Have had my RAF for 3 seasons now, was between that and the Stumpy Evo. At 250lbs I do notice the frame flex a little in high speed tech, a carbon bike is more precise in that type of terrain. With the DVO suspension it is not a particularly plush bike, but the Onyx fork is incredibly supportive and takes big hits like a champ. I did cascade link mine which is the single best upgrade I have done to it. I also had a set of DT Swiss FR560s built for it on the stock hubs (i9s weren't in the budget) after killing 2 S35s in a year and I much prefer the 30mm wide rim on the Ripmo. I also added cushcore to the back after moving to Colorado and killing an EXO+ Dissector in pretty short order. The only other upgrade aside from saddle, bars, grips, pedals is a set of XT 4 pots and 203mm rotors at both ends. It makes a perfectly fine park bike if you keep it in the Ripmo's happy place of black rated flow trails. I have over 700 park miles on mine over 3 park seasons. It is a very stable bike in the air, though casing bigger jumps can be a bit rough.
I found the bike nearly unridable due to pedal strike, which is common across the industry as it cased fads to bbs too low and too slack head tube angles. Put a 8.5x2.5 rear shock on it, and it now pedals and actually steers without sacrificing any DH confidence. It's actually a good bike now.
Hello, does bikes with less agressive geometry, more trail than enduro orientated has less problems with pedal striking? After reading about bikes i would like to buy, I see its a common problem and I dont know after which bikes to look at to avoid this problem. Best regards
My Ripmo is looking at me with so much contempt after having looked at this video. « I will train a lot I swear, some day I’ll not case everything darling »
Sentinel is probably a bit better on the downhills at the expense of some climbing. One biggie is the Sentinel plays MUCH nicer with coil shocks than Ripmos do.
I almost bought one of these and ended up instead with a 2023 Pivot Switchblade. Don’t regret my decision but feel I wouldn’t have gone wrong either way! The Ripmo AF looks like a rad bike!
@@JJMassar oh yeah, that's right. My bike collapsed to a point of infinite density and no longer exists since I put a longer shock on it. In fact, it's starting to pull surrounding objects in.... this is a real problem, man....
RAD! How thus this compare to the Giant Reign 2020-2021, since they are in the same travel category and more endurowy than traily bikes, if you ever ridden one?
Interesting video. I heard the initial version of the Ripmo AF descended better than the Carbon version due to slightly different Geo. WIth the new frames it's the opposite now?
Totally! With a lighter Pike or Fox 36 fork, some smaller rims/tires, and a smaller CR/Float X rear shock, it can be an amazing trail bike. Then use a bigger shock, a 38/Zeb, and some beefy wheels/tires, and it'll race the EDR.
@@JeffKendallWeed The AF also apparently handles the EWS long shock mod (offset bushing and 63mm stroke shock that the EWS/EDR Ripmos run, gives 168mm rear travel) better than the carbon version. Might try that out on mine if I don't end up replacing it this season. At first glance the Ripmo's wheelbase seems a little short for that much travel, but apparently the Pivot Firebird only has 7mm more wheelbase than a Ripmo in comparable reach (Pivots run big, so you'd size down vs Ibis) and of course has more travel than the Ripmo.
I rode medium for the Firebird and it felt great, as did Logan. Ibis asked me to not promote the long travel Ripmo idea, so I haven't yet tried it. I don't really want to spend the money on an old 8.5x2.5 shock, either!
As an AF owner and rider I have to say I think you nailed the AF in most every way. I do ride a fair bit of park on my '22 AF, but I also run a Push ElevenSix coil shock with one of their #475 Hyper Coil springs. The AF is a different beast with the coil shock, it just eats. I'd love to see your impressions of the AF with a suitable coil shock.
Bought my AF almost a month ago after a few of your videos seemed to line up with the weeks of research I’d been doing. Same exact color. Love it so far.
Hey I really like you videos and riding style. Had bought a ripmo V2 myself last year. I'm 183 cm and as you mentioned in your video, and ibis did aswell, i sized up to an XL. Now i often have the feeling of ir being too big. Is that me, since I'm coming from a 650mm reach bike? Really thinging if "sizing" down to an L and try to sell my XL. I tried running a 40 mm stem, did help a bit but still hard to manual 😅 . What would you say?
Did you ever test and compare the Ripmo with with the similar priced and spec'd Hightower? I love my HT from 2021 but a comparison would be nice to see. 😊
Hi Jeff I had an EXIE and I thought it was too small for me. I got a size medium and I am 5’-7” 30 inseam. For the ripmo, you recommend the medium? Also, I was always thinking why manufacturers don’t include a small container with paint as part of the bike frame or complete bike for touch up?
Hey Juan, I am 174cm, a little over 5'8". I thought the medium Exie fit me great (45mm stem, 760mm bars), and I feel the medium Ripmo platform fits great as well. When I worked at Ibis back in the day, we would often include touch up paint, but as the company grew more and more dealers would simply lose the touch up paint. Nowadays, Ibis offers touch up paint directly from their website: store.ibiscycles.com/collections/parts-touch-up-paint
@@brad265 makes it more progressive. I use less travel, but it’s nice and soft in the beginning of the stroke. I feel less of the trail in the beginning of the stroke yet still plenty of travel for when things get rowdy.
It went together easily in less than an hour. ruclips.net/user/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.
Just subscribed! Your mtb content is incredible and reviews are much appreciated. I'm coming from a RM Instinct BC 2020 and was thinking about moving to the new Stumpy Evo until seeing this review. Any chance you could give me your thoughts on the Ripmo AF vs the RM Instinct BC? Thanks!
You’re one of the reasons that I got my AF, so thank you cause I absolutely love that bike! It’s been over two years and I’m now thinking of going V2s way, but there’s some other bikes I’d like to consider too. BB height being the main reason for a possible change and a fact that I can’t mullet it the second. I’d love to hear your thoughts about the new Druid V2 and the Scor 4060🤘🏼
I've heard the Forbidden's feel like much bigger travel bikes than they are, where the Druid while only 140 travel, feels more like a 150 travel all mountain bike like a Ripmo or Sentinel. And the Dreadnaught despite being only 160 travel feels like it has more travel than some 170 bikes like the Specialized Enduro and Transition Spire
@@mrvwbug4423 Druid is a 130mm 🤓 I've done a fair bit of research about it, but would love to hear from someone that rode both. As @JeffKendallWeed is a Rimpo god I thought I would ask. What interests me in particular is how good/bad does it wheelie and manual 😅
Are you sure you didn’t bend the shimano crankarm? Really kind of looks like it. Nice riding as usual. Although I’ll never reach this skill level it dies make riding look about as fun as it possibly could. Every manufacturer should hire you to film riding their bikes to sell. It’s a no brainer.
Kevin, the pedal is a full goner, and the crank arm is slightly bent too, but not enough to really see. I threw on some RaceFace pedals the other day and I can still feel that crank arm bend, but it's so minimal compared to the pedal. The XT crank arms come brand new with a slight bend, so they always look like that. Thanks for the nice words- lucky to have Jenson USA behind me for these videos!
For snagging internal cables, I fish an old inner shift cable in, forming a loop in the alloy tube. Feed the external cable up and then pull on your inner shift cable to pry it out of the hole. A pick helps guide it the last bit
It’s fine. Most won’t notice the difference. If anything just get a 10mm longer travel air spring to slacken it a little, and the trail measurement will be similar to a 44 offset.
@@JeffKendallWeed thanks yeah my friend has a fox 38 160mm 51 or 38 170mm 44 offset so i was trying to decide which to get from him i dont like the dvo onyx thats currently on it
Transition Sentinel and SC Hightower are also Ripmo competitors. I still think Ibis needs to use the name Ripmost if they ever do a bigger travel 29er haha
Hey just letting you know the first Jenson link in the description to view the Rimpo isn’t highlighted / working through RUclips. I think it is because there’s no space between it and the comma. Cheers 👍
Thanks for that! Fixed it, surprised I goofed on that! It takes me over an hour to post a video these days between coding links, writing a description, thumbnail, etc.
Hey Brad, the old Topaz felt like a wet paper bag- it had minimal support and wouldn't resist much, even with max volume reducers. The Marzocchi CR has what feels like an appropriate level of damping, and the air can feels a lot smaller. I do prefer it over the Topaz. DVO was fine, but it was never my first choice.
I started using a Z1 Coil this season. Turned my 153 into beast downhill. Almost feels like there’s a dual crown on the front, how stiff it is. And the coil compliance is 👌. I’m around 210 and run stiffer spring and less GRIP sweep (prob 1/8-1/4 turn). But it feels great. Set and forget!
What actually makes the trail measurement different between the carbon and AF? From what I can tell they both have the same HTA (64.9), fork offset (44mm), and of course wheel diameter - so where is the difference coming from?
Ibis uses a different fork length for the two bikes, with longer on the AF, but the AF only has a 114mm trail measurement. The V2 carbon uses a longer fork, and has a 125mm trail measurement. It's not a massive difference, but the AF flexes a bit more, making the difference less consistent.
@@JeffKendallWeed ah another variable! Thanks for the reply. Good to know that it’s just the fork, and that frame geo is nearly identical. Crazy that it’s such a noticeable difference. Looks like we are talking a 3.7mm difference in axle to crown length! At 160mm the fox 38 has a 573.7 axle to crown, the Z1 has 570, and the previous spec DVO diamond has 572.
Jeff, have you ridden the onyx/topaz dvo stuff? How was that rear shock? Did it have any compression adjustments? That z1 on my wife’s ripmo is super plush and really takes out the chatter on these arizona trails. Actually considering selling my ripmo af to get the new colors and that z1
The z1 is super plush, and the topaz has been great for me over the last year. The dvo Topaz doesn't have compression adjustments aside from adjusting the bladder air pressure or adding spacers to the can. It has rebound and a three way switch from for full open, traverse which is like a half way engaged setting and then climbing for mostly locked out.
Great video. I am looking at the Ripmo AF and the Occam H30 LT. Since you mention the Occam in this video, witch would you prefer. I don't do bike parts and big jumps. Came from a xc back ground and just want something with more travel for our choppy SoCal trails. Thanks
Ripmo AF is a MUCH beefier bike than the Occam. For low angle (not steep) trails without any man made jumps or such, the Occam rides a little taller, and being shorter in wheelbase, is a little easier to handle. Once things get steep and jumpy though, then the Ripmo AF walks all over the Occam. In my region, with the trails in the videos, the Ripmo AF is usually my go to, but I still had fun trying the Occam. I do wish the Occam was stiffer and slacker- now the Rallon is an AWESOME bike for this stuff!
Regarding “Trail #” per Chuck Ibis, the only reason the carbon bikes have a slightly larger trail figure is because of the slightly longer axle to crown measurement of the forks specc’ed on the carbon models. So if you wanted to “adjust your trail#” to match or exceed the carbon version this can be accomplished
Chuck's incorrect there, the AF is measured with a LONGER fork, not shorter. AF is measured with a 572mm fork, the carbon with a 567. The AF has a full degree slacker seat angle, at least in my size medium, which shortens the whole bike as well. Between Chuck's discrepancy with the fork lengths, and real life seat time on both bikes, I do think the geo charts are slightly off. It's not a huge difference between the two bikes, but they are a little different.
@@JeffKendallWeed per marzocchi site the bomber z1 is measuring at 570 a2c and per WWC the Fox 38 at 160mm A2C measures at 573.7 which makes the carbon version have a larger trail #
Over biked just is so silly to me but I guess as a 5 foot 11 200 lbs guy just don't see the disadvantage of a long travel enduro bike especially today's bikes
@JeffKendallWeed I def understand makes small things feel bigger but man being on one bike for local and park def an advantage get so dailed and just know bike so well plus just cost efficient 160mm 170mm bike great at everything unless u don't do big jumps drops and like fast dh then def smaller bike
They have been solid for me! Not quite as "free" out of the box as a Cane Creek, but they feel appropriate for fresh bearings. Thus far, they have held great for me. Here's a link to JUSA to check them out: jenson.sjv.io/IndustryNineIRIXjkw
Excellent video and commentary! For the Marzocchi Z1 Coil what spring are you using? I had the Z1 coil on my Ripmo AF, rider weight 175lb and found the medium spring too soft, the front end was diving unless I almost completely closed the compression. I then tried the firm spring and it seemed too large of a step up, keeping the front end plenty high but the coil suppleness also dropped off. Any recommendations?
With the coil forks it feels like only certain weight range riders will mesh well with it, basically those who are in the sweet spot of one of the spring rates. If you can't get it dialed then IMHO sell it and get a Zeb
Hey Shred, I was 173lbs this morning, and use the stock medium spring. Max preload for jumpy days, middle of the road preload for trail riding, damper at 40-50%. I have never had any issues with front end dive on any bicycle I've ever ridden, and don't believe it's a real problem.
I’m having such a hard time deciding between the L and XL. I rode each for an hour and felt better on the L but worry it’s too small, where as the XL I could feel some pain in one of my lats from being stretched out. It’s almost an inch in difference if wheelbase, would going with the L really make it that much less stable on those occasional park days?? I’m 6’1 1/2”, the guys in the demo center said I could go either way but seemed to push me towards the large. First new/full squish bike for me and just don’t want to regret anything!!
Go the XL. Ibis is middle of the road in terms of sizing. I’m 6 foot and wished I went the XL. Shorten the stem and put a 40 or 50mm on and you’ll be sweet when sitting and standing. On a large when you out your seat up so high it pushes it back. Lots of geo to investigate but I reckon the XL. I’ve just gone to a We Are One arrival in XL with 500 mm reach. Feels super natural.
I'm 6'0", 210lbs, I bought an XL but if I had it over again, I'd go with an L. If only because I'm betting the shorter wheelbase would chill out the pedal strikes Jeff mentions just a little bit. I replaced my 175mm cranks with 170's, which helped that a lot. For me, the XL really is a stretch limo of a bike, the L would be great. Also a wee bit lighter.
RS Super Deluxe Coil is compatible with the Ripmo clevis mount. Run a progressive rate spring if you aren't cascade linked and a linear rate spring if you do have a cascade link. Whatever you do, do not run a Fox or Marzocci coil it will live a short and tragic life before the Ripmo's clevis mount snaps it in half.
Given how hard the average Ripmo AF is thrashed, the matte "it's metal" paintjob of the RAF prior to the S version hides scratches better. People buy RAFs to beat the hell out of them, because it's a burly bike that is fairly cheap.
@@JeffKendallWeed One other question I had. Most people are buying this bike complete. 2022 vs 2023 ripmo af, it seems to me the 2023 is a good bit of a downgrade from the DVO suspension setup the 2022 had. Do you have any thoughts on that?
High speed chunk is never the Ripmo's happy place, it will do it, but you feel like you're hanging on for dear life when going full send through chunk. The Ripmo's happy place is black rated flow trails, it needs bigger features to stretch its legs, and the Ripmo pumps like a boss.
My Rimpo has never seen anywhere the beating and airtime you put on one, so I know she’s still got a lot of life left in her after 2 years of joe average MTB:) riding her, at 240Lbs I like a Little cushion for the pushin😂
And Jeff is probably about the only person who has beat on a RAF harder than I've beat on mine haha. Mine has over 700 bike park miles on it and countless regular trail miles and I'm 250lbs. Mine looks like it's been through hell, lots of scratches, a few small dents in the downtube from flying rocks, the rear derailleur looks like it's been through the apocalypse, but still shifts fine, the Deore 12sp derailler is a tank. Killed 2 Ibis S35 rims in a year so had a set of DT Swiss FR560s built and they have plenty of scratches but no dents.
@@mrvwbug4423 yep mines got lots of miles and smiles on it and i just recently snapped the slx derailer off and have replaced the drive train x2 and a shock/fork service and its still going strong. It’s a tough do everything trail/enduro rig depending on how you run the tire set up. Ive got carbon hoops and the weight on the xl is 34.5 lbs
![Yailin La Mas Viral, @kreizyk.official - Dale 2 (Remix) [Video Oficial]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JaYHBzgqz94/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks Jess another great review! I own a AF for 2 years and I love it. Ride it bone stock. Best buy especially with the new discounts at Jenison USA
Have had my RAF for 3 seasons now, was between that and the Stumpy Evo. At 250lbs I do notice the frame flex a little in high speed tech, a carbon bike is more precise in that type of terrain. With the DVO suspension it is not a particularly plush bike, but the Onyx fork is incredibly supportive and takes big hits like a champ. I did cascade link mine which is the single best upgrade I have done to it. I also had a set of DT Swiss FR560s built for it on the stock hubs (i9s weren't in the budget) after killing 2 S35s in a year and I much prefer the 30mm wide rim on the Ripmo. I also added cushcore to the back after moving to Colorado and killing an EXO+ Dissector in pretty short order. The only other upgrade aside from saddle, bars, grips, pedals is a set of XT 4 pots and 203mm rotors at both ends. It makes a perfectly fine park bike if you keep it in the Ripmo's happy place of black rated flow trails. I have over 700 park miles on mine over 3 park seasons. It is a very stable bike in the air, though casing bigger jumps can be a bit rough.
You had me at “going thru turns like a politician thru promises” 😂😂😂
that is a sweet looking bike. Too bad they discontinued that color for the newer year.
Wish the Ripley AF came in this color
I found the bike nearly unridable due to pedal strike, which is common across the industry as it cased fads to bbs too low and too slack head tube angles. Put a 8.5x2.5 rear shock on it, and it now pedals and actually steers without sacrificing any DH confidence. It's actually a good bike now.
Hello, does bikes with less agressive geometry, more trail than enduro orientated has less problems with pedal striking? After reading about bikes i would like to buy, I see its a common problem and I dont know after which bikes to look at to avoid this problem. Best regards
My Ripmo is looking at me with so much contempt after having looked at this video.
« I will train a lot I swear, some day I’ll not case everything darling »
Mine is resting after 50mi of bike park thrashing earlier today haha
I would love to see a comparison between this and the new 2024 Orbea Occam LT..
I almost got this bike but got a sentinel instead. Not sure I made the right decision but I’m happy with the sentinel.
Sentinel is probably a bit better on the downhills at the expense of some climbing. One biggie is the Sentinel plays MUCH nicer with coil shocks than Ripmos do.
I almost bought one of these and ended up instead with a 2023 Pivot Switchblade. Don’t regret my decision but feel I wouldn’t have gone wrong either way! The Ripmo AF looks like a rad bike!
Both are great bikes.
Huge price difference though. The RAF is one of the best budget bikes out there and Pivots are definitely in dentist bike territory with Yeti and SC.
I put a longer rear shock in my ripmo to get a Switchblade like go for a fraction of the price.
@@scottkramer1077 that’s not how it really works man….
@@JJMassar oh yeah, that's right. My bike collapsed to a point of infinite density and no longer exists since I put a longer shock on it. In fact, it's starting to pull surrounding objects in.... this is a real problem, man....
Awesome bike!
RAD! How thus this compare to the Giant Reign 2020-2021, since they are in the same travel category and more endurowy than traily bikes, if you ever ridden one?
I'm 175cm (5'9"), usually on a medium but Ibis recommends a large. What does the Rimpo Master Mr Kendall Weed recommend?
Interesting video.
I heard the initial version of the Ripmo AF descended better than the Carbon version due to slightly different Geo.
WIth the new frames it's the opposite now?
Correct, the V1 Ripmo was nervous compared to the current AF, but the V2 Ripmo is even better all around.
That bih last name weed
it really seems the rimpo is the everyman's MTB. what a versatile, perfect platform
Totally! With a lighter Pike or Fox 36 fork, some smaller rims/tires, and a smaller CR/Float X rear shock, it can be an amazing trail bike. Then use a bigger shock, a 38/Zeb, and some beefy wheels/tires, and it'll race the EDR.
@@JeffKendallWeed The AF also apparently handles the EWS long shock mod (offset bushing and 63mm stroke shock that the EWS/EDR Ripmos run, gives 168mm rear travel) better than the carbon version. Might try that out on mine if I don't end up replacing it this season. At first glance the Ripmo's wheelbase seems a little short for that much travel, but apparently the Pivot Firebird only has 7mm more wheelbase than a Ripmo in comparable reach (Pivots run big, so you'd size down vs Ibis) and of course has more travel than the Ripmo.
I rode medium for the Firebird and it felt great, as did Logan. Ibis asked me to not promote the long travel Ripmo idea, so I haven't yet tried it. I don't really want to spend the money on an old 8.5x2.5 shock, either!
Is that because Ibis has the new Enduro bike?
I threw a lyrik ultimate on it and it made the bike way better. Swapped tires for 2.4" Minions. Thing is amazing.
HD6 review when?😀
As an AF owner and rider I have to say I think you nailed the AF in most every way. I do ride a fair bit of park on my '22 AF, but I also run a Push ElevenSix coil shock with one of their #475 Hyper Coil springs. The AF is a different beast with the coil shock, it just eats. I'd love to see your impressions of the AF with a suitable coil shock.
Hey, wondering if you might try reviewing the Ochain?
I don’t ride aluminum bikes anymore but damn, I love this guy’s commentary, flows through trails like a politician threw promises L O L
Thank you Nicholas!!!
how about the coked-up quarter back lol.
@@creekboi7loved that one! Lol
Bought my AF almost a month ago after a few of your videos seemed to line up with the weeks of research I’d been doing. Same exact color. Love it so far.
halfway through, so far so good, but I would like to point out videos with a cameraperson (or camera movement) make it so much better
ugh.. I’m so stuck between this and the new trance x
Hey
I really like you videos and riding style. Had bought a ripmo V2 myself last year. I'm 183 cm and as you mentioned in your video, and ibis did aswell, i sized up to an XL. Now i often have the feeling of ir being too big. Is that me, since I'm coming from a 650mm reach bike? Really thinging if "sizing" down to an L and try to sell my XL. I tried running a 40 mm stem, did help a bit but still hard to manual 😅 .
What would you say?
Thx for mentioning this. I'm 6' and about to buy one. I'll go with the L.
Did you ever test and compare the Ripmo with with the similar priced and spec'd Hightower? I love my HT from 2021 but a comparison would be nice to see. 😊
Yes! That's what I'm wanting to see.
Hi Jeff I had an EXIE and I thought it was too small for me. I got a size medium and I am 5’-7” 30 inseam. For the ripmo, you recommend the medium? Also, I was always thinking why manufacturers don’t include a small container with paint as part of the bike frame or complete bike for touch up?
Hey Juan, I am 174cm, a little over 5'8". I thought the medium Exie fit me great (45mm stem, 760mm bars), and I feel the medium Ripmo platform fits great as well. When I worked at Ibis back in the day, we would often include touch up paint, but as the company grew more and more dealers would simply lose the touch up paint. Nowadays, Ibis offers touch up paint directly from their website: store.ibiscycles.com/collections/parts-touch-up-paint
Quarterback on coke line makes me want one now. Great video like always Jeff
"All the confidence of a coked up quarterback on spring break" lol. Best editorial quote ever for a bike.
Thanks Eric! I'm trying to be more creative with the voice overs these days!
looks like bear
I’m loving my Ripmo with the cascade link
What does it do?
@@brad265 makes it more progressive. I use less travel, but it’s nice and soft in the beginning of the stroke. I feel less of the trail in the beginning of the stroke yet still plenty of travel for when things get rowdy.
I'm gonna have to mow so many lawns this summer for this bike lol
It went together easily in less than an hour. ruclips.net/user/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.
Just subscribed! Your mtb content is incredible and reviews are much appreciated. I'm coming from a RM Instinct BC 2020 and was thinking about moving to the new Stumpy Evo until seeing this review. Any chance you could give me your thoughts on the Ripmo AF vs the RM Instinct BC? Thanks!
OMG! A coked up quarterback. Snot right out of my nose on that was😂😂😂 hilarious
I first thought that was Pole cap on Jeff's head. I guess not, but it would be interesting to see how Vikkelä would manual 😅
Another great vid, man. Love watching the manual heavy riding.
Thank you!
What do you think: i am 165cm. Would you chosse s or m? 458 mm of Reach seams very long for me
Which one would you choose: Ibis Ripmo or Yeti SB140?
Seems like a great bike but can't get over the fact that ibis frames are hideous
You’re one of the reasons that I got my AF, so thank you cause I absolutely love that bike! It’s been over two years and I’m now thinking of going V2s way, but there’s some other bikes I’d like to consider too. BB height being the main reason for a possible change and a fact that I can’t mullet it the second.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about the new Druid V2 and the Scor 4060🤘🏼
Thanks Jaza! I need to try a Druid. Logan likes the new one.
I've heard the Forbidden's feel like much bigger travel bikes than they are, where the Druid while only 140 travel, feels more like a 150 travel all mountain bike like a Ripmo or Sentinel. And the Dreadnaught despite being only 160 travel feels like it has more travel than some 170 bikes like the Specialized Enduro and Transition Spire
@@mrvwbug4423 Druid is a 130mm 🤓 I've done a fair bit of research about it, but would love to hear from someone that rode both. As @JeffKendallWeed is a Rimpo god I thought I would ask. What interests me in particular is how good/bad does it wheelie and manual 😅
What color spring did you use for the coil fork? Thank you
Are you sure you didn’t bend the shimano crankarm? Really kind of looks like it. Nice riding as usual. Although I’ll never reach this skill level it dies make riding look about as fun as it possibly could. Every manufacturer should hire you to film riding their bikes to sell. It’s a no brainer.
Kevin, the pedal is a full goner, and the crank arm is slightly bent too, but not enough to really see. I threw on some RaceFace pedals the other day and I can still feel that crank arm bend, but it's so minimal compared to the pedal. The XT crank arms come brand new with a slight bend, so they always look like that. Thanks for the nice words- lucky to have Jenson USA behind me for these videos!
Ripmo AF or Jeffsy Core 3 (carbon)
Will you try a coil fork on the carbon Ripmo since you liked the coil on the AF?
Nah, probably not, that fork is sorta married to the AF, and I like the air shocks tons on the Ripmo carbon.
For snagging internal cables, I fish an old inner shift cable in, forming a loop in the alloy tube. Feed the external cable up and then pull on your inner shift cable to pry it out of the hole. A pick helps guide it the last bit
Not sure anyone does bike reviews as well as jeff.
I fed a zip tie loop into the frame, then pushed the hose up through it and captured it.
All these all Galbraith trails ? They look so sick
Would a 51mm offset fork on af be a bad idea?
It’s fine. Most won’t notice the difference. If anything just get a 10mm longer travel air spring to slacken it a little, and the trail measurement will be similar to a 44 offset.
@@JeffKendallWeed thanks yeah my friend has a fox 38 160mm 51 or 38 170mm 44 offset so i was trying to decide which to get from him i dont like the dvo onyx thats currently on it
Where is that Ripley AF that you used to ride ?
Ripmo.
Rip less.
Rip up.
Rip down.
I do think the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO alloy is probably the best comparison to this Ripmo AF.
Transition Sentinel and SC Hightower are also Ripmo competitors. I still think Ibis needs to use the name Ripmost if they ever do a bigger travel 29er haha
Hey just letting you know the first Jenson link in the description to view the Rimpo isn’t highlighted / working through RUclips. I think it is because there’s no space between it and the comma. Cheers 👍
Thanks for that! Fixed it, surprised I goofed on that! It takes me over an hour to post a video these days between coding links, writing a description, thumbnail, etc.
Thanks for another great video Jeff. Does the traction tune on this new marzocchi shock not feel as soft/ linear as the previously spec'd topaz?
Hey Brad, the old Topaz felt like a wet paper bag- it had minimal support and wouldn't resist much, even with max volume reducers. The Marzocchi CR has what feels like an appropriate level of damping, and the air can feels a lot smaller. I do prefer it over the Topaz. DVO was fine, but it was never my first choice.
It’s funny but my favorite bikes are the ones with all the randomness but quality well chosen for a reason stuff.
Agreed!
You were flowing like a rapper😂🎉
pretty badass bike, this is my first real mtn bike that got me into the sport. love it
“Flowing through turns like politicians through promises” lmao
I shoulda taken that line one step further, but ran outta time to brain storm!!!
Great video! I love my Ripmo AF
af very good or not
I started using a Z1 Coil this season. Turned my 153 into beast downhill. Almost feels like there’s a dual crown on the front, how stiff it is. And the coil compliance is 👌. I’m around 210 and run stiffer spring and less GRIP sweep (prob 1/8-1/4 turn). But it feels great. Set and forget!
Right on- I enjoyed that fork on my Evil Offering, Yeti SB140, Knolly Chilcotin, and the Ripmo. It's simple, but it works!
Awesome review! Which 200mm dropper post did you go with?
I used a PNW Loam dropper, they used to sponsor me.
What actually makes the trail measurement different between the carbon and AF?
From what I can tell they both have the same HTA (64.9), fork offset (44mm), and of course wheel diameter - so where is the difference coming from?
Ibis uses a different fork length for the two bikes, with longer on the AF, but the AF only has a 114mm trail measurement. The V2 carbon uses a longer fork, and has a 125mm trail measurement. It's not a massive difference, but the AF flexes a bit more, making the difference less consistent.
@@JeffKendallWeed ah another variable! Thanks for the reply. Good to know that it’s just the fork, and that frame geo is nearly identical. Crazy that it’s such a noticeable difference. Looks like we are talking a 3.7mm difference in axle to crown length! At 160mm the fox 38 has a 573.7 axle to crown, the Z1 has 570, and the previous spec DVO diamond has 572.
Jeff, have you ridden the onyx/topaz dvo stuff? How was that rear shock? Did it have any compression adjustments? That z1 on my wife’s ripmo is super plush and really takes out the chatter on these arizona trails. Actually considering selling my ripmo af to get the new colors and that z1
The z1 is super plush, and the topaz has been great for me over the last year. The dvo Topaz doesn't have compression adjustments aside from adjusting the bladder air pressure or adding spacers to the can. It has rebound and a three way switch from for full open, traverse which is like a half way engaged setting and then climbing for mostly locked out.
@@johncb08 I have the topaz on my bike and my wife has the newer topaz on hers. I was talking about the marzochi in the rear…
Great video. I am looking at the Ripmo AF and the Occam H30 LT. Since you mention the Occam in this video, witch would you prefer. I don't do bike parts and big jumps. Came from a xc back ground and just want something with more travel for our choppy SoCal trails. Thanks
Ripmo AF is a MUCH beefier bike than the Occam. For low angle (not steep) trails without any man made jumps or such, the Occam rides a little taller, and being shorter in wheelbase, is a little easier to handle. Once things get steep and jumpy though, then the Ripmo AF walks all over the Occam. In my region, with the trails in the videos, the Ripmo AF is usually my go to, but I still had fun trying the Occam. I do wish the Occam was stiffer and slacker- now the Rallon is an AWESOME bike for this stuff!
@@JeffKendallWeed Thank you for the info.
Hello would you ever consider reviewing the Nukeproof giga 297 with the fast shock?
Stay tuned to the channel, that might happen one day!
@@JeffKendallWeed notifications on!
Regarding “Trail #” per Chuck Ibis, the only reason the carbon bikes have a slightly larger trail figure is because of the slightly longer axle to crown measurement of the forks specc’ed on the carbon models. So if you wanted to “adjust your trail#” to match or exceed the carbon version this can be accomplished
Chuck's incorrect there, the AF is measured with a LONGER fork, not shorter. AF is measured with a 572mm fork, the carbon with a 567. The AF has a full degree slacker seat angle, at least in my size medium, which shortens the whole bike as well. Between Chuck's discrepancy with the fork lengths, and real life seat time on both bikes, I do think the geo charts are slightly off. It's not a huge difference between the two bikes, but they are a little different.
@@JeffKendallWeed per marzocchi site the bomber z1 is measuring at 570 a2c and per WWC the Fox 38 at 160mm A2C measures at 573.7 which makes the carbon version have a larger trail #
Over biked just is so silly to me but I guess as a 5 foot 11 200 lbs guy just don't see the disadvantage of a long travel enduro bike especially today's bikes
I'd rather be underbiked for most public trails, it's more fun!
@JeffKendallWeed I def understand makes small things feel bigger but man being on one bike for local and park def an advantage get so dailed and just know bike so well plus just cost efficient 160mm 170mm bike great at everything unless u don't do big jumps drops and like fast dh then def smaller bike
that industry 9 headset is a sexy piece of kit! ima need one..
They have been solid for me! Not quite as "free" out of the box as a Cane Creek, but they feel appropriate for fresh bearings. Thus far, they have held great for me. Here's a link to JUSA to check them out: jenson.sjv.io/IndustryNineIRIXjkw
🔥
Excellent video and commentary! For the Marzocchi Z1 Coil what spring are you using? I had the Z1 coil on my Ripmo AF, rider weight 175lb and found the medium spring too soft, the front end was diving unless I almost completely closed the compression. I then tried the firm spring and it seemed too large of a step up, keeping the front end plenty high but the coil suppleness also dropped off. Any recommendations?
With the coil forks it feels like only certain weight range riders will mesh well with it, basically those who are in the sweet spot of one of the spring rates. If you can't get it dialed then IMHO sell it and get a Zeb
Hey Shred, I was 173lbs this morning, and use the stock medium spring. Max preload for jumpy days, middle of the road preload for trail riding, damper at 40-50%. I have never had any issues with front end dive on any bicycle I've ever ridden, and don't believe it's a real problem.
Smashpot
I’m having such a hard time deciding between the L and XL. I rode each for an hour and felt better on the L but worry it’s too small, where as the XL I could feel some pain in one of my lats from being stretched out. It’s almost an inch in difference if wheelbase, would going with the L really make it that much less stable on those occasional park days?? I’m 6’1 1/2”, the guys in the demo center said I could go either way but seemed to push me towards the large.
First new/full squish bike for me and just don’t want to regret anything!!
Go the XL. Ibis is middle of the road in terms of sizing. I’m 6 foot and wished I went the XL. Shorten the stem and put a 40 or 50mm on and you’ll be sweet when sitting and standing. On a large when you out your seat up so high it pushes it back. Lots of geo to investigate but I reckon the XL. I’ve just gone to a We Are One arrival in XL with 500 mm reach. Feels super natural.
Depends on your riding style. I'd go on the smaller side if you like to fling it around
I'm 6'0", 210lbs, I bought an XL but if I had it over again, I'd go with an L. If only because I'm betting the shorter wheelbase would chill out the pedal strikes Jeff mentions just a little bit. I replaced my 175mm cranks with 170's, which helped that a lot. For me, the XL really is a stretch limo of a bike, the L would be great. Also a wee bit lighter.
Hi Jeff, I’m looking to put a coil shock on my ripmo af. Trying to avoid the DVO but not sure which other ones will fit, do you have any insight?
Alas pancake lover, I have not bothered chasing the coil dream on the Ripmo. My riding style generally works better with air suspension.
@@JeffKendallWeed fair enough. Thanks! I always forget this is my RUclips username….. 😂
RS Super Deluxe Coil is compatible with the Ripmo clevis mount. Run a progressive rate spring if you aren't cascade linked and a linear rate spring if you do have a cascade link. Whatever you do, do not run a Fox or Marzocci coil it will live a short and tragic life before the Ripmo's clevis mount snaps it in half.
Sasquatch sighting at 9:53 🐻
The bear walked across the trail in front of us, but the camera gear was all put away... once we got my camera out, it was too late for a good shot!!!
Love gloss paintwork 🎉
Given how hard the average Ripmo AF is thrashed, the matte "it's metal" paintjob of the RAF prior to the S version hides scratches better. People buy RAFs to beat the hell out of them, because it's a burly bike that is fairly cheap.
Does the ripmo af like being ridden like that? If so is mine… angry at me?
LOL thanks Garrett! Your Ripmo AF is stoked.
The Ripmo AF was practically made to be beaten on haha. I have over 700 bike park miles on mine and it still manages to take the thrashing.
@@JeffKendallWeed One other question I had. Most people are buying this bike complete. 2022 vs 2023 ripmo af, it seems to me the 2023 is a good bit of a downgrade from the DVO suspension setup the 2022 had. Do you have any thoughts on that?
Awesome bike
Thanks tomas- it's been a lotta fun!
Still got my 2020 ripmo af and love it. Keep my bikes for 5 years and it feels as good as it did when it was new.
That's a great bike Magnus!
I absolutely love my Ripmo AF. It's great at almost everything. Just the nastiest chunk slows it down a bit.
High speed chunk is never the Ripmo's happy place, it will do it, but you feel like you're hanging on for dear life when going full send through chunk. The Ripmo's happy place is black rated flow trails, it needs bigger features to stretch its legs, and the Ripmo pumps like a boss.
@@mrvwbug4423 until you put a coil shock tuned for the Ripmo's kinematics on it. Then it will eat chunk and beg for more.
My Rimpo has never seen anywhere the beating and airtime you put on one, so I know she’s still got a lot of life left in her after 2 years of joe average MTB:) riding her, at 240Lbs I like a Little cushion for the pushin😂
And Jeff is probably about the only person who has beat on a RAF harder than I've beat on mine haha. Mine has over 700 bike park miles on it and countless regular trail miles and I'm 250lbs. Mine looks like it's been through hell, lots of scratches, a few small dents in the downtube from flying rocks, the rear derailleur looks like it's been through the apocalypse, but still shifts fine, the Deore 12sp derailler is a tank. Killed 2 Ibis S35 rims in a year so had a set of DT Swiss FR560s built and they have plenty of scratches but no dents.
@@mrvwbug4423 yep mines got lots of miles and smiles on it and i just recently snapped the slx derailer off and have replaced the drive train x2 and a shock/fork service and its still going strong. It’s a tough do everything trail/enduro rig depending on how you run the tire set up. Ive got carbon hoops and the weight on the xl is 34.5 lbs
Hmm..
It appears that every video by Jeff Kendall Weed features the Ibis Ripmo. I had to tell RUclips to quit recommending his channel.
😂 thanks Bob! Go ahead and ignore all the 2023 videos on the Marin, Yeti, Orbea, Konas, Chromag, Stumpjumper, stooge, and transition 😂