Ibis Debuts New Ripley 29er Trailbike
Ibis offers the new Ripley 29 in size small, which is good news for smaller-framed riders who have been shunned by many brands that only make medium or larger size 29ers.
Ibis has been working on its Ripley 29er trailbike, reportedly since 2007, when Dave Weagle concocted the idea that he could use eccentric, rotating cams (ala Yeti SB 66) to replace the linkages of his signature anti-squat rear suspension. During the project's lengthly gestation period, a handful of industry standards altered the landscape of the dual-suspension 29er trailbike. This gave Ibis ample time to tune the Ripley's frame geometry and its general layout to conform to the evolving trends. The result is a beautiful looking big wheel bike with steering in the slack (for a 29er), 68.5-degree range to keep it drop-in friendly, and with a lightweight carbon chassis, backed up with a suspension system to make it pedal efficiently. Ibis targeted the Ripley at the long-travel trailbike rider and builds are available in both Shimano and SRAM for the Ripley that range from $4,699 in Shimano SLX to the XTR version for $6,999. Weight for the upper-end builds is in the 24-pound range. Medium frames with the standard X-Fusion shock weigh a reported, five pounds even.
(From left) The Ripley frame uses a yoke to drive the shock in order to free up space behind the seat tube for the 29-inch wheel and tire.The swingarm and seat tube are offset to the left to make room for a front derailleur. The tapered head tube features built-in cable-housing stops
 | Our goal was to bring the advantages of a 29-inch wheel to a lightweight, nimble and fun trailbike. We think 120 millimeters of travel is the sweet spot for a snappy bike that isn't cumbersome or heavy. We also wanted the Ripley to be configurable for a wide range of terrain and riding styles, so we made it compatible with 120 -140 mm travel forks. We asked Dave Weagle (Mr. dw-link) to give the Ripley pedaling efficiency, XC-like acceleration and optimization for 29er-specific gearing, in addition to the usual dw-attributes such as, excellent small-bump compliance and predictable travel through the range with no wallowing or harsh bottom out. This version of the dw-link, like the ones he's done for us in the past, delivers on the promise. |
A direct mount front derailleur is integrated onto the right-
side swingarm strut.
Ripley 29 Features:
• 120mm rear-wheel travel
• 5 Pound frame with X Fusion Microlite Shock, 5.2
with Fox RP23 CTD
• Approved for 120-140mm forks, 32mm or 34mm
stanchions
• Tapered head tube (suitable for various Cane Creek
and Chris King InSet 3 headsets)
• Internal, top tube cable routing with molded carbon
cable stops
• Shock Specs: 184mm x 44mm
• Provision for dropper seat posts
• BB92/Press GXP style integrated BB
• 142mm Maxle rear axle
• 160mm carbon fiber post-mount rear brake mounts
• High, direct mount front derailleur mounts onto the
swingarm
• 120mm rear-wheel travel
• 5 Pound frame with X Fusion Microlite Shock, 5.2
with Fox RP23 CTD
• Approved for 120-140mm forks, 32mm or 34mm
stanchions
• Tapered head tube (suitable for various Cane Creek
and Chris King InSet 3 headsets)
• Internal, top tube cable routing with molded carbon
cable stops
• Shock Specs: 184mm x 44mm
• Provision for dropper seat posts
• BB92/Press GXP style integrated BB
• 142mm Maxle rear axle
• 160mm carbon fiber post-mount rear brake mounts
• High, direct mount front derailleur mounts onto the
swingarm
Two eccentric cams ride on ball bearings inside the
enlarged seat tube of the Ripley frame. The bearings
are exactly the same size as a press-fit BB 30 bottom
bracket should you need one in a pinch.
Construction Highlights:
In designing the Ripley, Ibis moved away from the Mojo's double-
reinforced front section to a more familiar profile that mirrors a
number of well respected trailbikes. Some of the Ripley's stand-
out features are not obvious to the untrained eye. The suspen-
sion's dual eccentrics make for good conversation, but they
function exactly the same as a pair of short rockers. The real
magic of the eccentrics is that they are recessed into the seat
tube. That, and and the fact that the seat tube is offset to the
left, slim the swingarm's profile enough to allow space for a
vertical strut on the right to stiffen the drive side. Mounting the
front derailleur on the drive-side strut causes the mech to follow
the chain angle as the suspension cycles for better shifting. In
the back, a proper 142/12 through-axle sits below post-type
brake caliper mounts. Up front, the tapered head tube is
fitted with internal cable routing for the front and rear derailleur
cables. The brake hoses and dropper housing are externally
routed - reportedly for easier access. There is no provision on
the bottom bracket for an ISCG-type chainguide.
In designing the Ripley, Ibis moved away from the Mojo's double-
reinforced front section to a more familiar profile that mirrors a
number of well respected trailbikes. Some of the Ripley's stand-
out features are not obvious to the untrained eye. The suspen-
sion's dual eccentrics make for good conversation, but they
function exactly the same as a pair of short rockers. The real
magic of the eccentrics is that they are recessed into the seat
tube. That, and and the fact that the seat tube is offset to the
left, slim the swingarm's profile enough to allow space for a
vertical strut on the right to stiffen the drive side. Mounting the
front derailleur on the drive-side strut causes the mech to follow
the chain angle as the suspension cycles for better shifting. In
the back, a proper 142/12 through-axle sits below post-type
brake caliper mounts. Up front, the tapered head tube is
fitted with internal cable routing for the front and rear derailleur
cables. The brake hoses and dropper housing are externally
routed - reportedly for easier access. There is no provision on
the bottom bracket for an ISCG-type chainguide.
Contact Ibis for the complete story on the new Ripley 29
Author Info:
Member since Mar 23, 2011
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How does this happen?
A clutch mech does not stop dropped chains or offer the security of a proper full chain device.
Seems silly not to include it as an option.
Ibis doesn't do the tabs because they interfere with the linkage placement but that doesn't look to be the case here. However this bike was originally going to be a 100mm race bike that ended up being a light trail bike. Doesn't seem like they envisioned it being an Enduro/AM bike.
After installing a XO clutch derailleur last spring I haven't dropped chain front or rear since. Can't speak for the Shimano though.
www.bikerumor.com/2013/03/13/found-wolftooth-components-machined-chainrings-fit-xx1-to-any-crankset
They're already offering 30/32/34T rings but I'm sure if you ask them they can make a 38T which you could then run on a crank with an outer bashguard.
www.pinkbike.com/news/First-Look-Specialized-S---Works-Enduro-29-S-E.html
Now if Ibis would do this as an 26 - easily the most pleasing looking bike in the world.
I'd readily take an enduro over a mojo. Like sandwich says the enduro has got the modern geo everyone is looking for.
You're attempting to correct someone who's been riding 650B mountain bikes longer than probably anyone else here in Canada and who knows boatloads more about what has been going with the wheelsize in the past five years than many "brands" who are just now jumping onto the trend do. Ibis designed the Mojos to work with 26" wheels only, that the HD 140 swingarm had the tire clearance to then subsequently clear the available 650B tire options turned out to be a happy coincidence because they could then state that the frame was 650B compatible. But the HD160 which other than the linkage plates and the shock length shares the same rear end as the HD140, is NOT 650B compatible unless you install a travel limiter in the shock (otherwise the top of the tire smacks the back of the seattube).
Of course had you been living with 650B mountain bikes for five years plus, and spent any sort of time researching what frames/forks clear the tires and what don't, you might not have just tried to shove your foot so far into your mouth. To paraphrase what someone said lastnight...
Saidrick, never go full retard.
This is really where I see the future of 650b , it will be an option on 26" bikes.
As for the specialized, I would argue that the Ibis has no lack of resources, having made numerous carbon molds, and licensing the dw-link system and DW to ride it, and breaking ground in their dual link dual bearing dual head scratcher setup. My comment was entirely that the specialized managed to cram ultra short chainstays into a pretty big bike. Where Ibis could have applied their craziness to doing just that, they didn't. The long-travel 29er fad is not going to stick around for long, as 650b is a better option for long travel unless people pull out the craziness that specialized did (and the design is really not all that crazy) to get short chainstays in an aggressive 29" chassis.
@Wobbem
the posting above yours implies that for $3500 you get diddly...shiettty components, that is! not that $3500 is not $3500!
"if you are still sucking on daddy's broken plick and all you get is $5"
I am just joking! Go ride your bike and sweat it out. $3500 or not, the bike comes with just above entry components!
www.santacruzbicycles.com/blurlt_carbon
Not going to wait 6 years.
i.e. roadies in Colorado