BIKER'S EDGE

You asked for it — Ibis listened — today we have the new Ripmo AF. It takes the well-loved Ripmo platform and brings it to a more budget-friendly aluminum frame, without losing the balanced, do-it-all ride quality that made the carbon version a fan favorite. If you’re looking for one of the best mountain bikes under $4000, this aluminum full suspension trail bike should be on your shortlist

I’ve been riding it on my local trails this summer, and it’s time to break down how it climbs, descends, and stacks up against the competition. Stick around to see if this is the right bike for you.

Here’s What you Need to know about the Ibis Ripmo AF

The Ripmo AF is Ibis’s aluminum take on their do-it-all 29er trail bike. It’s built around 150mm of rear travel and a 160mm fork, with a 64.5° head angle and a 77 to 77.5° seat tube angle, depending on size. It’s available as a full 29er on XM-XL frames, but small and medium frames come stock as MX setups, with a 27.5-inch rear wheel and a flip chip that adjusts geometry accordingly.

It runs the same V5 DW-Link suspension kinematics as the carbon Ripmo, and the geometry is nearly identical. So while it’s a more affordable build, you’re not getting a watered-down version of the bike — just a different frame material and a few practical touches, like internal storage, a threaded bottom bracket, and a UDH-compatible rear end. An alloy Trail bike with internal storage is a phrase riders don’t usually expect, especially in this price range, but Ibis made it happen

With five sizes, two wheel configurations, and size-specific geometry, the Ibis Ripmo AF sizing feels well-considered across the board.

Ibis Ripmo AF : Ride Review

Uphill

Climbing on the Ripmo AF is stable, comfortable, and surprisingly capable on technical terrain. It’s not ultra-quick, and it’s definitely not light — but it gets up anything without too much drama.

Traction is the standout feature here. The DW-Link stays active and glued without feeling too soft, and it doesn’t wallow under power. On rough or loose climbs, the rear end tracks well and keeps you moving forward without much fuss. It’s one of those bikes where you can stay seated longer than you expect— just sit, spin, and let the suspension do the work.

The geometry also helps. The seat tube angle is steep enough to keep your hips forward, and I didn’t have any front-end wander, even on steeper pitches. The size-specific chainstays do their job to keep you centered on the bike, even if they aren’t super long.

But that all comes with some tradeoffs. The bike carries its weight like an aluminum trail bike — because that’s exactly what it is. On smoother climbs or rolling singletrack, it doesn’t feel fast. There’s not a lot of urgency when you get on the gas, and compared to lighter carbon bikes, you’re definitely working a little harder. It’s not inefficient—it just takes its time. And all of this is coming from me, a known anti-weight weenie. The weight on this one is noticeable, even for me.

If your climbs are mostly smooth and flowy, there are livelier options out there. But if your trails tilt up and get technical, the Ripmo AF delivers a calm, collected ride that doesn’t ask much of you other than some patience.

Downhill

Downhill Capability

The Ripmo AF feels confident and composed on the way down. The geometry puts you in a comfortable, centered position that makes it easy to trust, especially on steeper terrain. It’s not overly slack or stretched out, but it hits that sweet spot where the bike stays calm at speed without feeling like a handful on tighter, more technical descents.

It holds a line well through rough sections and doesn’t get bounced off track too easily, especially at slower speeds. There’s enough front-center length and a slack enough HTA to stay stable and confident when things get steep and nasty. It’s easy to stay neutral on the bike and just focus on the trail.

In wide-open, high-speed terrain, the Ripmo AF stays generally composed — but there are moments where the rear wheel can hang up a bit. On smoother and small chatter stuff, you don’t notice it, but it’s on high-speed rough bits you do. It’s not harsh, but it can feel like the back end gets slightly caught when smashing through repeated hits or square-edge bumps at speed. It doesn’t derail the ride, but it’s something you notice when really pushing the pace. The back end will kick out or snag from time to time.

For most terrain, though, the Ripmo AF strikes a great balance. It’s stable when you need it to be, quick enough to stay fun, and easy to get along with, whether the trail is steep, techy, or just plain fast.

Suspension Performance

Off the top, the Ripmo AF feels soft and open. It dives into its travel easily, soaking up small chatter and smoothing out rough trail texture without much input. It’s got that classic plush DW-Link feel—quiet, planted, and comfortable right out of the gate. There’s not a ton of harsh feedback coming through the pedals or saddle, which adds to the bike’s calm, composed ride quality.

The midstroke is supportive enough, but definitely leans more plush than firm. You’re not riding on a stiff platform—it’s more of a floaty, ground-hugging feel. That makes the bike feel forgiving and easy to ride fast, but it can also feel a touch vague if you’re used to pushing against a firmer, more defined midstroke. Still, it holds up well through corners and compressions, and never felt unpredictable or wallowy.

Bottom-out is well managed. The end stroke ramps just enough to keep harshness at bay, but it’s not overly progressive. I used full travel on just about every ride—but I never felt like I was blowing through it too quickly. It’s smooth and consistent all the way through, which matches the bike’s calm and comfortable ride personality.

Where it really stands out is in how playful the suspension feels. It’s easy to preload and get the bike off the ground, and there’s enough rebound and energy to keep things lively. It’s not a super sharp or snappy bike—but it loves to pop off little trail features, pump through rollers, and hop lines when the trail allows. It’s plush, but not dull.

Handling

The Ripmo AF handles with a nice mix of stability and agility. In tighter corners, it feels quicker than you’d expect—thanks in part to the relatively short rear end. It’s easy to lean in and get the bike to come around, especially when you’re pushing through berms or linking corners together at speed. It doesn’t take a ton of body language to get it to turn, which gives it a bit more agility than the numbers suggest.

At the same time, it still feels centered and composed. You’re not hanging off the back or fighting to keep your weight balanced—it’s easy to ride neutral and let the bike do its thing. The ride position gives you room to move without getting too out of shape, which helps it stay predictable through corners and straights

But at really high speeds, especially in rougher terrain, the Ripmo AF can get a little busy. That short rear end and playful nature that makes it so fun in tighter sections also means it can feel a bit less planted when things get fast and loose. It’s not sketchy, but it does require a little more attention when you’re pushing the pace.

Playfulness is definitely part of the equation here. The bike responds well when you load it up, and it’s easy to get off the ground. It doesn’t take much to pop off a root, double a roller, or manual through a dip. It’s probably the liveliest of the bikes in the category.

ibis Ripmo AF: Comparisons

Before we get too deep, let’s see how the Ripmo AF stacks up against a few familiar players. I’ve spent time on the carbon Ripmo V3, the Transition Sentinel, and the Santa Cruz Hightower, and while all three land in the same all-mountain category, they each bring something different to the table. Here’s how the Ripmo AF compares.

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What Would I Change About the Ripmo AF?

There’s a lot to like about the Ripmo AF, but a few things stood out as weak points during testing.

The dropper post was the biggest frustration. On my test bike, it was almost unusable. Most of the time it wouldn’t return without me either bouncing on the saddle to break it free or physically pulling it back up by hand. Maybe I got a lemon—but either way, it was annoying enough to be worth calling out. 

Next up: the cockpit. Ibis’s in-house bar has a strange sweep and angle to it that just doesn’t feel natural. Swapping to a more conventional handlebar would be one of the first things I’d do if this were my personal bike.

And lastly, the tires. The EXO+ casings feel too light for a bike this capable. A burlier casing—especially on the rear—would make a big difference in confidence to not get flats.

None of these ruin the ride quality, but they are worth planning to address if you’re buying the bike and want it to feel dialed from day one.

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Ibis Ripmo AF scores

Ibis Ripmo AF

Climbing Performance: 0

The Ripmo AF climbs well enough, but it’s not quick. The weight holds it back on smoother climbs, but the traction and geometry help it feel comfortable and composed in technical terrain. It gets the job done—just not with any urgency.

Descending Capability: +1

Great balance of stability and playfulness. It holds its line in steep, rough terrain and doesn’t feel out of place at speed, though the rear end can get hung up in fast, repeated hits. Confident and fun without being overbuilt.

Suspension Performance: +1

Plush and easy to ride fast. Off-the-top sensitivity is excellent, midstroke is comfortable, and there’s enough end-stroke support to avoid harshness. Not overly firm or overly soft—just a well-balanced, playful feel.

Handling: +1

Quick through corners and easy to move around. The short rear end helps it feel lively, and it’s easy to preload and get off the ground. Can feel a little twitchy at high speeds, but overall it’s engaging and responsive.

Versatility: +2

One of the Ripmo AF’s biggest strengths. It can be run as a 29er or MX, depending on size, and with the right build choices, it leans trail or light enduro. It doesn’t pigeonhole you into one style of riding.

Intangibles: +1

Internal frame storage on an alloy frame is rare. The ride feel is polished, the colors are excellent, and aside from a few spec quirks, the bike feels well thought out. It’s not flashy, but it’s easy to like.

Who is the Ibis Ripmo AF for?

The Generalist

 You want one bike to do everything—big descents, long trail rides, techy after-work loops—and you don’t want to worry about whether it’s “too much” or “not enough.” You’re not chasing KOMs uphill, but you want something comfortable, capable, and easy to live with. The Ripmo AF fits right in that all-mountain sweet spot.

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The Beginner

You’re new to mountain biking, but you want something that’s capable, confidence-inspiring, and not going to hold you back as your skills progress. The Ripmo AF gives you modern geometry, great suspension, and a stable, predictable ride—all at a price that makes sense for a first real mountain bike. It’s easy to get along with, and hard to grow out of.

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The Rider Who Likes to Play, But Still Gets Rowdy

You’re not a full-blown enduro racer, but you ride hard and hit challenging terrain—and still want to double a roller, goof around or manual through a dip at every opportunity. The Ripmo AF has that plush, forgiving suspension feel, but doesn’t feel dead or stuck to the ground. It’s calm when you need it and fun when you want it.

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The Carbon Skeptic

You just don’t see the value in carbon — and you want something that feels solid and dependable without sacrificing modern geometry or features. The Ripmo AF’s internal storage and DW-Link suspension give it a premium ride feel without going carbon.

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Ibis Ripmo AF faq