The new RAAW Jibb 2021 first ride review – Feisty party animal?
Three years ago Ruben Torenbeek, thinker and doer at RAAW, suggested in an interview with us that his much-loved Madonna would one day get a playmate. With the new RAAW Jibb 2021, he has created a loyal hound – and it’s a purebred terrier!
In the Bavarian alps, a new bike rolls out of RAAW’s doors that, with its straight-cut lines and clear-coated aluminium, is an unmistakable reminder or even easily mistaken for the Madonna V2. But a closer look makes it clear that this bike approaches things differently than the brand’s enduro weapon – yet, it makes no claims about being less wild. True, the Jibb is also manufactured from aluminium, rolls on 29″ wheels and uses Horst-link suspension. But there it starts to differentiate itself from the Madonna with a more restrained 150 mm and 135 mm travel front and rear. The RAAW Jibb seems less a steamroller and much more a party machine, trading a few percentage points of brutish descending capabilities for agility, pop and airtime.
Dog breeders describe the Jack Russell Terrier as an energetic, purebred hunter that lacks fear, has certain delusions of grandeur, requires a disciplined upbringing and will bring the most joy to experienced owners. What they don’t know is that there’s now one made from 6066 aluminium. Many of the characteristics of this small, bullish four-legged creature are said to be found in the RAAW Jibb. Somebody clearly put a lot of thought into which animal to put on the top tube. A trail bike explicitly approved for bike park use and the image of a hunting dog painted on the top tube are no doubt a nice idea, after all, no manufacturer wants to have built “just a trail bike”, but what tripped us up with the RAAW is how their own testers have interpreted the bike: The first Jibb that we saw with a sponsored rider had the front brake line routed through the headset and steerer tube. Combined with extra-long brake lines for the rear, bar spins and tail whips were possible. Frankly, that doesn’t really sound like a classic trail bike any more! Does that mean the RAAW Jibb is serious with its ambition to be a hardcore play bike?
Madonna DNA – The new RAAW Jibb in detail
Looking at RAAW’s new bike, we can’t avoid comparisons with the Madonna V2, in who’s wake and wide tire tracks the Jibb comes rolling in. The visual similarities shared by both are also reflected in numerous technical details – for joy! RAAW stays true to its principle of manufacturing bikes from aluminium. Ruben Torenbeek previously explained the reasons for this in an interview with us. But not just the material of the frame remains the same. The design language of the Jibb and Madonna V2 are closely related. In particular, the distinctive lines and puristic, confident look characterised by the clear-coated aluminium or black powder coating unites the brand’s two models.
Closer examination reveals the effort RAAW have put into building not just high-performance, but also durable and maintenance-friendly bikes. The large pivot bearings are further protected from the elements with hub-cap style bearing covers. That promises to provide an increased lifespan and a healthy ride-service balance.
The angular down tube will be protected by a meaty rubber protector against rocks flung against it – our test bike wasn’t yet equipped with one. The chainstay is also protected with a generously dimensioned ribbed rubber guard. With two standard mounts in the main triangle, there’s somewhere to keep a water bottle and parts for spares or repairs. We think that should be standard on all bikes!
The models of the RAAW Jibb 2021 – Prices and availability
The Jibb is available as a frameset or complete build. The frame kits are available to purchase immediately worldwide and start at € 2,290. RAAW let you choose between two air- and one coil-sprung shocks, from Formula or FOX. Opt for FOX and delivery will likely be delayed until April. As we’re used to with RAAW, complete bikes will be offered as either an XT or XTR build. Both specs are equipped with a FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 while leaving the choice of damper open to you. Prices are € 5,490 for the XT and € 7,290 for the XTR build.
The geometry of the new RAAW Jibb 2021
The figures of the RAAW Jibb indicate playfulness and direct handling. According to RAAW, the terrier’s enthusiasm stems from a combination of strands of DNA from the highly-praised Madonna, slightly reduced dimensions and kinematics designed for support and high pedalling efficiency. With four sizes from S to XL, the 470 mm reach for size L is on the moderate side. Likewise, the head tube angle of 65.5° and the wheelbase of 1,240 mm don’t proclaim a revolution in geometry and sound compact for the enduro world. But just a moment: we’re talking about a bike with only 135 mm travel!
The seat tube angle is relatively steep and sits at 77.5° for all four frame sizes. The length of the Jibb’s chainstays grows with the frame size measuring 440 mm (sizes S and M), 445 mm (L) or 450 mm (XL). This is made possible by the interchangeable inserts in the dropouts. Buying other inserts will allow you to experiment with the length of your chainstays retrospectively. Make sure to watch out for those inserts though – they’re not anchored in the frame and can easily fly out when taking the rear wheel off.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 395 mm | 420 mm | 445 mm | 450 mm |
| Top tube | 561 mm | 589 mm | 619 mm | 648 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 115 mm | 130 mm | 145 mm |
| Head angle | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° |
| Seat angle | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° |
| Chainstays | 440 mm | 440 mm | 445 mm | 450 mm |
| BB Drop | 35 mm | 35 mm | 35 mm | 35 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,172 mm | 1,203 mm | 1,240 mm | 1,276 mm |
| Reach | 420 mm | 445 mm | 470 mm | 495 mm |
| Stack | 608 mm | 622 mm | 636 mm | 649 mm |
The geometry of the new RAAW Jibb 2021 with a 150 mm fork. How will the Jibb feel? Like a short-travel-enduro-party bike?
The new RAAW Jibb 2021 on the trail
We tested the RAAW Jibb with a FOX coil shock in size L, which weighed in at 15.2 kg. Onboard it quickly became clear that this bike positions the rider upright when in the saddle. For the uphills, that results in a relaxed position and a front wheel that stays masterfully stuck to the ground even up steep ramps. Overall, the Jibb pedals relatively efficiently and marches willingly onwards. Even its 15 kg weight doesn’t alter that fact. On the other hand, on long flats, it turns out to put quite a lot of pressure on the hands.
Having dispatched the ascent, the terrier wants to be let off the leash to give its character free rein. That doesn’t mean that the Jibb turns downhill, lets off brakes down the fall line and rolls over everything in its way as if by magic – that’s much more the Madonna’s forte. While it disappears out of view downhill in a cloud of its own dust, the Jibb first prefers pulling a wheelie, mischievously slaloming between its buddies before playfully dropping over some roots into the trail. For those who can master it, now the fun begins! Warning: the Jibb definitely requires an active, experienced, trail-party rider with good technique. For many others, the agile handling will be too demanding.
Once again, the analogy of the Jack Russell fits perfectly: just like the permanently amped up terrier never manages to pass by another dog without investigating, the Jibb never manages to ignore the opportunity to play. Roots? Pop off them! Berms? Accelerate out in a manual! Rock in the way? Nose bonk! Of course, that requires a disciplined hand on the leash, eh, the bars. Ride it passively and the Jibb is hard to master. If the front wheel isn’t actively weighted, the terrier escapes to the outside of open corners.
With its agile handling, lots of suspension support and a compact riding position, the Jibb motivates you to change direction and catch air. The coil suspension offers a lot of pop and delivers sufficient reserves. Even if the Jibb occasionally went deep into its travel, it never bottomed out harshly. Did we reach the end of the travel? If so, it wasn’t noticeable. Even less that it’s only 135 mm! The rear end of the Jibb always gives you the feeling of having plenty of reserves.
RAAW Jibb 2021 conclusion
The terrier emblem, the party-hard attitude and the urge for bike parks – none of this has anything to do with hubris for the new RAAW Jibb. This Jack Russell really packs a punch. The unique concept of an amped-up trail bike works for experienced riders but will be too much for beginners. At high speeds, this jibber gets out of its comfort zone, but that’s what a Madonna V2 is for. All in all, with the Jibb, RAAW have hit the ball out of the park for real trail-party bikers.
Tops
- successful niche concept for trail parties and experienced bikers
- efficient suspension and good climbing characteristics
- technical details for durability and ease of maintenance
Flops
- demanding handling for beginners
- hard on the hands on flat terrain
- chainstay inserts aren't fixed to the frame
For more information visit raawmtb.com
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Words: Moritz Geisreiter Photos: Peter Walker
