the new bomber spec is just as good if you don’t value adjustability. I am only an intermediate rider so I am sure when my bike sees Jeff bombing down our local trails it wishes it was having as much fun as his. Any bike that can survive 4 years of JKW riding speaks to the quality and durability of the frame.
You and I are both 5'8. That's were the similarities end.. I ride the AF Med on the extremely chunky trails of Nj. I love this bike and the value..By the way I'm 60 yrs old... Just didn't see the need to spend 1k + more for the carbon..
Right on Jason!!! Yeah and I think nowadays it's $2k more for the carbon. I do prefer that one, but a nicely set up AF is still an amazing bike. I ride mine TONS!!!
interesting feedback about the difference between DVO and X2. When companies like FOX/RS dominate industries so much there can be a massive bias against anything else...especially in a resale market.
Do you notice a difference in suspension riding the cascade link on both bikes? I notice you have the cascade link on them. That would mean the AF would have 151mm travel and 31% progression over 28% on the Carbon according to cascade components website. I'm curious if you notice that slight difference? Also, just an FYI. At the 10:33 mark. You included a clip a blue Yeti instead of the Ripmo. Presumably by mistake.
Thanks for this review, I've always had an interest in trying out one of these, but I appreciate the honesty about the bottom bracket. I'm 230 pounds and already have issue with pedal strikes here in Phoenix, haha.
Thanks for watching! I ride a TON in Phoenix and Sedona all winter, and while I do catch pedals, the 165 cranks, 2.6 tires, and a 170 fork all help quite a bit. Switchblade has a touch more clearance, and a nicely steeper head angle for the flatter AZ trails, but the Ripmo is still a great option.
I have the Carbon V2 for over a year and love it. I rode lots of demo bikes and the only one Iike as much as the Ripmo is the Yeti SB130. The one upgrade I made on my XT build was a custom wheel set. I had Ibis Carbon S35 rims with DT Swiss 240 hubs laced with Berd spokes. You might want to try out the Berds sometime. They made a huge difference in the weight and compliance of the wheels. It would be interesting to see if an advanced rider like yourself thinks this is good thing for your riding style. For mine I love it.
I'm coming up on 4 years with my Ripmo V1. After many years of always wanting a new bike, I honestly don't see the need for a new bike--other than I'd get a V2 frame if one came along for the right price. Similarly, I rarely find myself wishing I was riding a smaller bike. Always intrigued by your 170mm fork, though..
Just moved to Asheville form New England so I've tried it in a variety of scenarios. For the Pisgah riding it's the perfect bike for grinding out long steep climbs and takes the edge off high speed chunk. While it's a very versatile bike it did feel like a lot of bike for the flatter more trials style tech of new england. Overall would have preferred a shorter wheel base bike for that stuff.
Nice review Jeff. I like how you’re digging into the details re aluminum wheels matching well with the aluminum frame, carbon better matched for the carbon frame etc. 😊
Great review of the differences. I would guess you can extrapolate the same sort of differences between the Ripley and RipleyAF (I have the RipleyAF). What I am curious about is your opinion on the Mojo vs Ripmo. I also have an HD5 and I much prefer it over the RipleyAF for playfulness. But, I have always wondered how it would stack up against a Ripmo.
Got my Ripmo AF last month, been riding XC for 15 years and naturally evolving towards enduro. The bike is seriously amazing, confidence inspiring and can tackle some serious trails. The only small issue I have with it is BB height, it is low and I do get frequent strikes, mostly on technical climbs. A few upgrades this winter is a 170mm fork, cascade rear link and possibly shorter cranks.
Great video! I ordered a Ripmo AF, but it won't get to me in time for a 3-day Sedona MTB trip. Big bummer and I'll be riding my Trance instead. Anyway, I will definitely be enjoying it on Tiger Mtn and in Capitol Forest (WA) when it arrives.
Hi Jeff, I love your videos! Not strictly related to this one but can we see more videos where you review bikes alongside an average rider? Bonus points if you can get an XL/XXL bike with a suitable rider too!
I've had my Ripmo AF for almost 2 years now. Your review is spot on. The main changes I made to the bike were adding a cascade link out back, which is a huge game changer as the stock back end is quite linear and I am running DT Swiss FR560 alloy wheels on it after killing 2 Ibis S35 wheels in a year. I STRONGLY recommend ditching the 35mm wide boat anchor wheels that come stock, the Ripmo feels much livelier on the 30mm wide rims like most other bikes use and noticeably faster rolling. The main thing I have noticed about the bike vs some competitors, is the front end can get a touch vague on high speed tech, I suspect this is due to the alloy frame
Awesome riding and review! Still have my Ibis Mojo HD3 from your Tahoe video and prefer using a 27.5" bike for Galbraith. Maybe some day I'll officially switch to 29's.
Honestly, 99% of the people buying and riding these bikes are not pushing the limits as much as you. My friend that rides a Ripmo AF with DVO suspension and he’s been very happy with it.
Great review/comparison. I think the increase in the BB height is what I liked best when playing with the cascade link. (I'm guessing you don't love the added initial suppleness at beginning of stroke). Also one of the reasons I picked up a 170mm fork to test - bikes benefit from a touch higher BB in AZ :) Have only had air shocks on MTB's, but playing with the Push ACS3 in this 170mm Lyrik right now.
Jeff, I am extremely curious about your experience with the Cascade Link on this bike. I have been wanting to add one to my AF for a while. Do you already have a video about your thoughts on it?
I would also like to hear Jeff's comments on the Cascade Link. I put one on my AF and I feel like it's more plush on the top of the stroke, resists bottoming out and I like the extra travel. Just want to know if Jeff thinks it makes the bike better. It sounds like it might fix the need for the extra volume spacers. Afterall, I'm not a very experienced rider. It might just be all in my mind.
I do have a Cascade link on my Ripmo V2 Carbon- you can see it in the video, it's the black clevis. It's OK! Not a game changer, but it didn't make it do anything worse. I'd like to try an Ohlins or an EXT rear shock, but still, I feel like geometry matters TONS more than all these small suspension changes.
I own a 2021 Ripmo AF and I love it! Seeing how the bikes are evolving, I think that this is THE perfect best value for money and fun, do it all trial bike. Or, is there any other bike that could be better than this?
Thanks Jeff! Really enjoy your vids. Super-informative. Just bought a close out V2, nephew named her Blue Cheese. Living in Northern Utah, I get to ride various terrain but love it most down at Gooseberry Mesa. My only gripe is pedal strikes compared to my Mojo HD4. Advice?
Hi Jeff. Marc here from Gilroy. Have the Ripley LS v2 and Ripmo v1. Wondering what is my next move. I have to admit out in the Bay Area, Ripley is getting the most work. I ride Henry Coe primarily. Few occasional trips to USCS where the Ripmo comes in handy on Airborne and Mailbox. I know both bikes have gotten even slacker. Still love that older Ripley frame, super responsive. But I think it is time for an upgrade after 6 years punishing that frame. What do you think, Ripley v4 maybe? Say hi to Jamie. We've meet several times. She used to date my friend Jon back before your time!
Hey Marc thanks for the note! Jon Smith is a great dude, I have nothing but the most respect for Jon! Yeah I much prefer the Ripley AF over the Ripley carbon v4- slacker with better suspension. I'd say if you like your bikes, just keep on keepin' on!
7:49, Totally recognize that spot. Overshot that on my sight unseen 1st attempt too. Went with similar vocals😅 Hey @Jeff Kendall-Weed, which frame feels stiffer? Did I miss that part?- oh nevermind... hmm...
Great review/comparison video! I love my Ripmo AF and figured the only thing better would be is to get the Carbon V2 maybe in the future for added frame stiffness as I am about 6 ft 215 lbs, I just sized up to an XL from a Large I bought last fall as I felt a bit cramped in the reach/cockpit. Love it here in Phx for just about everything but would agree that I get lots of pedal strikes so just got some 165mm cranks to upgrade just in time for our fall/winter riding season.
Awesome comparison. Not a lot of people can put that amount of nuance into such similar bikes, kudos. One question (if you see it...): Do you think the "flex" of the AF front end could be the result of the aluminium fatiguing over time? - Or has that ever been an issue, in your experince, with alu frames, compared to say, carbon? /Cheers.
Great video Jeff. Thanks! As for the pedal strikes you mention, what length cranks are you running? On my V2 Ripmo (w/ Evil Loopholes) I went with the 170 length and feel like it’s a great solution to reducing pedal strikes while still getting the benefit of the low bb height.
Yo Jeff, I just bought a Ripmo AF from Jensen, would have used your link but totally forgot. Any way I can still get ya some credit? Your reviews and riding vids were a major reason behind getting it from them.
Interesting. -after you watch a good couple years of Jeff’s vids, you get a sense of what he’s happy and excited about vs not. His enthusiasm is very tempered on these bikes, sounds like a ton of compromise. With Pivots, Revels and even newer Specialized out there, it seems Ibis is well due for updates.
I just got a Ripley v4. It's pretty awesome, and I have to admit that you influenced my preferences greatly. My ONLY complaint is with water bottle support. I can't fit the large insulated Podium Chill in there, and it bums me out. It's hot in South Texas! The porkchop bag is the bees knees though.
Jeff, can you ask Ibis to build a proper Enduro bike.. the backend runs way too harsh and it blows through its travel much too easy. I mean hell they have a team racing the EWS and I feel they must be at a disadvantage on the rough courses.
Hi Jeff, I really appreciate your reviews. I am looking for a fully right now. Coming fri mm a hatdtail. My choices are the Ripley Af the ripmo af or the occam Lt in carbon. The occam is cheapest one in Germany. What would you choose for a one do it all bike?. Bike parks only 5 times a year. Best Alex
Great video, you are really awesome rider, superb skills, I am about to pull a triger on new 2023 carbon Ripmo. I am coming of Niner Rip 9 RDO size Large. I am 6"2" and debating what size of Ripmo to get. Large Ripmo is still bigger then my old 2020 Niner Rip 9 RDO. But the Ibis charts put me in the XL size. What do you think, thank you. RIDE ON!
