The Shop Owner’s Rig: Mark’s Custom Ibis Ripmo V3

Meet Mark and his brand-new Ibis Ripmo V3. Now, Mark is no stranger to the Ibis family, this is his third Ripmo alone. Since I’ve never personally spent time on a Rimpo, I wanted to sit down with him to see what makes this version of the bike special.

Having just celebrated 20 years of Pro Bike Supply Ownership, Mark decided to treat himself. Of course he has a commitment to the best. Here is the breakdown of his latest custom build and some of his pro tips to get the most out of your own ride.

The Secret to Performance

The Frame: Why the Ripmo?

Q: This is your third Ripmo, Mark. What keeps bringing you back to this frame?

Mark: It’s just such a solid platform for our local trails. It’s stout and translates power exceptionally well for a trail bike. If you’ve ever ridden in Laguna, you know the climbs are brutal and steep; having the dw-link suspension really helps those uphills feel manageable rather than a chore.

Q: If you had to pick your number one performance upgrade, what would it be? 

Mark: It’s actually much simpler and cheaper than many would expect. My #1 upgrade is simply getting your suspension setup and  selecting the correct tires for your riding style. Carrying a shock pump and dedicating your first ride to dialing in your pressures and settings offers a better feel than almost any part money can buy. Equally as important is selecting the correct tires. Riders who are tough on tires need extra protection from heavier casings but if climbing is your thing then go for lighter tires that roll better, which can save up to a full pound of rotational weight! This is more noticeable than carbon wheels but don't go too far and compromise traction. 

Q: Where should a rider start if they feel overwhelmed by all the adjustments?

Mark: Start with the Ibis recommended settings. Manufacturer baselines are the best starting point. If you’re like me and prefer a planted, cushy feel, you can go slightly lighter on the compression and slower on the rebound. I don’t usually session the same trail over and over to tune it; instead, I check my O-rings after every ride to ensure I’m getting full travel and adjust from there.

Pro Tip: We have a full-time suspension technician and a highly knowledgeable crew at the shop. We can help you get dialed in person or even troubleshoot over the phone.

The Build: Drivetrain & Custom Bits

Q: What drivetrain are you running? I see some boujee silver bits on there.

Mark: I went with the SRAM XX SL Transmission groupset, but I had to add some style points. I’m running a Wolf Tooth silver chainring and found a spare limited-edition 1987 Silver clamp for the AXS Pod shifter. 

Q: Be honest: now that you finally have internal frame storage, are you going to start carrying tools and tubes?

Mark: [Laughs] Since you asked... maybe. I might tuck a small multi-tool and a snack in there. But honestly? If I’m within a 30-minute walk of my house or the car, I’ll still probably leave the tube behind and just try to enjoy the hike home if I flat. 

Brakes & Rubber

Q: You’re trying some new brakes on this build. What’s the verdict?

Mark: I’ve never run Motive brakes before. I’d heard from you that they can feel a bit underpowered at times, but I wanted to form my own opinion. You’d mentioned running a 200mm rotor, so I paired them with a 220mm rotor up front. We’ll have to do a follow-up report to see if they’re up to the task of aggressive trail riding.

Q: Tires are always a huge talking point and also maybe a sore spot for you… What did you go with on this build?

Mark: I stuck with what I trust: the Specialized Butcher and Eliminator combo. The weight is lower than many EXO+ tires, which I really like, but the grip is still high enough for our local loose over hard conditions. Consistency is important out of a tire for me.

Side Note: At Pro Bike Supply, we actually feel so strongly about this that we don’t charge to swap tires on any new build. You should get the rubber you want on day one, free of charge.

Smart Upgrades & Aesthetics

Q: How can someone get a high-performance Ripmo build like yours without breaking the bank?

Mark: Honestly? Buy the Deore-level build, since it comes with a top tier frame and factory suspension,  and then use the savings to upgrade to carbon wheels and bars. I’d take that combo over an XT Di2 build with alloy wheels any day. You’ll feel the difference in the wheels much more than the electronic shifting. Plus a Di2 upgrade kit is an easly upgrade to do down the road. 

Q: What’s your favorite "budget" way to customize a bike?

Mark: Wolf Tooth color kits. From seat collars to headset spacers, it’s a 20-minute DIY job that gives the bike that personal "pop" for very little money.

Q: Aesthetic vs. Performance: Which one wins?

Mark: I don't usually have to choose! But because we pride ourselves on how our bikes ride, performance always takes the top slot but a adding a little bling will motivate you to ride more and fitness is the best performance you can have. 

The Cockpit

Q: You’re coming off a wrist injury, how did that influence your bar and grip choice?

Mark: For the bars, I went with the OneUp V2 Carbon bars because they have a bit of engineered flex that’s easy on the joints. For grips, I’m trying the Wolf Tooth Echo lock-ons. It’s my first time with these, but grips are cheap and easy to swap. If I love them, they’re going on every other bike I own. If not, then… you get the point. 

Q: Well, as per usual, you have your build dialed in. Are there any secret deals for anyone who has read this far along?

Mark: Well, it’s Pro Bike Supply. We believe in getting you the best bike for your budget. We are here to help you decide which upgrades are worth it and which ones may not be. We are also here to see how far we can make your budget stretch ;) All custom builds through March will automatically get 15% off. Framesets are unfortunately excluded.