Ibis: California Roots, Trail Choices and the Gravel Connection

Ibis is a California bicycle brand whose range invites a practical question: what kind of dirt riding fills your week? Its Ripley and Ripmo full-suspension mountain bikes offer different amounts of suspension travel, while the DV9 hardtail and Hakka MX provide alternatives for riders drawn to racing, simpler trail bikes or routes that connect pavement and gravel.

A small-shop beginning with a bird’s name

According to Ibis’s company history, Scot Nicol started the business on April 1, 1981, in a small shop east of Mendocino, California. The company later established its home in Santa Cruz. Those Northern California roots give useful context to a range still strongly oriented toward mountain riding.

The name has its own modest origin story. Nicol searched an Audubon bird encyclopedia for ideas, liking the association between birds, lightness and flight. His account of naming Ibis adds a personal detail to the brand’s identity without needing to turn its history into a performance claim.

Two trail platforms, different priorities

The current Ripley pairs 130 mm of rear travel with a 140 mm fork. The Ripmo increases those figures to 150 mm and 160 mm. Both use dw-link suspension, include internal frame storage and allow either a 29-inch rear wheel or a smaller 27.5-inch rear wheel through a flip-chip adjustment.

Compare terrain and fit before model names

That travel difference makes the Ripley a sensible starting point for general trail riding, with the Ripmo worth comparing when rougher descents feature more heavily. This is a reading of their designs, rather than a claim from a riding test. Both offer five frame sizes, including an extra-medium, and size-specific geometry details. Ripmo wheel arrangements also differ by size as supplied, so check the actual configuration rather than assuming every bike bearing the name is identical.

Beyond full suspension

The DV9 is a carbon hardtail with 29-inch wheels and a 120 mm fork, positioned by Ibis for trails, race starts and pump-track riding. It offers a distinct comparison for someone who wants front suspension without a rear suspension system.

The carbon Hakka MX broadens the picture toward gravel and mixed-surface adventures. Its fender mounts, dropper-post compatibility and accommodation of 700c or 650b wheels give concrete setup choices to investigate. Start with your usual routes, then explore the Ibis brand page to narrow the family that matches them.