2017 Pinkbike Awards: Suspension Product of the Year Winner
Why it's the winner:
Historically, the Suspension Product of the Year has come from a major manufacturer, and it's invariably been a fork or shock that most riders are already familiar with. Fox, RockShox, and Manitou have made up the lion's share of both nominations and wins, as you'd expect to see in this category - big budgets, years of R&D, and plenty of manufacturing muscle are hard to beat. And that's why MRP's surprising victory is worthy of being called the Upset of the Year as well.
We all know that if you're spending around a grand on a suspension fork, you're going to get something that will offer all the performance you might ever require - pretty much everything in this price bracket is going to impress. But thanks to its twin-tube damper that offers best-in-class action, as well as a unique end-stroke control system, the MRP Ribbon manages to outshine its more well-known competition.
With its travel adjustable in 5mm or 10mm increments between 140mm to 170mm for the 27.5'' chassis, or 120mm to 160mm for the 29er fork that I've been riding, the $989 USD Ribbon can be put to work as everything from a brawny cross-country fork to being bolted to the front of an enduro race bike. It's probably most at home somewhere in the middle of that wide spectrum, however, making it an ideal option for how a lot of us like to ride our bikes. It's not short of adjustments, either, as the negative spring can be fine-tuned to adjust the action, and the clever Ramp Control Cartridge offers speed-sensitive ending-stroke control with adjustable bottom-out. The latter is a much more effective way to tune the stroke compared to the token system found in most forks that's position sensitive. You can even pick up a Ribbon with a coil spring inside of it if you'd prefer that over air.
From the review:
 | A lot of us only think of two or maybe three brands when looking for a new suspension fork, and that's understandable given how much these things cost. Most riders aren't likely to spend a grand on something that's not a well-known performer, but it turns out that the Ribbon is one underdog that can not only hang with the big boys but even outperform them. MRP's awesome twin-tube damper and Ramp Control system come together to make their fork not just a viable option, but also a front-runner. |
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Dear MRP : keep up the good work, stay small even when you go big, keep making badass stuff
Those are dominated by the larger companies. Still need to read a bad review of any RS or Specialized stuff.
And some of those “benchmark” products are just average for me.
On User forums/sites, mrp is generally considered well above rs and fox.
The thing I like most about my pike is it's ability to stand up in its travel and not dive upon braking and cornering. But Im strongly considering a ribbon coil at the moment.
Mrp is more tunable and can definitely be more supple off top.
I would also look into the dvo diamond which is slightly heavier but very nice feel, and formula selva.
His mom answered the door when ups delivered the mrp and she had to pay the delivery charges.
She took the mrp, threw it at him in the tub, is sent bubbles and his pike flying out of the water.
www.mrpbike.com/rocksolid
34, 36, Pike are one/two steps below. New Manitou, suntour, ohlins and bos, did not have a chance yet.
Marzocchi RIP.
Dropping $1k on a fork just isn't happening for me however.
You may not forgive me Scotty, but you're not the one from whom I seek to have a mended relationship.
Merry Christmas buddy.
To be crystal clear: I was NOT saying its worth less than $1000, I was merely saying I WISH it was closer to $500.
Man, you guys in the comments can be ruthless! Haha.
Be happy with what you've got, and don't fall prey to "Best Of" marketing posts.
I don't personally happen to have a grand laying around with no plans attached to it however, so short of one appearing in a brown box on my porch one day, with a note inside telling me to give it a whirl, I'll be sticking to my Fox and Ohlins 36's.
For now...