Ibis has been stealing the spotlight this week, for better or worse, first with their
Oso eMTB, then the new
DV9 hardtail and its polarizing frame shape. Now there's this, an unmarked, mixed-wheel prototype that a keen-eyed reader spotted. Earlier
this year I noted that the HD5 was due for an update, since its removal from Ibis' lineup positioned the Ripmo as the longest travel, non-electric option with 147mm of rear wheel travel.
Given that enduro race tracks aren't getting any smoother, and that more riders are looking for bikes that they can pedal one day and ride in the bike park the next, adding a longer travel option into the lineup makes sense. The last version of the HD5 had 153mm of travel, but I'd imagine this next iteration (assuming the model name remains the same) will see that bump up to 160 or 170mm of travel.
The prototype uses a dual-link suspension layout, although the upper link is now positioned in front of the seat tube, instead of using a longer yoke to connect the shock to the seatstays. Speaking of seat tubes, the frame design looks to allow for plenty of seatpost insertion - there aren't any visible kinks that would create issues, and there's also plenty of room for a water bottle.
When asked for comment, Ibis' response was, "
That can't be an Ibis. Look at the top tube..."
217 Comments
if you were an adult back then, and had been riding MTB since the mid 90's, you know what I am talking about. They completely changed the game. We can all laugh now, much like watching a movie from the 50's and seeing how horrible the acting was, but John Wayne was a revolutionary actor.....for his day.
And I say this as someone who owned an ellsworth back then that didn't crack but I was a 55kg twig
cheers!
"Should be another “we acquired Ellsworth and are going to breath life into the legendary brand” e-mail any day now"
www.bicycleretailer.com/north-america/2014/09/03/composites-manufacturer-purchases-ellsworth
www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2018/05/09/asg-group-buys-ellsworth
www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2021/12/08/rp-designs-acquires-ellsworth-brand
www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2022/01/20/tony-ellsworth-rejoins-ellsworth-bikes
Hello welcome to XYZ bike shop! You want a new bike, we've got THE bike for you. First question, How much do you rip?
RipLeast - 120mm
RipMore- 145mm
RipMost- 170mm
Rip-OSOMUCH - 190mm
www.mtbr.com/threads/hairbrained-long-travel-ripmo-af-idea.1182090
Last year, I was running Assagai front DHF rear, and it was a great setup.
Terrible rear tyre in the steeps!
"I'm calling it a FRUNK. yes I claim copywrite on that."
Is that you Dave Weagle?
Looks to be a Ripmo HD 6…
Looking forward to seeing the final version.
/s
they make sense for certain applications, the problem is they wear out faster than comparable solutions (bearings...) certain brands are hellbent on saying they're better and will spec them on places where it doesn't always make sense...
The Lower Link pivots on my Ripmo AF (same as the V2 and similar to many Ibis bikes), are very well excecuted - low-ish friction, well sealed from contaminates, and don't wear very fast. It's had 3 full seasons of riding, but those bushings and reducers still look almost brand new. In stark contrast, the clevis/yoke bushing design is total crap, get contaminated super easily, and need a lot of service to keep running smooth. I was an R&D co-op with Rocky Mountain during their bushing heyday, and they faced similar problems (some OK, some bad) before going with all-in on bearing designs finally.
29er is no fun. Mullet is. Tried 29er for a complete season and will never go back, after switching my rear wheel for a 27.5! Same fun as I had on 27.5'' but a bit better with the 29'' front wheel.
Is the yoke integral to how ibis tune they’re kinematic?
Just seems like an easy element to eliminate.
In any case great to see the link forward of the seat post! Hopefully it still pedals like the Ripmo.
P.s ibis please ditch the light tune shock and add some more progression. Clearly this bike will be for big hits!
Once you ride one with then get a bike without you'll realize how clutch it is.
For the really long rides where the pack is needed, I get more room in my pack for base layers, rain jacket, food, etc
Actually, I'm going to see if I can stuff a small cheap rain jacket in there with the tube, That would pay off in the spring.
Water goes in a bottle, phone goes in shorts pocket (get better shorts with smart pockets?)
Sure, I'll bring a pack with 3L water and like 1.5L of storage for "snacks" and a shell on long trips, but the frame storage means I can just grab my bike and go for short quick rides, never having to think about if I enough tools or kits just because I skipped the pack.
I do agree you want to pull out the items/bag when washing the bike, driving in the rain, etc.
There's also the Fox Active Valve patent: thelunchride.com/fox-active-valve-suspension-predicts-terrain-w-wireless-sensors-radar
@ibiscycles Slide into my DM's and I'll handle your marketing program.
I think the newer Pivots have the shock attached near the BB....why would they go back to their older design? lol
There are brands that consitently get good responses on Pinkbike. Airdrop, Privateer and Propain to name three. No proprietary bs, affordable, durable, a geo package that makes sense and they dont do things just to be different.