It was only a matter of time before the new Ibis Ripley was introduced. After the enormous success of the Ibis Ripmo, which even won our Trail bike group test, the Ripley was always in the shade. We tell you here what has changed and even let you know, how you can have the chance to win one.
When the category-bending Ripley was debuted back in 2011, it was used by some as a cross country rocket and by others as a trail shredder. With quick agile handling and super efficient pedalling characteristics, it felt like a BMX bike you could pedal all day. The Ibis athletes quickly discovered just how versatile it could be. While Brian Lopes was racing an O.G. Ripley to a top fifteen result at his first EWS race, others were winning hundred-mile epics. As riders pushed the bike in different diffractions and components evolved, so did the Ripley. The all-new Ripley continues that trend. It’s been given the modern longer, slacker, steeper treatment, with an all new chassis that’s both lighter, stiffer, and more progressive. Like the original, it retains 120mm of rear travel, paired with a 130mm front fork, and fast rolling 29” wheels.
What has changed on the new Ibis Ripley?
- All new from-the-ground-up redesign
- Ripmo inspired chassis shares similar stiffness and lower link design
- It’s now .65 lbs lighter than the Ripley V3
- Headtube is one degree slacker, now 66.5º
- Seat tube is three degrees steeper, now 76º
- Chainstays shortened by 12mm, now 432mm
- Reach increased by an average of ~45mm across all four sizes
- More progressive suspension kinematics
- Removable ICSG 05 mount
- Internal cable tunnels
- 1x specific design
Moving from the double eccentric to a Ripmo style chassis also came with significant weight savings. One big factor is the unique combination of bearings and bushings. Bearings don’t last long in areas with high loads and minimal rotation, like the lower link or clevis. Ibis has used hermetically sealed IGUS bushings in these locations, which extends our maintenance intervals, increases stiffness, and helps ensure we have some of the lightest frames on the market. The Ripmo has been trouble free, so the Ripley will share the lifetime warranty we offer on the suspension bushings.
The Geometry of the new Ibis Ripley
The “from the ground up” redesign is the culmination of everything Ibis learned from 38 years of mountain bike development. This new Ripley has a one-degree slacker headtube angle (now 66.5º), a three degree steeper seat tube angle (now 76º), and a reach that’s been extended by ~45mm across all sizes (475mm on a size large). The chainstays got shortened by 12 mm and after giving many riders (M-XL) their first taste of 170mm + droppers on the Ripmo, Ibis knew they couldn’t go back to a shorter dropper for the Ripley. Because the new Ripley can accommodate a long dropper and has ultra-low standover, you can size your frame based on reach. Ibis still use the standard “small, medium, large…” naming structure because it’s easy to understand, but the size of your seat tube is no longer a limiting factor.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 368 mm | 381 mm | 419 mm | 483 mm |
| Top tube | 574 mm | 603 mm | 630 mm | 658 mm |
| Head tube | 90 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm | 125 mm |
| Head angle | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° |
| Seat angle | 76° | 76° | 76° | 76° |
| Chainstay | 432 mm | 432 mm | 432 mm | 432 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1147 mm | 1178 mm | 1207 mm | 1236 mm |
| Reach | 425 mm | 450 mm | 475 mm | 500 mm |
| Stack | 599 mm | 613 mm | 622 mm | 631 mm |
The spec of the new Ibis Ripley
Typical for Ibis the new Ripley is also available in several built kits with a lot of upgrade options. Pricing starts at € 4,9998 for the NX-Built. The XTR high-end built costs € 9,998 but just features the finest parts. Here is an overview of the different built kits.
| NX | GX | XT | X01 | XX1 | XTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fork | FOX Float 34 Performance 130 mm | FOX Float 34 Factory 130 mm | ||||
| Rear shock | FOX Float Performance DPS EVOL 120 mm | FOX Float Factory DPS EVOL 120 mm | ||||
| Brakes | SRAM Level 180/180 mm | Shimano Deore 180/180 mm | Shimano XT 180/180 mm | Shimano XTR 180/180 mm | ||
| Drivetrain | SRAM NX Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle | Shimano XT 11-speed | SRAM X01 Eagle | SRAM XX1 Eagle | Shimano XTR 12-speed |
| Seatpost | KS E30i 125 or 150 mm | Bike Yoke Revive 125, 160 or 180 mm | ||||
| Rims/Hubs | Ibis 938 Aluminium/Ibis Logo 29″ | Ibis 935 or 942 Carbon/Industry Nine 29″ | ||||
| Tires | Schwalbe Hans Dampf/Nobby Nic 2.6″ | |||||
| Price | € 4,998 | € 5,698 | € 6,498 | € 7,498 | € 9,998 | € 9,998 |
Who is the Ibis Ripley made for?
Ibis says: „If you love the Ripmo but want something lighter, faster and more nimble than an Enduro World Series capable mountain bike, the Ripley is it. With its combination of modern geometry, progressive suspension, lightweight, and 2.6” tire clearance, the Ripley is our ultimate trail bike.“
Our first impression of the new Ibis Ripley?
It was only a matter of time till Ibis presented the new Ripley and they seem to have done a lot of things right. We loved the handling of the Ripmo and can’t wait to test the more agile, lighter version of it. The geometry looks balanced, the suspension system is proven and the possibility to ride long dropper posts is just awesome. We already ordered a test bike and can’t wait to tell you our impressions.
More information at: ibiscycles.com
How to win the new Ibis Ripley
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Words & Photos: Ibis PR
