Had your eyes on the Ripmo, but just can’t get over the carbon price tag? Well, you’re in luck – you can now get Ripmo AF. That’s Aluminum Frame, if you’re wondering. Yes, Ibis has taken their exciting new Ripmo and given it an aluminum make over that’s even slacker to shred everything.
(Want proof? Check out our review to see how it tamed Tennessee’s best trails)
Obviously, one of the biggest changes to the Ripmo AF is the use of aluminum for the frame. However, Ibis did an impressive job of replicating the swoopy lines of the carbon version in metal. That includes the ability to run longer dropper posts with M-XL frames capable of running 170mm posts, and the small running 125-150mm depending on the rider’s needs.
Riders who crash a lot and tend to push the limits may gravitate towards an aluminum frame for both durability and cost of replacement. That’s likely part of why the Ripmo AF gets even slacker with a 64.9° head tube angle – a full degree slacker than the carbon version. This also results in a longer wheelbase, but otherwise the geometry is mostly identical with a 76-77° seat tube angle and 435mm chainstays. Just like the carbon version, a 44mm offset 160mm travel fork is used to provide more stable handling handling.
Those stays are wide enough to run 29 x 2.6″ tires on 35mm internal rims giving you plenty of tire clearance to get rowdy. Speaking of rowdy, the Ripmo AF also includes a more progressive leverage ratio to allow the frame to work with both air and coil shocks to make the most of the 145mm of dw-link travel. Complete bikes will all include a DVO Topaz Air shock in a 210 x 55mm Metric size, but a DVO Jade X coil shock is available as a $100 option on all builds.
Like the original, a combination of both bushing and bearings are used. At the lower link of the suspension, IGUS bushings are used. For the upper link though, bearings are used. Ibis says this is the ideal combination of “bushings where you need them, bearings where you don’t.”
Elsewhere, the frame includes a smart list of features and specs including a 73mm threaded BSA bottom bracket, ISCT 05 compatibility with a removable adapter, 148 x 12mm Boost spacing, port style internal cable routing, a ZS44/ZS56 tapered headset, and a bottle cage mount positioned to allow for a full 26oz bottle (small frames will have to do with a 22oz bottle). Complete frame weight is said to be 8.25lbs for a medium with a DVO Topaz shock.
Offered as a frame only for $1,799 ($1,899 with a coil shock), complete builds start at just $2,999 with a solid mix of components. All Ripmo AF frames include a seven year frame warranty plus a lifetime replacement on the suspension bushings, and are shipping worldwide starting today. Read our full review here.
