Ibis Ripley AFvsRocky Mountain Element
Does raw trail performance and exceptional value speak to you, or do you crave a cutting-edge carbon chassis with adjustable geometry for blurring the lines between XC speed and aggressive trail riding? The Ibis Ripley AF (V2) and the Rocky Mountain Element (2025) both target the short-travel aggressive market, yet they approach it from profoundly different angles.
Overview
The Ibis Ripley AF is a deeply impressive aluminum trail bike, challenging the notion that carbon is inherently superior in ride quality. It offers 140mm front and 130mm rear travel, positioning it firmly in the lively trail bike category. A major draw is its identical geometry and features to the carbon Ripley, including internal frame storage and a flip-chip, alongside the unique ability to convert into a longer-travel Ripmo by swapping the clevis and shock. This makes it a remarkably versatile and high-value proposition for riders who appreciate a poppy, engaging ride without breaking the bank. In contrast, the 2025 Rocky Mountain Element, exclusively available in carbon, is a redesigned downcountry machine, shedding 350-400 grams of frame weight and incorporating a new Smoothlink SL flex-stay suspension. This bike, with 130mm front and 120mm rear travel (120/120 on the top-tier C99), aims for maximum efficiency and stiffness, yet retains the playful, capable character that made its predecessor so popular on technical terrain. Its innovative design, including the RIDE-4 adjustable geometry system and an emphasis on lightweight performance, places it as a premium option for riders who demand advanced technology and precise handling for fast, aggressive cross-country and light trail adventures.
Ride and handling
The Ibis Ripley AF delivers a ride quality that genuinely surprises, effectively blurring the lines between aluminum and carbon. Reviewers, when blindfolded, couldn't discern it from the carbon Ripley, a testament to its refined feel and compliance. It climbs with the same excellent efficiency as its carbon sibling, feeling efficient and energetic uphill. Descending, the Ripley AF truly comes alive, described as "definitely more light and poppy than the Carbon version," inviting riders to play with the terrain and get air effortlessly. The rear suspension provides "good bottom-out resistance," confidently handling bigger hits, though the RockShox Pike fork left one tester wishing for a bit more mid-stroke support on "light chunk" trails, suggesting some riders might want to add a volume spacer for a firmer feel. The Rocky Mountain Element, while also praised for its lively nature, approaches ride quality with a different philosophy built on carbon and optimized stiffness. Its new flex-stay rear end notably increases lateral stiffness, contributing to a "planted and composed" feel, particularly through corners and technical sections. This translates to remarkable precision, with one reviewer feeling they were "slicing and dicing with an old friend" on descents. The Element’s suspension is active for traction but, in some non-Flight Attendant builds, reviewers wished for a firmer middle shock setting to enhance climbing efficiency, as it can feel surprisingly active under hard pedaling. The Element's handling is lauded as "nimble acceleration" and a "corner shredder" at lower speeds, transitioning to impressive stability on fast, rough sections for a short-travel bike. The RIDE-4 system further refines this, allowing riders to dial in head angle and shock feel to match conditions or preferences. Both bikes encourage an active riding style, rewarding engagement with the trail. The Ripley AF's playful "poppy" nature makes quick direction changes a joy, while the Element's stiffness provides a more direct, precise connection to the ground. However, component choices significantly affect the out-of-the-box handling for both. The Ripley AF's SRAM G2 brakes, with organic pads, were a clear weak spot, lacking confidence-inspiring power. Similarly, the Element's stock Maxxis Rekon tires are often deemed "undergunned" for its aggressive descending capabilities, especially in wet or technical terrain, requiring more rider input to maintain lines. Upgrading these contact points would unlock more of each bike's impressive potential.
Specifications
The Ibis Ripley AF, across its two builds, offers compelling value but reveals some component disparities compared to the Element's higher-end, carbon-only offerings. The chosen Ripley AF 90 build, priced at $3,999, comes with SRAM Eagle 90 T-type mechanical drivetrain, a 140mm RockShox Pike fork, and a RockShox Deluxe Select rear shock. While the T-type drivetrain is a standout at this price for its durability and shifting performance, the SRAM G2 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes are a notable weakness, with reviewers expressing a "lack of confidence" due to perceived performance issues. The Ibis 933 Aluminum rims with 30mm internal width are a solid choice. In stark contrast, the Rocky Mountain Element's builds, starting at $4,499 for the Carbon 30 and escalating to $9,599 for the chosen Carbon 99, showcase a premium carbon-only strategy. The Element Carbon 99 features a top-tier RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant fork and SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant shock (both 120mm), a SRAM XX Eagle Transmission wireless drivetrain, SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth 4-piston brakes, and DT Swiss XRC 1501 Carbon wheels. This is a no-compromise race build, but the cost reflects it. The Element C70 ($6,999) steps down to Fox Performance Elite suspension, SRAM GX Eagle Transmission, but still includes SRAM Level Bronze Stealth 4-piston brakes (which reviewers found prone to fade) and a DT Swiss 370 rear hub with "painfully slow engagement." The base Carbon 30 build ($4,499) offers Shimano Deore, Marzocchi Z2 fork, and Shimano MT4120 brakes. Looking at the broader spec sheets, the Element consistently delivers advanced carbon frames and often high-end electronic drivetrains on its top models, but sometimes compromises on brakes and rear hub engagement, even at higher price points like the C70. The Ripley AF, while aluminum, provides a strong suspension package and modern drivetrain for significantly less, making its component-level weaknesses (like the G2 brakes) more acceptable within its price category. Riders comparing these two will find the Element offers more advanced frame technology and top-tier race builds, but the Ripley AF punches above its weight in drivetrain and suspension quality for its price, with fewer hard compromises beyond the brakes.
| AF | Element | |
|---|---|---|
| FRAMESET | ||
| Frame | null | SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon | SMOOTHLINK SL™ Suspension | Full Sealed Cartridge Bearings | Press Fit BB | Internal Cable Routing | RIDE-4™ Adjustable Geometry | 120mm Travel | SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon Rear Triangle |
| Fork | RockShox Pike, 15QRx110, 140mm | Marzocchi Z2 Float EVOL Rail 130mm | 44mm Offset |
| Rear shock | RockShox Deluxe Select 210mm x 52.5mm | Fox Float Performance | Sealed Bearing Eyelet | 20x8mm F Hardware | All Sizes = 190x45mm | Size-Specific tune in FAQ |
| GROUPSET | ||
| Shift levers | Shimano Deore M6100 (band clamp) | Shimano XT |
| Front derailleur | — | |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Deore M6100 SGS | Shimano XT |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed, 10-51T | Shimano Deore 10-51T 12spd |
| Chain | KMC X12 | Shimano M6100 |
| Crankset | Shimano Deore M6120 24mm spindle | Shimano Deore | 32T | 24mm Spindle | Crankarm Length: XS - SM = 165mm | MD - XL = 170mm |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano MT501 | Shimano SM-BBMT500 |
| Front brake | SRAM G2 4-piston hydraulic disc | Shimano MT4120 4 Piston | Resin Pads |
| Rear brake | SRAM G2 4-piston hydraulic disc | Shimano MT4120 4 Piston | Resin Pads |
| WHEELSET | ||
| Front wheel | Ibis 933 Aluminum rims, Ibis hubs | WTB KOM Team i27 TCS 2.0 | 28H | Tubeless Set Up | Sealant Incl; Shimano TC500 | 15mm Boost; 2.0 Stainless |
| Rear wheel | Ibis 933 Aluminum rims, Ibis hubs | WTB KOM Team i27 TCS 2.0 | 28H | Tubeless Set Up | Sealant Incl; Shimano TC500 Boost 148mm; 2.0 Stainless |
| Front tire | Maxxis Minion DHR II, 29x2.4, EXO, TR (or Maxxis Forekaster, 29x2.4, EXO, TR) | Maxxis Rekon 2.4 WT EXO Tubeless Ready | Maxxis Rekon 2.4 WT EXO Tubeless Ready | Tubeless Set Up | Sealant Incl |
| Rear tire | Maxxis Rekon, 29x2.4, EXO, TR | Maxxis Rekon 2.4 WT EXO Tubeless Ready | Maxxis Rekon 2.4 WT EXO Tubeless Ready | Tubeless Set Up | Sealant Incl |
| COCKPIT | ||
| Stem | Ibis 31.8mm (S–M: 40mm, L–XL: 50mm) | Rocky Mountain 31.8 XC | 5° Rise | All Sizes = 50mm |
| Handlebars | Ibis Aluminum, 780mm | Rocky Mountain AM | 760mm Width | 25mm Rise | 9° Backsweep | 5° Upsweep | 31.8 Clamp |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Fusion CrMo 142 | WTB Silverado Race 142 | Steel Rails |
| Seatpost | KS Vantage dropper, 34.9mm (S: 110–140mm, M–XM: 140–170mm, L–XL: 180–210mm) | X Fusion Manic Composite 30.9mm | XS - SM = 125mm | MD = 150mm | LG = 170mm | XL = 200mm |
| Grips/Tape | Lizard Skins Single Clamp | Rocky Mountain Lock On Light |
Geometry and fit comparison
Comparing the Ibis Ripley AF (XM) to the Rocky Mountain Element (LG), we see two distinct interpretations of aggressive short-travel geometry. The Ripley AF in XM size boasts a generous 483mm reach, making it 8mm longer than the Element's 475mm reach in LG. This extra length on the Ripley AF, combined with its slacker 64.9-degree head tube angle (0.1 degrees slacker than the Element's 65.0 degrees), suggests a more stretched-out, stable feel at speed and on descents. The Element's head tube angle can be adjusted from 65.0 to 65.8 degrees via its RIDE-4 chip, offering flexibility that the Ripley AF lacks in this specific metric. For climbing, the Ripley AF benefits from a steeper 76.9-degree seat tube angle, pulling the rider further forward over the bottom bracket for more efficient power delivery compared to the Element's 76.5 degrees. The Element's RIDE-4 system also allows for a steeper effective seat tube angle up to 77.3 degrees. A significant difference lies in standover height and seat tube length: the Ripley AF's 744mm standover is a substantial 63mm lower than the Element's 807mm, and its 415mm seat tube length is 30mm shorter. This translates directly to more room for rider movement and the ability to run longer dropper posts on the Ripley AF, a tangible advantage for aggressive descending or varied rider body types. Looking at the bottom bracket, the Element has a more aggressive 47mm of BB drop, resulting in a lower ride height compared to the Ripley AF's 42mm drop. This can contribute to a more "in the bike" feel and enhanced cornering stability on the Element, though it might increase the risk of pedal strikes. Both bikes feature similar chainstay lengths (437mm for Ripley AF, 436mm for Element), indicating a consistent approach to rear-center dynamics that balances climbing traction with a playful feel. Overall, the Ripley AF presents a longer, slacker, and lower-standover platform that suits aggressive trail riders valuing maximum maneuverability and stability, while the Element's slightly more compact reach, higher standover, and adjustable geometry offer a highly tunable platform for riders who want to fine-tune their bike between race-oriented XC and capable trail riding, albeit with less room to move on the frame.
| FIT GEO | AF | Element | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 640 | 631 | -9 |
| Reach | 511 | 475 | -36 |
| Top tube | 654 | 618 | -36 |
| Headtube length | 125 | 120 | -5 |
| Standover height | 759 | 807 | +48 |
| Seat tube length | 457 | 445 | -12 |
| HANDLING | AF | Element | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headtube angle | 64.9 | 65 | 0 |
| Seat tube angle | 77.4 | 76.5 | -0.9 |
| BB height | 335 | — | — |
| BB drop | 39 | 47 | +8 |
| Trail | — | — | — |
| Offset | — | — | — |
| Front center | — | — | — |
| Wheelbase | 1279 | 1237 | -42 |
| Chainstay length | 440 | 436 | -4 |
Who each one is for
Ibis Ripley AF
The Ibis Ripley AF (V2) is perfect for the rider who prioritizes phenomenal ride quality and modern trail geometry without needing a carbon price tag. If you're someone who spends weekends hitting diverse singletrack, from flowy jump lines where you want to feel "light and poppy" to technical climbs where efficiency is key, this bike is built for you. It particularly suits riders who appreciate the option to tinker and potentially transform their 130mm trail bike into a 150mm Ripmo, essentially getting "two bikes in one." This bike is a smart choice for those who might be willing to upgrade components like brakes down the line to match the frame's high performance, making it a versatile and long-lasting companion for all-day trail adventures and spirited local loops.
Rocky Mountain Element
The Rocky Mountain Element (2025) targets the rider who demands cutting-edge carbon technology and an exceptionally stiff, precise chassis for their aggressive downcountry or light trail pursuits. This is the bike for individuals who blend XC race pace with confident, active descending, perhaps eyeing stage races or epic backcountry missions where every gram and ounce of efficiency counts. It particularly appeals to riders who appreciate advanced features like the RIDE-4 adjustable geometry to fine-tune their ride for specific terrain, or those who opt for the automated efficiency of Flight Attendant. If you ride with a "planted" feel through corners and crave a "nimble acceleration" on climbs, but are also willing to invest in premium pricing and potentially upgrade stock tires or brakes to truly unlock its downhill capabilities, the Element is your weapon of choice.
