Ibis RipleyvsRocky Mountain Element
If you are hunting Strava segments on technical climbs or racing the BC Bike Race, the Rocky Mountain Element is the sharper, lighter tool. The Ibis Ripley V5 has evolved into a proper mid-travel trail bike, trading its former 'downcountry' zippiness for a beefy chassis that can handle high-speed rock gardens. It is a win for the Ibis if you want one bike that refuses to be bullied by technical terrain, while the Rocky wins for riders who measure fun in vertical feet climbed.
Overview
These bikes used to play in the same 'downcountry' sandbox, but for 2025 they have diverged significantly. The Ibis Ripley V5 is now essentially a short-stroke enduro frame, sharing its front triangle and swingarm with the heavy-hitting Ripmo V3. This move makes the Ripley a 30-pound trail tank that happens to pedal well, catering to those who want a tough, stable bike without carrying 160mm of travel they don't need. It even adds the 'STOW' internal storage system, a convenience the Rocky Mountain deliberately skips. Rocky Mountain took the opposite path with the new Element, ditching the rear pivot for a flex-stay design (Smoothlink SL) to shave 350 grams from the frame. It remains a lightweight speedster that prioritizes raw acceleration and lateral stiffness. While the Ripley has bulked up to survive Ripmo-level abuse, the Element has leaned out to become a more precise, race-capable machine. One is a mini-enduro bike that loves to jump; the other is a high-performance cross-country bike that happens to have a 130mm fork.
Ride and handling
The Ripley V5 feels like a much larger bike than its 130mm of rear travel suggests. Its DW-Link suspension is remarkably deep and plush, delivering a damp, composed feel that soaks up chunder that would leave the Element pinging off the rocks. Reviewers have noted that it provides a 'buttery' initial stroke with a supportive mid-section, making it easy to pop off side hits and jump with confidence. It is a stable, calm platform that allows you to charge into technical lines that used to be off-limits for the Ripley nameplate. Handling on the Element is a different animal, characterized by 'nimble acceleration' and a snappy, 'BMX race bike' feel. The flex-stay rear end provides impressive lateral stiffness, making direction changes feel instantaneous and precise. However, that agility comes with a smaller margin for error; when the terrain turns to steep, chunky double-blacks, the Element's 120mm rear end can get overwhelmed, requiring much more rider input to stay on track. It rewards an active rider who likes to pump through rollers and dance over obstacles rather than plow through them. On the climbs, the split is even more obvious. The Element 'craves speed' even on flat sections, with a lightweight frame and fast-rolling Maxxis Rekon tires that make it feel like a rocketship. The Ripley is an efficient climber in its own right, thanks to the anti-squat characteristics of the DW-Link, but it cannot hide its extra weight. You feel the beefier frame and more aggressive tires when the grade gets steep, especially compared to the older, lighter V4 model. The Ripley is a 'sit and spin' climber that gets there efficiently, while the Element is a 'stand and attack' machine.
Specifications
The Rocky Mountain Carbon 99 build is a tech-heavy flagship, featuring the full RockShox Flight Attendant suite to maximize the efficiency of its 120mm platform. It uses sensors and a power meter to automatically toggle the suspension between 'Open,' 'Magic Middle,' and 'Sprint on Lock' modes. It is an impressive system for racers, but it adds significant complexity and batteries to charge. Ibis takes a more mechanical approach with its high-end XTR build, favoring the reliability and 'legendary' shift quality of Shimano's flagship drivetrain and 4-piston brakes. A major value gap appears in the wheelsets and hubs. Ibis equips its premium builds with S28 Carbon rims laced to Industry Nine Hydra hubs, providing nearly instant engagement—a massive advantage on technical, punchy climbs. In contrast, many mid-tier Rocky Mountain builds use DT Swiss 370 hubs, which reviewers criticized for 'painfully slow' engagement due to a three-pawl system. For a bike that costs $7,000 or more, having a quarter-turn of lag in your cranks when you go to pedal is a frustrating compromise. Ibis also includes Cotopaxi internal storage bags that are rattle-free and well-executed, whereas the Element requires you to strap tools to the outside of the frame. Braking performance also leans in favor of the Ibis. The Shimano XT and XTR brakes on the Ripley are consistently praised for their power and modulation, whereas the SRAM Level Bronze brakes often specced on the Rocky have been noted for 'brake fade' on longer, more aggressive descents. If you ride long, steep tracks, the Ibis spec is ready for the heat, while the Rocky spec feels tailored for shorter, punchy XC bursts.
| Ripley | Element | |
|---|---|---|
| FRAMESET | ||
| Frame | Ibis (model not specified) | 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 | Fox Float SL 36, Factory Series, GRIP X, 140mm, 29in, 15x110mm | Marzocchi Z2 Float EVOL Rail 130mm | 44mm Offset |
| Rear shock | Fox Float, Factory Series, EVOL, 210x52.5mm | 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 Rim; Ibis Hub (15x110mm implied by fork) | 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 Rim; Ibis Hub | 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
Ibis has introduced an 'Extra-Medium' (XM) size that sits right in the sweet spot for many riders. This XM size features a 483mm reach, which is actually longer than the Large Element’s 475mm. Riders should pay close attention here: the Ripley fits 'larger' than its travel suggests, and many testers recommended sizing down. The Ripley also uses 'size-specific everything,' meaning chainstay lengths, seat tube angles, and even suspension kinematics change with every frame size to ensure a 5'5" rider has the same experience as a 6'5" rider. The Element’s primary geometry trick is the RIDE-4 adjustment system. By rotating a chip at the shock mount, you can swing the head tube angle from a stable 65.0 degrees to a sharper 65.8 degrees. This allows you to transform the bike from a confident 'downcountry' slayer into a more aggressive XC racer. Ibis uses its flip chip differently—it is there to accommodate a 27.5-inch rear wheel for 'mullet' setups without messing up the geometry, keeping the head angle locked at a very slack 64.9 degrees regardless of wheel size. One potential fit issue on the Ripley is the low stack height across all sizes. Even on the XL, the head tube is relatively short, which can lead to a significant saddle-to-bar drop for taller riders. Many will find themselves reaching for high-rise bars to get the front end into a comfortable position. The Element, by contrast, feels more like a traditional XC-turned-trail fit, though the lack of size-specific chainstays on most of its 29er sizes (S-XL) means that very tall or very short riders might find the weight balance less optimized than on the Ibis.
| FIT GEO | Ripley | 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 | Ripley | 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
This is for the rider who lives for the descents but hates the sluggish feel of a 160mm enduro bike. If your local trails are a mix of technical rock gardens and flowy singletrack with plenty of side-hits, the Ripley V5 provides a 'one-bike' solution that is tough enough to survive the bike park on Saturday and efficient enough for a 30-mile epic on Sunday. You value a quiet, robust frame and the convenience of internal storage more than winning the local uphill KOM.
Rocky Mountain Element
If you are a former XC racer or a weight-weenie who still wants to ride 'real' trails, the Element is the choice. It is for the rider who finds heavy trail bikes 'dead' and wants a machine that rewards every watt of input with immediate acceleration. You would rather have a bike that is a 'corner shredder' and a climbing rocket, and you are skilled enough to handle the smaller margin for error when the trail gets truly chunky.
