We’re excited to welcome the new Ibis Ripley 29er to the Over the Edge family! The Ripley has always been one of our most versatile mountain bikes and the updated 2019 Ripley is even better. Ibis took what they learned with their longer-travel Ripmo and applied that to the 120/130mm-travel Ripley to make what their calling the “Mini’Mo.” We’ve had the bike for a couple of days here in Hurricane and it’s a fantastic ride – just as you’d expect from an Ibis. We have them available now so if you’d like to find out for yourself how good it is, visit our Ibis Ripley V4 bike page, call or use the online rental form to reserve your new Ibis Ripley 29er demo, now.
Although the new Ripley might appear similar to the previous version, it’s really a very different bike. Yes, it’s still a 120mm rear-wheel travel 29er trail bike that can handle cross country, marathon or enduro terrain. But Ibis tweaked nearly every element to make a far more versatile, modern and capable bike. It’s lighter, quicker, smoother and most of all – more fun.
The most important changes to the new Ripley are updated geometry and suspension kinematics. The 2019 Ibis Ripley has been slackened a full degree for a 66.5º head angle; the chain stays have been shortened considerably to a very snappy 432mm; and the seat angle has been increased three degrees to 76 º. The updated geometry is makes the bike a more comfortable climber and a more confident descender. The handling is both quicker and more stable, thanks to the shortened chain stays, slacker head angle and longer reach. It has more of an aggressive trail bike feel than the old Ripley.
The Ripley’s DW Link suspension was already one of the most balanced, efficient and coveted. But Ibis had updated the suspension to make it more progressive. The result is improved traction and an overall plusher feel – kind of like a smaller, quicker Ripmo. Clearance for meaty 2.6-inch tires and a 170mm dropper post make the new Ripley even more capable and fun on loose, chunky and technical trails – exactly the kind of riding that brings people to Hurricane.
The guys in the shop were all surprised and excited about after giving the new Ripley the old parking lot test ride. It was a lot more playful and capable than anyone expected. Over the Edge, Hurricane tech Ryan and Photo-John took the bike up on the Three Falls Trail for a photo ride. That’s Ryan riding the Ripley for the photos in this story.
Three Falls is a steep climb with lots of sharp, chunky rock bits and tight, exposed switchbacks. Ryan usually rides a much beefier, longer-travel bike and he really enjoyed riding the new Ripley. After the photo ride he said, “The new Ripley is lightweight but still planted and handles technical ups and downs like a champ. It’s more playful than the original Ripley. I would definitely run the 2.6 tire option if I were to set it up for myself.”
Weight weenies will be happy to know Ibis knocked a whole lot of weight off of the new Ripley’s all-carbon frame. The new frame weighs in at just 5.6 pounds – that’s half a pound lighter than the old Ripley frame. You can buy a complete 2019 Ibis Ripley that weighs under 26 pounds. Whatever you want, we can build it.
We’re really pleased to be adding the new Ibis Ripley to our demo bike lineup. And we’re even more pleased to have the bike in stock, at launch. We have Ripleys available for rent or purchase, right now. You can be riding a new Ibis Ripley tomorrow. These bikes are going to be in high demand so if you want one, don’t wait. For more information, including Ibis Ripley 29er photos, full specs, geometry and pricing for rent and purchase, visit our Ibis Ripley V4 29er page, now. To reserve an Ibis Ripley rental bike, you can also use our online rental form or pick up the phone and give us a call: (435) 635-5455.
