The Ibis Ripmo and the Yeti sb130 are both high end mountain bikes that are designed for serious riders. They are both great bikes, but they have different features that make them better suited for different kinds of riders.
This Ibis Ripmo vs Yeti sb130 guide will take an in-depth look at each bike individually, seeing how they differ, what they can do better than their counterpart and finally a head to head comparison to help you decide which one is better suited for your needs.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
Ibis Ripmo: Features & Benefits
Ibis Ripmo was one of the most-awaited bikes of 2019. This is because it is a great enduro bike that can be ridden on all terrains, whether you’re on a downhill course or a trail ride.
Also read: SRAM xg 1195 vs 1150
The Ibis Ripmo features some of the best components in the industry to offer riders an unmatched riding experience.
Here are a few important features of Ibis Ripmo bikes:
Lightweight
The first thing you will notice about Ibis Ripmo bikes is their weight, which is around 27.75 pounds (12.5 kilograms). This makes them lighter than most enduro bikes and allows you to maneuver easily through rough terrain.
Unique Geometry
Another thing that makes Ibis Ripmo bikes unique is their geometry, which was developed specifically for this model. It gives riders more control over their bikes when they are riding at high speeds, especially when going down steep slopes.
Rigid Rear Triangle
The third important feature of Ibis Ripmo bikes is that they have a rigid rear triangle made from aluminum alloy, which makes them durable and reliable even after years of use. This means that you can ride hard without worrying about any damage or wear and tear on your bike’s frame.
High Stability
Another interesting feature in Ibis Ripmo bikes is their 29” wheels, which provide better stability and control over your bike while riding on different terrains such as dunes, rocks, mud etc.
Shock Absorbers
Ibis Ripmo bikes also feature a suspension fork with 120mm travel, which helps in absorbing bumps on the road surface easily. This means that you will not feel any discomfort while riding your bike on rocky terrain or bumpy roads.
Carbon Frame with Internal Cable Routing and Boost 148 Rear Spacing
Ibis has updated their Ripmo platform with an all-new carbon fiber frame that features Boost 148 rear spacing for increased tire clearance and stiffness for more confidence in corners and jumps.
Read full specs here
What We Liked
The Ripmo is a fun bike to ride. It’s smooth on the climbs but still capable of handling a little bit of descending. The frame geometry is well balanced for most riders and makes for an excellent all-day trail bike. The suspension design is simple and effective, with no discernible pedal bob or brake dive while pedaling or braking.
The rear suspension feels stiffer than most bikes on the market, which makes it great for hard-charging downhill sections without sacrificing climbing efficiency. I also really like this bike’s ability to roll over obstacles while remaining stable through corners at speed.
Yeti SB130: Features & Benefits
The Yeti SB130 is a great option for anyone who is looking for a good quality mountain bike. This bike comes with some great features that are sure to make your biking experience even better.
Here are some of the key features of the SB130:
Lightweight frame
The frame of this bike is made from carbon which makes it much easier to pedal around on. This means that you won’t have any trouble getting up hills or going against the wind.
Shimano STI shifters
These shifters help you change gears quickly and easily so that you can always find the right gears for your ride.
Tektro alloy brake levers
These brake levers are designed to be ergonomic so that they fit comfortably in your hands while riding so you don’t have to worry about them slipping out of your hands when you need them most.
Adjustable handlebars
The handlebars are adjustable in a range of up to 70cm. This makes it very easy to adjust the height according to your comfort level.
Rear suspension
The rear suspension system helps you ride smoothly over bumps or potholes, making your experience more comfortable.
Front shock absorbers
The front shock absorbers ensure that you enjoy a smooth ride even on bumpy roads or terrains.
Disc brakes
The disc brakes are made from high-quality material, which ensures efficient braking at all times. They also have an anti-skidding mechanism that prevents the wheels from skidding during braking or when riding under heavy rains or snowfall conditions. Also read: Disc brakes pulsing
What We Liked
The Yeti SB130 has incredibly solid kinematics, and the rear end of the car has a wonderful feel to it. But the leverage ratio, which makes for a comfortable progression through the travel, is what I consider to be the most impressive feature of this bike.
On my SB130LR, the DPX2 shock has the appearance and the sensation of having a rather sizable volume reducer built into it.
On the other hand, I can confidently state that, among all the bikes I rode, this one offers the highest level of support (at the end of the stroke). The bike has a stiffer, but never harsh, feel to it, and the more I push into the back, the more supportive it becomes. In my opinion, this is a pretty good idea, and it fits in nicely with modern geometry.
Ibis Ripmo Vs Yeti SB130
Both the Ibis Ripmo and the Yeti SB130 have the potential to be the highest quality bikes on the market. However, it is important to be aware that these two bicycles have a few key distinctions between them. Listed below are some of them.
Technical Specification | Ibis Ripmo | Yeti SB130 |
Wheel Size | 29” / up to 2.5″ tires | 29″ |
Seatpost Diameter | 31.6mm | 31.6mm |
Frame Weight | 6.3 lbs / 2.86 kg | 6.4 Ibs / 2.90 kg |
Chainstay Length | 435mm | 433mm |
Shock Specs | 210 x 55mm | 210 x 55mm |
Geometry
Ibis Ripmo is a bike with a long wheelbase (1210mm), which makes it stable and easy to ride. It also has a short chain stay (430mm) which is good for climbing.
The head angle of 68.5 degrees is slack enough for descending, but not too much to make the bike unstable when pushing hard on flat ground. The bottom bracket drop is 74mm, so there’s plenty of clearance for flat pedals and sturdy shoes.
The Yeti SB130 has a similar wheelbase (1220mm) to the Ripmo, but its chain stays are slightly longer at 436mm. This makes it less nimble than the Ibis, but still very agile considering its size.
The head angle is slightly steeper at 69 degrees, which gives it more bite going downhill than the Ibis. The bottom bracket drop is slightly lower at 73mm compared to 74mm on the Ripmo, so less pedal clearance but more stability when riding flat out over rough terrain.
Cost
Ibis Ripmo has a higher price than SB130 because it comes with more features like SRAM Eagle XO1 drivetrain, RockShox Pike RCT3 fork and Fox DPS EVOL shock (all of them are top-notch components).
On the other hand, SB130 comes with Shimano SLX drivetrain, RockShox Yari RC fork and RockShox Deluxe RT3 shock (which are all decent components).
Suspension
Ibis Ripmo has 120mm rear travel and 110mm front travel whereas SB130 has 125mm rear travel and 100mm front travel (both have great suspensions).
Weight
The Ibis Ripmo is a very light bike. It weighs in at just over 6kg (13.2lbs). The SB130 is also very light for a bike of its size, but it’s not quite as light as the Ripmo. The SB130 weighs in at 6.3kg (14lbs) which is still very respectable and you’d struggle to find many bikes that are lighter than this on the market today.
Conclusion
In the end, there’s no right or wrong choice between these two bikes. They’re each excellent, they both have their upsides, and they both have their downsides. The Ripmo has arguably a few more upsides, but if you’re after simplicity, the Yeti SB130 is the better bike. Each is great in its way, so do your research and pick whichever one seems right for you!