Ibis RipmovsRocky Mountain Instinct
The Ibis Ripmo V3 and the Rocky Mountain Instinct are both formidable contenders in the all-mountain trail bike category, yet they approach trail performance with distinctly different philosophies. Surprisingly, the Instinct (LG) boasts a headtube angle a full degree slacker at 63.5 degrees compared to the Ripmo's (XM) 64.5 degrees, suggesting the Rocky Mountain is designed for a more downhill-oriented posture right out of the gate. This subtle yet significant geometric difference hints at the contrasting ride experiences awaiting riders.
Overview
Ibis's Ripmo V3, with 160mm front and 150mm rear travel, carries its legacy as a long-travel trail bike, blending climbing prowess with notable descending capability. It uses the DW-Link suspension system, often praised for its pedaling efficiency and lively feel. The latest iteration saw a significant redesign with straight tubes, in-frame storage, and a "size-specific everything" geometry approach, though some felt it lost a degree of torsional stiffness compared to its V2 predecessor. The Rocky Mountain Instinct, offering 150mm front and 140mm rear travel on most models (the top-tier Carbon 99 offers 160/150mm), positions itself as Rocky Mountain's most versatile platform—a true do-it-all trail machine. Its Horst Link suspension design, combined with extensive geometry adjustments like RIDE-4, a reach-adjust headset, and a chainstay flip-chip, allows riders to fine-tune the bike's character for various terrains and styles. While praised for its agile and playful nature, a notable critique from Pinkbike pointed to an underdamped stock shock tune on certain models, which they felt undermined its otherwise capable geometry. Both bikes offer impressive integrated frame storage solutions, reflecting a modern expectation for trail versatility. While the Ripmo leans into a refined, high-performance 'all-mountain' identity with a slightly more travel and a more traditional approach to size-specific geometry, the Instinct emphasizes granular rider adjustability, letting the rider sculpt its personality. The Ripmo generally delivers a consistent, efficient ride across its sizes, while the Instinct offers a broader spectrum of ride characteristics accessible through its numerous on-bike adjustments, making it a tinkerer's dream.
Ride and handling
The Ripmo V3's ride quality is consistently lauded for its energetic, efficient climbing. Reviewers frequently describe a "pep in its step" on ascents, with its DW-Link suspension offering exceptional traction and preventing excessive movement, often feeling like a "hoverbike" over chunky terrain. The upright, balanced climbing position is a highlight, keeping the front wheel composed on steep technical sections. Descending, the Ripmo offers a distinctly poppy and playful character, with many finding it surprisingly nimble and easy to get airborne. It maintains good mid-stroke support, handling bigger hits without blowing through travel, yet can feel "slightly nervous" at the absolute highest speeds compared to dedicated enduro rigs. This trade-off is often accepted for its engaging, active ride that encourages steering around obstacles and deep cornering. By contrast, the Rocky Mountain Instinct generally delivers a lively, agile, and adaptable ride, heavily rewarding active input. Its unique carbon frame, particularly noted by GearJunkie, exhibits a beneficial lateral flex that allows it to "bend around turn apexes," contributing to
Specifications
Comparing the selected builds, the Ibis Ripmo V3 XTR is a top-tier Shimano affair, featuring a full XTR M9220 drivetrain and 4-piston brakes with 203mm IceTech rotors front and rear. Suspension is handled by a Fox Float 36 Factory GRIP X2 fork and a Float X Factory shock, both 160/150mm. It rolls on Ibis S35 Carbon rims laced to Industry Nine Hydra CL hubs, a premium carbon wheelset. The cockpit is Ibis's own BLKBRD 35 Carbon Riser Bar. The Rocky Mountain Instinct Carbon 99, at a slightly lower price point, takes a high-tech SRAM approach. It features a SRAM XX Transmission wireless drivetrain with an integrated power meter and SRAM Code Ultimate Stealth 4-piston brakes. Its standout feature is the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant shock, offering electronic, automatic suspension adjustment. Wheels are DT Swiss XMC 1501 Carbon, with a Race Face ERA carbon handlebar. Beyond these top-tier builds, the broader spec offerings reveal more nuances. Ibis offers the Ripmo with Shimano Deore, SLX, XT, or SRAM GX and Eagle 90 Transmission, typically with Fox 36 GRIP X forks (though our XTR build gets GRIP X2). The GRIP X damper on the Ripmo has faced criticism from Pinkbike for feeling less composed. Rocky Mountain's Instinct lineup also includes Shimano XT/XTR and various SRAM Transmission builds, with fork options ranging from RockShox Psylo Gold and Lyrik Select to Fox 36 Performance Elite. A recurring critique for the Instinct's mid-range builds is the slow engagement of the DT Swiss 370 rear hub, a notable miss for a bike intended for technical pedaling. Both brands tend to spec 200mm front and 180mm rear rotors on most builds, with reviewers for both bikes recommending upgrading the rear to 200mm for more consistent braking on long descents. In terms of integrated features, both bikes excel with well-executed downtube storage, the Ripmo featuring Cotopaxi bags and the Instinct's Penalty Box 2.0 including an AirTag slot, adding significant value and convenience.
| Ripmo | Instinct | |
|---|---|---|
| FRAMESET | ||
| Frame | Ibis (frame model not specified in provided specs) | FORM™ Alloy frame, 140mm travel | Full sealed cartridge bearings | Press Fit BB | Internal cable routing | 2-bolt ISCG05 tabs | RIDE-4™ adjustable geometry | 2-position axle | FORM™ Alloy rear triangle |
| Fork | Fox Float 36, Factory Series, GRIP X2, 160mm, 29in, 15x110mm | RockShox Psylo Gold RC, 150mm (27.5: 37mm offset / 29: 42mm offset) |
| Rear shock | Fox Float X, Factory Series, 2-position adj. w/ EVOL, 230x60mm | RockShox Deluxe Select+ (sealed bearing eyelet | 20x8mm F hardware | XS–SM: 190x45mm | MD–XL: 210x52.5mm | size-specific tune) |
| GROUPSET | ||
| Shift levers | Shimano Deore M6100 | Shimano Deore 12-speed |
| Front derailleur | — | — |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Deore M6100 SGS | Shimano Deore 12-speed |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed, 10-51T | Shimano Deore 12-speed, 10-51T |
| Chain | KMC X12 | Shimano M6100 |
| Crankset | Shimano Deore M6120, 24mm spindle | Shimano Deore crankset w/ 32T chainring, 24mm spindle (XS–SM: 165mm cranks | MD–XL: 170mm cranks) |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano MT501 | Shimano SM-BBMT500 |
| Front brake | Shimano Deore M6120, 4-piston hydraulic disc | Shimano MT4120 4-piston hydraulic disc (resin pads) |
| Rear brake | Shimano Deore M6120, 4-piston hydraulic disc | Shimano MT4120 4-piston hydraulic disc (resin pads) |
| WHEELSET | ||
| Front wheel | Blackbird Send Alloy, 32h, Ibis Logo hubs (Front: Send I 29in) | WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0, 28H, tubeless setup (sealant included); Shimano TC500, 15mm Boost; 2.0 stainless |
| Rear wheel | Blackbird Send Alloy, 32h, Ibis Logo hubs (Rear: Send II; S–M: 27.5in, XM–XL: 29in) | WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0, 28H, tubeless setup (sealant included); Shimano TC500 Boost 148mm; 2.0 stainless |
| Front tire | Maxxis DHF, 29x2.5, EXO+ | Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 WT EXO, Tubeless Ready |
| Rear tire | Maxxis DHR II, EXO+ (S–M: 27.5x2.5; XM–XL: 29x2.5) | Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT EXO, Tubeless Ready |
| COCKPIT | ||
| Stem | Ibis 31.8mm (S–M: 40mm; L–XL: 50mm) | Rocky Mountain 31.8 AM, 40mm, 5° rise |
| 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 Volt 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: 125mm | SM: 150mm | MD: 170mm | LG–XL: 200mm) |
| Grips/Tape | Lizard Skins Single Clamp | ODI Elite Pro Lock-On |
Geometry and fit comparison
Comparing the selected sizes, the Ripmo XM and Instinct LG present a fascinating study in geometric priorities. The Instinct LG has a significantly slacker headtube angle (63.5°) than the Ripmo XM (64.5°), paired with a longer chainstay (440mm vs. 436mm) and a longer wheelbase (1259mm vs. 1249mm). This setup pushes the Instinct towards greater high-speed stability and a more aggressive downhill stance, encouraging riders to lean into demanding terrain. Conversely, the Ripmo XM, despite being a smaller designated size (XM vs. LG) and having a slightly shorter wheelbase, offers a slightly longer reach (478mm vs. 474mm) and a higher stack (633mm vs. 628mm). This creates a somewhat more upright and spacious cockpit feel for a given reach, fostering a comfortable and balanced climbing position. The Ripmo also features a notably higher bottom bracket (30mm drop vs. Instinct's 44mm drop), which, while reducing pedal strikes on technical climbs, might lead to a slightly higher center of gravity when descending. Ibis's "size-specific everything" philosophy includes unique bottom bracket heights and seat tube angles that adjust with frame size. Their approach to sizing, based on top tube length, sometimes leads to on-paper reach numbers that don't always translate directly to how the bike feels on the trail, prompting suggestions for demo rides. The Instinct, however, prioritizes rider-tunable geometry with its RIDE-4 system, +/-5mm reach-adjust headset, and a 10mm chainstay flip-chip. This allows riders to dramatically alter the bike's character, from a quick-handling machine with a shorter rear end to a more planted descender. For riders who enjoy experimenting and fine-tuning their bike's fit and handling to precise specifications or evolving preferences, the Instinct offers unparalleled flexibility. The Ripmo, while offering a cohesive and balanced ride out of the box, provides fewer on-bike adjustments for such granular customization.
| FIT GEO | Ripmo | Instinct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 643 | 628 | -15 |
| Reach | 506 | 474 | -32 |
| Top tube | 655 | 640 | -15 |
| Headtube length | 125 | 125 | 0 |
| Standover height | — | 796 | — |
| Seat tube length | 457 | 440 | -17 |
| HANDLING | Ripmo | Instinct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headtube angle | 64.5 | 63.5 | -1 |
| Seat tube angle | 77 | 76.5 | -0.5 |
| BB height | 349 | — | — |
| BB drop | 27 | 44 | +17 |
| Trail | — | — | — |
| Offset | — | — | — |
| Front center | — | — | — |
| Wheelbase | 1286 | 1259 | -27 |
| Chainstay length | 438 | 440 | +2 |
Who each one is for
Ibis Ripmo
The Ibis Ripmo V3 is for the rider who prioritizes a balanced, lively, and highly efficient all-mountain experience straight out of the box. If your local trails demand consistent pedaling uphill, often technical and chunky, but reward an active, poppy descending style with plenty of opportunities to jump and manual, the Ripmo is a superb match. It suits someone who appreciates the refined feel of a DW-Link suspension that offers both robust mid-stroke support and excellent small-bump compliance, preferring to float over rather than plow through obstacles. This bike is ideal for long days in the saddle, exploring varied terrain, and demands a bike that feels intuitive and confidence-inspiring without being overly sluggish or ground-hugging.
Rocky Mountain Instinct
The Rocky Mountain Instinct is tailor-made for the rider who relishes the ability to fine-tune their bike's personality to match any given trail or mood. If you're an aggressive, active descender who loves to pump for speed, carve precise lines, and maybe even appreciate a bit of beneficial frame flex for cornering, the Instinct will reward your input. It's an excellent choice for those who tackle a wide variety of terrain, from flowy singletrack to steep, technical descents and occasional bike park days, and want the flexibility to adapt their geometry. This bike is especially suited to tinkerers who are willing to experiment with the numerous adjustments to dial in their perfect fit and ride feel, even if it means potentially upgrading the stock shock for maximum performance.
