2024 Ibis HD6 Test Ride & Review

The Ibis HD6 is now a "mixed wheel" bike with the larger 29er up front and the quicker handling 27.5 wheel out back! This makes for a extremely capable and fun long travel bike! 165mm rear travel and 180mm Fox 38 fork! I picked this HD6 up from Salt Cycles in Sandy, Utah and they have HD6's in stock now!! Give them a call today to custom build your dream bike: 801-943-8502

Below are links to the products & gear I use everyday! Anything you purchase using these affiliate links to Backcountry .com go directly to support my channel. This is what keeps this channel going and I'm incredibly grateful for your support. Thank you!

[mtbyumyum]

Have you ridden an MX (29er/27.5) bike? Are they interesting to you? I've been riding many different MX bikes recently and loving it!! The HD6 is a lot of fun but needs speed.... if you're considering purchasing an HD6, Ripmo or new Ripley, give my friends over at Salt Cycles a call and ask for Chris! 801-943-8502 they are the best in the business and can help build your custom dream bike today!

[Jabeezala]

Thanks man! Love your channel here in Utah. I have that exact bike in same color with an XT build. I used it all season at DV and I can honestly say that this year has been THE MOST improved in my riding life. The HD6 hands-down is the reason for this. And I say this with confidence because I have the Ripmo V2 as well and the HD6 is waaaay better at DV and trails like Spinal Tap in Richfield, UT. You're spot on about the uphill pedal as well. It climbed Sardine Peak fine but is not as energy efficient as my Ripmo. With that being said... I have ZERO regrets begging my wife to get the HD6 (which I named Thanos) because riding it this season has gotten me ready for my birthday Bentonville trip with the fellas by completely charging the new Twist and Shout section one and Tsunami. Thanks for the vids. Keep em comin!

[bikenband]

Thanks! Planning on heading out to Draper next week to check out Jacob’s and others. Hopefully not getting lost!

[jamiemeckes]

Video didn’t suck and I’d rock that color way too! I’m an east coast Tallboy rider, but enjoy seeing the new bikes on your channel and hearing your take on riding them 👍🏻.

[ra]

I have am Alchemy Arktos 125, and your review today on the Ibis HD6 reminds me of it in that you have to get up speed for the bike to really do its thing. Your previous review of the Cannondale Scalpel 4, though, influenced me to go buy it, and I can confirm everything you said about the Scalpel is correct. I also now tend to only ride the Scalpel instead of my other bikes. Thanks for all your reviews. I'm subscribed and gave todays video a thumbs up. Happy Trails!

[smithysendy]

What I took from this is that I need to take 2 bikes with me as all the time I’m doing a mixture of flow/tech/dh

[drbutter]

Thanks for posting an honest review. Yours and Jeff Kendall Weed's review are likley the most honest. For anyone considering an HD6, look at these two reviews before you buy. I previously had a V2 Ripmo that I loved, but was always looking for a bit more out of it. I found the Rimpo was really fun but not great at jumps, straightline chunk, drops etc. So, I sold it an bought an HD6 as it seemed to be a reviewed intially as a Ripmo and then some. To honest, I am a bit disappointed. For most of my riding, it's too much bike. I live in Kamloops with high speed flow trails, jumps and Sun Peaks Bike Park near by. I would agree that you really have to pump the bike to keep it going on lower angles sections of trail. On these sections of trail on the Ripmo, it seemed to be gaining speed and I would have to hold it bck from doing so; but on the HD6, it seems to be holding me back. On my initial rides, I'd go through these sections and get off the bike thinking I had a flat or low tire pressure as it just wasn't carrying speed like the Ripmo. It was less zippy in the berms. Overally, less lively. It is much much better at drops. You land and feel more composed on the ride out. It jumps much much better. It's confidence inspiring on steep gnarly terrain at the bike park. You don't have to pick your way though it, you just go. In the end, I bought a 2nd bike for general trail riding. Back on a dual 29er set up which feels better for most of my riding. It feel much faster and that's what I am looking for at the moment. I think I'll keep the HD6 for road trips, bike park, shuttles days or new features that I am eyeing up. I agree, it is a great 2nd bike to have.

[henryharris]

Another great video. I have the HD6 as well. It is confidence inspiring in the rough for sure. I would love to see another back to back ripmo (V2 vs V3) like you did with the V1 vs V2 in St. George! Thanks for the content.

[travelthenarrowtrail]

Good review Jason! Been loving my Ripmo v3 and I take your word for how much livelier it is to the HD6. I ride mine with a Vivid though, sort of a mini light enduro sled. There was a time 150mm was enduro....😂

[ssjj]

Enduro riders: bike pedals awesome and playful on the dh.
Cross Country riders: pedals ok kinda sluggish. Lotta work pumping on decent.
😂

All relative

[MTBandre]

I just got just this bike a week ago and it’s been making a cracking type of a noise constantly over bumps. I plugged the cable holes in the frame with zip ties and it still continues to happen. Have you noticed this at all or no? Just curious.

[abouvet]

@mtbyumyum Please make a comparison video of the new ripmo 29er vs sb140LR. Did you like it more than the yeti?
The ripmo is the only ibis i would consider buying currently.

[jimm]

I’m looking for a second (3rd) bike, something more gravity focused (my trail bikes aren’t going anywhere). I want it specifically for riding the heavier terrain, & the HD6 has my ideal geo and sizing. But, I don’t want to be sending it at 9/10ths all the time. To you think the HD6 is that sort of bike? If not, any recommendations? Given the front/rear travel difference, does the HD6 feel unbalanced?

[himboslice_]

been loving my v4s ripley around summit county, but have the itch to start doing lift access runs at vail and copper next year (not the crazy technical/ big jump downhill runs). rip wallet, feel like the ripley would be fine on some of those runs but may want something beefier

[shyde]

Enjoyed the review. Thanks!
I disagree on the mixed wheel thing though. I have an SC Tallboy full 29 and a Specialized Status 140 MX. I can’t stand the MX set up.
Maybe I should try a different bike with MX?

[ts-rfer]

how is the riding position with these shorter chainstays mx bikes? Does your weight bias towards the rear and front get light/washes without constant pressure? Curious if they are closer to how you described the sb130 vs the more neutral sb140

[jeffsharp]

Great review, looks like a fun bike on some awesome trails! Thx for sharing:)

[brianstevens]

Any chance you would be able to or want to review the Revel Ranger? Now that you can run Shimano on it, it would be nice to see a review with that spec and Fox suspension compared to Rock Shox.

[healthman]

I'm curious, Did you have the opportunity to test this bike on some really steep, techy, slow speed gnar? With drops and janky rock features? Or was it only high-speed stuff?

[LanceR]

Definitely not for the all-around trail Rider guy, like myself. I'm sure it's a great bike for the more downhill bomber type riders. Great review!.
You said it would be a great second bike. What's your current first bike you're riding? Just curious