Field Test: Raaw Jibb - Smooth, Silent, & Sturdy
PINKBIKE FIELD TEST
Raaw Jibb
Words by Mike Kazimer; photography by Tom Richards
Raaw Jibb
Words by Mike Kazimer; photography by Tom Richards
The Jibb is the second bike in Raaw’s lineup, the shorter travel follow-up to the 160mm Madonna. The two aluminum frames are quite similar, with clean lines, a massive main pivot, and an overall utilitarian aesthetic. The difference lies in the amount of travel – the Jibb has 135mm of rear travel that’s paired with a 150mm fork, which Raaw says makes it want to “chase its tail all over the woods and mountain.” Interestingly, Raaw went with dual 29” wheels, rather then the 27.5” or mixed wheel setups that tend to accompany bikes that are meant to have a more playful ride feel.
There’s something about the Raaw’s aluminum frame that just looks right to my eyes. It looks more like a tool than a toy, and I can appreciate the attention that went into the smaller details, things like covers on all the bearings to help keep water out, a 203mm rear brake mount, and bearings instead of bushing at the shock mounts to improve the shock’s small bump sensitivity.
There’s something about the Raaw’s aluminum frame that just looks right to my eyes. It looks more like a tool than a toy, and I can appreciate the attention that went into the smaller details, things like covers on all the bearings to help keep water out, a 203mm rear brake mount, and bearings instead of bushing at the shock mounts to improve the shock’s small bump sensitivity.
Raaw Jibb Details
• Travel: 135mm rear / 150mm fork
• Aluminum frame
• Wheel size: 29"
• Head angle: 65.5°
• Effective seat tube angle: 77.5°
• Reach: 470mm
• Chainstay length: 445 (size L)
• Sizes: S, M, L (tested), XL
• Weight: 34 lb / 15.4 kg
• Price (frame only with Float X2: $2,634.75 USD
• raawmtb.com
• Travel: 135mm rear / 150mm fork
• Aluminum frame
• Wheel size: 29"
• Head angle: 65.5°
• Effective seat tube angle: 77.5°
• Reach: 470mm
• Chainstay length: 445 (size L)
• Sizes: S, M, L (tested), XL
• Weight: 34 lb / 15.4 kg
• Price (frame only with Float X2: $2,634.75 USD
• raawmtb.com
The external routing doesn’t look messy at all, although the path the derailleur and brake line take around the main pivot could use some improvement – Brian Park’s solution on his Madonna looked like a good option to me.
The Jibb is available in four sizes, from small through extra-large. Our size large had a 470mm reach, a 65.5-degree head angle, a 77.5-degree seat tube angle, and 445mm chainstays. The chainstay lengths vary depending on the frame size – the small and mediums’ measure 440mm, and they grow to 450mm on the XL. If anything, the geometry numbers are a touch on the conservative side compared to some of the longer and slacker entries into this category.
At the moment, the Jibb is only available as a frame only, with several different shock options to choose from. The frame and a Fox Float X2 is priced at $2,634.
Our test bike was built up with a build kit that left little to be desired, a very impressive blend of fancy but not overly flashy components, including a 150mm Fox 36 Factory fork, Float X2 shock, Shimano XTR drivetrain and brakes, Newmen carbon wheels, and a OneUp carbon bar.
Climbing
The Jibb isn’t as snappy as the Propain Hugene when accelerating off the starting line, but it’s much calmer than the Ghost Riot Trail under during hard pedaling efforts. The steep seat angle creates a very comfortable, centered seating position that makes it an easy bike to maneuver on steep climbs. When things get technical – think slippery off-camber roots, and tight turns – the Jibb shines. It’s a calm, purposeful climber, with lots of traction and a satisfying blend of stability and maneuverability.
Fire road grinds were dispatched without any issues, and I never felt like I needed to reach for the climb switch. While this isn’t the lightest bike, it also didn’t feel overly sluggish, at least as long as the road or trail had a decent pitch to it. On flatter trails the Jibb can feel a little more lethargic – the ground hugging suspension and slightly higher weight meant that it didn’t have the same level of pep that was present on the Scor 4060 ST or Propain Hugene.
Descending
Let’s get one thing out of the way – Jibb probably isn’t the most appropriate name for this bike. I’m totally fine with that fact, for reasons I’ll get into shortly, but if you’re one the hunt for an uber-playful, lively bike that scampers around on the trail, well, this doesn’t exactly fit the bill.
Rather than being a spritely, hoppy and poppy machine, the cut of this Jibb is more purposeful. It’s a bike that seems to have an innate nature to always end up on the correct, and typically fastest, line. There’s plenty of grip, and that ground hugging nature came in handy on the wet conditions that prevailed during testing. It’s solid, silent, and like its bigger sibling feels great in the corners- the relatively low bottom bracket height and moderate reach make it easy to snap through tight turns. That’s really where it felt the best, on twisty, higher speed sections of trail.
Rather than being a spritely, hoppy and poppy machine, the cut of this Jibb is more purposeful. It’s a bike that seems to have an innate nature to always end up on the correct, and typically fastest, line. There’s plenty of grip, and that ground hugging nature came in handy on the wet conditions that prevailed during testing. It’s solid, silent, and like its bigger sibling feels great in the corners- the relatively low bottom bracket height and moderate reach make it easy to snap through tight turns. That’s really where it felt the best, on twisty, higher speed sections of trail.
Timed Testing
Our timed lap for the trail bikes was about three minutes long and was a mix of choppy, rooty sections and some fast flow. It started with an optional rock roll, a little drop, some fast corners, and a small double. As it serpentined its way down the hill, it included some steeps, a few root hops, and a few slight uphills. While none of the track was overly technical, the bikes that excelled on the test lap had to be capable on both fast, rough sections and in quick corners.
Don't forget that timing is just one of many ways to judge a bike, and fast doesn't always mean it's the best for everyone.
Mike Kazimer: "I put down my third fastest time on the Jibb, coming in a hair behind the Propain Hugene."
Given how much the Jibb seems to come alive when ridden aggressively, I did find myself wondering if a slightly slacker head angle might bump its downhill performance up even further. Yes, that would push it closer to the Madonna’s territory, but I think the different travel amounts would help give each bike its own distinct personality. That being said, it does strike a nice balance between feeling like a bigger bike and remaining manageable on mellower, lower angle terrain.
Who's the ideal candidate for the Jibb? This is the bike for someone looking for a long-term trail partner, a bike that's built to last multiple seasons, and does well on a wide variety of terrain. It does reward a more aggressive riding style, and it feels more alive at higher speeds, but overall it does a great job of handling whatever comes its way.
Pros
+ Excellent traction in loose, slippery terrain
+ Very well balanced geometry
+ Well thought out frame details, like sealed bearing covers
Cons
- Not that light considering the high end build kit
- Doesn't really ride like a 'jib' bike
The 2021 Fall Field Test is presented by Rapha and Bontrager. Thank you also to Maxxis, Schwalbe, and Garmin for control tires and equipment.
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One is "fancy but not overly flashy", the other is "flashy but not overly fancy"
But sometimes the Kashima looks so great in combination with certain colors...then you have to bite the bullet for the ice cream parlor effect
Keep spending that R&D money!
To your point however, MoCo and CTD are all types of abominations that companies should be embarrassed to offer as real solutions.
I do prefer the looks of the Raaw Jibb over the current Liteville 301 though.
And personally, I beg to differ !
Raaw is way too heavy to push and carry it up mountains all the time.
These days a 301s are some kind of a dinosaurs and Raaw is becoming a small hi end brand that makes bikes that are more of curiosity on the trails then common sight, quality for the "true riders". Position that was once reserved for Liteville and Nicolai
i saw jibb bikes flying over the crabapple hits... but i still see swiss guys on litevilles,trying to ride switchbacks without getting the foot of the FLAT Pedal.
just kidding, i like swiss people alot.
Jibb is in stock - my bad!
and that is with what everyone would call longer chainstay on the bike. Would ya look at that!
balanced bike= better cornering
All my bikes jib, chain stays range from 411mm to 425mm
Below is a link for folks that like to nerd out of these suspension link design charts.
linkagedesign.blogspot.com
Looks like the shift cable is getting into the chain and chainring. Is due to routing, or excessive cable on the bike you got? Or something else?
As even XC bikes are getting more capable, 200 (or 203) rotors should be the standard across the board.
I picked the jibb largely because of dropper insertion space. Large prime has a recommended maximum 215mm of dropper insertion which is not very much at all. I would have had to compromise on dropper post length so that clinched it. If you have a 34"+ inseam it might matter less.
I also hate low bottom brackets so I was considering the higher BB of the prime as a pro, but the jibb BB height is seriously perfect, my favorite part of the bike.
I've had mine for a few months now and consider the review to be pretty consistent with how I feel about the bike.
I bought it despite the name, I didn't buy it expecting a "jibb" bike. What I got was an agile sledgehammer, which is what I was looking for.
Also, bearings are not very well sealed. I'd plan to pull everything apart immediately, pack the bearings full of good grease, and make a little fender for the rear wheel. As part of preparing to do this, go look at the price of a Santa Cruz (impeccable bearing system) or merely the RAAW and remember what you paid for the Banshee. And really it's good practice do always do this (I do it on my Santa Cruz).
Finally, I get along really well with the rear center riding an XL, but the smaller the size of the frame, the more the front and rear centers are going to move away from traditional norms. Not necessarily a bad thing, but something to pay attention to. I'm not sure I would want my Titan chainstays on my 150/135 bike.
I generally have some advice about cable routing as well, but this may be the rare bike comparison is where cable routing is a point for the Banshee.
Ripmo AF.
The bikes are twins and opposites at the same time.
The AF is a great bike especially for the money and especially if you're under about 170lb or tend to tread lightly.
I'm neither of those things so between the (noticeable, to me) frame flex, somewhat crude cable routing, minimal chain damping, and just overall build/aesthetic, the bike always just felt a little... disposable to me. That's not a criticism, the frame is like half the price of the Jibb, but for me it just wasn't doing it for me. I thought the kinematics were a little wierd as well, but again lighter riders might not agree.
It's interesting because the bikes have a basically identical wheelbase with the jibb having a longer rear center and the af having a longer front center.
The AF actually felt a little more reassuring in some situations because the longer front center makes you feel less prone to going OTB.
The jibb feels shorter and more maneuverable for the same reasons, while having similar stability at speed.
Like theu covered in the review the Jibb feels more like a high quality tool than a toy. IMO it's a great bike for someone a little tired of the endless fashion show of incrementally "improved" model years and keeping up with the Joneses. It's a clean, simple, solid rig that works well, is easy to take care of, can ride anything, and can take shit kicking.
I see them as very similar, I'd categorize them both as "all-mountain" bikes.
I'm 210 with gear and ride reasonably hard, and I found the AF flexy at times.
They're pretty similar in a lot of ways, but I'm 210lb with gear and on my better days I push pretty hard. The
I am currently on a dialed V1 Ripmo and my son has a Ripmo AF. This has been a fantastic bike for my area and ridding habits. Looking for change but, not a total departure.
I had my eye on this bike since conception. I was so excited to hear about this review and then found myself a bit let down.
Thanks again
Better have the weight and stay problem free....also burly Bikes feel way more planted and stable just because of better working suspension...check Seb Stotts article about this topic. If you aren't carrying your bike on your bike, it simply doesn't matter.
[Groans abound]
I know what you're thinking, it doesn't really "jib", it's more of an all around short travel bike, but that's not what marketing is all about.
So yeah, the Jib that don't jib, how's that for some jive
That's okay, I didn't want to jib anyway.