Review: 2023 Ibis Oso

Feb 6, 2023
by Mike Kazimer  
Ibis' entry into the eMTB world wasn't entirely unexpected – after all, pretty much every other large and mid-sized manufacturer already had at least one model in their lineup – but the shape of the Oso certainly raised some eyebrows. It's a bike that stands out from the crowd, thanks to the large swingarm and a seat tube that curves around one side of the shock. Retro-futuristic seems like an apt description – it's almost like a bike from the '90s went time traveling.

The basics of the Oso (that's 'bear' in Spanish, and since an Ibis is a bird this is technically an electric bird bear) include a full carbon frame, 155mm of rear travel that's paired with a 170mm fork, and a Bosch Performance Line CX motor with a 750 Wh battery. The large and XL frames get 29” wheels, and the small and medium frames have mixed wheels.
Oso Details

• Wheel size: 29"
• Carbon frame
• Bosch Performance Line CX motor / 750 Wh battery
• Travel: 155mm (r) / 170mm fork
• 64º head angle
• Size-specific STA - 78º size L
• Size-specific chainstays - 444 mm size L
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 53 lb / 24 kg (size L)
• Price: $10,999 USD
ibiscycles.com


At the moment there's only one model in the Oso lineup, which is priced at $10,999 USD. That gets you a 170mm Fox Performance 38 fork, a Performance Elite X2 shock, Shimano XT brakes, SRAM GX drivetrain, and Ibis' Blackbird aluminum wheels.





bigquotesAs it turns out, Oso hides its dimensions very well, and there's a ton of stability thanks to the longer wheelbase, which comes in handy when you're working up through a technical section of trail. Mike Kazimer




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Frame & Motor Details

The Oso has a full carbon frame, with the 750 Wh battery hidden by a door on the non-driveside that's removable with a turn of a 6mm Allen key. The charging port is located just in front of the motor, with a magnetic closure system to help keep water from sneaking in. I wasn't the first rider on this bike, and by the time I got it the door was on its last legs – the plastic hinge is very thin, and if the cranks inadvertently get spun when the hatch is open it's easy to break.

In its stock configuration the Oso has 155mm of travel, but riders who want even more can run a 230 x 65mm shock to bump that up to 170mm. In addition, the frame is approved for use with up to a 190mm fork, and it's dual crown compatible. The Oso's frame is covered by a seven year warranty, and if any of the bushings happen to wear out Ibis will replace them for free for the life of the frame.

Other details include a small fender to help keep mud from getting flung onto the shock, rubber chainslap protection on the underside of the swingarm, and an integrated headlight and tail light from Lupine.


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All the buttons on the remote can make it hard to hit the right one without looking down.
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No, you can't play video games or check your email on the large display screen.

Display / Controls

If brands are racing down the integration highway this year, hurtling toward a future where everything is either wireless or totally hidden inside a bike's frame, Ibis seems to gotten off a few exits early. Rather than routing housing through headsets or handlebars, everything is exposed at the front of the bike, creating quite the rat's nest.

For the record, I still believe headset cable routing is silly, but I also think there's a middle ground out there that would create a much less cluttered looking front end. The fact that the controller is the larger, wired option from Bosch rather than the recently released wireless version that's much less obtrusive and easier to operate doesn't really help matters either.

And then there's the gigantic display... Thankfully it's removable, but its size and position make it an eyesore, at least for me – I just want to go for a ride, not control a spacecraft. There are several recently announced bikes (the Orbea Wild and Crestline RS 50/75 come to mind, or the latest version of the Trek Rail) that do a better job with Bosch's equipment to create a much cleaner look.

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Geometry & Sizing

If Ibis was known for slightly conservative reach numbers in the past, that's not the case here. The numbers range from 430mm on the small all the way up to 530mm on the XL; the size large I tested has a reach of 500mm. The jumps in between sizes are fairly substantial – there's a 40mm difference between the 460mm reach of the medium and the 500mm reach of the large.

The Oso has a steep seat angle that ranges from 77 to 79-degrees depending on the frame size, along with a generous stack height. It's worth noting that although the actual seat angle is fairly slack, its position in well in front of the bottom bracket is what allows for such steep effective seat angles. According to Ibis, they saw a typical change to the effective seat tube angle of about +/-0.7 degrees for the saddle height variation they expected from each size.

The steep seat angle also helps create a more upright seated position, despite the rangy reach. The geometry chart above lists the effective top tube length as 638mm, but by my measurements it's 610mm, and at 5'11” I never felt overly stretched out while pedaling.

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Suspension Design

At the heart of the Oso's wild-looking frame is the tried-and-true DW-link suspension design. In this case, Ibis refers to it as an upper link suspension layout, with a short link connecting the swingarm to the shock, and another connecting it just above the bottom bracket.

The Oso has an antisquat value of 110% at sag, which gradually decreases as the bike goes through its travel. The leverage rate is progressive, with a 25% change, which means the Oso should be able to accept an air or coil shock without issue.



Specifications
Price $10999
Travel 155
Rear Shock Fox Performance Elite Series, X2, 205x60mm
Fork Fox Performance Series, Float 38, 170mm
Cassette SRAM GX, XG 1275, 10-52
Crankarms SRAM EX1 E-Crank, 32T ring, Ibis spider
Bottom Bracket Bosch Performance Line CX / 750 Wh battery
Rear Derailleur SRAM GX Eagle
Chain SRAM GX Eagle
Shifter Pods SRAM GX Eagle
Handlebar Ibis Carbon Hi Fi, 31.8mm, 800mm
Stem Ibis 31.8mm S/M: 40mm, L/XL: 50mm
Grips Lizard Skin Charger Evo
Brakes Shimano XT M8120, 4 piston
Wheelset Blackbird Send I/ Send II, Aluminium
Hubs Ibis
Tires Maxxis Assegai, 29x2.5", 3C Maxxgrip, Double Down, TR, WT; Rear: Maxxis Aggresor, 29x2.5", 3C Maxxgrip, Double Down, TR, WT
Seat SDG Bel-Air, V3
Seatpost Bike Yoke Revive Dropper


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Test Bike Setup

I trimmed the Oso's carbon bars down to 780mm (they use an aluminum insert that makes the whole 'measure twice, cut once' thing a little less relevant). If you did cut the bars too short you could purchase new inserts for $15 instead of a whole new set of bars. I also swapped out the 50mm stem for one that was my preferred 40mm length.

I ran the Float X2 with 28% sag and one volume reducer installed. My compression and rebound settings were as follows (all clicks counted from closed): HSC: 5, LSC: 9, HSR: 5, LSR: 10. For the Performance 38 fork I ran 83 psi and two volume spacers, with 4 clicks of rebound and the compression set to the middle of the range. The rebound settings for both the fork and shock deviate from what Ibis recommends; I'll explain why in the 'Descending' portion of this review.

The final swap that I made was to the rear tire. The Dissector that my test bike arrived with isn't a bad option for dry or partially dry locations, but Bellingham in the winter isn't usually either of those things. A Minion DHR II took its place for better grip and braking control.


Me.
Mike Kazimer
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Height: 5'11" / 180cm
Inseam: 33" / 84cm
Weight: 160 lbs / 72.6 kg
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @mikekazimer


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Climbing

On paper, the Oso looks like a big beast, with a wheelbase that's getting close to 1300mm for a size large. If there wasn't a motor I'd probably be writing about how it's a handful on climbs and slow speed sections of trail, but that all gets thrown out the window once you add a bunch of electric power into the mix.

As it turns out, Oso hides its dimensions very well, and there's a ton of stability thanks to the longer wheelbase, which comes in handy when you're working up through a technical section of trail. We're still talking about a 50+ pound, full-power e-bike, so bunnyhopping and more aggressive manuevers do take some effort, but the Oso is a much more well-rounded climber than its dimensions suggest. In addition, the overall suspension feel is very good, delivering a nice supple, ground hugging sensation without feeling too soft or wallowy.

The steep seat angle comes into play here too – it makes it easier to keep weight on the front wheel when necessary, and creates a more balanced, central pedaling position. I could drag the brakes a little through a tight, steep uphill switchback and keep on climbing without needing to do any dramatic weight shifts. There were a couple of times on extra steep climbs when the front end felt like it wanted to lift, and once that long front center starts to come off the ground it takes some work to get it back down. Those instances were outliers more than the norm, and in most cases the Oso kept trucking right along, motoring up and over everything without any issues.

The Bosch motor's power delivery is excellent, with 4 modes that make it easy to find the right balance between maintaining forward momentum and spinning out. I spent most of my time riding in the 'Tour' or 'eMTB' modes that provide 140% or 240% support respectively, reserving the full Turbo mode for times when I was trying to crank out laps as fast as possible on trails that were accessed via a fire road. The 750 Wh battery seems like the sweet spot when it comes to overall weight vs range, at least for now - I could rack up 5,600 vertical feet of climbing in Turbo mode before running out of juice, or get even more vertical and miles in by using the other modes.

Personally, I prefer the Bosch system to the Shimano EP8. The EP8 requires a higher cadence to get the most out of it, while with the Bosch motor I was able to keep my rpms closer to what they'd be on a 'regular' bike, and the additional modes make it easier to settle on just the right amount of power delivery.


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Descending

Ibis has a handy chart that provides suggested base settings for the Oso's fork and shock. Those settings align with their 'Traction Tune' philosophy, which involves running minimal compression and rebound damping in order to allow the wheels to get out of the way of a bump quickly, and then return just as quickly on the backside. I gave the settings a try for a couple of rides before coming to the conclusion that they weren't going to work for me. That point was illustrated all too clearly when a hard landing bucked me off the trail as if I'd been double bounced on a trampoline - I can't remember the last time I've been thrown that aggressively off the trail. It turns out at least some high speed rebound damping is a good thing.

I understand the theory behind the 'Traction Tune', and I'm sure it could work in some situations, especially for riders with a more wheels-on-the-ground riding style, but I don't get along with it at higher speeds or on trails with bigger jumps or impacts.

Thankfully, the fork and shock have enough range of adjustment that I could dial things into my liking without much trouble. Once I'd found my happy place there was plenty of traction and a nice bottomless feel for soaking up bigger hits. I can see riders looking for an even more DH-oriented machine increasing the stroke length and going with a longer travel fork, but out of the box the Oso is still very capable, and as cliché as it may seem, there were times when it truly did feel like it had more than 155mm of travel.

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Just like on the climbs, the Oso never felt like a handful on the descents, even on loose, steep trails where heavy braking and precision maneuvers are required. The overall length feels 'safe' rather than scary – I never experienced the runaway freight train feeling that can sometimes arise with really long, slack bikes. The tall front end works very well in the steeps, preventing any sensations of getting pitched forward.

There's still no getting around the stretched out wheelbase, which can make its overall handling feel less precise compared to bikes with more moderate dimension. For riders that want to hang on and let their Ibis do the job, the Oso's up to the task, just keep in mind that it has a bigger footprint, which, when combined with the 53-pound weight, makes it almost impossible to forget that you're on an e-bike.

I've grown to appreciate mixed wheel setups, especially on eMTBs, and I do wish that it was possible to run a smaller wheel on the larger sizes of this bike. I didn't have any issues with tire buzz (that's rare for me on any bike), but I did miss the way that a smaller rear wheel makes it possible to carve the back end around on steep, loose slopes. I've had some amazing cornering moments aboard Specialized's Turbo Levo, and I was never quite able to get the same sensation from the Oso.



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Ibis Oso
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Orbea Wild


How does it compare?

Orbea's recently released Wild eMTB falls into the same full-power category as the Oso, and it also uses Bosch's CX motor with a 750 Wh battery. However, Orbea has a much deeper line of models, allowing riders to pick and choose exactly what features they want, and the new Race version of that motor is available on the top tier model.

Putting the Wild's through-headset cable routing on the back burner for now, the rest of the integration is much nicer than what's found on the Oso. The handlebar remote and the rear wheel speed sensor are both wireless, reducing the amount of clutter. The same goes for the small display in the Wild's top tube – it shows the motor mode, the battery percentage, and that's it, which is really all that I'm interested in. Now, it's worth mentioning that Bosch's wireless remote is just barely starting to show up on bikes - there aren't that many out in the real world quite yet, and the Oso was released last October, before the new remote was available.

On the trail, the Wild feels more compact and precise than the Oso; it's also around 5 pounds lighter, traits that I found made it easier for me to switch back and forth between it and a 'regular' bike without needing to adjust my riding style.

How about the venerable Specialized Turbo Levo? Two years ago I called it the 'benchmark', and I'd say that term still applies, although the competition is getting much more heated. The integrated display is one of the nicest executions of the concept out there, and the amount of geometry adjustments is hard to beat. There's also the fact that many of the models are currently discounted – the Expert model is now $8,250 USD, with a parts kit that's nicer than what's found on the Oso.

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Technical Report

Blackbird wheels: I mentioned earlier that I wasn't the first person on this bike, and whoever rode it before me wasn't super nice to the wheels. They arrived with quite the rear wheel wobble, but after giving them some love in the truing stand they held up for the duration of the test. It is worth mentioning that they have a 7-year warranty – that's a long time for an aluminum rim, especially ones on a big e-bike.

Fox Performance 38: The 38's Grip damper works well, and once I'd added a dash of low-speed compression via the dial on the top of the right leg I didn't have any complaints about its performance... That is, other than the fact that I think an $11,000 bike should have a higher end fork. Realistically, a mid-tier shock and a high end fork is the better way to go on an eMTB – the mass of the bike tends to make even more entry-level shocks feel better than they would on a regular bike.

Floppy battery cover: The Oso's battery cover is easy to take off, but that's about the only good thing I have to say about it. It's made of a very soft plastic, and even though there's a rubber gasket around the perimeter I'd still finish rides and find that mud and grit had made its way onto the battery. I also had the battery shift in the frame, which affected the connection and made the bike turn off intermittently during a ride. Ibis has an updated bolt and higher torque spec for the battery cradle, and once the bolts were swapped the power issue was fixed. The fix also allowed the door to seal slightly better, but still not enough to hold up to Pacific Northwest riding conditions.

Lupine lights: I'm not opposed to integrated lights, even if they seem a little goofy. This time of year the sun seems like it sets at noon, so having a little backup for rides that go longer than expected is nice, as is the tail light to help distracted drivers possibly maybe not run you off the road. The 900 lumen light is bright enough to get you out of the woods, but for proper night riding you'll want to supplement that with a brighter helmet mounted light for even more illumination.



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Pros

+ Good mix of traction & pep from rear suspension
+ Big bike feel without being cumbersome
+ Bosch CX motor, 750 Wh battery, and lights allow for extra-long rides.


Cons

- Cluttered cockpit due to wired remote and display
- Flimsy battery cover and charging port
- Only one model, and it's not cheap.



Pinkbike's Take

bigquotesThere have obviously been all sorts of challenges and hurdles for bike companies to overcome over the last few years, and realistically, if the Oso had been released last season I wouldn't have as many gripes. However, e-bike technology and design are evolving quickly, and some of the features on the Oso, like the external display and clunky wired controller already feel a little dated. They're fully functional, it's just that for $11,000 I'd like to see a higher level of integration and refinement.

That said, the overall ride quality of the Oso is great – it has the mix of traction and pep that Ibis is known for, now with the addition of Bosch's CX motor. It's a big bike that's a lot of fun, although how much that fun is worth is up for debate.
Mike Kazimer








Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,721 articles

327 Comments
  • 207 57
 O-SO Ugly!!! And I'm an Ibis guy...
  • 247 24
 Weird, I think it's by far the best looking Ibis you can buy!
  • 52 0
 My first full suspension bike was a cannondale super v900, and my current is an ibis mojo hd4. The oso looks like those two bikes had a baby. A very big, fat baby.
  • 24 4
 I love the looks! I have a IBIS HD3 and I would love to have a 160/150 version of the Oso WITHOUT the engine.
  • 54 7
 Looks like the old Marin wolf ridge from about 2010. Not a compliment
  • 15 55
flag zonoskar (Feb 6, 2023 at 8:53) (Below Threshold)
 All Ibis bikes are fugly. Must be a US thing to make ugly bikes, Yeti also doesn't know how to make nice bikes anymore.
  • 5 6
 Ibis tends to make ugly bikes but despite the aesthetics they usually ride great (I've owned 3). I don't know if I could do it for this one though, even though from Mike's review it seems like a good bike.
  • 4 1
 @militantmandy: not sure what that says about this bike or ibis bikes in general
  • 22 2
 Sort of looks like a Mountain Cycle San Andreas with smoothed out lines.
The San Andreas was good looking the late 90’s. This is just ugly.
  • 3 3
 @militantmandy: Absolutely! The first lookable Ibis after long time.
  • 4 2
 @militantmandy: the ONLY good looking Ibis you can buy
  • 7 0
 @SchalkMarais: Mountain Cycles Shockwave but with the shock pointing a different direction?
  • 3 0
 Looks like the Marin Wolfe Ridge. Not good. Sorry, but the ugly elevated chainstay is worse for me than headset cable routing.
  • 10 1
 @militantmandy: give it to me without a motor, this bike is absolutely gorgeous.
  • 1 0
 You said it man! i don't care how good that bike might ride, It has earned a position with the shit bike and the likes of.
  • 1 0
 @militantmandy: I bet you have a hell of a preference with woman or what ever is your jive.
  • 2 22
flag kyleluvsdh (Feb 6, 2023 at 15:00) (Below Threshold)
 Pinkbike refused to post this on the front page for some reason so here it is:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvDC-wJkEtM&t=679s
  • 3 0
 @boopiejones: hey! Pregnant bikes are beautiful and radiant!
  • 7 1
 If I ever ride a bike this ugly I’ll kick my own a**
  • 1 0
 @likeittacky: depends who you ask
  • 3 0
 The motor is the new bashguard
  • 1 0
 cam to say that... dear me....
  • 1 0
 @militantmandy: Well considering your username -(militantmandy) M age 38
  • 2 1
 I never understand all the people saying that Ibis are so ugly... Until now
  • 2 0
 came here to say the same thing. Reminds me of a Mountain Cycle, but with a hint of beached whale.
  • 1 0
 @peterman1234: unless its Oct 31st.
  • 142 40
 I saw more eebs at my local trails than normal bikes over the weekend. Our national nightmare is only just beginning...
  • 36 9
 it's a forgone conclusion that these will become dominant.
  • 18 29
flag Dogl0rd (Feb 6, 2023 at 8:23) (Below Threshold)
 MTB will soon be as dead as 26"
  • 107 18
 @corposello, if that qualifies as a national nightmare things are going pretty well.

I am curious how it’ll all shake out. If I could only have one bike it definitely wouldn’t be an e-bike. Even with access to plenty of fancy eebs I still love riding regular bikes just as much.

I may be an outlier, even though I really hope that’s not the case. We’ll see what happens over the next few years.
  • 17 14
 @mikekazimer: Patiently awaiting your '23 Levo SL & Transition Relay reviews. These e-bikes are going to be much closer to the correct intrepretation of how an e-bike should ride, for people that enjoy riding bikes.
  • 52 2
 @mikekazimer: I see you. I am not anti-e-mtb, I am anti me-on-an-e-mtb.

If the layman sees MTB as dominated by high-priced bikes with motors in places they don't belong, it hurts my ego and hurts our access. If buying an E-mtb enables you to ride from the house and skip the trip in the car I'm all for it, the same way I feel about e-commuter bikes. Ditch the coffin (car) and skip the trip! I am also opinionated and I let this discussion have too much real estate in my brain space.
  • 6 0
 I feel like it's maybe 1 out of 10 or fewer ebikes at trail centers here in the Vancouver BC/ sea to sky corridor.
  • 9 18
flag wake-n-rake (Feb 6, 2023 at 9:07) (Below Threshold)
 The mountain biking demographic seems to like their sporting equipment like their vehicles. As many rider aids as possible and more and more features. From an outsider perspective, the equipment in most other sports seems to stay largely the same. We don't see Golf with bigger clubs and holes to make the learning curve easier and the feeling of accomplishment greater because you can bag 'more holes'.
  • 24 1
 @wake-n-rake: you’re kidding right? Have you compared driver size to those of 19 years ago. How about all of the larger iron faces for more consistent contact? How about the inserts used and weighting systems used?
  • 1 0
 Meant 10 years ago…fat fingers/small phone.
  • 53 12
 @mikekazimer: There is a very large crowd of hikers, hippies, horseback riders, and nutty environmentalists (who don't want anyone with any land access no matter what) with mountain biking in their crosshairs. They can and will do anything to shut down mountain bike riding in Federally managed land. In Western states, over 70% of the landmass of the entire freaking state is owned and managed Federally.

The argument goes (and its not without merit) that ebikes will only further rally these anti-mountain bike activists, and hasten the decline of publicly available mountain bike trails (IMBA trails aren't mountain bike trails).
  • 19 4
 I feel like there are several camps for e-bike users
1) I’m going to use this as a tool for trail building and maintenance
2) for whatever reasons (medical or otherwise) I wouldn’t be outside enjoying myself if it’s weren’t for assist
3) these are rad and f having to work harder on pedaling
  • 32 10
 I know get told suprisingly by hikers "oh wow there's no motor on your bike you're really pedaling buddy"....Happens all the time now. A pedal bike is now not the norm and the mopeds with pedals are.
  • 1 0
 @corposello: Couldn't said it better.
  • 17 3
 I'm buying another used Japanese truck and a moto with my $12,000. Never buying an eeb at that price.
  • 7 9
 @hamncheez: as usual Hamncheez is spittin' straight facts
  • 11 7
 @mikekazimer: Ebikes aren't for me, but I also have said in the past, dropper posts, 29ers, carbon, boost spacing, and electronic shifting wasn't for me. I imagine many people here have said the same things in the past and are now content with them. I still don't know about Ebikes, but I've personally learned not to say never. Hopefully I stay healthy enough not to ever need to go that route.
  • 1 0
 @Yody: Crazy....me too
  • 16 11
 @mikekazimer: honestly at this point I’m an ebiker I guess. I still love my Bronson, but if I could only have one it would be my turbo Levo. I do all the same trails with more laps and more energy after.

I’m still not great at impulsive manuals on the full ebike though. Once you get the wheel up it’s cake though…
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: Even one if those super light ones, like the Trek Fuel EXe or Scott Lumen, or Orbea Rise Hydro?
  • 27 0
 @wburnes, if I could only have one? No, I'd stick with regular bikes without batteries. Don't get me wrong, if I could have multiple bikes my answer would be different. But my one bike to do it all would be purely me powered.
  • 4 7
 as usual @preach be preachin
  • 7 2
 @BermJunky: OK, I picked the one sport out of probably thousands (and I don't have any interest in Golf...) where my example wasn't 100% correct Wink The holes have been the same since before 1829 apparently though which was the main point. If mountain bikers ran Golf, we'd have huge holes for MORE HOLES! MORE LAPS! Big Grin
  • 2 0
 @wake-n-rake: haha. Fair enough
  • 4 3
 @Yody: lol. Happened to me yesterday…wow he’s so fast…must be an e-bike.
  • 6 1
 @wake-n-rake: or maybe a better analogy would be golf buggies, they allow you to get more holes in while still playing the game.
  • 10 2
 @Yody: The American diet + the cultural obsession with sports that simply require you to hold a beer in one hand and potato chips in the other while you sit on your couch results in a generally overweight and physically incapable population. That population has a hard time with the reality that things could be otherwise, so they assume you're on an e-bike. It's the assumption that allows them to stay comfortably blind to their shitty, lazy choices.

+1 to those who make the case for older and injured athletes on ebikes. And pros who still want to have fun on their rest days.
  • 1 0
 @pgomez: Montana de Oso
  • 4 1
 McDonalds milkshakes in the water bottle holders
  • 19 17
 It is sad, I see more eebs than ‘analogues’ whenever I ride these days, and the trails are paying for it big time, overloaded and blown out.
Who’s usually riding them… big money 40-50 yr olds generally, you know the ones with the latest VW van, Electric car or Land Rover.
Fu*k the batteries, earn your turns, keep healthy and stop pissing people off that are actually putting everything they’ve got into that tech climb.
  • 21 9
 @DG370: Ebikes are to mountain bikers what scooters are to skaters. Before scooters if you wanted to ride a skatepark you’d have to go away and learn and practice before you even had the skills or the confidence to ride a skatepark. Scooters made the gnarliest skatepark accessible to youngest most inexperienced children that really shouldn’t be there. Ebikes are the same. If you want to ride mountain bikes you need to have the fitness and the skills to access the trails. Ebikes have allowed middle aged dads to access trails they shouldn’t be on and as a result all the trails are trashed by people spinning ebike motors up climbs or skidding down trails on 60lbs e-bikes with massive plus tyres. Around here the general public don’t see a difference between mtb and e-bikes and we’re getting blamed for all the damage they’ve caused on multi use trails that’s if they’re not flat out paving all the trails so you can’t really ride them anymore. At the point the harm e-bikes are doing to the mtb scene is undeniable.
  • 18 8
 Ebikes are everywhere here in Spain.You can ride your ebike no limitations at any bike park or public trails. I really don´t care,I do not own an ebike and I do not want one.
But I think most of your fears are totally stupid/self inflicted. There is not a single problem with ebikes that I´m aware.Years ago many riders thought like you and now are ridding ebikes...
My Saturday ride was me and 3 more ebikes,doing laps for an oncoming race and almost all my rides in the last year someone showed in an ebike. It is possible to ride mixed group 0 problem.
I bet in that race more than half of the field would be ebikes (100+ riders).
  • 7 6
 @hamncheez: The problem with your argument is that you become the same group advocating against access as those "hikers, hippies, horseback riders, and nutty environmentalists" when you are advocating against ebike access. You can add yourself in the list "hikers, hippies, horseback riders, and nutty environmentalists and nutty mountainbikers like hmacheenz".
  • 15 15
 @thenotoriousmic: What you are saying is incredibly ignorant.

1. Ebikes require the same skills. So bad analogy to scooters. Just a heavier bike.

2. Ebikes don't spin up trails. This only happens where you would spin anyway on a normal bike. Sounds like you have no idea what you are talking about.

3. Plus size tires create less erosion than thinner ones... And it's either fat bikes or normal tires. Plus sized wheels are very uncommon.

4. Skidding downhill has nothing to do with an ebike. I use to skid the rear when I got my first real mountainbike over a decade ago. It's a decision nothing to do with ebikes.

It's undeniable that you are inceredibly biased and ignorant and you come off worse than those old grumpy hikers advocating against bike access because they don't like it. When you do this you can't be taken seriously.
  • 6 6
 @Bunabe: I didn't say "my argument", I said "The argument goes (and its not without merit)". I have mixed feelings about this. From land usage, I'm all for selling off Federal lands to the States and let the states decide. The only Federal land that should exist is WashingtonDC and military bases. Once the land is controlled by the states, I would push to open up access as much as possible for as many recreation styles as possible, including ebikes.

The problem is politics- the Federal government will only grow in power and land, and us peasants will have to squabble over what remains. If I was to advocate for allowing Monster Trucks running straight pipe deisel engines on Wilderness lands, I would hurt the open access movement more than help it. I want ebikes to be allowed on nearly all land, but not if it reduces access by analog bikes. Sometimes you have to give and take, politically, and make sacrifices. I'm not sure if ebikes is the place to draw the line or not, but for many, better informed people it is.
  • 7 11
flag Dogl0rd (Feb 7, 2023 at 8:54) (Below Threshold)
 @Bunabe: 1-5. Ebikes absolutely damage the trails. People take lines on climbs they shouldn't and just spin out under power. Add moisture to the situation and it's way worse. I see it all the time
  • 11 9
 @Dogl0rd: No they don't. They don't spin. This is what people who don't ride ebikes just regurgitate. "Well ebikers ride further." Doesn't work either. There are far less ebikes than there are normal bikes. And some people ride greater distances on normal bikes as well. Doesn't work as an argument.

People take different lines on normal bikes as well again nothing to do with ebikes. You might not realize it but you are just arguing against bike access in general.

These are bad arguments to use.
  • 2 9
flag Dogl0rd (Feb 7, 2023 at 9:35) (Below Threshold)
 @Bunabe: you can say whatever you want, but I've literally seen it
  • 11 10
 @Bunabe: How would you know? You live in a country with a population half that of London. You leave no idea.

Yes e-bikes require the same skills, that’s the problem, ebikers don’t have them, most of the have only just picked up a bike in the first time in 30 years about 6 months and now they’re able to get above the tree line and attempting badly to ride trails they have no business being on. Skidding down trails and big heavy e-bikes with plus tyres riding around sections that’s too difficult braiding public rights of way that have to be legally maintained for everyone not just mountain bikers. The damage and problems they’re causing isn’t up for debate anymore.
  • 13 4
 @Dogl0rd: Yeah mountainbikes damage trails. Just when you are comparing ebikes to normal bikes and try to use erosion as an argument that just leads to banning biking in general not ebiking. I have over a decade of following local trails and I can't tell the difference in erosion. So it's not significant. The differences are marginal. If you want to use it as an argument it's an argument against bike access in general, not against ebikes.
  • 4 10
flag Dogl0rd (Feb 7, 2023 at 9:42) (Below Threshold)
 @Bunabe: live in your imaginary world bro
  • 7 3
 @Dogl0rd: It's unfortunately just reality. Ebikes carry more speed for climbs so they also skid less in places where normal bikes lose grip. Again if you want to use that argument realistically then what you are saying ban bike access because it causes erosion. The differences between ebikes and normal bikes are marginal.
  • 9 3
 @thenotoriousmic: That is a fairly useless argument as we have plenty of trails that erode due to high traffic. And because we have forested areas inside the most densely populated city areas we do know exactly what happens with high traffic. And I maintain and build trails... You've only made yourself look very ignorant.

The skill argument doesn't work. Normal mountainbikers are equally without skill. No one who buys their first mountainbike has experience mountainbiking... And it's even worse of an argument when you consider most people spending so much money on an ebike are experienced mountainbikers. I don't know a single ebike rider who bought it as their first bike.

Skidding down trails has nothing to do with ebikes either. It's the riders choice. And plus size tires don't bite into the dirt like normal tires do so that is the opposite of what happens with plus size tires. And again it's an even more non-sensical argument as plus size tires are rare. Or if you want to talk about fat bikes.

You are just describing mountainbiking problems not ebike problems.
  • 8 1
 The difference in damage bikes and ebikes do to trails is a rounding error compared to motos. Its arguing over who is going to pay the tip at dinner while some other guy is making you pay his mortgage. Most of the trails I ride are moto trails, and one moto on a muddy day does more "damage" to a trail than a season of all the local cyclists combined.

The problem is perception- if the crusaders against land use have more ammunition, real or perceived, they will use it.
  • 7 1
 @Dogl0rd: That argument of erosion is very stupid...Bad trails erode quick,then "pro" riders/ amateur builders blame slow people (that was the root of the problem till ebikes got in the game) or ebikes...It is and old argument in my book and a total nonsense. Mix that with "I build my local trails and I like them only for my fast friends and me"...
Would a fat guy in a fancy all carbon trail bike would erode the same as a 12 year old kid+ebike?
With that argument in mind: all the fat guys plz stop ridding trails cos your fat ass erode like crazy,not like me at 150 pound full kit never damaged an inch of trail,period. Same thing for +tires riders,keep your bike at home plz.

Hakuna Matata:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MxulhivCvI
  • 2 12
flag tremeer023 FL (Feb 7, 2023 at 11:06) (Below Threshold)
 @Bunabe: I think the weight is the problem. I think the differences will become more marginal once the weight drops significantly. At the moment they are typically double the weight of a mtb. It's obviously going to cause more trail damage.
  • 8 0
 @tremeer023: I weigh probably 80-100 lbs more than your average rider, am I not going to be allowed on the trails because I could do more damage based on weight?
  • 3 4
 @Ghaytnd: @trailpolice a big fella in the trails!
if you are riding an ebike with +tires it would be like 4 years of forced trail job till you look like a ballerina and never ever erode the trail again.
  • 1 5
flag tremeer023 FL (Feb 7, 2023 at 12:11) (Below Threshold)
 @Ghaytnd: sure, but you on an e-bike is heavier than you on an mtb. The average combined weight increase from people switching from mtbs to e-bikes means more wear to trails. No?
  • 3 0
 @thenotoriousmic: so I’m doing 40 foot jumps on a “scooter”? Wink
  • 3 0
 @tremeer023: I mean maybe immeasurably because they have done studies on it years ago…
  • 7 0
 @hamncheez: yes, perception is a HUGE issue, and I think it starts with the speed that can easily be generated on an ebike. Where I live, there is a paved trail running through town that receives very heavy traffic from both bikes and pedestrians. It used to be that the pedestrians complained about the “people in spandex riding their fancy road bikes too fast” on the trail. Mountain bikers using the paved trail to get to a dirt trail were riding quite a bit slower and therefore pretty much left alone. But now all the complaints/hatred have shifted away from spandex wearing roadies and toward speeding e-bikers. And at a glance, the average pedestrian can’t tell the difference between a modern analog bike and an ebike…. I ride an ibis mojo hd4 and nearly every ride I go on, someone comments about how the trails must be so easy because of my “ebike.” And I’ve even had people shout at me to slow down, even while I’m riding UP hill. E-bikers have unfortunately earned a spot as the most hated form of cyclist and it’s sadly trickling down to analog MTBs.
  • 2 4
 @Ghaytnd: it’s not that kind of weight. I’m sure you’ve got complete control of your body and you’re able to control a bike as well as anyone problem being completely inexperienced riders trying to control a heavy ebike down a trail and failing, locking up and blowing over berms with 2.8 dhr2’s etc standard punter behaviour only with a motor and 30 extra pounds.
  • 1 7
flag thenotoriousmic (Feb 7, 2023 at 13:54) (Below Threshold)
 @Bunabe: I don’t think you do, there’s more people living in a 30 mile radius of me than in your entire country. The only person looking ignorant is you, I’m well aware of the damage they’ve caused. Old mining trails that are hundreds of years old and have been ridden consistently for decades are in total states of disrepair previously well managed by the price of entry being three hours of climbing to access now open for big group rides, some guys even bring spare batteries so they can go up for another run and the vast majority aren’t mountain bikers they’ve come straight into ebiking. I have no problem with mountain bikers that also ride e-bikes. The problem is the guys that have just got into riding through e-bikes. Honestly you need to coke and see it for yourself.
  • 5 2
 @thenotoriousmic: my weight it still on the tyres, it doesn't matter whether it is from a human body or the bike. This argument about weight being damaging just isn't right. I see children doing just as much damage on their bikes as full grown twats like myself.
  • 2 0
 @homerjm: I'm not on an ebike at all, but I work on plenty enough of them at work. One day that ballerina figure will be mine!
  • 2 8
flag thenotoriousmic (Feb 7, 2023 at 16:15) (Below Threshold)
 @Ghaytnd: the argument isn’t about weight it’s about a heavy bike being difficult to ride and difficult to learn the basic skills you need to get down a trail without destroying yourself or the turns you’ve just skidded through three times in a row. Why do I have to state the obvious? 25lbs extra is going to make little difference but there’s a huge difference how that effects how the bike handles and how easy it is to ride. You’ve got complete novices that can’t even bunny hop accessing intermediate and advanced trails due to having a motor chewing everything up on the way up and then they’re trying to wrestle these heavy BIKES down trails they don’t have the skills to ride, trashing everything in the process.
  • 1 0
 @homerjm: I never said anything about erosion
  • 2 0
 @tremeer023: No. You don't know what you are talking about. The difference is 10kg which is nothing when you take the whole weight into consideration of the rider and the bike. And weight doesn't affect grip like that. So you are pretty misguided on both accounts of your argument.
  • 1 3
 @Bunabe: 85NM of torque is more torque than a new KX450F, that's what causes the erosion.
  • 4 0
 @SunsPSD: it is also over 50 horsepower and revs over 14k rpm....an ebike motor has the equivalent of less than 2 horsepower
  • 3 0
 @SunsPSD: You sound like you don't understand ebikes or motorbikes. It's not the same at all and Ghaytnd already explained how stupid your comparison is. Congratulations you made yourself look like a fool. No ebikes aren't slipping all over the place and are very much the same as normal bikes. There is no discernible difference in trail erosion. For example in some places normal bikes slip out due to slow speed where as ebikes don't because they carry more speed and retain traction.
  • 1 2
 @Bunabe: There might be additional erosion from an ebike over a traditional bike. Lets say its literally double what a normal, traditional mountain bike does to a trail.

An entire season of 100 normal mountain bikers do less erosion than a single moto on a single day. It doesn't matter if its "more", the "more" is so trivial compared to horses & truly motorized vehicles that its not even worth arguing about.
  • 3 0
 @hamncheez: horses and cows absolutely DESTROY the trails. after a good rain it takes literally months for us mountain bikers to smooth out all the craters created by hooves.
  • 2 0
 @boopiejones: Yes.


But beef tastes so good I'm willing to give the cows a pass.

In all seriousness, it sucks when cows trample trails on public land, but I'm comparing my recreation with peoples literal livelihood. Those grazing rights were either paid for (not cheap) or they have been in the family for generations, most often proceeding the Federal government acquiring the land and making it public. I don't get mad at cows, but yes they can really do damage.
  • 2 0
 @boopiejones: I get what you're saying. It's frustrating here in NC that there are national forest/Park trails that they let people ride horses on...and yet there are no bikes allowed. (horse crap everywhere) Cows I feel like are different, if it's some farm land or somewhere that someone is getting their livelihood then I'm ok with not getting to bike there since biking is just a hobby.
  • 53 3
 I tested an Oso last week. Ibis should be embarrassed with this build. Also, it just went up $1000 last week! $15’500 now in Canuck bucks.
The rear wheel was so flexy that the rear rotor dragged every time I leaned it into a corner. The shop verified it’s the wheel build and had heard this complaint before. Also, the build for the $ is hilarious. Those lights don’t come off unless you want to pull the wires directly from the motor. The screen is comical and a visual distraction.
As a current Ripmo owner I wanted to like this bike. Back to the drawing board, Ibis.
  • 44 0
 Most expensive Mountain Cycle San Andreas ever
  • 5 1
 The light can be removed without ripping the wires out. There is a junction port for that. Which that light could be upgraded to something more effective for off-road riding.
  • 4 1
 @Local717: the port is at the motor. Believe me, I asked how convenient it would be to take them off seasonally. They didn’t recommend it.
  • 2 0
 @BermJunky: This will be improving, Lupine lights already have an additional connector for exactly this reason.
  • 5 0
 @Local717: that’s a good thing. I like the idea of the integrated lights. They do need to be easy to remove / reinstall, IMHO. Cheers.
  • 4 2
 In reading this review and yours, it reminds me that often Ibis stumbles with new models. Case in point: The first Ripley. It was a great riding bike for the time, but ran the cables through the head tube and the housing rubbed on the fork. I fortunately took mine in for a fork service at the recommended interval and the mechanic discovered the cables had rubbed halfway through the fork steerer! Fortunately for me a major catastrophe was adverted. The real unfortunate thing was Ibis refused to help me out with a new steerer since they had released a plastic sleeve to go over the steerer, which I wasn’t made aware of. Many bikes later, Ibis has never been a brand I will seriously consider due to their lack of standing behind this poor design blunder.
  • 19 0
 How could the brake drag in corners of the wheel is flexy? The hub should be pretty rigid. It sounds more like torsional flexibility in the swing arm driving the brake mount out of alignment with the rotor.
  • 2 1
 @babathehutt: hey, you could be right. Was just relaying what the shop advised. It’s brutal, regardless.
  • 2 0
 I also demoed one recently and agree on the lackluster spec for the price. The bike and components performed great for me both up and down in rocky desert terrain and I didn't have any rear wheel problems, aside from knocking it out of true a little, but that wasn't unexpected based on some wonky landings I had. One thought on the lights, the taillight could be nice for the folks commuting to the trailhead so vehicles can see them better, and anyone who's night riding likely has something like a 1500 lumen helmet light also, so overall output might be fine. The moderate light output on the bike means it drains the battery slower. I wasn't a huge fan of the rats nest of wires up front or the UI and sheer number of buttons on the interface. But I thought the bike was great and performed well, just on the spendy side for what you get.
  • 1 0
 @WasatchEnduro: If you did more light Lupine certainly makes brighter options.
  • 7 0
 If the rear wheel was flexing, your rotor wouldn't be dragging. The flex would be at the rim. If your rotor is dragging, the swingarm must be flexing, as the whole hub would have to be moving. Also - username checks out.
  • 5 0
 @dirktanzarian: I’m sure you guys are right.
  • 2 0
 Agree. It feels and looks cheap.
  • 1 1
 @merlin33: surprised that wasn’t a complete recall or lawsuit.

First ripley you couldn’t run more than a 2.25 ardent in back. Even that tire rubbed my seat tube.

Now the ripmo has a beautiful shelf to catch rocks and crush them between moving frame parts?
  • 48 2
 At 5.10-11 180cm, i find M too short and L way too long...but that's ok i am 8k short anyway
  • 2 0
 I dont think 460mm is a bad reach for a medium, could be slightly shorter imo. I think that 500 for a large is too long.
  • 28 0
 I've always been a bit baffled as to why these are coming with Performance forks when my XT Ripmo came with a Factory 38. I like to imagine it is the brand using e-bikers to subsidize non-ebikers though.
  • 31 0
 Maybe the people who are the target market don't know the difference?
  • 10 3
 @headshot: absolutely this. 68yo retirees likely have no clue about suspension internals.
  • 7 0
 @ultimatist: which is why it is actually the smarter spec for them. If you don't know how to set up the Grip2 damper, you're quite likely to end up with a fork that performs worse than that with the Grip damper (which, to be fair, is alread really good).
  • 2 0
 @wowbagger: having both forks, I agree with you. The Grip is great, and can lock out, which is probably more than a placebo for those loving on green trails.
  • 5 0
 @headshot: from my experience, the opposite. Based on the Turbo Levo owners group on FB, a lot of guys swap out everything before even riding the bike. These expensive ebikes attract enthusiasts who are very similar to sports cars enthusiasts. They love new shiny parts and modifications. Whether they can tell the difference is a different story.
  • 3 0
 Those dials look cool but how may speeds does this bike have?
  • 3 0
 @headshot: so if the kid at the bike shop said. “Oh that gold on the fork. That’s just a fancy coating for pros, no one really needs that.” Would he be wrong?
  • 1 0
 @txcx166: there's another model in between those, not just the kashima coating. However, i would say that it really is a waste of money to get the factory over performance elite. The damper makes a noticeable difference (if you put in the effort), the coating does not.
  • 1 0
 @wowbagger: Yep. If I could have gotten Performance Elite over Factory when I bought my bike and saved a few bucks, I absolutely would have. I don't care about Kashima at all. At the time, Ibis was speccing basically all Factory forks on carbon Ripmos, though (I assume do to supply chain issues).

My bike was on sale for less than 5k right around when the Oso was announced, so it seemed wild that they were speccing forks that were two steps down despite it being over twice the cost (even at retail it is almost 4k more).
  • 22 0
 $11k and it doesn't even have full Fox Performance Elite suspension, let alone Factory?
  • 21 1
 But you get Factory level unreliability from the X2.
  • 29 7
 this thing looks like a beached whale
  • 20 4
 Traction Tune = boomer tune.

These bikes aren’t made to ride fast or hard. It’s for some old guy who hated e-bikes three months ago to putter around on and tell you how behind the times you are for actually pedaling a regular bike.
  • 3 1
 I've temporarily had a couple traction tuned shocks on my ripmos and agree they're not great for aggressive or heavy riders. The PE X2 on the Oso is fine though, as there's so much adjustability. I rode the Oso recently in rough sw desert terrain for 2 days and liked the X2 more than the performance 38. The bike is absolutely specced and capable of riding fast and hard but like most ebikes, plenty will be sold to riders who don't.
  • 7 1
 Best suited to wine tour trails
  • 1 0
 @inside-plus:

and the DD maxx grip tires will ensure a safe tour. you can never be too careful.
  • 1 0
 The engineer on this bike is the complete opposite. Definitely not a boomer, and the bike was designed around aggressive riding.
  • 16 2
 why do i kinda feel like IBIS is stuck a little in the market, They've changed their logo which is now rubbish. the bikes they offer are good for youtubers who cant ride but everyone i know always ends up changing away because they feel like they are missing something. Here in NZ they are dumb expensive aswell
  • 3 0
 I've got a mojo and it's perfectly perfect for what I wanted (light, small-wheel trail bike that can handle some dicking around and medium sized hits). But it wasn't cheap!
  • 1 0
 ignore. duplicate post
  • 15 0
 I like the looks. Terrible value though. GX drivetrain, not even a performance elite level fork, and aluminum wheels on an $11k bike. Get outta here.
  • 6 5
 I honestly don’t think that you’d want anything more than a GX drivetrain on an e-bike though, at the rate that they apparently go through them? Unsprung mass not so important either.
  • 16 0
 Takes the "Let the Ibis do the work for you" to the next level...
  • 6 1
 I believe it was "Let my ibis do the job!" Then promptly out the front door.
  • 1 0
 @Struggleteam: You may be right.


(sad, as I have an Ibis)
  • 1 0
 @Struggleteam: the stuff of legends
  • 16 1
 for when you want an $11k breathmint.
  • 4 0
 Nearly $12,000 with sales tax.
  • 3 4
 @suspended-flesh: You could save money just by flying to a state with no sales tax and shipping it back.
  • 7 5
 @nickfranko: And dump jet fuel to save a grand? Sounds very Eeber.
  • 3 0
 @suspended-flesh: im not sure anyone is making that calculation lol
  • 1 0
 Most are not, for sure. I do dodge sales taxes when I can but I'm not flying somewhere to do so. I hitchike.
  • 14 0
 The "LET THE IBIS DO THE JOB" reference

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DkUMyi3Mxg
  • 11 1
 Gotta admire their commitment to creating the ugliest bikes in the industry
  • 7 1
 My pedal bike is the Ripmo V2. Love the thing! Great hard-charging all mountain bike/light Enduro rig. The thing fits meike a glove. The only parts I modded are the handlebars and stem. I was die-hard Ibis after that. When the Oso was announced, my heart sank after I saw the price. $11K USD WTF!? I had the OG SC Hekler and then the aluminum Orbea Rise. Needed something a little more hard charging after the Rise. I couldn't live with myself if I spent more than $8500 USD on any bike. I luckily found a great deal online on black Friday and bought myself an Oso for $8800 (20% off + no tax). Still a lot, but a killer deal.

Oso: Looks kinda ugly. It has the rounded angles like other Ibis bikes that I'm not the biggest fan of (I love sharp lines). I was not the biggest fan of the rear swingarm, but holy crap! The thing rides like a beast! The rear end feels like a bottomless, super capable version of the Ripmo. The Ripmo would start to dance around on fast chunky loose hits. The Oso's rear takes it all. The short chainstay on both bikes turns on a dime. The Oso's length on my medium is super stable.

The rear shock is good. I was originally pretty disappointed with the lower end Fox 38 without all the Grip 2 adjusters, but it was aci pretty good! I didn't get lost in all the clicks like I normally do and had it dialed after 2 rides.

I didn't like the stock Ibis aluminum 31.8mm aluminum bar that came on my Ripmo. The stock carbon Ibis 31.8mm bar that came on the Oso was surprisingly really good! Great geo and no hand fatigue. I swapped them out with OneUp bars that I already had, but I'm definitely keeping the Ibis ones as backup.

The wiring is a mess! I love a clean cockpit and this has been my biggest gripe with the bike. I ended up taking off the front light (20 min easy peasy job), but kept the rear light. I actually like the Bosch disply unit interface, but I wish it was better integrated.

The battery door is flimsy and the bottom plastic motor guard cover thing broke on the first ride. Ibis sent out an improved one asap.

Everything else on the bike was on par. I wish it had a Shimano drivetrain though. I prefer how Shimano shifts smoother over the Sram.

The Oso rides 3x better than it looks! I could care less what my bike looks like tbh. The way it rides was worth the almost $9K I paid for. I would NOT pay $11K for this or any bike just Fyi...
  • 5 0
 Lost me after Osos rear takes it all. To immature to go on
  • 9 0
 My god, you couldnt punch clay uglier than that .
  • 11 2
 I’d rather push my single speed than ride an e-bike.
  • 4 0
 George jetson called, he wants his rear triangle back. Heavens to Murgatroyd between that and the sea foam green paint..... Does make sense to integrate lights on a bike with a giant battery though. Wonder when they will integrate the dropper and shifting into the main battery? It only makes sense.
  • 4 1
 1970's communist Russia green.
  • 11 3
 Please just make it stop.
  • 7 3
 It appears already dated when it doesn't have the latest bosch controller in the top tube. I dont want the bridge of the starship enterprise bolted to my bars. Specialized sussed this 4 years ago.
  • 7 0
 Interrupted seat tube is an auto fail
  • 7 1
 Having ridden this a bunch it’s a phenomenal bike. Super fun for smashing steep gnarly trails.
  • 8 2
 My Yamaha Tenere 700 had a lower MSRP, my brain is broken.
  • 4 7
 I don't believe the Tenere is a pedal assist emtb with an electric motor though. I'll have to Google it
  • 4 0
 I’m an Ibis guy and have Ripmo and a Giant reign ebike but I have to say this could be the most overpriced bike from a manufacturer out there.
  • 6 1
 * Santa Cruz has entered the chat *
  • 4 2
 I love how these super long and heavy bikes always end up surprising reviews with how they still turn and handle great. Not sure how many more times we have to keep learning this lesson before Large size bikes stop coming with "snappy" aka scary chainstays and stack heights built for XC riding.

Anyways, wheelsbases (more specifically chain stays) continue to be too short on almost all bikes and weight kind of doesn't matter for actual downhill focused mountain biking.
  • 2 0
 Here’s an Idea; Spec it with a 65 mm stroke shock and if you want it to ride like a 155mm travel bike run the correct sag for the shorter stroke shock and voila you have bike that’s rides identically to the 155mm bike except for on massive compressions when you get into that emergency extra 15mm of travel. Then when you want a 170mm crusher simply let a little air out of the shock to get correct sag for 170mm of wheel travel and Voila you a have a 170mm bike!
  • 4 0
 @mikekazimer how has no one given props for you sliding in the “let the ibis do the job” bit? Honestly reading the whole thing was worth it just for that.
  • 7 0
 Ha, thanks. I like to have some Easter eggs in there for people that actually read.
  • 3 1
 It's 8:35 AM and I am desperately trying to avoid starting to work so I read this ebike review. Now, having finished reading it, I wonder if it was worth it. Not that the writing isn't good or entertaining, nor the insight on the bike is not interesting but....it looks ugly, is overpriced and I actually don't fu*** care about this bike. Like I did before reading.
  • 6 0
 mount vision vibes
  • 8 3
 Damn! That is one ugly bike!
  • 4 1
 Had 2 Ripmos crack at the bottom of the downtube under the woeful guard. The guard on this doesn't even cover the full width of the downtube.
  • 4 0
 This bike is terrible value… Gx, performance fork, alloy wheels, and heavy! All for $11k?
  • 4 0
 Not a bike, not integrated enough, not enough plastic, not enough motor, not enough cables, not enough red paint
  • 4 0
 $11k bike and the cockpit setup looks like an afterthought with that screen and controller layout
  • 3 0
 Please give us Trigger Warning next time you guys decide to put such a horrendous beast on the main page, I need to go change pants now :/
  • 3 0
 Wait... What did this cause you to do to your pants?
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer I am curious how you measured top tube length compared to what Ibis might be listing. Guessing you measured horizontal from the top of the headtube to the actual seat post? Maybe Ibis measures to an imaginary line from the seat to the BB as if you had a traditional old school hardtail with a straight seat tube.

"The geometry chart above lists the effective top tube length as 638mm, but by measurements it's 610mm, and at 5'11” I never felt overly stretched out while pedaling."

Either one could be misleading given that your seat is so much higher than the top of the headtube anyway. But...
  • 6 0
 I measured from the top-center of the HT to the center of the seatpost. I'm really not sure how they arrived at that 638mm number - even Ibis' engineer's computer model spit out a 616mm measurement. And yeah, either one could be misleading, but in an ideal world all effective top tubes lengths would be measured the same way, so that buyers could have another useable number to compare between models in addition to reach and stack. I know that cockpit dimensions will vary depending on seat height, but I still find it to be a useful number for reference.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: Yep - that is the same way we list it in our geo charts, since it's the only thing a rider could actually measure on their bike. Without strings and other weirdness at least...
  • 5 0
 Pearl Izumi kit, Bell chinbar helmet, IPA socks, roadie shoes, Tesla
  • 1 0
 Yeah I like the suspension. I like 750Wh. I like it's not a Shitmano motor. I like the mullet. But I don't like that the shock is exposed, maybe not that bad of a problem. I don't like the price. I don't like the Bosch Kiox system or the remote. I don't like the 30mm BB drop. And I don't think it has an extender.
  • 3 0
 That´s one ugly-ass bike. I suppose that´s a relabeld Marin Wolfridge ... Going to puke in my helmet now.
  • 2 2
 I love the geo and the frame design.

Swap to a better integrated Fazua 60, ditch the problematic easily removable battery (the bike can still be disassembled and repaired obviously) and get 10#s off this thing and you'd really have something.
  • 2 0
 I'd be curious how it stacks up against the Mondraker Crafty Carbon. Lots of tough competition and the Bosch motor feels better than both the EP8 and Brose (Specialized).
  • 4 0
 An ibis ebike. Now you can truly 'let the Ibis do the work'
  • 5 0
 Can you do 34,000$USD?
  • 4 0
 poor service guy : youtu.be/OLzL7dLYetA
  • 1 1
 They should have routed all the cables through the headset or stem or handlebar. Also a one-piece handlebar/stem would be cool (you could embed the headlight in there too). And embed the display in the top tube, hidden rear shock.

I'd also like it to be raw alloy, 203mm+ front and rear, and cheaper, with a frame only option.

I really like the aesthetics though
  • 1 1
 Perhaps a one piece bar stem combo with removable panels for making cables disappear, so that it's still easy to work on
  • 1 0
 I guess I'm in the minority and it might be because I still have nightmares about that Pole; but I actually think this bike looks quite good.

I still don't like eMTB's though.
  • 2 0
 Looks like they stole the rear 'triangle' from an old Mountain Cycle San Andreas.
  • 5 5
 My local hills in So Cal are starting to take on the personal of our freaking Disc Golf course! A ton of out-of-shape e-bikers with beards, IPAs and burning doobees! These guys have no clue on two-way trail etiquette!
  • 8 0
 Sounds a lot like my group of mtn bikers. Safety (meetings) first, after all all.. Smile
  • 1 0
 Not that i am against it, i just can't wrap my head around getting baked when i ride. I'm lucky to stay on the bike as it is.
  • 2 1
 Yeah, a lot of the e-bikers need to figure out trail etiquette. I will continue to play chicken with them from the middle of the trail until they do. Luckily the ones that can't figure out how to yield to uphill riders aren't very fast.
  • 5 1
 Beards, IPAs and burning doobees. That just sounds like normal mountain bikers to me.
  • 1 1
 Those are 'mountain bikers' not ebikers.
  • 2 1
 No full suspension bike review should be posted without a short slow video of the kinematics of the full suspension range, and/or a huck to flat.
  • 1 0
 not very elegant. the rental bike bar control has to go. maybe i missed it, but where's the max torque mentioned in this article?
  • 2 0
 I’ve never seen such an ugly bike before. Not in 1 million years would I be caught dead on that
  • 2 0
 Very disappointing that Ibis was last to the market and they didnt bother to integrate the power display.
  • 1 0
 These guys along with a few others gotta be hating the fact that specialized is selling Levo's at 25% off, waiting for them to enter with $10K bikes. Bad timing boys.
  • 2 0
 I'm not saying it's ugly per se, but it makes Sloth from the Goonies a 10/10, would bang.
  • 1 2
 The drivetrain is not Shimano XT, and the display on the bars is more useful than Kaz gives it credit for. This bike has quite the natural ride feel aside from the weight and pedal assist. You can still goof around or go fast like any other bike, it's just different.
  • 3 0
 One more cable and it looks like a Scott.
  • 1 0
 You’ll enjoy shimano equipped bikes more if you listen to styles of music with a faster bpm. Try Klangphonics! Cadence increased!
  • 3 1
 Still costs as much as a gx spec yeti
  • 3 0
 Yikes
  • 2 0
 Marin Wolf Ridge style. The swingarm looks better on an e-bike I guess?
  • 3 1
 I love how it looks. Not in my budget though.
  • 6 4
 Looks too feminine for me
  • 5 1
 And you wouldn't want your bicycle challenging your masculinity!
  • 2 1
 @boozed: oh right, because clothes aren't a reflection of your personality? Or your car? Or music? Or food you eat? Or the decor in your house?
GTFOH
  • 3 1
 I quite like it Original design and Dave Weagle... this is gold.
  • 1 0
 Funny, they seem to be uncertain about which logo to go with. Last Ibis bike presented on PB sported the classic logo again.
  • 1 1
 Go with Vietnam-made Ibis bikes if you're the classy kinda guy:
m.pinkbike.com/news/ibis-launches-new-vietnam-made-exie.html
  • 2 0
 That or the unno for the ugly award. Who approves that mess??
  • 2 0
 Waiting for the 29/26 mullet version, the Psalm 69
  • 1 0
 The Bosch controls really look like a step back from Shimano and Specialized
  • 1 0
 How hard is it to run some wires up the downtube and locate the charging port away from the crud and cranks? Seriously?
  • 1 0
 I like the aesthetics of the frame. It's definitely different. That said the new Ibis branding is ugly.
  • 3 1
 DW Link collabs NAILD R3ACT? hmmm
  • 1 0
 In the text, "Shimano XT brakes and drivetrain", yet the Specifications table lists SRAM GX drivetrain. Which is it?
  • 1 0
 They will just employ some european To race it because no body in American can race at top level. B.S . . . . . .,
  • 2 0
 Looks like a homer simpson design.
  • 2 0
 I already think ibis bikes are meh but this...this is awful
  • 1 0
 Skimped on the integral electronics but than again it’s ibis aka junk with good suspension.
  • 1 0
 Nearly 16 grand in Australia for this LOL as the kids would say. Jesus fucking christ.
  • 2 0
 It's no Oso Flaco, ese.
  • 1 0
 The swingarm looks like a Mountain Cycle San Andreas.
  • 1 0
 Exactly, use to own a fury.
  • 1 0
 Marin Wolfe Ridge
  • 2 0
 Get in mah belleh!
  • 1 0
 A light that is blocked by the tyre
  • 2 1
 Ah that bosch command.. is pure shit.
  • 1 0
 Mountain cycles should get some design cred
  • 1 0
 It's the new mountain cycle
  • 2 1
 A 10k bike with all those cables is vomit. No one will buy this in 2023.
  • 1 0
 Credit due for finally having shock access to measure sag!
  • 3 3
 Beautiful and practical like an E-MTB should be. Also, it looks like a Pole which I like a lot.
  • 1 0
 anybody else get grasshopper vibes from that swingarm?
  • 1 0
 This is ugly as it can get for so much money
  • 2 0
 Just wait until you see new BMW products! lol
  • 1 0
 Sick you can run a dual crown. I’d def want to if I ever went eeb
  • 1 0
 Looks like the Marin Wolfe Ridge. Sorry, not good.
  • 1 0
 I can't wait for the Cable Dice! (again)
  • 1 2
 Hey let’s all make some banter about definitions of all things two wheeled, again. Such lovely contributions that really add to kazimers review.
  • 1 2
 Don’t forget to add: ouch, I got sand in my vagina, cause of people’s trail manners gone bad. So relevant to the kazmasters review if a dope ass ibis. . You know what . Stay in cali. Sukkas.
  • 1 0
 One of the better looking ibis'. What the heck is wrong with the shock?
  • 1 0
 Not sure how to R3act to that rear triangle.
  • 1 0
 Why the size specific stem? Reach is for size, not stem.
  • 1 0
 Shit look, shit speck, golden price… what else?
  • 3 2
 Lost me at $11K and 24kg.
  • 1 0
 Can I have one without electric bits?
  • 1 0
 Oso and DV9 competing on F'ugly contest. Magnum vs blue steel
  • 1 0
 Finally, a bike named after my favorite actress
  • 1 0
 Do not like - too bloated and expensive.
  • 1 1
 Love It, I want one.. just wish a 550W battery was an option for numerous reasons..
  • 1 0
 Polygonoso
  • 2 2
 This bike will go down as a case study in poor product design.
  • 4 0
 (Roxi Lo falls out of tree)
  • 4 0
 Says you. Industry thinks otherwise: design-innovation-award.com/winner/ibis-oso
  • 7 1
 @Otago: You are aware, that 'award' is a paid business model, and the founder of the award is a media entity that sells ads to the bike industry. But you do pay for the award if the group chooses your product as 'winner'. The proof is in the sales.
  • 6 0
 @Otago: Imagine thinking a website called "Design Innovation Award" isn't a paid advert group.
  • 1 0
 Needs digital drive.
  • 1 0
 Performance parts lol
  • 1 0
 POLYGON XQUAREONE.
  • 2 2
 I just dont want an ebike damnit! haha
  • 1 0
 i would like to try one.
  • 1 0
 Excessively excessive
  • 1 0
 Nail'd it.
  • 1 0
 Speed wagon
  • 4 5
 Sure, it's just as much as a moto, but does your KLX come with lights?
  • 4 5
 It costs a third of what my surron cost.
  • 4 0
 @RonSauce: check your math.
  • 2 0
 @motts: 3800x3, do the math yourself. Obviously it isn't exactly the same number, but we aren't crunching numbers to launch a rocket. Additionally we are both in the us, where there are so many hidden fees and taxes that the actual cost has more variation than my rough estimate.

And the surron has a headlight.
  • 1 0
 @motts: Maybe RonSauce lives in Antartica and the freight on a Surron is really really really expensive. Did you ever think about that?
  • 1 0
 @RonSauce: huh? this Ibis more $ than surron. But u must have the upgrades then eh
  • 1 0
 @motts: haha whoops, transposition of words. I didn't re read my comment before I replied.
  • 2 5
 Except for all the electric sh.. this is a beautyful bike. Hopefully they'll make a Bio-Bike version.
  • 1 2
 Gross
  • 2 5
 so ugly, i would refuse to ride with some who have one
  • 2 4
 That looks Evil
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