Ibis Ripmo AF V2 Metal AF: Big-Mountain Performance at a Real-World Price

The Ibis Ripmo has been one of the most decorated enduro bikes on the market for years — multiple "Best in Test" awards, a proven track record at the Enduro World Series, and a reputation for being genuinely fast on the kind of terrain that separates good bikes from great ones. The problem? The carbon version carries a price tag to match.

Enter the Ibis Ripmo AF V2 Metal AF. Same legendary dw-link suspension. Same progressive geometry. Same big-mountain capability. Tough aluminum frame. $5,200 CAD.

If you've been eyeing a proper enduro bike for Victoria's trails but didn't want to spend carbon money, the Ripmo AF is the answer. We carry it at Brentwood Cycle in Saanichton — here's everything you need to know.

What Is the Ripmo AF?

"AF" stands for Aluminum Frame — and "Metal AF" is Ibis's tongue-in-cheek way of saying this thing is seriously capable despite not being carbon. The Ripmo AF V2 is built around the same design principles as the carbon Ripmo V3: dw-link suspension, flip chip for mixed-wheel compatibility, coil shock compatibility, in-frame storage, and progressive geometry tuned for enduro and aggressive trail riding.

It's not a budget bike with a famous name slapped on it. It's a proper enduro machine that happens to be built from aluminum instead of carbon — which makes it more durable, easier to repair, and significantly more affordable.

Key Specs: Ibis Ripmo AF V2 Metal AF

• Travel: 160mm front / 150mm rear
• Suspension: dw-link (Ibis's proprietary design) — renowned for pedalling efficiency and small-bump sensitivity
• Fork: RockShox Lyrik, 160mm, 15QRx110
• Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select, 230x60mm
• Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission, 10–52t — wide range, reliable, and built for the demands of enduro riding
• Brakes: SRAM Maven 4-piston with SRAM CenterLine 200mm rotors front and rear — serious stopping power for steep descents
• Wheels: Blackbird Send Alloy (Send I front, Send II rear)
• Tires: Maxxis DHF 29x2.5" EXO+ front / Maxxis DHR II EXO+ rear (27.5x2.5" in S–M, 29x2.5" in XM–XL)
• Dropper post: KS Vantage, 34.9mm (110–140mm in S, 140–170mm in M/XM, 180–210mm in L/XL)
• Handlebar: Ibis Aluminum, 780mm
• Saddle: WTB Silverado Fusion CrMo
• Flip chip: Allows use of a 27.5" or 29" rear wheel — tune the geometry and feel for your terrain
• In-frame storage: Two bags included for tools and trail essentials
• Coil compatible: Run a coil shock if you want that plush, bottomless feel on big hits

The dw-link Suspension: Why It Matters

The dw-link (developed by Dave Weagle) is one of the most respected suspension designs in mountain biking. It's used on some of the most capable enduro and DH bikes in the world, and for good reason:

• Pedalling efficiency: The suspension stays active without bobbing under power. You don't need to lock it out on climbs.
• Small-bump sensitivity: The linkage is tuned to absorb small hits and chatter without using up your travel unnecessarily.
• Bottomless feel: The progression ramps up through the stroke, so the bike feels supportive on big hits without being harsh.

For Victoria's trails — where you might be pedalling a long climb at Hartland before dropping into a rooty, technical descent — a suspension design that works well in both directions is essential. The dw-link delivers.

The Ripmo AF vs. the Ripmo V3: What Are You Giving Up?

We also carry the Ibis Ripmo V3 GX AXS at $9,200 CAD — the carbon flagship. Here's how the two compare:

• Frame: Carbon (V3) vs. Aluminum (AF) — the carbon is lighter and has a slightly different ride feel, but the aluminum is more durable and easier to repair if you ding it on a rock
• Suspension: Fox Factory (V3) vs. RockShox Select (AF) — the Fox Factory components on the V3 are higher-end, but the RockShox Lyrik and Super Deluxe on the AF are proven, capable performers
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX AXS wireless (V3) vs. SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission (AF) — both are excellent; the AXS wireless shifting on the V3 is a luxury, not a necessity
• Brakes: SRAM Code RSC (V3) vs. SRAM Maven (AF) — the Maven is actually a newer, well-regarded brake that many riders prefer
• Price: $9,200 vs. $5,200 — a $4,000 difference

For most riders, the Ripmo AF delivers 90% of the performance of the V3 at 56% of the price. If you're not racing at the pointy end of enduro events, the AF is the smarter buy.

View the Ibis Ripmo V3 GX AXS →

Who Is the Ripmo AF For?

The Ripmo AF is built for riders who:

• Want a proper enduro bike without spending carbon money
• Ride technical, aggressive terrain — Hartland's steeper lines, bike park laps, enduro events
• Value durability — aluminum shrugs off rock strikes that would worry you on a carbon frame
• Want mixed-wheel flexibility — the flip chip lets you run 27.5" rear for a more playful feel or 29" for maximum rollover
• Plan to run a coil shock eventually — the frame is coil-compatible out of the box

It's also a great choice for riders who are stepping up from a trail bike to their first proper enduro machine. The Ripmo AF is forgiving enough to grow into but capable enough to never hold you back.

The Ripmo AF on Victoria's Trails

With 160mm of front travel and 150mm rear, the Ripmo AF is built for the kind of riding that pushes the limits of a trail bike. Hartland's more technical lines, the steeper sections of Bear Mountain, and any bike park laps you want to throw at it — this bike handles it all with confidence.

The Maxxis DHF/DHR II tire combo is an excellent choice for Victoria's wet conditions, and the SRAM Maven brakes give you the stopping power you need on steep, rooty descents. The wide 780mm handlebar keeps you stable and in control when things get rowdy.

And when it's time to pedal back up? The dw-link suspension and SRAM Eagle 90's 10–52t range make the climbs more manageable than you'd expect from a bike with this much travel.

Come See It at Brentwood Cycle

The Ibis Ripmo AF V2 Metal AF is available now at our Saanichton shop. Come in for a closer look, ask us anything about the build, and let's figure out if it's the right bike for your riding. We've been fitting Victoria riders for over 40 years and we know this terrain well.

View the Ibis Ripmo AF V2 Metal AF →