With a sub six pound frame and 145mm of efficient dw-link rear wheel travel (160mm front), this is the most versatile bike we’ve ever built.
It also marks a dramatic shift in our approach to geometry. The reach is nearly an inch longer than the EWS Team winning HD4, with clearance for a 175mm dropper, and a pedal-friendly 76° seat tube angle. The end result is a bike that’s ready to rally, while still maintaining lively handling.
Ticking off the boxes, other features include 2.6” tire clearance, short chainstays, a threaded BB, trick internal cable routing and the ability to run both a piggyback reservoir shock and large water bottle.
GEOMETRY
Is there any phrase in mountain biking that’s more overused than “longer and slacker?” Every manufacturer (Ibis included) is guilty of it. It makes bikes descend better but the question is, how far can it be pushed? We felt we were at the limits of that trend until we began experimenting with seat tube angles and fork offset.
By making the seat tube angle a steep 76°, we’ve put more weight over the front tire. This keeps the front end from wandering or washing out. Moving the seat tube forward also required pushing the front end forward to keep the top tube numbers static, resulting in the longer reach.
In addition to the steep seat tube, the Ripmo also uses a fork offset that is shorter than traditionally used. That makes a 65.9° head angle feel like 64.5° without increasing the wheelbase. You get the stability of a slack head angle without giving up your ability to go around tighter corners.
The Ripmo geometry enables a new level of confidence and speed, bringing the stability of the EWS Team Championship winning HD4 to 29” wheels.
BUSHINGS WHERE YOU NEED THEM, BEARINGS WHERE YOU DON’T
If you ask an engineer, they’ll tell you that bushings are lower maintenance, stiffer, lighter, and more affordable than bearings. The key is to only use them where it makes sense.
Bushings work best in applications with high loads and minimal rotation, two things ball bearings don’t like. That’s why suspension manufacturers use them for shock mounting hardware and why we’ve used them for the past five years on our Ripley, HD3, and HD4 clevis.
High loads and minimal rotation describe the Ripmo lower link pivots so we’re introducing a new link featuring IGUS bushings. The new link is 80g lighter than its ball bearing equipped equivalent, while also being torsionally stiffer. The bushings are shielded from spray, protected by airtight seals and will last a long time.
We believe so strongly in the concept, we’re offering free lifetime replacement on bushings. Have a problem? Call us. We’ll send you a new set.