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Raaw Jibb Review

The brand name Raaw has become synonymous with sturdy, gravity-focused aluminum mountain bikes. We put the Raaw Jibb to the test to see if this rig is solely a shredding machine or if it can also deliver fun on the trails.

While mainstream brands such as Cube, Scott, and Canyon have settled on carbon as their go-to frame material, there are a select few manufacturers that deliberately opt for aluminum in their top-tier mountain bikes. Raaw is one of those brands that doesn’t consider aluminum as a low-budget option. The reasons for this are easily explained.

Of course, there are several reasons to opt for a carbon bike. Ultimately, carbon gives designers complete freedom in crafting their frames. There are no restrictive tube shapes as with metal frames. And, naturally, the prestige associated with carbon is a significant marketing tool.

Uncompromising lightweight construction with frame weights under 900 grams for a hardtail or under 1.8 kilograms for a full-suspension can currently only be achieved with carbon. Companies like Liteville or Nicolai have proven in the past that serious lightweight construction, with only about 15-20% more weight compared to carbon fiber, can also be done with aluminum as the frame material. And in the realm of shaping, aluminum 3D printing is gradually reclaiming to be the go-to process.

The frame weight of over 3.5 kilograms without a shock makes it crystal clear: Raaw Jibb isn’t about weight-saving! There are competitors out there who tip the scales at over a kilogram less. A closer inspection of the frame shows that the designer have placed the emphasis quite differently on this bike. It’s all about durability and ease of maintenance. To put it bluntly: This bike could put mechanics out of a job.

The large bearings in the rear linkage immediately catch your eye. With a diameter of 52 millimeters, the main pivot bearing is as big as a lower headset bearing. Larger bearings distribute the impacts and stresses across a broader surface during suspension compression, which reduces wear on the entire assembly. As a result, the bearings have a significantly longer lifespan than their smaller counterparts. Anyone who’s ever dismantled a rear suspension after just a season of shredding knows how nasty those small industrial bearings can get. It’s a smart move by Raaw to take a unique approach in this area.

The true depth of innovation in the rear suspension’s pivot bearings only becomes evident upon disassembly. An additional seal on the backside of the washer placed between the frame and bearing serves as a first line of defense against dirt, dust, and water even before it reaches the actual bearing seal. This design feature should significantly delay the dreaded rear triangle creaks that nearly every full-suspension frame eventually develops. The convex shape of the washer allows for hassle-free threading of the chain stays into the linkage when reassembling the rear triangle. It’s a detail that will spare you getting frustrated, as it prevents the washers from constantly falling out.

The externally routed cables and brake lines can be installed in no time and most importantly, without any annoying rattling. With such maintenance-friendly features, mechanical drivetrains are reclaiming their relevance over their electronic, wireless counterparts. After all, there are situations where you can swap out a frayed cable faster than you can track down the charger for an etap battery. Mentioning the threaded BSA bottom bracket almost seems redundant with so many other well-thought-out details already in place.

Upon laying eyes on our Raaw Jibb test bike for the first time, you might want to wear a pair of shades. The bling factor is just so high. A Raaw bike isn’t an off-the-shelf purchase; more often than not, it’s a custom build tailored to the rider.

The online retailer Bike-Components* not only carries an exclusive distribution of Raaw frames, but they also offer a program that allows customers to spec out their dream bike with the help of a skilled service rep. For a nominal fee of 150 €, the Aachen-based webshop will even assemble your custom dream bike from the ground up and ship it directly to your doorstep. To showcase this unique service, Bike-Components built us a custom test bike. And it’s no surprise that an online store known for stocking the most exclusive and unique components on-demand didn’t skimp on the build.

Trickstuff Diritissima brakes, Beast carbon wheels, and a Factory suspension from Fox. This setup leaves nothing to be desired. The price tag for this build is just over $8,000. At this price point, the scale shows 14.7 kilograms. Even though the YT Jeffsy we recently tested tipped the scales at 15.5 kilograms, it’s clear: there are lighter bikes with 150 millimeters of travel on the fork. Nonetheless, the bike surprised us in our test.

No one’s going to be blown away by a complete bike weight of 14.7 kilograms. However, the story takes a turn when you zoom in on the Beast Carbon wheels. Despite being fitted with enduro-ready Conti rubber, the carbon wheelset, including the cassette, tires, and rotors, tip the scale at just 4.6 kilograms. For reference, the wheelset from the Canyon Lux Trail we recently reviewed weighed similarly, even with a Racing Ralph rear tire mounted. This gives our Raaw Jibb a quicker acceleration than you might expect.

Beast Components isn’t just headquartered in Dresden, but also manufactures its wheels right there. Beast even promises that their wheels, despite their impressive low weight, can endure 30% more punishment than comparable carbon rims from competitors. Although we couldn’t verify this in detail, the wheels have sustained no damage through several hard hits on the trail. Thanks to the lightweight wheels and the suspension’s neutral response to pedaling, the bike performs admirably on long rides, effectively offsetting its slightly heavier frame weight. Riders will appreciate the upright seating position, which is great news for those embarking on extended tours.

Descending, this bike remains unshakeable. The entire suspension system is highly responsive, and the Diritissima brakes from the BC Online Shop* are dreamy stoppers. They don’t just pack endless power but offer modulation that’s second to none. This is what high-end should feel like.

The geometry is on point. For a bike with 150mm of travel, the bottom bracket is relatively low, sitting 35 millimeters below the hub axle, allowing you to stand up straight behind the bars on the trail. This provides a secure feeling even on steep sections. Overall, the geometry is stable. Although Raaw has a new-school approach, they haven’t gone overboard here. With an active riding style, the bike can still be maneuvered through tight singletrack without much trouble. However, the Santa Cruz 5010 from our last test was more playful.

The bike’s specs instill a lot of confidence on the descents, but when trying to tap into its full potential, you quickly realise that the rear suspension offers only 135 millimeters of travel. As a result, the rear end reaches its limits sooner than the front during high-speed sections or in extremely rough terrain. After all, there’s no substitute for travel. However, you can’t fault the character of the rear suspension. It consistently provides counter pressure and doesn’t sag throughout its travel, which is particularly commendable given the limited amount of squish. This also translates into stellar performance when jumping over ledges or taking flight off jumps.

As always, we go beyond just giving you in-depth insights into a bike’s details. Unlike any other media, our innovative and truly objective testing system provides information on the entire market. Fans of a particular bike like the Raaw Jibb have a soft spot for high-quality aluminum rigs. So we’ve put together an exciting collection for you. Check out our extensive market overview where we’ve compiled all bikes featuring 130 to 150 millimeters of travel and aluminum frames for you.