Review

Back Issue | Review: The Ibis Ripley XC Bike

23.06.2015
by

Featuring in our group test in Issue #015, we tried out the XC orientated Ibis Ripley to see how it fared in more…unconventional cross-country circumstances and ventured across to enduro riding. You know, a bit more aggressive riding was needed to really try and push the bike to its limits. See how it panned out here:

Do you remember those seven Tours de France that Lance Armstrong didn’t win? In a somewhat similar fashion, we’re declaring that the Ibis Ripley is actually not the winner of this test. Despite imposing no real limitations on how the brands could modify their test bikes, we decided that 140 millimeters of fork travel and the 41-millimeter (35-millimeter internal width) 941 wheels on the Ibis constitute an unfair advantage. Together they put the Ibis solidly into another category.

Abner Kingman 2015 ©
Because of the huge spec of the Ibis Ripley, in similar fashion to Lance Armstrong in the TDF, this bike cannot be the winner of the test.
It took Ibis six years to develop its new 29er, so you'd expect something pretty groundbreaking...
It took Ibis six years to develop its new 29er, so you’d expect something pretty groundbreaking…
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But that is precisely what this Talented Mr. Ripley is all about, and why it was developed in the first place. Ibis set out to create a spritely, shape-shifting, identity-switching bike – as adept at playing hard, like a trail bike, as it is at traveling light, like a cross-country rig. It was a daunting process, too, making the Ripley. By the time the bike debuted in 2013, Ibis had spent six years making its new 29er.

Like the rest of the Ibis lineup, the Ripley’s rear-suspension performance is a result of the company’s partnership with Dave Weagle of dw-link and Split Pivot fame. Like all Weagle designs, this bike’s pedaling efficiency is superb. If you’ve never experienced a Weagle bike, the first few pedal strokes might have you swear you’re riding a hardtail.

Abner Kingman 2015 ©
Most of our test riders felt that they could notice the increase in rotational weight due to the 941 wheelset and the 2.35 wide Schwalbe tires during non-technical climbing. Everywhere else, though, the wide rims drew praise for the massive amounts of traction they helped provide.
The rear triangle used by Ibis swings on Dave Weagle's DW Link and has a rather eccentric point of rotation
The rear triangle used by Ibis swings on Dave Weagle’s DW Link and has a rather eccentric point of rotation
The non-standard Ibis 941 rims have an outer diameter of 41mm and an inner one of 35mm. Combined with voluminous 2.35" width tyres, huge grip is guaranteed.
The non-standard Ibis 941 rims have an outer diameter of 41mm and an inner one of 35mm. Combined with voluminous 2.35″ width tyres, huge grip is guaranteed.

Without a doubt, this was the most capable bike in our test lineup and the one bike that absolutely every rider was happy to be assigned. But then, this really isn’t all that surprising. The 140 millimeters of Fox front suspension kicked the head angle back to a quite confident 68.5 degrees, and the thing was shod with Schwalbe’s Racing Ralph tires. The Ripley also came equipped with a 1×11 drivetrain and a KS Lev dropper post.

Who should buy this bike? If you’re searching for a do-everything mountain bike that could serve your XC, trail, and light enduro needs, then this a bike that absolutely demands your attention. Also, it’s really, really fun.

A real, do-everything mountain bike. Weighing in at 11.82kg and a price of €6300.00, it's quite a dent on the finances
A real, do-everything mountain bike. Weighing in at 11.82kg and a price of €6300.00, it’s quite a dent on the finances

Price: €6300.00
Weight: 11.82 (Without pedals)
Travel: 120mm/120mm

Specifications:

Fork: Fox34 Float CTD Factory FIT Kashima
Rear Shock: Fox Float CTD Boost Valve
Drivetrain: SRAM X01
Brakes: Shimano XT
Seatpost: KS LEV
Stem: Thomson Elite
Handlebar: Easton Haven Carbon
Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic/Racing Ralph
Wheelset: Ibis 941

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The other bikes in the field included: BMC Fourstroke FS02 | Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 2 | Felt Edict 1 29er | Giant Anthem Advanced 27.5 XC | Marin Rift Zone 8 | Trek Fuel EX 9.8 | Yeti ASRc

For more info, visit: ibiscycles.com

Words: Joe Parkin Photos: Abner Kingman

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