The price of the SWorks Stumpy frame is pretty attractive. I do like that bike a whole lot, almost went that way but getting a frame was near impossible at the time I bought the Ripmo frame. One thing that I wasn't crazy about is running the 34 fork because I am a Clyde, the one I rode wouldn't work for me. I think a Pike Ultimate might be a better choice for that stumpy and a big rider. But then again, you can set a Mezzer to 140 or 150 and have a superior fork while giving up the 250 grams or so. I have given serious thought to buying one of the new bronze colored framesets for 2700 and putting a Pike on it. The website shows them available now and they ship direct.

Two different bikes with completely different suspension but the Stumpy is kind of the best evolution of Horst link and the Ripmo is very close the to best VPP bike. Wish I had one of each... need to figure out how to hide that from the boss (wife).

 

The Ripmo would be a great bike for a big guy. The bike is long and stiff, Ibis has done a great job keeping the back end laterally stiff. It is clearly a burlier bike than the new Stumpjumper. As you mention, the Stumpjumper's 34 Fork would be a problem for heavier guys. The 36 makes such a difference, hard to believe how much more forgiving the 36 is in rough terrain. I just put on the ride- wrap protective cover on my Ripley, I will let you know how it rides compared to the Stumpjumper. I suspect that they will be close.

 

If you're stuck between a Pike and a Mezzer, the Lyrik is a logical choice and splits the weight difference. For trail riding I don't think you can beat the weight/stiffness ratio of a Lyrik, it matches the Ripmo's disposition perfectly.

On a side note I have absolutely nothing against Manitou, but I swear I've never seen more recommendations for a niche brand in one forum. Why does MTBR love Manitou so much? lol.

 

Ride a well set up one and you’ll see. Also the weight difference between a Mezzer and a Lyrik is so small it shouldn’t be what your decision is based on.

 

Thanks but I can’t cheat on my Lyrik. She’s too perfect

 

New 38 will go for top dollar. I know it’s kind of a PITA but just sell it and make some money back. That’s what I did for mine… got 850 for the new 36 takeoff on PB

 

Swapping a fork out is a pretty simple job. Bulding a bike up from scratch just doesn't pencil out unless you are swapping parts over from something you already have.

 

It'd be a swap over plus my ideal build is a mix of parts not offered with the OE builds so none of it "pencils out" anyways.

 

XT build and add a Lyrik... done 🙃

 

That's not far off what I have now. AF with GX kit, Topaz, Lyrik Ultimate, Dissector Exo+/DHF Exo at 32 lbs (no pedals, sz large). What I'm kinda interested in is an experiment.

If I must, here you go: grey carbon V2 frame, long shocked with offset bushing and coil (maybe air), Cascade Link, 27.5 rear wheel, Lyrik with Smashpot coil, DHR II Exo+/DHF Exo, OneUp post 210, OneUp carbon bars, Ergon grips, i9 stem, alloy Mavic hoops on DT hubs, XT brakes?, Funn Zippa bash and not sure on drivetrain.

 

People have different preferences and if you know that's what you want then by all means do what makes you happy. Personally I struggle with paying a lot of money for a carbon Ripmo V2 to immediately alter the design. It makes sense if you bought one and then your preferences changed over time. But if you know you want these things off the bat, why not buy a bike designed for it? Mullet, increased progressivity, and increase travel are pretty significant changes to the stock setup.

Stock setup running an X2 with carbon wheels is so good. It's efficient pedaling and does not sacrifice much going down. I've got a separate ride for bike-park days - Ripmo stays light and pedal friendly.

 

Maybe I’d do it just to get peoples panties in a bunch. Also, you can’t spend 15 minutes and turn a Transition Spire into a Ripmo with only a shock and rear wheel swap like I could with this setup.

In all reality, I probably don’t “need” the long travel setup. I’d really just like a solid gain in plushness/plowabilty/point and shoot capability out of my AF or V2 if I get one. A lot of Ripmo riders feel this way, especially those that have spent substantial time on the longer travel enduro bikes. A Smashpot, Cascade Link and coil shock would probably get me there without the whole long shock and mullet thing. These last two items just sound like a fun experiment.

 

Geometrygeeks has a mulleted AF at 328 bb height. Not sure how you climb tech with that low of a BB unless you run very short cranks, even then I’d be worried about my BB smacking everything. Maybe it’s especially rocky where I love but there’s no way I could run that here

 

328 would be a no go. With the long shock and offset bush, it goes back to normal. Have you looked at the long shock thread on here? Interesting read even if you aren’t considering it in the slightest. Those guys are enjoying the tinkering.

 

With their main competition Specialized, Santa Cruz, Transition and more putting out top tier mid travel mullets, Ibis will probably release their own here shortly in a 150/160 configuration with coil option then a Ripmo mod won’t be a thing. I could see them releasing their mullet in 160/170 for their hardest charging bike and EWS team. Given the HD5 is gone, also helps this case.

 

So, talking of mullets.... I got bored, and built up a mullet wheelset and stuck them on my RipMo, and put some 165mm cranks (which according to the recent scientific research are better than 175 or 170 anyway?!) on. Slackened the HTA to 63.1⁰ and the STA by less than a degree, so we'll see how it rides! One thing's for sure, no issues coming with mud clearance with 2.6 tyres as I had with the 29 on the rear!

 

I want to try it! I look forward to your report.

 

howdy guys - i'm interested in a ripmo v2 - just after some long term users help

how has the frame held up? and problems with bushings? creaking and general wear and tear?

how noisy is the bike? pretty silent or as the chainstay protector looks pretty useless is chain slap a issue? and generally any other QC problems to note before so i can get the frame protected in the right areas?

also what do you think about the possibility of a new one being released any time? ripmo v1 was 2018 v2 2020 and maybe one this year?

any help appreciated! im coming from a 2021 stumpy (which is awesome) but i want something that will handle rougher terrain better but still climb better

 

howdy guys - i'm interested in a ripmo v2 - just after some long term users help

how has the frame held up? and problems with bushings? creaking and general wear and tear?

how noisy is the bike? pretty silent or as the chainstay protector looks pretty useless is chain slap a issue? and generally any other QC problems to note before so i can get the frame protected in the right areas?

also what do you think about the possibility of a new one being released any time? ripmo v1 was 2018 v2 2020 and maybe one this year?

any help appreciated! im coming from a 2021 stumpy (which is awesome) but i want something that will handle rougher terrain better but still climb better

The chainstay protection and noise mitigation is pretty weak on this bike. It's not a deal breaker, but there are much better designs out there from other manufacturers. Just add some extra protection on the bottom front of the chainstay if you don't want the carbon to get all scratched up, not a big deal.

 

No issues after quite a hammering of my V2, and owned the V1, and many previous Mojo's too.
Haven't had any issues with anything on the frame at all, and I don't get the tinerking with the bushes some are doing, as mine is plenty fluid now it's bedded in (as it's designed to do). It's pretty quiet as stock, but as you say, on low gears it can get a little noisy, but I don't really notice it, too busy hanging onto the bike lol. The chainstay protector hasn't worn though, so it's doing it's primary job well.
I've ridden a lot of different bikes, and keep coming back to Ibis, as they're brilliantly built, great customer service, and they climb as good as any bike on the market, and descend really well, a really balanced bike. Since putting a Storia coil on the rear, and brilliant Era fork up front, it's an even better descender. Haven't tried the Cascade link, yet

 

No issues after quite a hammering of my V2, and owned the V1, and many previous Mojo's too.
Haven't had any issues with anything on the frame at all, and I don't get the tinerking with the bushes some are doing, as mine is plenty fluid now it's bedded in (as it's designed to do). It's pretty quiet as stock, but as you say, on low gears it can get a little noisy, but I don't really notice it, too busy hanging onto the bike lol. The chainstay protector hasn't worn though, so it's doing it's primary job well.
I've ridden a lot of different bikes, and keep coming back to Ibis, as they're brilliantly built, great customer service, and they climb as good as any bike on the market, and descend really well, a really balanced bike. Since putting a Storia coil on the rear, and brilliant Era fork up front, it's an even better descender. Haven't tried the Cascade link, yet

hey - thanks for the fast response! given your in the uk thats reassuring, especially with the awful weather - customer service good as in the UK distro? or ibis itself in the US

all i hear about this bike is what a great all rounder it is, and climbs like a goat - perfect for all dayers where it gets rowdy too - something that my stumpy is going to struggle with as things get rowdier

 

Yup, the UK Ibis team, are fast and friendly to deal with, and having had two Mojo's fail (after a lot of use), Ibis didn't hesitate to send a replacement in days. How customer service should be, especially for the $$$ prices all manufacturers are charging now with huge margins involved.
I own both a Ripley V4 and a RipMo V2, and both are great. Both can be pretty versatile, longer-forking the Ripley is fun (but limited), and building the RipMo with a light build makes it a great trail bike. Likewise with a 170 fork, and a coil out back, it's more capable than I am on the way down the hills

 

Yup, the UK Ibis team, are fast and friendly to deal with, and having had two Mojo's fail (after a lot of use), Ibis didn't hesitate to send a replacement in days. How customer service should be, especially for the $$$ prices all manufacturers are charging now with huge margins involved.
I own both a Ripley V4 and a RipMo V2, and both are great. Both can be pretty versatile, longer-forking the Ripley is fun (but limited), and building the RipMo with a light build makes it a great trail bike. Likewise with a 170 fork, and a coil out back, it's more capable than I am on the way down the hills

sounds great - yep my stumpy is sort of equivalent to your ripley, maybe a touch more capable, but give the frame of the spesh is so light its never going to deal with hard charghing rough ground the same as a 'enduro' bike, but i dont want a full blown enduro bike, and the ripmo seems to edge more towards trail side of enduro and still be capable enough to deal with it all

 

That's exactly right. It's never going to be a plowing Enduro bike, but does serious tech with ease, it's just not as point and shoot as full on Enduro bikes. But then, when it comes to pedalling back up or along, it's much more efficient than said Enduro bikes.

 

yep exactly what im after and exactly what i wanted to hear seems like a perfect allrounder of a bike

 

Hey Humdinger, Another UK user here of the Ripmo. Ordered a Ripley as well to be built up as a lighter weight XC trail bike. How you finding them having both together, not too much of an overlap i hope?
Not used my Ripmo that much due to a broken collar bone from a road bike car accident over summer, but do you find the rear bearings are ok in the mud? Did you use a mudguard for the back at all?

 

that was the other major thing - having bushes in the back, ive had them in the past and they were absolutely a nightmare! creaking all the time, dry out in summer so constantly having to maintain them to stop said creaking - are they really that reliable now and nothing much needed to do to them?

 

Never had any creaking or issues, very reliable. I wouldn't mess with them though as some have. They're designed to be tight to start with, and bed in with use, exactly as they have.

 

I've built them both to more extreme end builds; Ripley with a really light build, but with 130 (found 120 too steep), then the RipMo with Ext coil rear and 2.6 DD tyres, and that way they're plenty different when choosing what's needed when headed out.

Re the Ripley in winter, it's done faultlessly. The bushings are unaffected, and the seatstay yolk bearings seem fine, but likewise easily and cheaply replaced if they do wear! I wouldn't use more than a 2.3 or 2.4, as the mud clearance is really tight with a 2.6.

 

Again, haven't noticed it if it is. I'm pretty sure the cables are routed via tubes through the frame, rather than loose inside, so have limited ability to move or rattle. Personally, I prefer then they leave the cables loos, then you can use HiFi netting tube to silence it, and route the cables to the correct (UK ha ha) side of the headtube. Ibis should improve this, as many people don't want to run US cable routing. Many other manufacturers allow this flexibility with forethought.

 

perfect - very good and promising info throughout i appreciate that thank you, i just dont know if to bite the bullet and get one or wait it out till the new one arrives sometime later this year now....

 

I genuinely doubt we'll see a new model of the RipMo, other than perhaps a mullet-link version, to stay on trend.... Keep an eye out on the fora, as pristine second hand ones come up regularly.

 

with current demands and supply issues it’s doubtful a new one (ripmo) will be released this year.

 

You could, and should consider a V1 RipMo too, as OP says. I had one and loved it. The only reason I changed to the V2 was to get a more progressive, coil-compatible setup, because the RipMo is my big bike, and the V1 blew through its travel too easily on big hits. Great as a longer-travel trail bike, but no Enduro bike compared to the V2.

 

Any suggestions or photos on applying more chainstay protection? I’ve ride wrapped mine but thinking some thicker material might be helpful in a few places. Would love to see some examples

 

VHS Slapper tape works better than any aftermarket stuff I've ever tried yet.

Velocity Hucking Systems UK: Eliminate Chain Slap noise with VHS

Velocity Hucking Systems / VHS slapper tape is here to Eliminate your chain slap noise without compromising on aesthetics. 100% New Zealand owned! #whatchainslap

vhsmtb.co.uk

 

This is what you want. Dead silent.

 

Daaaaang the black e-wings look sick, so clean