Depending on where you start out reading today, you may or may not have already seen that Ibis launched an all-new Ripley v5. Today they’re also launching the all-new Ripmo v3. We got an early sample of the Ripley to check out, so you should read that story first, and then come back here to read on about the Ripmo.
So what’s new for the Ripmo? Just about everything. Like the Ripley, the Ripmo gains the new STOW (Snacks, Tools, or Whatever) internal frame storage system. The frame door opens with a single lever that is easy to use with gloves, and includes two custom designed storage bags made for Ibis by Cotopaxi.
The Ripley and the Ripmo share the same rear triangle, which means they also share the flip chip for changing the rear wheel size. Unlike the Ripley which comes with 29″ wheels in all sizes, the Small and Medium Ripmos will come with MX or Mixed wheels, running a 29″ up front and a 27.5″ out back. The new Extra Medium size plus Large and Extra Large all come stock with full 29″ wheels. If you need a Small or Medium frame but want to run 29″ wheels, the frames are compatible with the bigger wheels, just as the larger sizes can run MX wheels.
Geometry
The new Ripmo geometry isn’t a huge departure from the v2S, with the exception of the size specific changes. The new bikes include size specific seat tube angles, chainstay lengths, and even bottom bracket heights which neccesitates size-specifit suspension kinematics as well. The head tube angle is slightly more slack at 64.5º, but since it shares the front and rear triangle with the Ripley, the seat tube angle is actually a bit slacker on the Ripmo by 0.4º (which matches the 0.4º slacker head tube angle). The reach is also 4mm shorter on the Ripmo, with a medium measuring 456mm.
Still running 160mm of travel up front, the Ripmo bumps up slightly to an even 150mm of dw-link suspension travel out back. Having gone through a bit of an evolution where the Ripmo was equipped with a burly Fox 38, we’re seeing the Ripmo v3 take a step back to a Fox 36 in favor of a more light weight build. With the HD6 in the lineup now, riders wanting that 38 suspension performance will be better served there, while riders who missed the lighter all-mountain performance of the original Ripmo will be happy with v3. When equipped with a Float X rear shock, frame weights are claimed at 7.6lbs (3.5kg) for an XM (Extra Medium).
From there, everything is pretty much the same as the Ripley – including the 34.9mm seat post, and the ability to change one bike into the other. If you purchase a Ripmo, you could technically turn it into a Ripley with a different rear shock, fork, and shock clevis & shock eyelet hardware. It seems like it might make more sense to go the other way, but if you really like the Ripmo name or the colors, the world is your oyster.
FACTS
- 160mm front travel
- 150mm dw-link rear travel
- 2.5” tire clearance (27.5″ or 29″)
- Carbon fiber front and rear triangle
- Available in five sizes small (S), medium (M), extra medium (XM), large (L), and extra large (XL), fits riders between 5’2” and 6’7”
- Mixed wheels (MX) or 29” via flip chip
- Sizes S and M ship as MX, XM thru XL ship as 29”
- Frame weight of 7.6 lbs (3.5 kg) for a size XM with Fox Float X shock
DETAILS
- Slack 64.5˚ head angle
- Size specific seat angles (76.5˚-77.5˚)
- Actually, we did size specific everything
- 34.9mm seatpost
- Clearance for a really really long dropper
- 55mm chainline
- Threaded BB (73mm BSA)
- Coil shock compatible
- Metric 230×60 shock
- ISCG 05 compatible with removable adapter
- Internal tunnels for cable routing
- 22oz bottle on size small, 26oz on all other sizes
- Molded rubber swing arm protectors
- IGUS bushings in the lower link, bearings in the upper link
- 220mm max rotor size
- UDH rear hanger
- 148mm rear axle spacing
- Large Internal frame storage with easy access door
- Sustainably sourced internal frame bags designed in partnership with Cotopaxi
Colors
The Ripmo comes in two colors, either Huckleberry Purple or Olive Swamp Monster.
Build Kits and Pricing
In terms of pricing, the Ripmo is a bit more expensive thanks to the suspension, with frames starting at $3,899. Complete builds start at $4,999 with three Shimano mechanical builds, and two SRAM Eagle Transmission builds. Ibis x i9 Carbon wheels are available for a $1,400 upgrade, and everything starts shipping world wide, today. All frames and Ibis wheels include a lifetime warranty, as well as a lifetime replacement on frame bushings (not bearings).