Ibis Ripmo V3.

The Gavler Review.

Ibis Ripmo V3 Review: DW-Link Suspension Built for Riders Who Push

The Ibis Ripmo V3 ranks number 5 on Gavler's Best Mountain Bikes list with a 9.1. It's built for the rider who treats every trail ride like a warm-up for an enduro stage — the kind of cyclist who seeks out the roughest lines and still wants a bike that climbs back to the top without complaint. Mountain Bike Action's long-term test summed it up bluntly: "The Ripmo V3 is still at the top of the category. We are hard-pressed to think of a better climbing 150mm-travel bike." The biggest trade-off is the mullet wheel setup itself — a mixed 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear configuration that's a revelation for aggressive riders and a non-starter for anyone who prefers the rollover of a full 29er.

What it is

The Ripmo V3 is Ibis's aggressive all-mountain platform, built around 147mm of rear travel managed by the DW-Link suspension design co-developed with Dave Weagle. The leverage curve is tuned specifically for hard riding: firm through the initial stroke for pedaling efficiency, progressively ramping through the mid-stroke to resist wallowing, then linear through the end stroke so the bike uses every millimeter of travel without harsh bottom-outs. Paired with a 160mm fork, the Ripmo sits at the aggressive end of the trail category, bordering on enduro capability without the weight penalty of a dedicated gravity rig.

The defining feature is the mullet wheel configuration — a 29-inch front wheel for rollover speed and stability at speed, and a 27.5-inch rear wheel for quicker acceleration, tighter cornering, and a lower center of gravity. Ibis didn't simply bolt a smaller wheel onto an existing 29er frame; the V3's geometry was tuned specifically around this mixed setup, which is why the handling feels intentional rather than compromised. The carbon layup prioritizes durability and impact resistance over shaving the last few grams, reflecting the bike's intended use case. Internal cable routing with full-length housing eliminates rattle, the bottom bracket is threaded rather than press-fit, and the frame clears tires up to 2.6 inches for a substantial contact patch on off-camber terrain. Complete weight lands around 30 pounds in a size Large — not featherweight, but appropriate for a bike built to be ridden hard rather than raced uphill.

In use

Blister's review of the V3 framed the update well: "Ibis has given the Ripmo a refresh with a long list of updates — in-frame storage, mixed-wheel compatibility, more travel, new geometry, and a more focused positioning between the HD6 and the updated Ripley." That positioning matters. The Ripmo isn't trying to be Ibis's lightest trail bike or its most gravity-focused enduro sled — it occupies the space between, and the V3 update sharpens that focus rather than blurring it.

On the descents, Mountain Bike Action didn't hold back: "Descending is equally impressive — it carves corners like a freight train, dances through rock gardens and takes awkward hucks to flat like a champ." That combination of stability at speed and playfulness in tight terrain is the DW-Link signature — the suspension resists diving under braking and stays composed through repeated hits, which is exactly what aggressive trail riders want from a bike in this travel range. The mullet setup contributes directly to that character: the smaller rear wheel accelerates out of corners quicker than a full 29er would, while the larger front wheel maintains the rollover and high-speed stability that makes rough sections feel calmer than the travel numbers suggest they should.

Climbing is where the Ripmo separates itself from most bikes with this much travel. DW-Link's anti-squat characteristics mean the suspension doesn't wallow under pedaling load, so climbs feel efficient rather than like fighting the bike. Mountain Bike Action specifically credited "a bit more traction in the initial stroke" on techy climbs as a welcome improvement in the V3 iteration — a detail that matters on loose, technical ascents where traction, not raw power, determines whether you clean the climb.

Strengths

• DW-Link suspension rewards hard riding. The anti-squat pedaling platform and progressive travel curve mean the harder you push, the better the bike performs — it doesn't get overwhelmed the way lighter trail bikes can on rough descents.
• Mullet-specific geometry, not a retrofit. Ibis tuned the V3's reach, head angle, and chainstay length specifically around the mixed wheel setup, which is why the handling feels purpose-built rather than like a compromise.
• Impact-resistant carbon construction. The layup prioritizes durability over minimum weight, which matters for a bike whose entire purpose is absorbing hard hits without cracking.
• Genuine climbing efficiency for the travel class. Mountain Bike Action's assessment that it's "hard-pressed to think of a better climbing 150mm-travel bike" reflects how well DW-Link manages the tension between descending capability and pedaling efficiency.

The trade-offs — who should skip it

• XC-leaning riders should look elsewhere. Gavler's own scoring notes the mullet setup is divisive — aggressive riders love it, but riders who prioritize efficient, high-speed rolling over technical descending tend to prefer a full 29er.
• 30 pounds is not a lightweight number. Riders chasing a snappy, XC-adjacent trail bike will find the Ripmo's weight and travel overkill for mellow terrain.
• $5,999 is a serious commitment. It's priced in line with the boutique category, and riders on a tighter budget can get comparable capability for less from a direct-to-consumer brand.

How it compares

The Canyon Spectral 125 CF 9 sits one rank below the Ripmo on this list at $4,999 — a genuinely different proposition. With 125mm of travel and a direct-to-consumer price nearly $1,000 lower, the Spectral 125 prioritizes playful, efficient trail riding over outright descending capability. It's the better choice for riders who spend more time on flowing singletrack than steep, technical terrain. The Yeti SB140 T2 sits above the Ripmo at rank 3 and $7,900, using Switch Infinity suspension for a bottomless, connoisseur's ride quality that some testers rate even more refined than DW-Link — at a real premium in both price and dealer availability. Riders choosing between the two are largely choosing between DW-Link's efficient, anti-squat character and Switch Infinity's plush, bottomless feel.

The Gavler verdict

A 9.1 that reflects a bike doing exactly what it sets out to do: reward aggressive riding without demanding a dedicated enduro rig's compromises everywhere else. DW-Link suspension gives the Ripmo V3 a distinct, efficient-yet-composed character, and the mullet-specific geometry means the mixed wheel setup feels like a deliberate design choice rather than a trend chased for marketing's sake. Buy it if you ride hard and want a bike that gets better the more you push it. If your trails are smoother or you prefer the rollover of a full 29er, the Canyon Spectral 125 CF 9 below it or a dedicated 29er elsewhere on this list will suit you better.

Common Questions

Is the Ibis Ripmo V3 worth it in 2026?

For riders who ride aggressively on every trail outing, yes. It ranks fifth on Gavler's Best Mountain Bikes list with a 9.1, and Mountain Bike Action's long-term test called it still at the top of the category, adding that the newest iteration adds welcomed traction in the initial stroke on techy climbs. The trade-off is the mullet wheel setup itself — it rewards aggressive riders but doesn't suit everyone.

Ibis Ripmo V3 or Yeti SB140 T2?

Buy the Ripmo V3 if you want a mullet-specific bike tuned around DW-Link's anti-squat characteristics for aggressive, enduro-leaning trail riding at $5,999. Buy the SB140 T2 if you want Yeti's Switch Infinity suspension and a bottomless, connoisseur's ride quality, and you're willing to pay $7,900 and accept Yeti's more limited dealer network.

What wheel size does the Ibis Ripmo V3 use?

A mullet configuration — a 29-inch front wheel for rollover speed and stability, paired with a 27.5-inch rear wheel for quicker acceleration and a lower center of gravity. Ibis tuned the V3's geometry specifically around this mixed setup rather than retrofitting a 29er frame, which is why the handling feels purpose-built rather than compromised.