Ibis Oso Launched - Bosch Powered EMTB

Had you given up and thought Ibis would never release an emtb? Well, they would, the Ibis Oso is here. This 155/170mm travel bike comes in at U$ 10.999. Photos of the bike have already been leaked online. And the rumor mill picked up after Zakka took a 12th place in the Finale Ligure E-EWS running what could only be this bike. Reading comments online, I saw a few complaints about the looks.

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Clean​

My tastes may have been shaped by only focusing on emtbs for the last few years. But I think it looks very good! Frame tubes are supposed to be chunky. And I like the rear triangle that isn't a triangle because the chainstays are missing. I think the rear stays flows nicely into the main frame and continues up the downtube. Sure, it's one fat tube, but it's got a nice and clean look. And I like the sharp integration of the shock. Can I confess I prefer the looks of this bike over the Ibis Ripmo?

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Also, a bit messy​

The Ibis Oso isn't a top-of-the-line bike with maxxed out specs. The cables for the 12-speed Sram GX drivetrain, combined with a Lupine 900 lumens head light makes the handlebar area a bit busy. So, no wireless shifting for the Oso, and that isn't a big surprise. Ibis usually isn't the most expensive "high-end" mtb brand. And I think the spec level makes perfect sense.

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The Shimano XT dual caliper brakes, Fox 38 Performance fork and Fox Performance Elite X2 shock are all sensible and well performing kit. The Maxxis tires are the burly DoubleDown carcass version of the Dissector and Assegai. Oh, and there’s a rear light too.

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Bosch Smart System 750​

The Bosch Performance CX isn't a new motor, but the Smart System with the 750Wh battery is. A lot of bikes are coming out with this now, and we're seeing a few different ways of integrating the battery. Some bikes come with a non-detachable battery, it’s easier finding room the long battery inside the frame this way. Ibis wanted an easily removable battery, to take it indoors for things like charging or storing. This usually can’t be done without some sort of compromise. Ibis decided to go with the smaller Powertube 625 for the size Small. That makes sense, it’s easier fitting the Powertube 750 in the bigger frames.

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Enough, what about the geometry​

It’s not just the battery size that varies between the frame sizes. No, the Oso is a very different bike between the size S and XL. The two smaller sizes have got mullet wheels. The smaller 27.5 rear wheel allows for a 439mm chainstay length. The L and XL are 29er bikes with 444mm chainstays. Even the seat tube angle is different. It’s 79* for the XL, 78* for the L and 77* for the two smaller ones.

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I think this makes sense. To have similar handling between sizes, the ratio of bike length on either side of the cranks needs to be similar between sizes. A bigger bike has a longer front end and needs longer chainstays to maintain a similar balance. Head angle is similar on all sizes though, and I can’t see why it wouldn’t be. Bottom bracket drop is 341/340mm, which is fairly low and just how I like it.

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Different travel options​

This bike comes as default with a 170mm travel fork. But Ibis says it 180 and 190mm is an option too, even dual crown forks. The 155mm travel rear end has a 205x60mm shock. Swap that for a 205x65mm one for 170mm of rear action. According to Ibis, the Oso is stable yet responsive, mimicking the Ripmo, regardless of configuration. And look at the design of the DW-link rear suspension. This is a floating design with a virtual pivot point. But it looks a bit unusual having all the linkage bolts so high on the frame. Looks like a mid-high pivot point design I think.

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Final Thoughts​

A great addition to the EMTB world, and now we think pretty much every major brand has an ebike in their catalogue. The Bosch powered Oso will appeal to those searching rowdy terrain, but also gives riders a lot of scope for upgrading as they progress. We particularly like the fact that it can run longer forks, and over stroked rear shock for up to 170mm rear wheel travel. Great job, Ibis!
About author
knut7
Started mountainbiking in the 90s. Moved to emtbs in 2014 and have been reviewing them since 2016. Contact me here https://emtb.no/contact/

Comments

With the Float X, it's super easy to change stroke with spacers. As easy as changing volume spacers. Given that I'm surprised they didn't just spec the 205 x 65 for all of the bikes.
I wonder if they think a 170mm on paper is a bit too scary for a lot of the market, so opted to reduce it to 155 to make it seem less aggressive? Commercial opportunities usually take priority over outright capabilities.
 
Really beautiful it reminds me the old Mountain Cycles, they really look like no other eMTB. But the pricing is steep unfortunately
 
Yup.. pricing ended up close to a million space bucks. Then again, almost all emtb prices has shot through the roof. Would have expected top spec suspension for that price.
 
A huge driver for me ordering the new Trek EXe is 1) silence 2) looks like an analog bike. Ebikes in my area are still not allowed on most trails.

Paint the Ibis bright red and throw Ducati stickers on it and Bob's your uncle.
 
This might be the first bike to come stock from the factory with 220/220 rotors, no?
 
This is outdated already :-( It needs the new Bosch display

Wish they'd done it in neon yellow
 
This is outdated already :-( It needs the new Bosch display

Wish they'd done it in neon yellow
It’s actually something I was thinking too. Having recently tested a bike with the new bosch stuff it’s SO much better.

Specifically, the new mini remote. It’s infinitely better than the starship enterprise remote, it’s way more tactile to click and change modes. And with the Top tube display showing battery levels in 10% increments it’s made a big display redundant for my use case - I’ll use a Garmin to track rides etc.

All Bosch need now is ANT+ (which, when I spoke with them, it sounded like was on their roadmap to implement at some point in the future).
 
Looks like there's gonna be a lot of comparisons between this bike and Pole Voima:
  • Polarizing looks, especially with the swingarm
  • Same Motor
  • Similar weight
  • Same Star Trek controls
But there are differences:
  • Forced mullet for smaller sizes
  • Less rear travel, though front could support 190mm (TBD how well it would ride with 190mm front)
  • More expensive, especially for EURO customers as Euro and Pound have taken a beating
  • Very different take on geometry (more conventional, but then again any bike compared to the Voima, that can be said)
Future shootouts will likely ensue.
 
All Bosch need now is ANT+ (which, when I spoke with them, it sounded like was on their roadmap to implement at some point in the future).
If you get a chance to speak with them in the near future, please ask if the current Smart System already has the necessary radio hardware to support ANT+. It would be nice if they could roll it out with a software update this generation.
 
I sent Bosch a message about my wish to make ANT+ data available from Bosch, and send to Garmin.

The student they hired 2 days before answered something about connecting a heartbeat sensor to Bosch.
 
I sent Bosch a message about my wish to make ANT+ data available from Bosch, and send to Garmin.

The student they hired 2 days before answered something about connecting a heartbeat sensor to Bosch.
If we are wishlisting, add Skylo to that so you can find this beast of a bike even if out of cell coverage.
 
I don't think any ebike looks great- especially the full-power ones. They also are easily identifiable as ebikes. I'd buy this over the others if I went full power. I bet the ride quality is great.
 
Thought I would share as I picked my OSO up last week and have just shy of 100 miles on it. I am coming off of a very modified 2020 Levo that was slacked to 64.2 and had 160/180 travel, Saint brakes, and 220 rotors F&B. It is a very capable bike.

First off, the Ibis is super stiff, super playful and fast as can be. Ibis nailed the tune in this thing. I went down a size to a medium because of the reach numbers as well as wanting mixed wheels. It climbs as well as any trail bike and the short chainstay and mixed wheel allows it to crush switchbacks and turns in quickly at all speeds. Not the longest wheelbase but it seems stable at high speed....so far.

It's not perfect at all. They totally missed it with the controls, a super busy cockpit (I eliminated the Kiosk), max 2.5 tires, FOX 38 Performance (really for that $$), and the Maxxis Dissector rear tire (just my opinion). I added AXS shifting, Magura MT7 HC3 brakes, Ergon saddle and grips. I have Schwalbe tires (big Betty/majic Mary) on the way as well as a Diety Highside bars w/50mm rise and a Renthal stem. The cockpit stuff is all just a personal feel and fits the places I ride well.

I'll add more as I get more laps in but in closing, I love it!

If you are considering an OSO and have any questions, send me a PM.

Cheers,
Scott
 

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