Ibis Ripley AF 2025: In-Depth Test, Review, Pros & Cons – Everything You Need to Know
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- Written by: Luca
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- Category: IBIS Bicycles news review test
Ibis Ripley AF 2025: In-Depth Test, Review, Pros & Cons – Everything You Need to Know
Ibis Ripley AF 2025: In-Depth Test, Review, Pros & Cons – Everything You Need to Know
The Ibis Ripley AF 2025 establishes itself as a trail mountain bike with an emphasis on pedaling efficiency and superior agility, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a fun and capable machine across a wide range of trails. Featuring an aluminum frame, the Ripley AF aims to deliver the renowned riding qualities of its carbon counterpart while maintaining a more accessible price point. This article provides an unbiased analysis of its features, performance, and practical implications for cyclists interested in this option within the trail segment.
Ibis Ripley AF 2025: Build Quality Review
The build quality of the Ibis Ripley AF 2025 reflects Ibis's commitment to durability and reliability. The frame is constructed from high-quality aluminum, featuring clean welds and an attention to structural rigidity essential for trail use. The manufacturing process is geared towards ensuring the frame's robustness and integrity under the typical stresses of trail cycling.
Surface finishes are well-executed, with abrasion-resistant paintwork and component assembly that highlights the manufacturer's attention to detail. Cable routing is partially integrated, contributing to a tidy aesthetic and protection for internal elements. The overall impression is that of a solid and reliable bicycle, designed for frequent use and built to withstand varying trail conditions.
Ibis Ripley AF 2025: Frame Review
The frame of the Ibis Ripley AF 2025 is the core of its trail performance. It's designed around the DW-Link suspension system, a hallmark of Ibis, known for its pedaling efficiency and bump absorption capabilities. This dual-link system is praised for its neutral braking behavior and its effectiveness in separating pedaling forces from impact forces, providing a stable yet responsive pedaling platform.
The frame's geometry is modern and progressive, aiming to balance climbing efficiency with downhill capability. It features a slacker head tube angle compared to previous versions (typically around 66.5 degrees), an adequate reach, and compact chainstays (432mm). This combination seeks to provide stability on fast and technical terrain while maintaining remarkable agility on winding singletrack. The steep effective seat tube angle (76 degrees) positions the rider efficiently for uphill pedaling. The choice of aluminum results in a higher weight compared to the carbon version, but it enhances the frame's impact resistance.
Ibis Ripley AF 2025: Componentry Review
The componentry on the Ibis Ripley AF 2025 is configured to offer a good balance of performance, durability, and cost, making it a competitive option. Common drivetrains include Shimano Deore, SLX, or SRAM SX Eagle and NX Eagle groupsets, which provide a wide gear range for tackling various gradients and maintaining efficient cadence.
Suspension is provided by renowned brands like Fox or RockShox, with forks typically offering 130mm of travel and rear shocks providing 120mm of travel. These components are chosen to balance bump absorption with pedaling efficiency, aligning with the bike's "down-country" or light trail nature. Hydraulic disc brakes, often 4-piston units (e.g., Shimano Deore or SRAM Guide), ensure adequate stopping power for the trail segment.
Wheels are typically aluminum, robust, and feature a sufficiently wide internal rim width for trail tires. Stock tires feature a versatile tread pattern to offer grip on mixed terrain while maintaining good rolling efficiency. A dropper seatpost is standard across all builds, crucial for downhill maneuverability and technical sections.
Ibis Ripley AF 2025: Comfort Review
The comfort of the Ibis Ripley AF 2025 is influenced by the combination of its aluminum frame and DW-Link suspension system. While the aluminum frame might transmit a slightly greater amount of vibrations compared to carbon, the DW-Link system, with its 120mm of rear travel, is designed to offer good initial sensitivity to small bumps, contributing to comfort on uneven terrain. This system also helps maintain active suspension under braking, improving traction and stability.
The geometry, with its steep seat tube angle, positions the rider efficiently for pedaling, which can contribute to overall comfort on long climbs. The option to run wider tires (typically up to 2.6 inches, depending on the specific model) allows for optimizing pressure and further improving bump absorption, making the Ripley AF surprisingly capable for extended rides.
Ibis Ripley AF 2025: Ride Quality Review
The ride quality of the Ibis Ripley AF 2025 is characterized by agility and responsiveness. The moderately slack head tube angle and balanced reach contribute to a precise and controlled feel on fast trails. The bike proves nimble and responsive on tight, winding singletrack, allowing for quick and precise changes in direction.
Pedaling response is excellent thanks to the DW-Link system, which minimizes pedal bob and efficiently transfers power to the ground. This makes the Ripley AF very efficient on technical climbs and during accelerations. On descents, the 120mm of rear travel, combined with a 130mm fork, offers surprising absorption capability for its category, allowing it to handle roots, rocks, and small hits with confidence. The bike feels lively and playful, inviting the rider to seek out the most enjoyable lines on the trail.
Ibis Ripley AF 2025: Performance Review
The performance of the Ibis Ripley AF 2025 is geared towards versatility and efficiency across a wide range of trails.
Climbing: The Ripley AF excels on climbs, both technical and longer ascents. The DW-Link system is extremely efficient at minimizing energy loss due to suspension movement, allowing for direct power transfer. The steep seat tube angle positions the rider in a powerful position for tackling gradients.
Descending: Despite its relatively moderate travel for a modern trail bike (120mm rear / 130mm front), the Ripley AF performs admirably on descents. Its balanced geometry and the behavior of the DW-Link allow it to absorb significant impacts and maintain stability. It's not an enduro bike, but it's surprisingly capable for its segment, offering a fun and controlled ride.
Handling: Agility is one of its strengths. The Ripley AF responds quickly to commands, making it ideal for trails that demand frequent changes of direction and precision. It's a playful bike that encourages pumping, jumping, and cornering with energy.
Ibis Ripley AF 2025: Pros & Cons Review
The Ibis Ripley AF 2025 establishes itself as a highly capable and versatile trail mountain bike, offering much of the performance of its carbon counterpart in a more robust and, potentially, more accessible package.
Pros:
Pedaling Efficiency: The DW-Link system ensures excellent climbing efficiency and performance on flat sections, minimizing pedal bob.
Agility and Playfulness: The geometry and moderate travel make it an extremely fun and responsive bike on singletrack.
Solid Build Quality: The aluminum frame is robust and reliable, built to last.
Surprising Downhill Capability: Despite 120mm of rear travel, it performs well even on technical descents.
Value: Offers a high-level performance package at a more accessible price point than carbon models.
Reliability: Ibis is known for the durability of its products and the DW-Link system.
Cons:
Weight: Being an aluminum frame, it's naturally heavier than the carbon version, which can be noticeable on longer climbs or when lifting the bike.
Vibration Damping: The aluminum frame might transmit slightly more high-frequency vibrations compared to a carbon frame, marginally affecting comfort on very rough terrain.
Less "Plush" for Extreme Terrain: While very capable, for the gnarliest trails and high-speed descents over extremely rough terrain, a bike with more travel (like the Ripmo AF) might offer greater confidence.
Conclusion
The Ibis Ripley AF 2025 is a mountain bike that excels in the light trail segment, offering a fun and efficient riding experience. Its combination of a robust aluminum frame, the efficient DW-Link system, and balanced geometry makes it an ideal choice for riders seeking an agile machine for climbs and capable of confidently tackling most trails. It's a value-driven option that doesn't compromise on riding feel, solidifying its position as one of the most appreciated aluminum trail bikes on the market.
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