Ibis has rebuilt its Oso eMTB as a single carbon platform that reconfigures into three bikes — from 130mm to 165mm of rear travel — around a Bosch CX Gen 5 motor, with shipping set for May 2026.
One frame, three bikes
Ibis has given its Oso e-mountain bike a ground-up redesign, and the headline isn't a single bike — it's three. The all-new Oso HD, Oso TR and Oso S all share one carbon frame, with travel, geometry and even wheel size set by which fork, shock, suspension clevis and bolt-on dropouts you fit. Ibis pitches it as 'one frame, three personalities', bridging the gap between its trail and enduro machines.
Visually the bike now mirrors Ibis's analogue range — think an electrified Ripmo/HD6 — and it keeps the brand's signature dw-link suspension with longer, straighter seat tubes for big dropper posts. All prices below are US RRP in US dollars.
The Oso platform by the numbers
Source: Ibis Cycles
HD vs TR vs S: how the three differ
Oso S, TR and HD compared
| Oso S | Oso TR | Oso HD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear travel (mm) | 130 | 150 | 165 |
| Fork travel (mm) | 140 | 160 | 180 |
| Head angle | 63.9–64.4° | 63.2–64° | 62.3–63.1° |
| Complete weight, XM | 48.9 lb | 50.2 lb | 51.7 lb |
| Cheapest complete (USD) | $7,999 (~R132 000) | $8,499 (~R140 000) | $8,999 (~R148 000) |
| Wheel setup | 29" | mixed / 29" | mixed / 29" |
Specs: Ibis Cycles
View data table
| Fork travel | Rear travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Oso S | 140 mm | 130 mm |
| Oso TR | 160 mm | 150 mm |
| Oso HD | 180 mm | 165 mm |
Bosch CX Gen 5, not Avinox
Rather than join the rush to DJI's lightweight Avinox motor, Ibis doubled down on Bosch. The Oso runs the Bosch Performance Line CX (Gen 5), which Ibis lists at up to 120Nm of torque following Bosch's 2026 over-the-air update — at launch the figure was withheld and described as 'top secret'. A Kiox 400C controller handles the display, and the bike is a Class 1 (32 km/h) e-bike for the US market.
Power comes from a 600Wh internal battery. Ibis deliberately chose the smaller pack — Bikerumor reports it saves roughly 2.2 lb versus an 800Wh option and centres the mass low — and offers the Bosch PowerMore 250Wh range extender to reach 850Wh when you need it.
“I really appreciate seeing brands avoid the Avinox trap, because, if I'm honest, the latest trend is just too much.”
Modular by design
The clever part is the modular dropout system: bolt-on dropouts and brake mounts let you change chainstay length (440–465mm depending on wheel size) and switch between mixed-wheel (mullet) and full 29" setups. Smaller sizes run mixed wheels; XM and up are 29". Ibis sells the dropouts as aftermarket parts, so a single bike can be re-tuned as your riding changes.
There are now five sizes, including a new Extra-Medium (XM) aimed at riders around 5'5"–6'0". Each size gets its own geometry and suspension kinematics, so the platform isn't a one-size compromise.
View data table
| Weight (kg) | |
|---|---|
| Oso S | 22.18 kg |
| Oso TR | 22.77 kg |
| Oso HD | 23.45 kg |
What the cycling press is saying
First looks from the launch
Independent verdicts from across the cycling press — follow each link for the full review.
Impressed by the low, light battery
“I was quite surprised by the impact the lighter battery and its low placement had on the weight balance and handling feel.”
Read the full reviewSceptical about the Sport model
“I'll admit, I'm confused by this category of full-power eMTB.”
Read the full reviewThe case for and against
- One carbon frame spans 130–180mm of travel — buy once, reconfigure for trail or gravity
- Bosch CX Gen 5 with up to 120Nm plus a proven reliability and service network
- 600Wh battery keeps weight low (from 48.9 lb / 22.2 kg) with an 850Wh option when you need range
- New Extra-Medium size and modular dropouts (chainstay + wheel size) for a dialled fit
- Familiar dw-link suspension shared with Ibis's analogue range
- Fully switching travel means buying fork, shock, clevis and dropout parts — it isn't a free flip
- 600Wh is modest beside 800Wh+ rivals unless you add the extra-cost range extender
- US pricing is $7,999 (~R132 000)–$9,699 (~R160 000); SA landed pricing plus import duties will be higher
- The 'Sport' 130mm full-power eMTB niche puzzled some reviewers
- No lightweight Avinox-class option for riders chasing the lightest full-power builds
A pre-ride, on-paper assessment from the launch information — not an independent ride test. One of the most flexible full-power eMTB platforms yet, built around a sane Bosch drivetrain; real-world range on 600Wh and the cost of reconfiguring are the open questions.
Tap to vote — see how readers lean
Ibis Oso: your questions answered
How is the new Oso 'modular'? +
All three models — HD, TR and S — share one carbon frame. You change the fork, shock, suspension clevis and bolt-on dropouts to move between 140/130mm, 160/150mm and 180/165mm travel, and to switch wheel size or chainstay length. Ibis sells the dropouts as aftermarket parts.
What motor and battery does it use? +
A Bosch Performance Line CX (Gen 5) motor — Ibis quotes up to 120Nm following Bosch's 2026 software update — with a 600Wh internal battery. An optional Bosch PowerMore 250Wh range extender lifts total capacity to 850Wh.
Why didn't Ibis use the DJI Avinox motor everyone's talking about? +
Ibis stuck with Bosch for its proven reliability, service network and natural assist. The trade-off is headline weight and power versus the latest lightweight Avinox-class systems — and reviewers were split on whether that's the right call.
How much does it weigh? +
Ibis claims complete (size XM) weights of 48.9 lb / 22.2 kg for the Oso S, 50.2 lb / 22.8 kg for the TR and 51.7 lb / 23.5 kg for the HD, with frame protection fitted and tyre sealant added.
When can I buy one and what does it cost? +
Shipping starts May 2026. US pricing is $7,999 (~R132 000) (Oso S) to $9,699 (~R160 000) (Oso TR GX AXS), with frame-only from $6,599 (~R109 000). South African pricing wasn't announced at launch — expect local figures to be higher once duties and shipping are added.
Sources & further reading
- Ibis Launches the All-new Oso HD, Oso TR, and Oso S (press release) — Vital MTB
- An Electric Ripmo? The 2nd-Generation Ibis Oso eMTB — Bikerumor
- New Ibis Oso Overhaul: The 3-in-1 Full-Power eMTB Without an Avinox Motor — BikeMag
- New Ibis Oso 2026: The Modular eMTB Bridging Ripmo and Ripley — Cyclonline
- Oso HD — official specs & geometry — Ibis Cycles
- Oso TR — official specs & geometry — Ibis Cycles
The new Oso is Ibis's most flexible bike yet — a single carbon platform that morphs from a 130mm trail tool into a 165mm gravity sled, wrapped around a sensible Bosch CX Gen 5 drivetrain rather than chasing the Avinox arms race. The open questions are real-world range on the 600Wh battery and how much it actually costs to reconfigure between travel setups. If you want one do-everything full-power eMTB that can grow with your riding, it's firmly one to watch — South African pricing and stock are the next things to confirm.
