Either way , you have two awesome bikes in the family . I’ve only seen 1 high tower on our trails and no ibis bikes at all. I’m about to change that though 🤘. Really enjoyed that mate. Mick
you are 100% correct and that's why we bought them that way, its nice to switch it up :) thanks for checking out the channel, let me know what you get!! :)
GREAT review! I actually have the Ripmo and love it. I tried the Hightower just in a parking lot which doesn't really count. That's a great playground you have to test bikes on too!
Ripmo is a better everyday trail bike that climbs very well and can still handle descents. Hightower climbs ok, but very stable handling at high speed tech. I got the Ripmo
Sounds like you're referring to the 2020 Hightower not this one, the 2018. This older HT LT outclimbs the Ripmo due to the well-supporting VPP, this series being the last of it.
@JF I've read about that but never felt it, but it does have a lot more "Punch" when I hit the pedals and kinda leaps forward compared to a Ripmo I rented last summer.
Excellent detailed review! Your Hightower is best for you! I’m happy to have the Ripmo personally...to eat up all that bigger stuff.. but am considering a Santa Cruz 5010 second bike 🤷♀️... 😁
cool video, would be awesome to back to back test bikes..... one thing that seems like it would make it difficult is being more comfortable on your own bike (just used to it, you know from muscle memory how it turns and jumps.. how 2 weight the bars/pre load the suspension) I went slower on my vastly superior new carbon trial bike vs my pretty clapped out 2013 one for several days
K FIVE mtb really cool seeing comparison opinion vids from people with no horse in the race. Hard to be neutral and they are all so good now. Great video
People never randomize their samples during bike tests. This should be done, but is always missed. I enjoyed the video just the same. Thanks for posting it. Brgs.
Why did you chose to leave the rear shocks in trail mode? The great thing about the suspension on the Ripmo is it doesn’t need that crutch, where the other bike might. A fairer comparison would’ve been with the rear shocks WFO, why cripple great bikes in chunk and DH’s with the plushness half shut off? My other quibble is the terrain your testing them on, that’s hardtail terrain, nothing even close to what either bike was designed for.
Hey Shawn. You are 💯 on the terrain that’s the best I have closest to my house and easily handled on a hard tail. I should have locked out both shocks! I love the ripmo. As I stated in the video. If I was going to plow rocks and go on all day adventures I’d take the ripmo. But for where I ride most of the time I prefer the Hightower. You make great points. Thanks for watching 🤙
Wait, isn't that the 2018 Hightower *"LT"* ? The whole idea behind Santa Cruz's VPP (the last of them, the real VPP being this 2017-2019 model before they sold out to now being just another 'Specialized' downhill bike) is to provide snappy, well-supported pedaling whereas the Ibis tends to be more of a relaxed rider cush machine for those who want smooth & soft over fast & snappy. I have a *brand new unridden* Medium Hightower CC in Gray, XX1, Factory 36, Reserve Carbon wheels - which I paid $9000 for (each) and haven't yet ridden the one I leave in the city since I'm always at the cabin riding that one. I'd let it go for $7000 28lbs! The new 2020 Hightower is completely different, it's more of a Downhill Enduro feeling bike and less of a snappy handling climber - a "Hightower" in name only.
What you explained is exactly how I felt about both bikes. The ibis just needs to be ridden on gnarlier terrain that’s where it really comes alive. Thanks for the offer. But I’m keeping mine. For me carbon wheels on a carbon bike is just to stiff. I am in the market for a nice and lite 27.5. With 130-150 travel that I can use as an old mans dirt jumper! If you have one of those laying around let me know. Thanks for comment! 🤙
@@kfivemtb Yeah but that's the awesome thing about Santa Cruz Carbon Reserve rims and why I love the combo, they're not harsh like most others and I think that's why they're so strong, they give just enough to absorb instead of being so brittle they would break. I do also have an *unridden* carbon Nukeproof Mega 275 identical in every way to the one here, except his custom saddle, and mine is a Large: ua-cam.com/video/ZwIm2xIFESU/v-deo.html&t=47 And I'd take $3500
I demo'd the Hightower recently. Initially, I liked how the bike pedaled until I got on the dirt. I really felt like it wandered on the climbs, whereas the Ripmo was very consistent and tracked well ( even my V1 Ripley which is over 7 years old climbed better). Something about the DW-link and Geo makes Ibis bikes amazing!! - they do everything so well! I been riding a V1 Ripley for years and whenever I demo'd any bike I compared it to my Ripley. I put that thing on a Pedestal! Why? Because it essentially does everything well, especially climbing! It climbs like a rocket! Even to today's bikes, you'll be pressed to find a bike that climbs as well. My only issue with it is sometimes I feel I need something a bit more stable on descents. The Ripmo resolves this issue. With the Ripmo, you really don't need to pick your lines as much - just point and go! With my Ripley, I need to choose my lines more, however, I feel like I could get more surgical with it since it's so responsive, but the RIpmo is just as responsive for the most part. I just bought a Ripmo and absolutely love it!
Ripmo is an amazing bike, I can definitely relax more when i ride it compared to the Hightower. Kate Loves her Ripmo, wouldn't trade it for anything. thanks for watching :)
Anyone have an opinion on the sizing of these 2 bikes? Is someone who is in between a Medium and Large, and riding the Large Ripmo, be a Large on the hightower or does the Hightower feel a bit bigger?
For me the Hightower feels slightly smaller than the ripmo with the same size stem. I’m 5’10 and prefer the medium for that “smaller” bike feel, But if I was riding downhill trails more consistently I would get a large🤘🏻
Agree! There are a few specific things I still prefer about the ripmo ! I would rather bomb down gnarly rocky trails on that bike over the Hightower LT , And it’s a more comfortable ride for the 3 hour plus days! 🙏🏻. Thanks for watching
you are correct! lately I've been practicing my whips...its my new obsession. what's hard to see is that i am slightly whipping away from the camera. i was able to "whip" the back end of the hightower out much easier and was landing a little more sideways than the ripmo.
![АЛАУДИНОВ у Скабеевой: эти их ВСУ нас НЕ ДОГОНЯТ 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/an0anqU4WGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
🤙🤙🤙 Support the channel and subscribe 🤙🤙🤙🤙
Either way , you have two awesome bikes in the family . I’ve only seen 1 high tower on our trails and no ibis bikes at all. I’m about to change that though 🤘. Really enjoyed that mate.
Mick
you are 100% correct and that's why we bought them that way, its nice to switch it up :) thanks for checking out the channel, let me know what you get!! :)
GREAT review! I actually have the Ripmo and love it. I tried the Hightower just in a parking lot which doesn't really count. That's a great playground you have to test bikes on too!
the Ripmo is a great bike! im not gonna lie it was a tough call. we are lucky to have one of each in the house!!
They are very close , I watched your video because I’m trying to choose between those two bikes , thankyou for your review, they both look very good.
you really can't go wrong! thanks for watching! :)
Ripmo is a better everyday trail bike that climbs very well and can still handle descents. Hightower climbs ok, but very stable handling at high speed tech. I got the Ripmo
the ripmo is a crazy good bike! no question :)
Sounds like you're referring to the 2020 Hightower not this one, the 2018. This older HT LT outclimbs the Ripmo due to the well-supporting VPP, this series being the last of it.
@JF I've read about that but never felt it, but it does have a lot more "Punch" when I hit the pedals and kinda leaps forward compared to a Ripmo I rented last summer.
Excellent detailed review! Your Hightower is best for you! I’m happy to have the Ripmo personally...to eat up all that bigger stuff.. but am considering a Santa Cruz 5010 second bike 🤷♀️... 😁
oh man look what i started :)
Hows the customer service on the Ibis? I hear that Santa Cruz customer service is great.
Nice work dude. Both awesome bikes.
They really are!
cool video, would be awesome to back to back test bikes..... one thing that seems like it would make it difficult is being more comfortable on your own bike (just used to it, you know from muscle memory how it turns and jumps.. how 2 weight the bars/pre load the suspension) I went slower on my vastly superior new carbon trial bike vs my pretty clapped out 2013 one for several days
I agree! Good ideas. 🤙
K FIVE mtb really cool seeing comparison opinion vids from people with no horse in the race. Hard to be neutral and they are all so good now. Great video
People never randomize their samples during bike tests. This should be done, but is always missed. I enjoyed the video just the same. Thanks for posting it. Brgs.
Why did you chose to leave the rear shocks in trail mode? The great thing about the suspension on the Ripmo is it doesn’t need that crutch, where the other bike might. A fairer comparison would’ve been with the rear shocks WFO, why cripple great bikes in chunk and DH’s with the plushness half shut off? My other quibble is the terrain your testing them on, that’s hardtail terrain, nothing even close to what either bike was designed for.
Hey Shawn. You are 💯 on the terrain that’s the best I have closest to my house and easily handled on a hard tail. I should have locked out both shocks! I love the ripmo. As I stated in the video. If I was going to plow rocks and go on all day adventures I’d take the ripmo. But for where I ride most of the time I prefer the Hightower. You make great points. Thanks for watching 🤙
that Hightower is 2018 or older, not newer lower links and the Ripmo is the newer design so kinda apples and oranges.
2018 Hightower 2019 ripmo Sometimes newer is not always better 🤘🏻thanks for checking out the video 😃
I like them both and the ripmo af
My main bike is 2019 hightower lt size xxl. It's 31 lbs of awesome!
I’m lucky to have them both in my garage!🤙🤙. But I love the LT😃
Wait, isn't that the 2018 Hightower *"LT"* ?
The whole idea behind Santa Cruz's VPP (the last of them, the real VPP being this 2017-2019 model before they sold out to now being just another 'Specialized' downhill bike) is to provide snappy, well-supported pedaling whereas the Ibis tends to be more of a relaxed rider cush machine for those who want smooth & soft over fast & snappy.
I have a *brand new unridden* Medium Hightower CC in Gray, XX1, Factory 36, Reserve Carbon wheels - which I paid $9000 for (each) and haven't yet ridden the one I leave in the city since I'm always at the cabin riding that one. I'd let it go for $7000 28lbs!
The new 2020 Hightower is completely different, it's more of a Downhill Enduro feeling bike and less of a snappy handling climber - a "Hightower" in name only.
What you explained is exactly how I felt about both bikes. The ibis just needs to be ridden on gnarlier terrain that’s where it really comes alive. Thanks for the offer. But I’m keeping mine. For me carbon wheels on a carbon bike is just to stiff. I am in the market for a nice and lite 27.5. With 130-150 travel that I can use as an old mans dirt jumper! If you have one of those laying around let me know. Thanks for comment! 🤙
@@kfivemtb Yeah but that's the awesome thing about Santa Cruz Carbon Reserve rims and why I love the combo, they're not harsh like most others and I think that's why they're so strong, they give just enough to absorb instead of being so brittle they would break.
I do also have an *unridden* carbon Nukeproof Mega 275 identical in every way to the one here, except his custom saddle, and mine is a Large:
ua-cam.com/video/ZwIm2xIFESU/v-deo.html&t=47
And I'd take $3500
I demo'd the Hightower recently. Initially, I liked how the bike pedaled until I got on the dirt. I really felt like it wandered on the climbs, whereas the Ripmo was very consistent and tracked well ( even my V1 Ripley which is over 7 years old climbed better).
Something about the DW-link and Geo makes Ibis bikes amazing!! - they do everything so well!
I been riding a V1 Ripley for years and whenever I demo'd any bike I compared it to my Ripley. I put that thing on a Pedestal!
Why? Because it essentially does everything well, especially climbing! It climbs like a rocket! Even to today's bikes, you'll be pressed to find a bike that climbs as well. My only issue with it is sometimes I feel I need something a bit more stable on descents. The Ripmo resolves this issue. With the Ripmo, you really don't need to pick your lines as much - just point and go!
With my Ripley, I need to choose my lines more, however, I feel like I could get more surgical with it since it's so responsive, but the RIpmo is just as responsive for the most part.
I just bought a Ripmo and absolutely love it!
Ripmo is an amazing bike, I can definitely
relax more when i ride it compared to the Hightower. Kate Loves her Ripmo, wouldn't trade it for anything. thanks for watching :)
Great vidéo
Beautiful Bike 😉
thanks :)
Anyone have an opinion on the sizing of these 2 bikes? Is someone who is in between a Medium and Large, and riding the Large Ripmo, be a Large on the hightower or does the Hightower feel a bit bigger?
For me the Hightower feels slightly smaller than the ripmo with the same size stem. I’m 5’10 and prefer the medium for that “smaller” bike feel, But if I was riding downhill trails more consistently I would get a large🤘🏻
I really want a second bike, still. The grape colored 2018 5010!! 🎅
REALLY :)
nice use of multiple cameras and angles. Nice reviewing.
thanks. a bit different video for me. don't really do many review vids :)
Really nice review 👍 I enjoy it a lot .
Thanks 🙏🏻 🤙
Where in Florida is that park? Thanks great video
Grapefruit trails! Place is crazy fun if you like jumps!
It is rare to prefer a similar bike to the bike you are are familiar with
Agree! There are a few specific things I still prefer about the ripmo ! I would rather bomb down gnarly rocky trails on that bike over the Hightower LT , And it’s a more comfortable ride for the 3 hour plus days! 🙏🏻. Thanks for watching
Great review, Thank You
Thanks for watching it!
Damn I want to try out Florida mtb so bad👍👍
gotta get here in the winter when everywhere else is frozen. we have great trails! :)
Super cool video
thanks for checking it out
K FIVE mtb no problem thanks for the great content. I just subscribed. I also have a channel if you want to check it out
Hey K five when will u be bck out there
bigfoot toe seems like everyday lately!😃. Parking lot is gonna be closed Monday and Tuesday. Probably Wednesday. Unless I can get out tomorrow!
Bigfoot toe wassup
Great video, but you keep picking your bike, the bike you know better
I know. I really tried hard not to! Ripmo is a great bike! It’s a toss up!😃
Nice,LG Matze 👍👍👍🚴
thanks so much
🤔 to me you look much better landing on the Ibis than on the Santa. Maybe just my impression.
you are correct! lately I've been practicing my whips...its my new obsession. what's hard to see is that i am slightly whipping away from the camera. i was able to "whip" the back end of the hightower out much easier and was landing a little more sideways than the ripmo.
Hightower for me 🤙🏼
all day :)
Too overpriced.
Haha, I have a hightower cc, but want a ripmo. Lol
Seriously both are
ridiculously good. Bikes😜🤙
What size Hightower?
@@kfivemtb I'm tall, so it's an XL.
I have a video of all the specs on my channel