If you are here to look for a reason not to buy an Ibis bike, read this review. I’m afraid after reading it, you’ll wonder why you haven’t gotten yourself one already.
I had a short day test riding Ibis bikes and wished I had more time on the saddle. Here’s the honest Ibis bike review.
Best Ibis Bikes for 2022
1. Ibis DV 9
Specs:
- Fork: 100 mm/120 mm Travel
- Wheel Size: 29”
- Frame Size: S, M, L, XL
- Frame Material: Carbon
- MTB Type: Hardtail XC/Trail Bike
I’m afraid Ibis doesn’t have a budget bike, but they do have a hardtail if you are looking to buy yourself an affordable Ibis bike.
Hardtails are generally inexpensive, even though it depends on the set of components the bike comes with.
All I know is that a full suspension with the same set of components will fetch a higher price. The Ibis DV 9 is a pretty awesome bike though the 2021 model was not made available.
The 2020 model is already sold out, but the 2022 model is coming real soon. Keep your fingers closed.
The DV9 is a lightweight do-it-all hardtail with a carbon frame built to withstand all hardships. With the massive tire clearance, you can do cross-country riding any day of the week and catch up with the race that coming weekend.
The mountain bike weighs just 25 lbs. It’s an epic climber, and the frame has space for two water bottles.
It’s also quick and responsive, according to most riders. The DV 9 is equipped with FOX shocks and a Shimano XTR, Shimano SLX, Shimano XT, SRAM NX Eagle, SRAM GX Eagle, or SRAM X01.
This is the bike you need if you have a crush on a hardtail, especially one with aggressive geometry.
The DV9 is more suitable to ride on slightly steep, bumpy, and technical trails. However, it’s not suitable to ride fast on a technical trail. The bike is also poor on descents.
DV9 is an excellent hardtail bike that will keep you excited. It’s also available in frame only to allow you to build your own bike how you want it.
2. Ibis Exie
Specs:
- Fork: 120 mm Travel
- Shock: 100 mm Travel
- Wheel Size: 29”
- Frame Size: S, M, L, XL
- Frame Material: Carbon
- MTB Type: Full Suspension XC Bike
I might not know whether your ex was the best or worst thing that ever happened to you, but the Ibis Exie is the bike that will bring all the shine into your life.
The first stroke of the pedal will make you feel like nothing else in the world matters. Ibis Exie is a super cable and lightweight XC mountain bike.
The bike came out as a World Cup-worthy rig, and it indeed features in the first stages of the XCO this year.
The playful bike comes with a 120mm travel front, and 100 mm travel for the rear shock. Plus, it carries two water bottles in the triangle. The bike can also run with a 100 mm fork if you decide to downgrade the travel.
Exie is a pretty much new bike launched at the end of the first half of 2021. All Ibis full-Sussers come with a DW-Link suspension, and so is the Exie.
It’s a technology that eliminates anti-squat to improve pedaling efficiency, improves traction, and helps the rider descend more comfortably, unlike the single-pivot designs.
The Exie is equipped with a FOX Float suspension system. For the drivetrain, you get to choose between Shimano XT, SRA X01, or SRAM XX1 to propel you to the podium.
It was great testing the bike, but I’m yet to see a serious athlete push it to the limit as the bike is new.
If you are looking for a capable XC bike that is slightly forgiving on descents, gifted on steep climbs, and a superior beast to do it all, then the new Ibis Exie is your type of bike.
It’s one of the 29ers that will allow you to push them to the highest limits. This is a great bike if you love riding for long, with high endurance level.
Exie is Ibis’s most XC-capable bike. Once you sit on it, you’ll notice that.
3. Ibis Ripley
Specs:
- Fork: 120-140 mm Travel
- Shock: 120 mm Travel
- Wheel Size: 29”
- Frame Size: S, M, L, XL
- Frame Material: Carbon
- MTB Type: Full Suspension Trail Bike
If you ask for an Ibis trail bike, the dealer will point out to the Ibis Ripley. The Ripley is a cross between XC and trail riding, but it’s more of a trail bike, so Ibis’s quiver killer.
Before the Exie was launched, the only XC-capable bike available was the Ibis Ripley. The bike comes with 29” wheels with a clearance of up to 2.6” tires.
In short, you can pop in some wider tires for a smoother experience and better traction on the trails. Ripley has a longer geometry which includes a slacker head tube and steeper seat tube angle.
The short-travel trail bike is fast, snappy, and handles well on any trail. It’s a bike that knows no boundaries.
The Ripley is equipped with 120 to 140 mm of travel in the front and 120 mm of rear travel. All the suspensions are Fox Float Performance DPS variants.
For the drivetrain, you have many options to choose from depending on what you are willing to spend on the bike.
The entry-level is the Shimano Deore or SLX. The middle and top-level options include the SRAM GX Eagle, Shimano XT, and SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS.
The anti-squat properties come to play again with the Ripley. It features the DW-Link suspension, making the bike easier to ride pedal uphill and fast on descends.
Other notable features of the Ripley are the replaceable downtube protector and the internal cable tunnels.
The Ibis Ripley is for those intermediate and competitive level riders who want a high-class ride for the job. It’s affordable and capable.
It’s also a well-rounded bike that can do it all. Ripley is as good at climbing as it’s on descents. If you are an avid mountain biker looking for a short travel trail bike, you won’t get it wrong with the Ibis Ripley bike.
It’s also suitable to ride long distances and also has a good balance. As a trail person, I fell in love with Ripley. Unfortunately, I have too many trail bikes.
4. Ibis Mojo 4
Specs:
- Fork: 140 mm Travel
- Shock: 130 mm Travel
- Wheel Size: 27.5”
- Frame Size: S, M, L, XL
- Frame Material: Carbon
- MTB Type: Full Suspension Trail Bike
The Ibis Mojo 4 is Ibis’s smaller quiver killer. It’s designed to be the king of twisted course racing. The Mojo 4 is a beast with its bragging rights despite not coming with 29” wheels.
The latest version is slacker, longer, and with a steeper seat tube. It also comes with a dropper post for your comfort.
The Mojo is indeed a ruler of the mountains, ready to cause havoc if other bikes protest against its reign.
The new Mojo 4 also comes with a new lower link technology to save on maintenance costs and frame protection.
Ibis Mojo 4 is not a bike for trail riding alone. You can race it and ride it at the bike park. Its level of performance is compared to none, and the geometry works in your favor while riding uphill.
With a FOX Float 34 Factory forks with 140 mm of travel, and FOX Float Factory DPS rear suspension with 130 mm of travel, what more would you ask for? You would care about the suspension type and the drivetrain.
The bike comes with a DW-Link suspension which is notably incredible. For the drivetrain, you can get anything from Shimano Deore to SRAM XX1, depending on your budget. SLX, GX Eagle, and Deore XT are amongst the options available.
Ibis Mojo 4 is indeed the bike that will keep you happy. It’s an all-mountain that will always be giving you the reason to hit the outdoors.
It’s been tested and approved to be the trail beast that you’ve always wanted to have. It’s your type of bike if you desire a 27.5” bike that doubles up as a performer uphill and downhill.
If you appreciate a good descent and don’t mind spinning all the way uphill, get yourself the Mojo and enjoy every moment behind bars.
5. Ibis Mojo HD5
Specs:
- Fork: 170 mm Travel
- Shock: 153 mm Travel
- Wheel Size: 27.5”
- Frame Size: S, M, L, XL
- Frame Material: Carbon
- MTB Type: Full Suspension Enduro Bike
The Mojo HD5 is almost the same as the Mojo 4. What sets them apart is their suspension travel, which puts the bike in different disciplines.
The Mojo HD5 is an enduro bike that has been causing chaos in races. It had a different geometry meant for the intended purpose. Moho HD5 is also very aggressive. A slacker head tube and seat angle make the bike more capable in enduro races.
It’s also very stable when descending. It must have some of the best geometries I have ever seen, with a longer wheelbase and longer chainstays to give you all the much-needed confidence to go for the medal.
Packed with the 170 mm FOX Float fork and a 153 mm FOX shock on the rear, this rig is more serious than it should be.
The DW-Link suspension assists the rider with efficient pedaling and also aids in climbing and descending. Mojo HD5 has been one of the most phenomenal enduro bikes I have ridden.
The most affordable model in the HD5 series comes with an SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain. The next options are Shimano SLX, SRAM GX Eagle, Shimano Deore XT, and SRAM XO1.
The most expensive build is the model that comes with a Shimano XTR drivetrain.
This is your weapon of choice if you ride enduro. It’s a great bike that is not the greatest climber but the most forgiving Ibis bike on the descents.
For those riders that love to shuttle and feel the wind coming against their ears, the Mojo HD5 will be their obsession.
Also, if you prefer 27.5” wheels over the 29er wheels for your enduro race, then the HD5 is for you.
However, if you ride on flat trails mostly, you’ll never feel the awesomeness of this bike.
6. Ibis Ripmo V2/ Ripmo AF
Specs:
- Fork: 160 mm Travel
- Shock: 147 mm Travel
- Wheel Size: 29”
- Frame Size: S, M, L, XL
- Frame Material: Carbon/Aluminum
- MTB Type: Full Suspension Enduro Bike
If there’s a bike that has gotten the most love in the Ibis line of bikes is the Ripmo. It’s known for its hardness and ability to roll tough.
The bike rides perfectly and with a slack head tube angle. What’s more, it comes with enough clearance between the chainstays to allow you to run wider tires.
The reach is also on average. Shorter and taller guys get to handle their bikes well, despite their heights. The Ripmo V2 is a comfortable bike I won’t like, but be prepared to count dollar bills in bundles.
The bike is costly, though not one of the most expensive enduro bikes on the market. It fetches a high price and is worth it.
The suspension includes Ibis’ Traction Tune Technology which allows fast compression and damping to deliver a smoother ride on rough terrain.
Ripmo comes with an Onyx D1 fork with 160 mm travel. The rear shock is a DVO Topaz T3 Air shock with 147 mm of travel. The good thing is that you can upgrade to RockShox or FOX Factory, depending on your preferences.
For the groupset, you can choose between a Shimano Deore, SLX, XT, SRAM GX Eagle, or XX1. The Ripmo AF Deore is the only Ripmo bike with a coil shock, and it’s also an alloy model. The AF is the most suitable for coil lovers.
The Ripmo is the kind of ride to buy if you are an avid enduro racer. It’s also the best pick if you are looking for a big roller as an enduro racing rig.
The Ripmo will let you test your speed limits, and it also features excellent traction and brakes for stability.
It’s also the right bike to ride in the bike park, jump over rocks, run over obstacles, and love having fun on the downhills.
However, the Ripmo is not the right bike for you if you are looking for an XC bike, or you like riding on flat trails.
Ibis Warranty
All Ibis frames get a 7-year warranty guarantee for any defects. The warranty applies to the original owner of the bike.
The company may either repair or replace the defective part. The warranty is non-transferable. The rims and handlebars made by Ibis get a 7-year warranty as well.
Rims are only covered from damage that may occur during normal riding. The hubs get a 2-year warranty.
The pain warranty lasts for one year from the date of purchase. Worn-out clevis and lover pivot bushings get a lifetime warranty to the original owner only.
The replacement is done free of charge! All the warranties don’t cover normal wear and tear. In case of a crash or a situation where the warranty does not cover your bike, Ibis will make replacements at a minimum charge.
After-Sale Service
The company offers toll-free and non-toll-free numbers on its site that you can reach for a warranty claim or any issue affecting your bike.
You can also access the email section, where a customer rep will respond to your queries in less than 72 hours. Alternatively, visit your dealer for a quick solution.
History of Ibis Bikes
Santa Cruz, California, is the home of the expensive and exquisite Santa Cruz Cycles. It’s also where the majestic Ibis Cycles is based.
The company was started in 1981 in the same state by Scot Nicol. Nicol was an early mountain biking pioneer whose inventions inspired the revolution of mountain biking.
In 2000, a company bought Ibis Cycles from Nichol, only to go under in 2 years. The company tried to reach out to Nichol unsuccessfully before collapsing.
Nichol went back to the drawing board. With the help of Hans Heim, the Ibis brand came back to life. It was the best partnership in cycling history.
Ibis is owned by Nichol, Heim, and the employees. Ibis’s main factory is based in Montana, while the headquarters remain in Santa Cruz.
They moved their factory to concentrate on producing efficient and complete bike frames.
Currently, Ibis is available in 33 countries and expanding. Their quality and lightweight bikes are worth spending on, that’s for sure!
Wrapping Up.
It’s so exciting to ride an Ibis bike. I’m sure it’s more if you own the bike. Now you know what you are looking for and for sure, there’s always a bike for you.
We are to help in case you have any questions.
