Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Ibis Ripmo V2 Thread

1 reading
Jump to Latest
701 - 720 of 1,846 Posts
#701 ·
Thanks all. Let's see if swapping tires tonight can freshen things up. If not, maybe it is time to swap out the frame. Onwards!

OzIbis said:
If a 20lb hard tail is coping well with the riding you were and are doing then you are way over biked on the Ripmo. If you aren't doing some knarly stuff then you are doing the bike a disservice. The Ripmo climbs incredibly well not just for a long travel 29er it climbs well full stop. If you are trying to compare it's climbing to a 20lb probably steep geo hard tail then it's not an apples for apples comparison. Lastly the Assegai is an anchor of a tyre. It was the first thing I took off my RAF when I bought it and will never put one on my V2. They are just plain slow and draggy. The grip is good but other tyres grip almost as well if not the same and are faster.
I find the Ripmo goes forward quite eagerly and every pedal stroke gives you a response. If you don't believe that go and ride a Yeti SB150 and see how much effort they take to keep them rolling on anything that's not pointing steeply downhill. That will give you a whole new perspective on the Ripmo.
Click to expand...
 
#702 ·
sfr4dr said:
You can for sure speed it up a little by swapping out the Assegais but it won't be life changing and if you go too light on the tires like Ikons or even Dissector EXOs, you will have severely limited the bike's capabilities at that point and you'll still be dragging around a bike that is way more than what you need for your preferred type of riding, it sounds. I think you're better off selling it in that case. Based on what you're saying and previous bikes, if you want more capability than your Epic but want to retain a super light and fast setup then a Ripley with 30mm wheels a Fox 34 or Pike, etc might be the way to go if you want to stay on an Ibis. There's also lots of other fast bikes in that category like the Spur and others with 120mm travel and a Sid. If you have a size Large V2 and are in CA, let me know. Maybe I'd take it off your hands.
Click to expand...
I see what you did there . [emoji6]

Also don't forget he could also up fork his front to 140 for a wee bit more DH capability yet retain the spritely uphill acceleration of the Ripley.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#703 ·
TanMan said:
I see what you did there . [emoji6]

Also don't forget he could also up fork his front to 140 for a wee bit more DH capability yet retain the spritely uphill acceleration of the Ripley.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
For sure. I was thinking Epic at 100mm/100mm then adding just a bit more ability but for sure, a light build Ripley sounds ideal for this guy. Also yes, his Ripmo could be in much better hands, like mine!! Haha.
 
#705 ·
Looking at the Ripmo V2 and Stumpy EVO. Hoping to get the perspective of V2 owners.

One of the things I value is low standover / low seatpost, which I think enables an "in the bike" feeling vs. perched on top. The Ripmo has lots of seatpost insertion, but the standover isn't especially low, and I read some reviews in which the rider claims to have that perched on top feeling. Any feedback would be helpful in this regard. I note that the EVO has less max seatpost insertion and even higher standover height vs. the Ripmo.

I'm looking for a lively/poppy/responsive ride (in the context of the 150mm category). Both bikes seem to fit this bill based on reviews. Do you V2 riders agree the Ripmo has these characteristics?

Also, the comments about inadequate frame protection are a bit concerning. The EVO looks stellar in that regard.
 
#706 ·
i had my Ripmo for 2 months, the first thing i did on my frame was applied a frame protector, so I have not seen any problem with paint issues. The geometry and how this bike handle has worked for me and the type of riding I do. I have had multiple bikes in the past (Yeti SB130, Santa Cruz hightower V2 and V1, Santa Cruz Bronson, etc) and my personal opinion is this bike is the all around best bike. I have done some changes since I got it, like coil rear shock, and replaced the drive train to AXS XX1 (from previous bike).
 
#707 ·
SCbos said:
Looking at the Ripmo V2 and Stumpy EVO. Hoping to get the perspective of V2 owners.

One of the things I value is low standover / low seatpost, which I think enables an "in the bike" feeling vs. perched on top. The Ripmo has lots of seatpost insertion, but the standover isn't especially low, and I read some reviews in which the rider claims to have that perched on top feeling. Any feedback would be helpful in this regard. I note that the EVO has less max seatpost insertion and even higher standover height vs. the Ripmo.

I'm looking for a lively/poppy/responsive ride (in the context of the 150mm category). Both bikes seem to fit this bill based on reviews. Do you V2 riders agree the Ripmo has these characteristics?

Also, the comments about inadequate frame protection are a bit concerning. The EVO looks stellar in that regard.
Click to expand...
Coming from the Ripmo AF, I agree the poppy/ responsiveness is there.

Regarding "in bike feeling" that's hard to say for me. I have a 31" inseam so stand over isn't an issue for me. However I'm 5'10" and went with the 185mm. I got very lucky because the seated height I need means the dropper seatpost collar is slammed all the way in. So I am probably perched 5mm higher than I'm used to (which is too low on my previous bike anyway). Did the 'heels test' and my seatpost height is really where it should be but I feel more on top of the bike when I first sat on the saddle. After the bike gets going, it's hardly something I even think about.

If max seat post is what you are concerned with- good news. On a size L frame, a 185mm Bike Yoke can fit all the through and still doesn't come close to the Max insertion length of 325mm. This is not the recommended method (collar slammed) as any saddle swaps can cause your seated height to shift. But the stock Silverado is one of the saddles with higher rail to saddle height as compared to others so I'm good.

As to frame protection- The stock BB guard, the chain stay rubber protectors aren't fancy or have ribs but they are adequate. I installed Invisiframe before the first ride too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#708 ·
SCbos said:
Looking at the Ripmo V2 and Stumpy EVO. Hoping to get the perspective of V2 owners.

One of the things I value is low standover / low seatpost, which I think enables an "in the bike" feeling vs. perched on top. The Ripmo has lots of seatpost insertion, but the standover isn't especially low, and I read some reviews in which the rider claims to have that perched on top feeling. Any feedback would be helpful in this regard. I note that the EVO has less max seatpost insertion and even higher standover height vs. the Ripmo.

I'm looking for a lively/poppy/responsive ride (in the context of the 150mm category). Both bikes seem to fit this bill based on reviews. Do you V2 riders agree the Ripmo has these characteristics?

Also, the comments about inadequate frame protection are a bit concerning. The EVO looks stellar in that regard.
Click to expand...
I got a V2 after a couple of years on a Ripley V4. I can confirm the V4's reputation as one of the poppiest trail bikes. It is the Cayman GT4 of mountain bikes.
The V2 was a surprise. With the original DPX2, it felt a lot like the V4 - the good stuff, but also the negatives. On the good side it was very playful and poppy, on the bad side that shock has as much stiction as the DPS shock on the V4, so it felt very stiff and on eggshells - where I was looking for plush and more grip on descents. X2 fixed the grip, but took away some of the Pop. EXT Storia tuned specifically for me is about perfect. Super composed, and very eager to leap into the air on command.

Net is that the V2 is the GT3. It is faster, more capable, but overall feels less maneuverable and a tad less sporty, and is less efficient. It is a better technical climber, I can clear things I was not able to on my V4, it just seems to be easier to manage weight and grip at my skill level (which is low). It is waaaay more stable on the downs. Where I used to hesitate on 2-3ft drops on the V4, I now LOOK for things to make into 2-4ft drops on the V2 and I don't even slow down. Most of that confidence is in my head. Compared to the Ripley, it "rolls" noticeably heavier, which is mostly due to the more aggressive tires. It feels bigger and longer, which makes tight maneuvering less sporty.

But you asked about being poppy - it is still very poppy, for me it seems similar to the Ripley V4, and I have yet to ride something poppier than the V4.

Inside vs. On. For me, that has a lot to do with the relative height of the grips vs. my behind.

Frame protection, you need to add it if you don't want any scratches or chips. it's pretty easy and low cost.

Specialized is on a roll with the Stumpy EVO...what a great bike (I gather from the reviews)

Hope you figure it out!
 
#709 ·
dustmonkey said:
This is by far the most robust all-mountain'y bike I've ridden with any regularity. I just can't get past the feeling of having all this drag on me all the time. Even pointed downhill it requires a little more encouragement to carry speed than I'm used to. My previous comment about feeling like the brakes are dragging all the time I think is a pretty good description. They aren't. I wind up double-checking almost every time I ride this thing.

The bike I usually reach for first is a 20ish lb hardtail. I also rode an older Epic a LOT for a very long time and when it was getting to be time to move on from it I decided to switch it out for something a little more modern trail-oriented thinking the two bikes together would cover pretty much anything I would need. What I have found is that I avoid riding the Ripmo because of the sluggish heavy feeling. It definitely settles into a slower pace that is physically comfortable to maintain, but pushing it to move faster than that requires a LOT more energy than I expect.

components are pretty sorted, yes. This is a nicely built bike. It just may be the wrong nicely built bike.

Your comment about terrain: My preference is for flowy singletrack, fire roads, some more technical stuff in-between, I prefer going up more than down. I prefer drier hotter conditions when I can get them, and when it gets more wet I start banging the trainer instead. Most surfaces I ride are either the loose shale/dirt/dust or in/above the redwoods. My ideal ride is a mix of the above in a single ride, preferably a lot of climbing, and as hot and sunny as I can get it. I tend to avoid the super gnar stuff. I don't have anything to prove and recovery time from injuries is something I'd rather avoid as much as possible.

I'll swap tires this weekend and see if that cures the rolling resistance problem.

Thanks for the feedback.
Click to expand...
My 2-cents here. I'm coming from an RFX, and to me the Ripmo is a revelation, however the terrain I enjoy is very technical. I like DW-Link bikes, which is why I settled on the Ripmo. The thing with most DW-Link bikes is you need to get the sag on the shock bang-on, otherwise the bike rides weird, it's how the kinematics on a DW bikes are. Also, I find that most DW bikes run better with the fork having more pre-load, driving the shock a little. Point is the setup is finicky. The Ripmo is also a heavy bike, period, and the draggy Assegai's don't help. Good choice for the front, but something lighter and easier rolling on the back is better.

Having said all that, like others have mentioned, it sounds like you have the wrong bike based on the terrain you like to ride. The Ripmo is a trail bike that skews more to the enduro side of things. The terrain I ride is full of rocks and bigger drops where this bike shines, but it's a lot of bike on mellower terrain. My RFX is more balanced in this regard. You should be able to sell this bike in a heartbeat, get something lighter, snappier, and with a little less travel.
 
#711 ·
Just picked this up Saturday! Two rides so far, and my initial impressions are...awesome. Bike blows me away. Wife and I were originally going to get two Orbea Occams, then two Ripmo AF's. Fast forward through months of COVID craziness, and she has a Salsa Blackthorn and I have a Ripmo V2.
1923526
 
#713 · (Edited)
austinzippy said:
I got a V2 after a couple of years on a Ripley V4. I can confirm the V4's reputation as one of the poppiest trail bikes. It is the Cayman GT4 of mountain bikes.
The V2 was a surprise. With the original DPX2, it felt a lot like the V4 - the good stuff, but also the negatives. On the good side it was very playful and poppy, on the bad side that shock has as much stiction as the DPS shock on the V4, so it felt very stiff and on eggshells - where I was looking for plush and more grip on descents. X2 fixed the grip, but took away some of the Pop. EXT Storia tuned specifically for me is about perfect. Super composed, and very eager to leap into the air on command.

Net is that the V2 is the GT3. It is faster, more capable, but overall feels less maneuverable and a tad less sporty, and is less efficient. It is a better technical climber, I can clear things I was not able to on my V4, it just seems to be easier to manage weight and grip at my skill level (which is low). It is waaaay more stable on the downs. Where I used to hesitate on 2-3ft drops on the V4, I now LOOK for things to make into 2-4ft drops on the V2 and I don't even slow down. Most of that confidence is in my head. Compared to the Ripley, it "rolls" noticeably heavier, which is mostly due to the more aggressive tires. It feels bigger and longer, which makes tight maneuvering less sporty.

But you asked about being poppy - it is still very poppy, for me it seems similar to the Ripley V4, and I have yet to ride something poppier than the V4.

Inside vs. On. For me, that has a lot to do with the relative height of the grips vs. my behind.

Frame protection, you need to add it if you don't want any scratches or chips. it's pretty easy and low cost.

Specialized is on a roll with the Stumpy EVO...what a great bike (I gather from the reviews)

Hope you figure it out!
Click to expand...
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I purchased a GX model with Fox factory suspension on Friday. After calling around to Boston area Ibis dealers (JRA had a long wait list), I found a size Large on the floor at Cycles Etc. in NH. The shop guy said the bike would likely be sold over the weekend if I didn't buy it, and based on the current state of the bike world I assumed that was a true statement. So I pulled the trigger after riding around the parking lot for 15 mins. The other bikes I was looking at were the Stump EVO and Transition Sentinel which are also in very short supply - none in my size in stock within 150 miles of Boston and none expected any time soon. That played a part in my decision.

Some observations after three rides:

  • Top things I wanted in a 150mm 29er bike (which seemed like a big ask) were a sense of agility/nimbleness, a poppy/playful platform, a feeling of being in-the-bike, a fun bike more than speed/plow bike. Based on initial experience, the V2 meets all those criteria. I'm coming off a 2017 Transition Patrol (alloy) which I loved and which also met those criteria, but I was looking to get on bigger wheels for better roll over on our rocky NE trails.
  • Others in this thread have commented how the bike feels like a BMX. I agree.
  • I don't place a high priority on pedaling efficiency, so the efficiency of the Ripmo is a bonus. Even with Assegai on the front and rear, the bike feels like it lurches forward when I pedal. Feels a lot more efficient than my Patrol.
  • Some folks comment about the weight being heavy. I guess it depends on your point of reference, mine being an alloy long travel bike. The Ripmo feels light on the trail to me.
  • Cables are quiet so far
  • Landings on small drops to flatish (3'?) feel soft and bottomless
  • Code RSC brakes: I had to spend a lot of time bedding them in, and they still don't feel super powerful. My Patrol had Guides that worked great for 3 seasons, so I know what SRAM brakes are capable of. Hopefully I get there.
  • 175mm cranks seem like an odd spec. So far pedal strikes are not more frequent than with my Patrol (which wasn't bad), but it seems that 170mm would be nice in that strikes would be even fewer.

I read this entire thread before purchasing, so thanks to everyone for your contributions to the thread as it was very helpful to a prospective buyer.
 
#716 ·
Hello guys,

I discovered some days ago this amazing bike.
I actually ride on an Occam XL which is too big for me by far !

I'm 6'1 (186cm) and 35' inseam..

Somebody could advice me on that position?
(don't take care about the weight, i'll lose it with or without the ripmo ?)

1924448


Thank you all !
 
#717 ·
JayJay91 said:
Hello guys,

I discovered some days ago this amazing bike.
I actually ride on an Occam XL which is too big for me by far !

I'm 6'1 (186cm) and 35' inseam..

Somebody could advice me on that position?
(don't take care about the weight, i'll lose it with or without the ripmo ?)

View attachment 1924448

Thank you all !
Click to expand...
The seat looks high relative to your handlebars. Drop the dropper post into the frame as far as you can so that your leg is almost straight with your heel on the pedal with the pedal in the bottom position and the dropper post fully extended. If it's already in that position then put the maximum amount of spacers you can under the stem or get a set of bars with more rise. Kind of looks like a bit of an XC set up to me at the moment. Those bars look extremely flat.
 
#719 ·
OzIbis said:
The seat looks high relative to your handlebars. Drop the dropper post into the frame as far as you can so that your leg is almost straight with your heel on the pedal with the pedal in the bottom position and the dropper post fully extended. If it's already in that position then put the maximum amount of spacers you can under the stem or get a set of bars with more rise. Kind of looks like a bit of an XC set up to me at the moment. Those bars look extremely flat.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your feedback !
The dropper is already in place, and the maximum of the spacer is under the stem already..
Any suggestions about the position? Is it correct or do I need to upsize?
 
701 - 720 of 1,846 Posts
About this Discussion
1.8K Replies
326 Participants
Last post:
mbcracken
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion